How to make the big city feel like home
One of the most daunting things about moving abroad is the fear of loneliness. You’ll be leaving behind your family and friends, your routine, and your hometown, which is equal parts exciting and terrifying. As someone who has lived in Bangkok for just over three months now, here are the top three ways I’ve made friends in the city so far.
Tip 1: Join a community group
Bangkok is full of amazing grassroots community groups. I’ve found some wonderful friends from these groups who I now meet for coffees, runs, parties and even weekend trips! They advertise their events primarily on Instagram, so keep an eye out for announcements and new comminities – there are lots popping up.
Sabai Run Club – this is one of Asia’s largest run clubs. Their motto is “we run a little and socialise a lot.” They meet every Sunday morning in Benjakitti Park for a socially-paced 3km. Whether you’re a serious runner or a brand new to running, you’ll find a pace that suits you, and enjoy the post-run coffee and chats!
One For The Girls & Sole Sisters – these are two women-focused groups that run activities varying from weekly walks in the park, garden parties, day trips out of Bangkok and wine and cheese nights. The variety is endless and you’re bound to make a new friend.
Make BKK Small – this is a community that does a variety of activities such as book clubs, sports days, and picnics. They’re a relaxed group that’s great for meeting new people, forming connections and exploring new activities and ideas.
Tip 2: Have an open attitude (online & in-person!)
I made a great friend because he came up to me and another friend whilst we were co-working in a cafe. We were talking about moving abroad, and he asked if he could ask us some questions about moving to Bangkok. Being out and about in the city even to do daily things like life admin on your laptop gives you more of a chance of meeting people than staying at home.
If you’re a teacher, be sure to talk to your fellow SINE teachers and the Thai staff in your school. Plus, if you like to create on social media, you might connect online with someone with a similar interest to you. I met a friend on TikTok because we both made content about vegan restaurants in Bangkok!
Tip 3: Join a class or club
Soft power classes such as Thai language lessons, Muay Thai, and Thai cooking are a popular way to immerse yourself in cultural activities, and can often be found as part of a course lasting a few weeks to a few months. I’ve made connections at my local weightlifting gym, so whatever you’re interested in, you can find friends there.
The biggest overall piece of advice I have is: choose an activity, and participate in it consistently! Whether it’s a run club, book club or other community, attending meetings over and over will mean you meet the same people repeatedly, and form a connection organically. Of course, making friends is going to look a little different if you’re a teacher in Bangkok, versus out in rural Thailand (we’ll get one of our Isan teachers to write about this!). But the sentiment remains: be open to talking to new connections, and put yourself out there: you won’t make friends sitting at home!