What makes Thailand foreigner friendly - by Edgar Arold - Helium
Thailand is a foreigner friendly country. The Thai people are generally very welcoming to a foreigner, although you may get many strange looks. There are laws that forbid a foreigner to buy land or own a business, more than 49%, but these don't make the country against foreigners. Overall, foreigners are welcome and probably will be for many years to come. There are several obvious things that make Thailand a foreigner friendly country:
The supermarkets. In some countries, like Hong Kong, you as a foreigner would be hard pressed to find a supermarket to meet your needs, if you are concerned about having food that is like your home country. In Thailand, they have places like Foodland or Villa Market to supply and meet your needs. Now, if you are after brands from your country, you can find them, but you will pay for it dearly. For example, a bottle of Thai ketchup costs fifty cents whereas a bottle of Hunt's ketchup will cost over two dollars. You will pay for the brands that you want. Even Thai supermarkets like Makro, and Tops and Big C will meet a foreigner's needs if they are willing to compromise a brand and still eat well. Supermarkets are a clear sign that Thailand is a foreigner friendly country.
Thai people. As mentioned above, the Thai people are very kind to foreigners and will be very kind to them. Some of the kindness is deceiving, but most is Thai culture. The Thai people will try their best to speak the few words of English they know to make the foreigner feel at home or at least close to home. Furthermore, they enjoy hearing people speak in English, so if you see people look at you when you are talking, they are enjoying hearing you speak in another language.
Many restaurants are focused on foreigners and many Thai people won't eat at them because there isn't even anything that would be considered Thai food. This is done because the restaurant owner knows that there are many foreigners and their menu will appeal to them first.
Upon entering Thailand, it will not take longer than a day to realize that Thailand is a foreigner friendly country. You are welcome as much as you are legally allowed to be in Thailand.
The supermarkets. In some countries, like Hong Kong, you as a foreigner would be hard pressed to find a supermarket to meet your needs, if you are concerned about having food that is like your home country. In Thailand, they have places like Foodland or Villa Market to supply and meet your needs. Now, if you are after brands from your country, you can find them, but you will pay for it dearly. For example, a bottle of Thai ketchup costs fifty cents whereas a bottle of Hunt's ketchup will cost over two dollars. You will pay for the brands that you want. Even Thai supermarkets like Makro, and Tops and Big C will meet a foreigner's needs if they are willing to compromise a brand and still eat well. Supermarkets are a clear sign that Thailand is a foreigner friendly country.
Thai people. As mentioned above, the Thai people are very kind to foreigners and will be very kind to them. Some of the kindness is deceiving, but most is Thai culture. The Thai people will try their best to speak the few words of English they know to make the foreigner feel at home or at least close to home. Furthermore, they enjoy hearing people speak in English, so if you see people look at you when you are talking, they are enjoying hearing you speak in another language.
Many restaurants are focused on foreigners and many Thai people won't eat at them because there isn't even anything that would be considered Thai food. This is done because the restaurant owner knows that there are many foreigners and their menu will appeal to them first.
Upon entering Thailand, it will not take longer than a day to realize that Thailand is a foreigner friendly country. You are welcome as much as you are legally allowed to be in Thailand.
