Neng Neng - Expat in Bangkok, Thailand

Neng Neng is a 25-year-old social media strategist and travel blogger who lives in the city of Bangkok, Thailand. Neng Neng was born in Thailand but grew up in the Netherlands, and relocated to Bangkok due to a job offer. “I got a job offer while I was on holiday in Thailand. They were looking for a Dutch person with Thai nationality and someone recommended me to the company and before I knew I got the job,” she explained. At present, she has been living in Thailand for one year and two months.

Although Neng Neng explained that she had little difficulty with obtaining formalities to relocate due to having dual citizenship with Thailand and the Netherlands, she expressed the difficulty she had in her first few weeks when it came to making friends. “Through Facebook I found networking events which I attended. These kinds of events are necessary if you want to meet people and build friendship,” she said, adding that she preferred to socialize with the locals rather than other expats. “I am here to learn about the culture, surrounding yourself with expats does not improve your learnings,” she clarified.

Like Neng Neng, it can be difficult to socialize in another country while overseas. To make it easier to adjust to life overseas, expats can make friends with both locals and expatriates through available clubs and associations in their host country. Expats can also avail of the document and citizen-related services they need by visiting their local embassies in the country they are living in.

Find out more about Neng Neng’s experiences in Thailand in her full interview below.

Q: Where are you originally from?

A: I was born in Thailand, but moved to the Netherlands when I was little. 

Q: What made you move out of your home country?

A: I wanted to travel. I knew the Netherlands was not the place for me, I wanted to discover the world and Asia has always fascinated me.

Q: Where are you living now?

A: I'm now living in Bangkok, Thailand.

Q: How did you come to choose this new country of residence?

A: I got a job offer while I was on holiday in Thailand. They were looking for a Dutch person with Thai nationality and someone recommended me to the company and before I knew I got the job.

Q: How long have you been living in Thailand?

A: Since January 2014.

Q: What has been the most difficult experience you've had when you were new in your host country?

A: The language was pretty difficult to understand as well as the culture. Luckily Thailand is not so difficult for me as I can speak basic Thai.

Q: Would you say that formalities like getting visas or work permits and international health insurance was particularly difficult in Thailand? What was your experience with these?

A: It wasn't difficult for me, because I have dual citizenship. I'm living in Thailand as a Thai citizen, visas and work permits does not apply for me.

 

Q: Are you living alone or with your family?

A: Alone

Q: Was it easy making friends and meeting people? Do you mainly socialize with other expats in Thailand? How did you manage to find a social circle in Thailand?

A: The first few weeks was not easy. Through Facebook I found networking events which I attended. These kinds of events are necessary if you want to meet people and build friendship. Also my blog is a big help for my social life, some readers email me and sometimes when it feels right, I meet up with them for a coffee and talk about my experience in Bangkok.

I socialize more with my Thai coworkers, I consider them as my friends. I prefer hanging out with locals, because expats tend to complain a lot about everything. Thai people work harder and never complain. I am here to learn about the culture, surrounding yourself with expats does not improve your learnings.

Q: What are the best things to do in the area? Anything to recommend to future expats?

A: Bangkok is a lively city with so much going on every day and night, it is hard to get bored here. All main tourist attractions are highly recommended, like the Grand Palace and many other temples. But it is also fun to discover hidden gems by walking around in an unknown neighborhood. When you have a weekend off, you should go out of the city. Go to Kanchanaburi or Hua Hin, for example. Away from the hectic city life to recharge yourself. 

Q: How does the cost of living in Thailand compared to your home?

A: Thailand is so much cheaper than the Netherlands! For a cup of coffee from a local vendor you pay about 20THB (less than 50 cents). I normally eat in a local restaurant, which is about 40 - 60THB (1 - 1,50 euro). If you go to a well-known restaurant chain, you end up paying between 150 - 300THB depending on your meal. Western food are usually more expensive.

Transportation can be cheap too. We have skytrains here which is very convenient. Buses are very cheap, but the disadvantage is the traffic jam. You can better travel by skytrain or subway when it is rush hour.

Q: How do you find the local culture and people in your host country?

A: People are very kind and helpful if you are friendly to them. As long as they do not loose their face, they will treat you as their friend. 

 

Q: What do you think are the positive and negative sides of living in Thailand?

A: Everything in Thailand is cheap. That is why many people come to Thailand. Also the weather is much better than in the Netherlands where it is cold and wet. The negative side is that you are not threaten equally. Foreigners have to pay double entrance fee while Thai nationals can enter for free or have to pay less.

Q: Do you miss home and family sometimes?

A: When I am alone in my apartment or when I am sick, I miss home and family.

Q: How do you cope with homesickness?

A: I skype with my parents once in 2-3 weeks. The time difference makes it difficult to skype and both parties are very busy with daily life. But they know I am okay, because they follow my blog and my facebook daily.

Q: Do you have plans to move to a different country or back home in the future?

A: Yes, in a year or two my boyfriend and I want to move to Japan and then we will see how everything goes. It is hard to plan things far ahead, but it is certain that I won't move back to the Netherlands. 

Q: What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?

A: Being away from friends and family is the hardest aspect, especially when you are feeling alone. But I cannot complain, I love traveling and exploring. Being here in Asia gives me better opportunity to travel around. 

Q: What tips can you give other expats living in Thailand?

A: Thailand has more to offer than only beaches and palaces. Travel around and discover small villages where you won't find much tourists. You will find the real meaning of 'the land of the smiles'. 

 

Q: Do you have favourite websites or blogs about your host country?

A: My blog www.nnvsbkk.com is about my travel journeys, but mainly about life in Thailand, focusing on restaurants, cafes and sightseeing in the city, but also about the culture and their differences. Check it out if you want to know more about Bangkok!