How to make friends in Phuket

honestly, just spend time talking to strangers will do, i always take initiative to say 'hey' and strike a conversation with just about everyone i meet including the locals, so far, almost everyone i have came across, locals or farangs have been very helpful in giving me direction or recommendation where to shop or eat. i feel very much at home except that i could not get over the ideal of not been able to flag down a metered taxi whenever and wherever in phuket, it near impossible to get around if you do not drive or ride a bike, its even tougher when i tried to rent one at an affordable price as every excuse i hear so far is high season is coming???

Hi,

We are two expatriates working in South-Thailand for one year. We arrived one month ago. I am Swiss-French and my colleague is Canadian.

We will probably spend days in Phuket from 27th February to 1st March.

We both speak English and French, like joking, discovering, exchanging. Would you guys agree to meet in Phuket and have a drink together in two weeks?

I hope to see you soon!

Its hard to meet people when you are not a drinker IMO.
I would suggest doing charity work to meet people or finding a group that meets weekly.

Hi - Start a small business - a leisurely side business - you get some money and get new friends too!
[email protected].

Go to places where they are doing the things you like to do. If you play tennis look for some courts or a club that play tennis. Join a tennis team etc. If you like to talk look for a bar or a coffee house. JW

How about a good ol meet up and drink?

I want to start a small business.  I'm from ohio and have been self employed for over 27 years.  I'm a jeweler, a real one, I design and create it.  G.I.A. Gemologist too.  It was great work.  people usually buy jewelry for a happy occasion.  It is also tedious and pains-taking work.   I've been to Thailand three times, Phuket just once in 1983.  In Bangkok, I found that alot of English folks hang together.  Same with German's.  Do American's hang together?  No titi bars for me.  I will enjoy a drink or two.  I just want some peace and a few friends.

Hello CarlValentine!

Welcome to Expat-blog!

Check out under Network - American expatriates in Phuket.

It might help.

I`m sure you`ll meet lot of expatriates, establish new contacts and make friends.

Good Luck!

Regards,
Sheetul

Hi,
I am a new member and seriously considering moving to Thailand from England, although born a Kiwi.
Can anyone give me 5 tips to help me be careful about or how to bypass difficulties in paperwork or any hints to help in the process would help me big time.....
Thanks guys, I need all the advice I can get at the moment.
Lndnkiwi

Hello Lndkiwi,
Could you start a new topic in Thailand's forum as you are a bit here!
Thanks

I am a Canadian coming to Phuket in early February for about 2 weeks. I'm also going to spend a few days in Bangkok and four or five days in Pattaya. Is there a place in Phuket where expat Canucks meet? Also wanting to find a good sports bar for the 2011 Super Bowl and Vancouver Canucks games.

I think quite a lot of people are off topic here...
How to make friends in Phuket: big issue.
Phuket is full of foreigners, including me, who are here for different reasons and they have different background.
Some of them have a regular job, others have a semi-legal job, some would like to find one, many are on long term holidays, and retiree are not a few portion. Do not under estimate that Thailand is home of many refugees from who knows which past and experience, so everyone on the island is a bit diffident meeting new people. It looks like people have something to hide and they don`t want to share too much their life with strangers. Sometimes even those looking regular people might hide strange personalities. How to make a selection: no way, you just have to try and experience on your skin. How to make friends: first of all it`s easier with people speaking the same language as yours, so you might look for association of your nationality and join their activities. If you are unlucky like me without any Italian Club, than start joining other countries communities and activities. For women now it`s easier, as there is a new female only based network called Chicky Net, you can contact with other girls and woman living in Phuket and all over Thailand. For men it will be easier to find network talking about girls, viagra, visas and other stupid topics. Restaurants and bars are a good location, especially if from your country, but you have to chose less touristy places. And don`t be afraid to call a person once in a while after you got his/her mobile. Everybody can find the time for a coffee somewhere, but without pushing too much. The topic should be much longer, but that`s how to start a friendship in Phuket.

Hello Vanguy

I would suggest that you start a new discussion in the Phuket forum. Here, you are off topic.

Thanks

benjibrainerst wrote:

Its hard to meet people when you are not a drinker IMO.
I would suggest doing charity work to meet people or finding a group that meets weekly.

