Those who have traveled will understand me when I say that you can instantly feel what local people’s attitudes towards you are just from the way they look at you.
It’s hard to describe specifically what the differences are… you just feel it.
As a traveler this can have a huge impact on how you feel about a place, while as an expat it can make all the difference. It’s hard to ever feel at home in a place where people watch you when you walk by as if you’re some bizarre alien.
That’s not to say that you want to avoid anywhere you might stand out, because while in some places those glances can mean hostility or wariness, in others they can mean curiosity and adoration instead. And it’s always great to be where it’s the latter.
In fact, I’ve found that in some places, the fact that I look foreign actually gets me better treatment.
This is exactly how I feel whenever I arrive here in the Land of Smiles, where I’m quickly reminded of how the country got that nickname.
From the moment I step off the plane I’m met all around with deep bows and pleasant greetings.
Famed for their warmth, the Thais heartily welcome foreigners into the country to enjoy their beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and incredible food.
But as friendly and accepting as the Thais are, a barrier always remains between them and everyone else.
This distinction is particularly apparent when it comes to business – which is quite evident in how policymakers didn’t mince words at all in coming up with the Alien Business Law.
This law, which dictates foreign business operations in the country, sets strict limits on what industries a non-Thai company can engage in and limits ownership stakes in Thai businesses by foreigners to 49%.
This post was published at Sovereign Man on March 3, 2015.
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