Almost two months ago somebody posted on TV to find out about the business prospects of a shop that specialises in western foods. The discussion ran mainly around the already available assortment of foreign foods in Korat. The demand was mentioned only by the notion the farang community had increased but most would live on limited pension funds.
But the topic got lively when one posters stated "If the OP cares to look on koratfarang.com he will find a few selling farang food stuff around, or in, Korat."
Another kept on: As suggested read koratfarang.com and you will get a good idea of what goes on in the farang comminity in Korat."
A poster who seemed to have actual experience with business in an expat community contributed with the lessons he had learned and a closer analysis on demand and the expat population structure in Korat.
Now it became really interesting when one 'challenged' "Foggy Bottom you're having a laugh. Have you ever been to Korat ? I know you'll say you live 10 km outside but your whole post is wrong. I challenge you to go on koratfarang.com and write the same post. Good luck, you'll need it."
Reply on that was: "I visited the forum you mentioned, and I note the tone of your offer - that marries with the public threads there, which seem to have a high frequency, that triumph the hounding out, or banning, of dissenting voices. The whole image I get of that board is that if you're not one of the in-crowd, the club, one-of-us, then you're not welcome. That's my perception of it and you're welcome to disagree with that, if you do, at least take a moment to step back and think about why I would have a perception such as that, if all I have ever done is to visit and read that board without joining as a member. What sort of marketing image and "community reputation" is it attracting?
I feel sorry for the site owner, I too own and run several similar sites for various niche groups who are based in Europe and North America (including sites that use the same site software as koratfarang, but mine have been kept up to date, and are not using the version he's using (v1.1.3 when I checked), which is full of security holes). I know how hard it is to run fora, and to try to avoid the cliques and defensive-wall culture that builds up around them. He has an even tougher job than me - he's running one forum for expats, whereas I run several for business and media people - I'd far rather moderate my multiple member-lists and sites, than one expat forum, it's a lot less work, and easier."
To the topic itself he went on:"Returning to the point of your post - whereas in other cities, the farang population is obvious and have highly visible social infrastructures, Khorat feels far more like it is a place that people come to hide-away and not be seen. There is no obvious social hub for farangs, nor does there seem to be any organising of the foreign community into shared interest groups (e.g. a correspondents or writers club meeting periodically (in-trade bad pun)). Despite the Internet, it is very difficult to find information about where farangs meet-up in Khorat to pass a few hours in the company of others, on which days at at what times. All of that is, I think, a reflection (or a symptom) of the lack of a foreign-language (e.g. English) print publication to act as a community or social focal point. If your allusion to a large foreign population is true, then Khorat would be the exception to the rule that expat-heavy towns, worldwide, have their own English and other language magazines and newspapers."
On KF a comment was posted by a poster seen by some as an alias of its admin: Comment by RS2000 on KF:
"I read Foggy Bottom's post on TV and I have to agree with Jimbo's assessment. Foggy Bottom is either full of... what's that word? .. I forget. Never mind. Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes, Foggy Bottom must have foggy eyes too. According to him only a small number of farangs live in the city? There must be two Korat cities in Thailand. He has only once met a farang in the Korat Immigration office! Lucky man! No queue! For me, only once have I not met a farang in immigration and that was because I was there before the office officially opened. He reckons that cheese here requires a second mortgage if you want a worthwhile chunk to grate over your cauliflowers. Oops. Try the Mall freshmart. Nice tasty (mature) cheese for 160 baht. And he hardly meets a farang when shopping. I guess he must shop in his almost farang-free local village, a massive 10km outside the city.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all, including Foggy Bottom. I hope your eyesight improves in the New Year."
Now what is wrong with the expats in Korat? Why do some claim to speak for all the others and "communicate that way" with people who are discussing politely and constructively to points they were challenged to? Or was the member posting on KF just trying to support foggy bottom's comment on KF and some expats in Korat with facts? and where are KF's moderators? Not daring to remove...
