Pattaya November 2020

BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT
FOODMART
SUPERMARKET
On Thappraya Road, Jomtien
316/3 Moo 12, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150
THE BENEFITS OF
BELONGING TO AN
EXPAT COMMUNITY
FOODMART
Offers a wide selection of the best foods and beverages
from around the world at reasonable prices.
FOODMART
Is located directly on Thappraya Road north of Thepprasit Road,
opposite Pan Pan Restaurant.
Tel: 038-303 467
Although many of us come to
Thailand to start a new life away
from the ties of our home country
culture, it can be very beneficial
to not isolate yourself completely
within the Thai society and become
an active member of your
local expat community.
If you choose to stay alone
with only your Thai partner and
her friends and family, this may
seem like bliss at first but eventually
you will start to miss the
familiarity of western company.
Life in a foreign country can
be a lot of fun, especially if you
make an effort to learn the language
and some of the customs.
Your Thai partner will most likely
be very proud that you are trying
to fit in with Thai culture and
staying away from some of the
more well known expat haunts
around town.
However, as a long term expat
resident of Thailand, you will
eventually need the company of
other expats and depending on
where you choose to live this can
be found in many forms.
Some of the villages around
Central Pattaya and in East Pattaya,
more commonly known as
the darkside are in many ways
like a ‘mini England’ and are
solely or 90% occupied by westerners
and their Thai families. If
you choose to live somewhere
like this then it will be very easy
to become part of an expat community
just by getting to know
your neighbours or visiting the
local eatery.
If you prefer to live further out
of town or limit your exposure to
other expats then you may want
to join an expats club which you
can attend weekly and learn
useful information about visas,
insurance, bank accounts, driving
licences and other essential
items about life in Thailand.
It’s important to draw a line
between your family life and your
expat friends, all too many foreigners
cause problems in their
family by discussing their private
life with their friends. Don’t let
anyone know the financial arrangements
between you and
your partner, this should remain
between you as a couple. In the
same way that Thais can sometimes
cause problems by discussing
private matters with their
families, foreigners can create
the same problems by discussing
with and taking advice from
their friends.
However, on a positive note
being part of an organised expat
community can provide you
with a much needed connection
to home, the ability to have a
conversation in your native language,
enjoy food from your
home country, find out useful
information about Thailand and
more.
As with everything in Thailand,
be careful what to believe
and check the source of the
information thoroughly before
acting on it. At Key Visa, we recommend
that you only take professional
advice when it comes
to legal matters and if you are
unsure of the best place to get
this advice your local expats club
will be able to point you in the
right direction.
If you are interested in joining
Pattaya Expats Club you can
visit their website https://pattayaexpatsclub.info/wp/
or go along
to a meeting at the Amari Hotel
at the north end of Beach Road
every Friday morning.
081-004 5397
Office: 038-422-131
Fax: 038-412-277
E-mail: info@keyvisathailand.com
High Tower Co., Ltd. Tel: 038 411 009
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