Networking Options in Bangkok
There are a number of clubs in Bangkok whose main aim is to help expats network, for business and pleasure. Clubs such as the Royal Bangkok Sport’s Club and the British Club have a number of expat members who visit on a daily and weekly basis. They are good places to meet fellow expats as there are many social events held throughout the year.
Expat Groups
Expat’s Association of Bangkok
The Expat’s Association of Bangkok is an organisation whose goal is to introduce expats to each other, provide a social network to both new and established expats living within the city and to provide support and advice. A number of expats throughout the city attend the weekly meetings that are held at different restaurants throughout the CBD. It is a fairly low-key club which is largely attended by retired and semi-retired expats, but they often have invaluable information on important issues affecting expats in the city. For more information, contact Kurt Mekong at: MekongKurt@BangkokAtoZ.com.
Bangkok Expats Club
Contact: bangkok-expats-club@linuxmail.org
New Zealand Society of Thailand
British Club Bangkok
http://www.britishclubbangkok.org/
Business and Professional Organizations
Chambers of Commerce
The Chambers of Commerce throughout Bangkok have regular social evenings, which are held at the embassies throughout the city. The Australian Chamber of Commerce is the most active hosting monthly gatherings, open to everyone. They are free for members, but there is a charge of 750 baht for non-members. The gatherings are held at different venues throughout the city, although they are usually at five-star hotels. For more information, contact http://www.austchamthailand.com. The American and British Chamber of Commerce also have regular events, details of which are found on their websites: http://www.amchamthailand.com and http://www.bccthai.com.
The Foreign Correspondence Club of Bangkok
Anyone can attend their monthly meetings which are very popular with all of the expat community
Lighthouse Club
Mainly for the engineering and construction community as well as high level directors and executives.
Private Clubs and Country Clubs
Thai Country Club
http://www.thaicountryclub.com
88 Moo 1, Bangna-Trad Rd.,
Km 35.5, Tambol Pimpa,
Amphur Bangpakong,
Chacheongsao 24180
Other Expat Clubs
Rotary Clubs (http://www.rotary.org)
Women’s Clubs
There are a number of women’s clubs which have monthly meetings and social events. These are especially popular with women who have young children and families as it is an escape for them for a few hours. The most popular clubs are:
- American Women’s Club of Thailand: http://www.AWCThailand.org
They provide a networking opportunity for women and also organise fund-raising events for some of the city’s charities. They have sporting teams for bowling, golf and tennis, organised coffee mornings and lunches and ladies’ nights out which include dinner and drinks at different venues around town.
Tourist Police
One other option is to join the tourist police. This is a section of the main police which is open for foreigners to volunteer. Foreigners are not there to arrest criminals; they are there to help with translation, supervise major events and offer assistance should tourists require it. There are many foreigners who volunteer, helping out at different events and also providing support to foreigners who may be in need. It is a good way to network within both the Thai and expat community as you will be meeting different groups of people every time you work. Tourist police often meet influential people such as politicians and executive Thais and in an Asian community where networking is the key to success, contacts in certain areas of Thai culture will only be beneficial. For more information on the tourist police call: +662 678-6800.
