"WoW", Look at Expats Club in Udon!!!

[Lars Erik Brandt]

You want to join? Sure! Looking for serious expats in the Northern Region who are interested to start up a new expats club in Udon Thani. Why dont we have the same oppertunity like they have down i Pattaya , Bangkok and even in Chiang Mai! I do believe that we together could build up a good organisation and have a lot of influence in the coming year with contacts like the Immigration , Hospitals , Community and much more. If you want to know more about this, dont hessitate to contact me: Lars-Erik Brandt 08 6450 9380 or on my e-mail: larsbrandt407@hotmail.com by the way, all Nations are welcome!! See You!!!

[beer monkey]

Welcome to the forum Lars..
Something similar was only being talked about a few weeks back, have a read...

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/f ... 10637.html

[Pakawala]

Welcome Lars and your idea is welcome as well. How about working up an outline of what it is you actually wish to do/accomplish and post it here. I'm sure you would get many suggestions (hopefully some of them would be helpful). You sound like you've already got a 'plan'??

[jingjai]

Welcome to the forum Lars..
Something similar was only being talked about a few weeks back, have a read...

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/f ... 10637.html

Perhaps, Lars is talking about something along these lines:
http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/index.php

[BKKSTAN]

I joined the Bangkok expat club about 8-9 years ago.I found it to be a social networking group made of of different subgroups ,all with a different agenda.It took about a year to breakup into to groups with different agendas and it didn't take long for the opposing groups to start bickering about who was the ''real'' representative group of Bangkok expats.
It was kind of like two different political parties with their opposing ideas.One group introduced dress codes for meetings.to be sure they had the right ''class''of expat and their seemingly main agenda was establishing a liason with the Thai gov't about the concerns of the expat living in Thailand.They were very serious ,believing that the gov't was really interested in hearing these concerns and taking action to make expat living situations better They finally folded up after finding that they were just spinning there wheels!

The other group spent alot of time wrangling about ''projects'' to get involved with to ''help''the Thai community relations with expats.It was an interesting group of longtime expats,some with over 30 years of expat living in Asia and Thailand,several were businessmen that were interested in ''contacts'' to improve their business or find new opportunity for business(not very socialable once they determined that you probably didn't have anything for them to profit from)and then their were those that were just looking to develop some ''friendships'',kind of like the NM get togeters here.They started collectings ''dues'' to expand their ''charity agenda'' and the group started to disintegrate with the ''initator''finally giving up as he felt like he had to do everything himself as no one was stepping up to help carry the ball!

I finally stopped going to the meetings because of the smoking and the feeling that the socialization that I was interested was limited because of the ''business agenda''that was always the main concern but seemed to just be repeated and the same ground covered at each meeting without any steps forward!It finally folded up w/o any more postings or notices being sent about meeting places and times.I have never been very interested in joining clubs with bylaws and membership contracts anyway!Not then and not now!I will stick to the informal NM get togethers!

[banpaeng]

I've often said this before but here goes. First Stan you are right. Most of the Falangs I have met in Thailand are very much the loners. They do enjoy each others company but on a limited basis. They all have pretty strong political notions (as all you need to do is look at the political section).

I just don't see this happening in the northeast. However I do wish you luck in your endeavor. I can be wrong also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Geordie]

Stan i agree with you wholeheartedly as a fairly new member of this board i enjoyed the NM get together very much as it was friendly, just like a family get together without any racial or political overtones. I always get the feeling about the kind of organisation suggested on this thread that someone will use it for their own advantage as you say. Far be it from throwing cold water over someones idea but i will continue to look forward to the NM get together however disorganised it may be.

[beer monkey]

Welcome to the forum Lars..
Something similar was only being talked about a few weeks back, have a read...

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/f ... 10637.html

Perhaps, Lars is talking about something along these lines:
http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/index.php

Probably more or less the same..when it gets down to the bones , obviously more upmarket...as it would be without the meat pies and strippers of course.

[woody]

imo a club has to have a central focus that everyone is interested in

even then they can turn to ---- in no time

they need a constant influx of new members

as others leave/move or become disgruntled with the other members.

[stattointhailand]

imo a club has to have a central focus that everyone is interested in

even then they can turn to **** in no time

they need a constant influx of new members

as others leave/move or become disgruntled with the other members.

Quite agree Woody .......... look at the golf groups in Udon ............ first there was one, then two, and now god knows how many splinter groups there are?
Stupid really, as if everyone would bury past hatchettes, be prepared to give and take, accept that everyone has as much right as anyone else to be here, and (providing it's not illegal) do as they want, and just get on with playing golf (with or against anyone), we could have a really strong golf club here, which could, and no doubt would, benefit everyone.

[Ter]

Sounds like there's already a club,
what would go on that does not already, there is shed loads of advice from members and you can get both sides. There is a meeting place where members meet, you don't have to pay dues, we got classifieds maybe a swapshop
Personally I don't want to sit with a load of expats trying to out lie each other (only for fun)
I will probably get stick for that at my first NM but I'm sure some old hands know what i mean.
The good thing about this forum is you can stay in touch and do all the things a CLUB can offer even if you are in the sticks. So why ?

