Old Father Time Wrote....

"I suspect the perceived trend of the last decade, whereby ex-pats married to Thai ladies are choosing the North East of Thailand in general, and Udon Thani in particular, in which to settle and make their permanent homes, will continue. It is this trend which I would like to see encouraged, and which I feel would be to the benefit of both the local Thai, and ex-pat, population and to Udon Thani generally."



You're right Dennis more ex-pats are choosing Udon Thani and the North East in general especially towns with a good infrastructure. Goods and services available now we could only dream about a few years ago. I always laugh at a old friend of mine who lives in Pattaya. Ten years ago he said to me "Why do you want to live in the sticks, there is nothing in Udon"
Now he has a bungalow in Udon. He is always moaning about what Pattaya has become. It's ironic he refers to his Udon place as his holiday home.

Just thinking out loud here, or out of the box, but do you not think that Udon has reached, or at least is nearing saturation point in terms of the sheer number of farangs now living in the area? .... Or to put it another way, - where do you see things going from here?

When I first visited Udon in early 2000 I only saw one other farang in the shopping centre, and the most I saw in one place was at Erwin's bungalows, about 4 or 5 people. I came back in 2005 and there were many foreigners living in Udon and visible everywhere. Now 2 years later, and it looks and feels like a tourist centre, with foreigners everywhere, coming out of the woodwork, so to speak. I find myself tripping over them, figuratively and literally speaking!

I see a plus in that there will be more businesses, goods and services suited to foreigners, but I also feel there are a number of disadvantages. Firstly, that native Thais will feel less than happy about their town being invaded by ever increasing numbers of foreigners, secondly that they will become increasingly frustrated by the poor standard of behaviour of some of these foreigners. Thirdly, that prices of many things that farangs use or buy will rise, (e.g. house prices and rents, farang food), partly through increasing demand and partly as the opportunity is taken to take advantage of the situation.
[My question - "How do members see this developing?" - should have been positioned here.]
I feel that whilst Udon has a number of attractions suited to the long term ex pat, it isn't endowed with any particularly strong tourist attractions. To me anyway, it seems more of a somewhat typical, busy and overgrown, Thai town.

Whilst I agree that genuine ex pats living in Udon with their wives or GF's is good and should be encouraged, I am concerned that Udon is starting to attract the wrong type of foreigner, - those seeking a sort of inland, low cost Pattaya alternative. So far, I believe most such people have only visited Udon on short break visit, to see what is here, but more could become attracted by the developing facilities available in Udon.
How do members see this developing?

Well Arjay as my wife would say"I think you think too much"I do agree with the main points of your post though. Be glad that Udon is attracting "the wrong type of foreigner"I am ,it makes me look , In the eye of the Thais, so much better. Without the rubbish how do you recognise a diamond.when you see one.It also gives a perspective to the ladies looking for a farang, we aren't all the same. The word "Farang is not synonymous with class , wealth and improved status.There is as much rubbish masquerading under that title as there are Thai men.It is good they can see and compare.Just as we can compare the different type of girls on offer.The rubbish on either side will soon be found out and disposed of. One way or another So to answer your question. The town and surrounding area will develop naturally with the most of us that are prepared to accept the difference in our lifestyle compared to that back home, being comfortably accommodated in that development and more importantly , accepted as part and parcel of Udon's future.
Long may it continue to be that way.

I am concerned that Udon is starting to attract the wrong type of foreigner, - those seeking a sort of inland, low cost Pattaya alternative.

If you mean sex tourists.....i am sure they are dissapointed when they get to Udon, and get the next bus back to patters where all the action is plentiful and a massive choice is available...not to mention getting a good sandwich from one of the many eating establishments.

IMHO,, I agree with Arjay. I think the Udon Metropolitan Area (UMA) has reached it's Farang Saturation Point (FSP) and quality of life will steadily decline, especially in light of the economy. A percentage of locals will perceive the farang as wealthy and a resource for scams, overcharging, and robbery. The others will resent the farang and their TW/GF.
All of this makes a strong case for a Farang Civic Association (FSA) to act as an intermediary between them and the local community. The more that Thais see the farang actively contributing to the quality of life in the community, the more accepting they will be. It's not enough to simply shop locally, there should be ongoing visible community projects demonstrating that commitment.
Well Gents, like the old saying, "opinions are like ***holes, everybody has one", and this is mine.Cheers

arjay wrote:I see a plus in that there will be more businesses, goods and services suited to foreigners, but I also feel there are a number of disadvantages. Firstly, that native Thais will feel less than happy about their town being invaded by ever increasing numbers of foreigners,

there's a strong comparison here with south london - years ago the place was
looking like it was being taken over by indians and pakistanis, and as time went by and their
numbers increased they became accepted and in fact everyone loves an indian curry
and likes the paki shops being open all hours,
the chinese were, at one time, visitors to the udon community - nowdays they are completely
accepted within the community, the thai people are involved with the chinese celebrations and
street partys - there are a huge number of thais with chinese ancestory living in udon.
anyway, my point is - falangs should and will become more broadly accepted - especially when our
falang/thai kids grow up - i can't see udon becoming like pattaya any more than korat and khon kean