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Yin deed ton rub glub bahn is Thai for ‘welcome home’. For some of us it does feel like home. We have spent the summer exploring new places, seeing old friends, visiting family, enjoying western supermarkets (or is that just me?) .... For many newcomers, Bangkok may not feel like home yet, but hopefully with our help it soon will. As a seasoned expat (almost 3 decades and 8 countries), I feel that I am somewhat qualified to give a little advice. So allow me to share some ‘top tips’ on settling in: ⦿ This is Thailand (TIT). This is a phrase that you will soon become familiar with. Things won’t always go as planned. Whatever happens, try your best to focus on what you do like about your new home. Even if it is just something small like drivers allowing you to change lanes when you indicate. ⦿ Say ‘yes’ to everything. Maybe an organised trip to a museum is your idea of pulling teeth, but go anyway! It is important to get out there, connect with people and start making your own Bangkok memories. One of life’s essentials in a new place is friends. You won’t meet people by sitting at home surrounded by packing boxes and watching Netflix. Get out there! Take advantage of all the activities SILC offers. You are going to meet lots of great women in SILC and maybe in time a few of them will be your best friends. ⦿ Give yourself at least a year to acclimate. Anytime you start thinking, “this was a huge mistake’ or “I’m never going to like living here” and trust me, it will happen – remind yourself that things are in transition, moving is hard. Generally, after a year here once you have experienced all the seasons (hot and hotter, wet and wetter), celebrated Songkran, learnt a few words of Thai and can ‘wai’ like a local, it will start to feel like home. ⦿ Appreciate - don’t compare - the differences. No living situation will be the same. While it’s wonderful to reflect on somewhere you lived before, it’s not healthy to pine for what once was. Embrace the parts of this city that you will grow to love, rather than focusing on what it lacks.
⦿ All it takes is one friend. Honestly, it only takes one new friend to get you through that first milestone year. Concentrate on finding her. Strike up conversations with the ladies you meet through SILC, in the gym, at work, at school events etc. Start volunteering or join a Meetup.com group to find people with similar interests. It may be awkward at first but you’ll be glad you did it. Once you have one solid person to do something with, life becomes easier. ⦿ Volunteer. If you are lucky enough to not have to work here then consider volunteering. Not only will you get the satisfaction of helping others, but also you’ll also be socializing with and meeting other volunteers – like-minded but diverse individuals who could be potential friends. ⦿ Be a tourist. Treat your move here like an exciting adventure. Buy yourself a guidebook or get online and then start exploring. Don’t wait to be invited out by someone. Exploring on your own forces you to be independent and learn your way around. We also offer many tours and local trips. Before long, you will be a guide for the multitude of family and friends who visit! Be gentle on yourself. Don’t be afraid to be afraid. Accept that fear or sadness isn’t a weakness. Be gentle on yourself and accepting of the way you feel.
Tracey xx
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ZUMBA FREE TRIAL WITH QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR Tuesday 12th September 09:30-10:30 Location: Charlotte’s house, Muban Ladawan Srinakarin Rd (Sridan 14 turning) Detailed address sent by email RSVP: silcmagazine@gmail.com 8
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THE Baan Krua Nua silk-weaving community Thursday 28th September, 9am-1pm
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EVER WANTED TO DESIGN AND MAKE YOUR OWN STYLISH HANDBAG?
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CAN YOU HELP?
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D E N TPO
POS
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GET INVOLVED!
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DID YOU KNOW?
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HOSPITALS (good expat services) Name
Location
Area/BTS
Website/Comments
SAMUTPRAKARN Thainakarin
345, Bangna-Trad Highway Just after Central Bangna
http://www.thainakarin.co.th/en
Sikarin
Moo 10 Srinakarin Road
Immediately opposite LaSalle Road, crossing over Srinakarin
http://www.sikarin.com/en/contact
Samitivej Srinakarin
488 Srinakarin Rd
After Pattanakan Road
https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/srinakarin/
Samitivej Sukhumvit
133 Sukhumvit soi 49
Thonglor
https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/sukhumvit
BNH
Convent Rd
Silom
www.bnhhospital.com
Bumrungrad
33 Soi Sukhumvit 3
Ploenchit
www.bumrungrad.com
Rutnin eye hospital
Sukhumvit soi 21
Petchaburi MRT
http://www.rutnin.com/th/home/
CITY
DENTISTS Name
Location
Area/BTS
Contact
Comments
SAMUTPRAKARN LDC
395-395 / 1 Moo 5, Srinakarin Road
opposite Foodland
02 743 8725
Professional Dental Centre
Central Bangna (5th Floor) Bangna Trad
Samitivej Srinakarin
488 Srinakarin Rd
After Pattanakan Road (0) 2711-8989-90
Tooth & Brush
66 Bearing Road
Near Srinakarin Rd
BNH
Convent Rd
Silom
www.bnhhospital.com
Bumrungrad
33 Soi Sukhumvit 3
Ploenchit
www.bumrungrad.com
Dental Hospital
Sukhumvit 49
Thonglor
http://www.dentalhospitalban gkok.com/
Samitivej Sukhumvit
133 Sukhumvit soi 49
Thonglor
https://www.samitivejhospital s.com/sukhumvit
Good with kids. Dentists speak good English, receptionists less so.