Ter

[stattointhailand]

The good thing about this forum is you can stay in touch and do all the things a CLUB can offer even if you are in the sticks. So why ?



But you never know when "THE ONE" is hiding behind a thred, just waiting to pounce.


Now I'm getting paranoid

I forgot to put me MC filter on

[jingjai]

Did anyone look through this website: http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/index.php ?
Not only does the Pattaya Club have a very informative weekly meeting with a optional, great, reasonably priced breakfast buffet (Amari Hotel style).
With your membership one is entitled to discounts at restaurants, hospitals, services, activities, etc.
Plus they have a myriad of sub clubs http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/To ... nly-8.html and a whole bunch of other stuff, including group health insurance.
They must be doing something right, they've been in existence for eight years!
I felt I always got my moneys worth for the 300 baht membership fee.
When I lived there, I was a member. To be honest, I didn't attend many of the weekly meetings. However, when I did attend a meeting I didn't notice any bickering going on, but I was always too busy stuffing my face on the great buffet and listening to the informative speakers of the week.
To be honest, I don't think it would fly here in Udon. I don't think we have a large enough community. But, good luck Lars, you see what you are up against.

[Ter]

Jingjai, i have nothing against the idea of a membership, or the benefits that entails, especially with regard to group health, ect, but that is what we have here. Virtually, is just as good, is all i want to say.

[Khun Paul]

Again I say that it can be a good idea, but we need a location in which we do not have to lay out for premises and licences, if that can be achoieved it would be worth it to give it a go, but certain subjects not talked about politics, finances or religion, all riase blood pressure, all cause problems as one poerson think they have the answer as against another.
getting sensible speakers well anyone who wishes to stand up and talk has got to be a bonus, we have I am sure many many farangs here who hold or have held interesting jobs or have experiences that we all would like to hear about.
The forum is at best an avenue in which one can speak to all, but nothing lkike a face to face contact, we are after all a species that craves others to bond with and to talk with, being alone is not in our pysche. it is worth pursuing but with care.

[BKKSTAN]

To have an organization with ''rules'' for guidelines and membership basis will not fly here,IMO!

It takes a large base, to draw from, to keep it afloat!There just are not enough expats in the area to support a club like that!

But if you think I'm wrong about this,good luck and I will be looking forward to your success as when it comes to Thailand,I am always happy to be proved wrong

[Khun Paul]

To have an organization with ''rules'' for guidelines and membership basis will not fly here,IMO!

Well rules can be modified to ease the problems and for my mind to many rules would be self defeating.
As for number of persons keeping it afloat, if we had no outlay, just a licencees good will, then I am sure that would not be a problem.
the problem starts with having to out upo dosh to start it off and to keep it going, that can easily be achieved by minimum expenditure in the first place. But I do tend to agree with stan, good idea, not for me to start it, anyone does I would not pout a damper on it, but i feel a sense of pre destined failure here, so whomsoever wishes to, go for it, but don't bleat if it doesn't work out.

[Geordie]

Is it me but why no feedback from the guy who posted this topic in the first place.Personally i think its a non starter here, this is not Pattaya or Bangkok but a provincial town not really on the main tourist trail. Many of us Udonmap members live out of town, some a considerable distance out but make the effort every month for a couple of beers and a natter.Do you want to be organized.....I dont.

[bumper]

All right my two cents worth I belong to the VFW, nothing wrong with it all. It si much different then days then my frst exposure to it, but things evolve. So I don't particpate But, there always seem to be petty bickering which I happen to believe is normal to any club. I belonged to a Motorcycle club here in town same thing.

The ride list I started seems to have worked simply because it is not a club, people come and go as they want owe nothing to another. I send out the e-mails on the rides guys that want to and can come show up. Pretty simple stuff and people seem to enjoy themselves pretty much under no guidelines.

As to influences the government on it's approach to us I don't see that happening.

How would people get along with one another read the posts on here you will have the answer. A lot of flaming and arguing goes on the forum. Just as guilty as anyone. I can't for the life of me see a group pulling together to work. What I believe would happen is a few people would carry the load for all. They will gte burn't out and it will disapper. I'm really not so sure I want a group of people trying to represent me with the Thai government

You know must who end up leaving here are not followers it they were they would still be back in their home countries, like the majority of the people in world. The group insurance anyone see one weher they will provide health insurance to the 60 and above group. I've looked and the answer I have found thus far is no.

Social aspect is already here.

I don't mean to be negative or crittical just saying what I beleive. Each to his own but this is not something I would participate in.

[aznyron]

Git I agree with your post it seems the idea is great except social politics get in the way
every one has ideas to make it better but for who example the smokers will not want it smoke free environment and the non smokers like me will complain about the smokers so before we even get started
we are facing problems and yes I would join and try it out but IMO I think it will fail On another thought what about wives & girl friends are they going to be allowed to join ? another problem I see