Living in Bangkok, Thailand – Interview With an Expat

This is an interview about moving to and living in Bangkok.

Bangkok is a cosmopolitan city that attracts expats from all over the world.

But what is life in Bangkok really like? Is it easy to move to Bangkok? Is expat life in Bangkok really as enjoyable as some people say?

I am traveling through Thailand myself at the moment and spent some time in Bangkok. This made me wonder even more what attracts people to move to Bangkok and what expat life is like in Thailand’s capital…

In this Ask an Expat series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad. In the interview, the expat shares tips for anyone thinking about moving abroad and information about what to see and do in the place the expat now calls home.

Expat Life in Bangkok, Thailand

Name: Anton Roos
Age: 26
Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden

His Story:

“I’ve always been very adventurous, and for as long as I can remember I’ve been trying to explore more and more.

This does not only apply to travel but to all the different decisions life throws at me.

There is a quote from Pippi Long Stockings (a children’s fictional character I grew up with) that goes “Oh, I’ve never tried that, so I can probably manage to do it!” I think that explains a lot about my mindset.

So, when I was asked to move to Bangkok I immediately said yes.”

Why Did You Move to Bangkok?

“As a student in Sweden I did my internship with a guy who previously lived in Bangkok and had a big network here.

When he later moved back to Bangkok he introduced me to another Swede who was looking to hire a person for a position in his company that would fit me very well.

So, long story short, I accepted the job and moved to Bangkok.

I really just moved here on a whim, without knowing a lot about the country or its culture.

I had traveled to Thailand briefly a few years before, so my expectations about what life in Bangkok would be like were purely based on that.”

What Do You Like About Living in Bangkok?

“Apart from the country’s fantastic landscape with mountains, jungle and beaches, I really like the culture, which in my opinion is a very down-to-earth culture with a lot of love.

It makes it even better that with a decent salary you get to do a lot because prices of food, transportation, etc in Thailand are still very affordable.

I usually say that even though I work a lot here, whenever I leave work I’m truly off duties. I do not have to cook food, I do not have to clean my condo.  I really think this is a very nice detail, and a real luxury, in your everyday life.

I’ve never felt as relaxed as since I’ve been living in Bangkok.”

What Do You Dislike About Living in Bangkok?

“Oh, hehe. I’m not the biggest fan of the nonexistent urban planning. I really wish it was easier to walk around or even bike around town.

I also don’t really like how the school system here has this hierarchical culture where you don’t question what the teacher says.

This makes people afraid to question things they don’t agree with which can be quite tricky when it comes to certain situations, including work-related ones. I do however believe that this is slowly changing due to the country developing in general.”

Also Read: Things to Consider Before Moving to Another Country

Is Bangkok Safe as a Place to Live?

“I’ve never really felt unsafe in Bangkok or anywhere else in Thailand.

In Sweden, we would see people arguing on the streets, in nightclubs and at night in general I guess. I’ve never seen anything like that here, and I have been out a lot.

I’ve never seen someone get robbed or end up in a bad situation. However, this doesn’t mean that these things don’t exist.

I guess it all comes down to who you are. If you are a person who seeks trouble, you will easily find it.

One thing to remember is that Thailand is ranked very high among the most corrupt countries in the world.

I do think that as a young expat going out to bars etc you are likely to come into contact with the local police at some point. But if you don’t have anything to worry about you can always feel safe.

It might be good to read a bit about how the police work here. There are cases when they are trying to scam people.

But, I would like to emphasize that I feel safer living here in Thailand than in any country in Europe.”

Is Bangkok expensive as a place to live?

“Not really, at least not compared to most Western cities.

Bangkok can be as affordable or as pricey as you make it.

If you stick to local food, use public transport, and live a bit outside the most touristy neighborhoods, the cost of living is surprisingly low. You can enjoy great meals for just a couple of dollars and find good apartments at reasonable prices.

That said, if you want a modern condo with a pool and gym, prefer imported groceries, or love going out in expat-heavy areas, your costs will go up quickly.

Overall, most expats feel they get a very good quality of life for what they spend.”

What is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Bangkok?

“I’m a big fan of bar hopping, food, and traveling. Sometimes I rent a bike for a day just to explore the city.

A fun fact about Bangkok: it is the city with the most restaurants in the world!

Bangkok is known as one of Asia’s greatest food destinations, offering an incredibly diverse dining scene representing cuisines from across Thailand and the world”

What is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Bangkok?

“I basically spend at least two nights per week at Smalls, which is ranked the 29th best bar in Asia.

Another bar I’ve spent an awkward amount of time in is Tropic City, which is owned by Swedish friends of mine.

When it comes to food, let me just start by saying that I had made some dinner reservations even before I booked my flights when moving here. 😉

Anyhow, I eat everything, one day I’m eating street food outside my condo, the next day I’m eating at Gaggan or Blue by Alain Ducasse (two famous upscale restaurants in Bangkok).

However, I do have two restaurants where I bring all my friends who visit me in Bangkok. The first one is Daimasu (Japanese) and the second one is River Vibe Restaurant (Thai). In my opinion, those are very fun restaurants and also very affordable.”

What Is the Expat / International Community Like in Bangkok?

The expat community in Bangkok, and in Thailand in general, is quite big.

On top of that, the digital nomad community (people who work remotely and tend to only stay for a few weeks to a few months) is also growing.

I’m not a frequent visitor of all the events that are held for expats in Bangkok by the different chambers of commerce, but you’ll find me at them every now and then.

But, the chambers of commerce organize events frequently. They all have their own website so I recommend Googling the one you are interested in, which will mainly depend on where you are from (for example, the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand).

Alternatively, just check for events nearby on Facebook or Meetup.com to find out what’s happening in Bangkok. That’s a great way to meet other expats living in Bangkok”

Any Tips for Moving to / Living in Bangkok?

“I think it’s easier to move to Bangkok than most people think.

I was lucky enough to have a friend here who set me up with an interview, but I think it would be very easy to just pack your bags and come here on a tourist visa while applying for a job.

If you do it that way I would recommend attending a lot of different work-related events in order to get the contacts that hopefully would lead to a job interview.

You can also find specific recruiting events. Recruitment companies organize these events every now and then to find candidates and promote their services.

Finding a place to live in Bangkok is surprisingly easy. Just go to hipflat.co.th where you’ll find a lot of listings.”

Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a New Life in Bangkok?

“Three websites I would recommend:

• Finding a place to live in Bangkok: Hipflat.co.th
• Finding a job in Bangkok: th.jobsdb.com
• For information about a Thailand work visa: Visaguide.world“

Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Bangkok?

“Too much to mention!

visit as many restaurants and bars as you can.

Rent a boat from Saphan Taksin pier for an hour, bring some beverages and enjoy an hour in the canals of “Venice of the East”.”

Follow Anton on Instagram to see more of his life as an expat in Bangkok!

About Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital and most populous city, is a large city known for ornate shrines and vibrant street life.

Its high-rise buildings, heavy traffic congestion, intense heat, and naughty nightlife may not immediately give you the best impression. But don’t let that mislead you.

Bangkok is popular both with expats and travelers.

It is one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities with magnificent temples and palaces, authentic canals, busy markets, upscale malls, a vibrant nightlife, a wide range of hotels to choose from and many fabulous sights and attractions that reflect its unique heritage.

Also Read:

• Interview About Living in Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Interview About Living in Koh Tao
• Things to Know About Traveling to Thailand as a Woman
• Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience
• Living and Working Abroad: What You Thought vs What It’s Really Like
• Koh Tao vs Koh Samui: Which Island is Best for You?

 

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