27 Sep 2017 

Date       17 Sep 2017 

Time      9:00 am – 12:00 noon 

Venue   BNH Hospital, Conference Room

One sunny morning in 2017, the Asian Tigers Group Thailand held a Welcome Coffee Morning for Newcomers to Thailand in collaboration with BNH Hospital, Bangkok Patana School, and British Club. This was specifically organized so that people new in the country could receive worthwhile insights and practical tips from people who have encountered much of what they are facing—settling into country life and connecting more in their new community.

The venue for the event was the British Club, hence a feeling of warmth and friendliness pervaded. A warm welcome and freshly brewed coffee greeted attendees at the door, an indication that it was going to be a morning of engaging conversation and educational sessions. Expats from all walks of life gathered to learn more about their adopted home and network with other newcomers.

One of the highlights of the morning was a special talk by Mr. Philip Cornwell-Smith, the illustrious author of the book “Very Thai.” Renowned for his in-depth knowledge of Thai culture, Mr. Cornwell-Smith shared his insights through a presentation entitled “Masterkeys to Thai Popular Culture.” His talk gave an informative overview of what is peculiar to Thai culture, reaching from the traditional to modern times. He spoke about the subtle nuances of the local customs, social norms, and cultural eccentricities that make Thailand such a remarkable place to live. With his great storytelling skills and deep understanding of the subject, he managed to enthrall the audience, who gained more appreciation and insight into the colorful culture that surrounds them.

This cultural insights lecture was well-complemented by Mr. Cornwell-Smith’s as a health tips session with Dr. Piraya Tamrongterakul from BNH Hospital. Dr. Tamrongterakul gave practical advice on how to keep healthy and adjust to the climate and lifestyle locally. Her suggestions included preventive healthcare, coping with common health problems in Thailand, and navigating the local health infrastructure. This was most helpful to new arrivals, as they understood it equipped them with knowledge of what they ought to do and avoid to ensure they remained healthy in a different environment. Dr. Tamrongterakul’s warm personality and professional advice were warmly welcomed, and everyone in the group left with a renewed sense of security and competence in handling their own health.

The morning coffee afforded great opportunities for socializing and networking. People mixed, shared their experiences, and exchanged tips on how to settle into life in Thailand. It engendered community feeling among new people, helping them build relationships and support networks that could sustain them during their stay. Such relaxed and informal surroundings of the British Club made for proper, meaningful interaction, and everybody felt welcome and part of things.

Besides the very informative talks and even more delightful social interactions, the spread of refreshments of the event added greatly to the pleasure of that morning. Many types of pastries, fruits, and refreshments made the morning ever so enjoyable. It was a flawless morning, done to the last detail, looking after the comfort and enjoyment of each one of us present at the program.

The Newcomers’ coffee morning could be rated a success on the very positive feedback from the participant respondents. Obviously, most of them were very grateful for the helpful information and warm welcome received from the group. This type of event has provided the kind of setup that enabled them not only to get acquainted with the necessary knowledge regarding Thai culture and health but also make them feel part of the friendly and supportive community.

The event saw Asian Tigers Group Thailand, BNH Hospital, Bangkok Patana School, and the British Club well-pleased with the result. Of course, all had combined to hold a very successful and impactful get-together which made so much difference in the lives of the ‘newbies’. The organizers pledged to do more such events in the future, stating their recognition of the fact that expats need help in adjusting to their new home, Thailand.

Putting it all together, the Newcomers’ Coffee Morning 2017 event was a huge success, as it mixed in equal measure cultural insights with health tips and socializing. It undoubtedly provided everyone with a warm welcome and tons of information for the new people coming in to Thailand. Equally invaluable were contributions from Mr. Philip Cornwell-Smith and Dr. Piraya Tamrongterakul, which got those attending endowed with the basic knowledge and practical tips. The event epitomized the Asian Tigers Group Thailand and their partners really reaching out with a friendly community to the expats, making this coffee morning not only unforgettable but a real benefit to all who attended.