023610853
02 747 7716
CITY
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GROCERY SHOPPING Name
Location
Area/BTS
Comments
SAMUTPRAKARN Big C Extra
Mega Banga (ground floor)
Bangna Trad Road
Very large supermarket with reasonable fruit & veg, OK meat, and sizeable section for imported produce
Central Foodhall Central Bangna (0 floor)
Bangna Trad Road
Whilst the mall opens at 10.30 you can enter the supermarket from 9.30 from the lower floor entrance(on Banga Trad). Fantastic selection of Western products incl. some ready meals, beers & wines
Foodland
Srinakarin Road
Midway between Lasalle & Theparak intersections
Open 24/7! Good selection of Western products at a bit of a price premium. Bakery, pharmacy & dry-cleaner just outside
Lemon Farm
Premier Place Srinakarin Road
Near Makro and Big C
Specialises in organic produce at a significant price premium.
Makro
Srinakarin Road
Next to Big C after Lasalle intersection
Good for household staples, stationery/craft supplies, cheap fruit & veg, and some Western products (sausages and bacon). You don't need a Makro card (they give you a one-off paper number when you enter if you don't have one). Most products are sold in bulk but can also be bought in smaller numbers. You can pay by credit card at this branch.
Tesco Lotus
Bangna Trad
Opposite Mega Bangna
Very large supermarket with reasonable fruit & veg, OK meat.Next to Decathlon sports shop
Villa Market
Little Walk next to Central Bangna
Bangna Trad Road
Small but excellent selection of fresh and frozen produce
Villa Market
Paradise Park (ground floor) Srinakarin Road just before Seacon Square
Good selection of Western foods and wines. Very pricey fruit and veg
OK Baker
Srinakarin Road
Opposite Makro
Great selection of baking equipment and products
Baking Shop
Srinakarin Road
In between Ladawan and Foodland
Small specialist shop with baking goods
Big C Extra
Rama 4
Phrom Pong
Open 9am-11pm
Big C Supercentre
78 Soi Sukhumvit
Ekkamai
Open 8am -11pm
Central Foodhall Central World
Chitlom
Open 10am-10pm
Central Foodhall Central Chitlom
Phloen Chit
Open 10am-10pm
Foodland
Sukhumvit 16
Phrom Pong
Open 24 hrs
Gourmet Market
Emporium
Phrom Phong
Open 10am-10pm
Gourmet Market
EmQuartier
Phrom Phong
Open 10am-10pm
Gourmet Market
Terminal 21
Asoke
Open 10am-10pm
Villa Market
K Village
Phrom Pong
Open 9am-10pm
Villa Market
Sukhumvit 49
Thong Lor
Open 9am -10pm
Villa Market
Sukhumvit 33
Phrom Pong
Open 9am -10pm
Villa Market
Sukhumvit 55
Thong Lor
Open 9am -10pm
CITY
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ONLINE GROCERY SHOPPING (delivery in Bangkok and Samutprakarn) Name
Website
Comments
HappyFresh
www.happyfresh.co.th
Aggregator service offering grocery delivery from a range of supermarkets (incl. Big C and Tesco Lotus). Product pictures include nutrition labels
Paleo Robbie
www.paleorobbie.com
Online grocery and meal plan company - specialise in organic, low-fat
Passion Delivery
www.passiondelivery.com
Premium groceries at a price, delivering selected items from shops like The Accidental Butcher & other artisan stores
Tesco Lotus
www.shoponline.tescolotus.com
Occasionally do not have items in stock but overall good service with reliable delivery.
TOPS Online
http://www.tops.co.th/en/
Occasionally do not have items in stock but overall good service with reliable delivery.
Western Foods Thailand westernfoodsthailand.weebly.com
Handmade meat pies, sausages, home cured bacon, burgers etc
HAIRDRESSERS (good with Western hair) Name
Location
Area/BTS
Contact
Comments
SAMUTPRAKARN Frederic Hair Design
Mega Bangna
Banga Trad
02 105 1452
Opposite TMB Bank
Hair Decor
Mega Bangna
Banga Trad
02 658 0124
On Ground floor near Massage shops
Little Red Fox
Mega Bangna
Banga Trad
096 130 8505
Kids' cuts. 2nd Fl., next to Toy'R'Us
Panipa Lasalle
Near Patana school
Sukhumvit 105
0 2744 5070
Quick, cheap and efficient
Anderson Salon
Ruamrudee 2
Ploenchit
0843544757, www.andersonsalon.com
Pam is a colour/highlight specialist
Fan Fan Salon
Sukhumvit Soi 31 PhromPong
02-662-2539
Expensive. Great for highlights
James Mac Studio
390/34 Asoke Sukhumvit Soi 18
(0)2-663-7399, www.jame-smac.com
Expensive but very good quality cuts and colouring. Open 9am to 7pm Wednesday to Sunday
CITY
TenTen Hair, Nail & Near Emporium Spa The Salon
PhromPong
Sukhumvit Soi 36 Thonglor
02 259 3510, www.nailspa-bangkok.com 094 187 0712, Claire & Camilla recommended www.facebook.com/britishsalonbang kok/
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INTERESTING EVENTS
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ANZWG Annual Friendship Lunch September 12, 2017 One of the favourite casual lunches of the year where ANZWG and their friends gather together. Let's celebrate our expat friendships, new and old, with shopping, jewellery, handbags and a delicious lunch! Cost is 1500THB per person. JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok 11am - 2 pm ANZWG Members please rsvp via info found in your email and fb post. Non-members please contact your ANZWG friends or activities directly (anzwgactivities@gmail.com) to enquire about tickets.
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DON’T FORGET!
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