How about visiting us for water, soft drink or coffee? Hi, I'm a Blues musician from ROCKIN' ANGELS Blues Cafe in Phuket Town. I don't drink alcohol and I should be sober enough to chat with you once I'm off stage.

Come by the town, there's more local vibes over here, and even the tourists here are much more polite.

Where is that located?

I do love blues, would interrest me to hear some real music.

To answer the OP, after 3 years in Phuket, I have simply met no friends. but I reckon it must be my problems :

1) I do not drink
2) I do not bragg
3) When I play pool, I usually win, because the other guy is drunk and I am not (not because I am good ...).
4) I do not ring the bell, never ever.
5) I am not whore monger (too tired after work to even think about it).
6) Even if I am 50, I am still not looking as a retiree
7) I did not come here to save Thailand (charity work), nor to disrespect the local laws (charity wors need WORK PERMIT).

and blah and blah and blah.

Well, the topic was :

Which are your best tips to meet people and to make friends in Phuket??


And I indeed offered tips on what to NOT do, it is usually called casuistic.

Sorry to have bother anyway.

Halloo... I'm surprise to receive couple of replies

Sting01 - the Rockin' Angels Blues Cafe is in Phuket Town, the water fountain circle where Yaowarat Road start. We're just before the first traffic junction of Yaowarat, Krabi and Talang Road. Pay attention to the big orange light box, you won't miss it. Hope to see you around.

My name is Dale and i,ve only just moved to Phuket(Rawai)would love to me other like minded expats from all over

Tonight at Friendship Beach resort in Rawai there is a music night. These guys arrange such social small events sometimes, it`s a good place to meet people of this area.
Phuket town is indeed the best place to meet normal people, Thai and foreigners. Here people are real, but of course everyone has to make its own selection.
Hi Rockin Angel, i`ve been to your pub a few times at your previous location, haven`t tried the new one yet but I will come soon.
Other nice places to meet lovely people in Phuket Town are Sanaeha and Timber Hut (still on Yaowarat road, same as Rockin Angel) and I used to go also to Music Matters on Wed or Sat when they do Jammin Session. I'm not off topic here, these places are really the worth to get the chance to meet new persons.
In other areas, such as Rawai, Nai Harn, and even in the most touristy areas, I think it's worth going to places and bars with less people, as it`s easier to start a conversation.
As somebody else said, if you like sport than join a gym or yoga activities, if you like fun and drinking, tnan go for House Hash Harry Phuket.

Hello Classyfrontiers, hope to see you again

everyone has to work, but working 6 days a week, average hours 9-6pm make it difficult to actually make any friends outside of work. I wanted to join a football team, but i couldn't make the practice and games due to work. 

Not looking to seriously take part in any sports, although, I am pretty handy (once I get back into shape) but it would be great to meet up with any groups just be social and make new friends. Doesn't even have to be sports as I am pretty good at drinking as well

I've been in Phuket over 1 year now and my circle of friends has dwindled due to people leaving the island or recently having babies and been tied up at home... any tips on where expats are hanging out would be great

Cheers

Welcome on Expat-blog rogergibsonUK!

I hope you will make lots of new contacts on the site.

i think just smile and start with Sawadee kha/ krab to Thai ppl, you shall have a lot of chance to know them more. ^__^

Hi benze44!

Welcome to Expat.com

Regards
Armand

Thank you ^^

I am totally agree! working 6 days a week 9-18. its very difficult to make any friends outside of work.
Should be very nice if someone come up with any groups of the people around just be social and make new friends.

rogergibsonUK wrote:

everyone has to work, but working 6 days a week, average hours 9-6pm make it difficult to actually make any friends outside of work. I wanted to join a football team, but i couldn't make the practice and games due to work. 

Not looking to seriously take part in any sports, although, I am pretty handy (once I get back into shape) but it would be great to meet up with any groups just be social and make new friends. Doesn't even have to be sports as I am pretty good at drinking as well

I've been in Phuket over 1 year now and my circle of friends has dwindled due to people leaving the island or recently having babies and been tied up at home... any tips on where expats are hanging out would be great

Cheers

Hello Cookie-J.

Please note that this is an old thread but thank you for your contribution.

Regards
Karen

oh.....sorry

Well come to join speed boat trip unseen in phuket pls call 0821100969