If you have just moved to Thailand you may find that you experience culture shock to a certain degree, as there are a number of things that you need to adapt to such as the Thai language, the weather and the culture. Fortunately, there are many Western-style aspects to living in Bangkok that can make the transition much smoother.

Buying food

Although you might enjoy the experience of sampling Thai cuisine, there are times when you crave a taste of home. Western-style supermarkets such as Villa can be found in areas of the city such as Sukhumvit and sell a wide range of products imported from countries such as the UK, the USA and Australia. Enjoying cheese with freshly baked bread with a glass or two of imported wine once in a while can really take the edge of living in the city, while these supermarkets also sell snacks from back home as well as other products that you might be craving such as Marmite and oatmeal.

Dining

Enjoying authentic Western cuisine in a restaurant can be a real treat. There are dozens of excellent Western restaurants just waiting to be tried in Bangkok, especially in areas such as Sukhumvit soi 11, soi 33 and in Thong Lor. These restaurants offer everything from authentic German, Italian and French cuisine, while enjoying a Sunday roast in establishments such as The Londoner or the Robin Hood can really help to take the edge of any feelings of homesickness you might be experiencing.

Socialising

There is a large expat community in the city and hanging out with other people who have also made the move to Bangkok is a great way to pick up tips for living in Thailand. Meeting new people in a city as large and fast paced as Bangkok can be a bit tricky, so it is a good idea to join a social network as Couchsurfing Bangkok or Bangkok Expats. These groups hold regular meeting at special venues throughout the city and this is the perfect opportunity to meet new people, do a little networking and discover exciting new venues. All of these groups can be accessed through Facebook, while they also advertise their events in local magazines and newspapers.

Music

Bangkok features numerous world class bars and clubs that regularly host famous bands and DJs from around the world. Dancing the night away while listening to your favourite music is a great way to let off a little steam and can make the transition to living in Bangkok much more exciting.

Activities

Of course, eating, drinking and dancing are not the only things for Westerners to do in Bangkok. People who like to stay active will find a wide range of activities just waiting to be tried, from yoga to salsa dancing. People who enjoy cycling can discover the city and make new friends by joining one of the local cycling groups, while there are also teams of expats and Thai people who practice sports such as football, netball and tennis that are always looking for new people to join them.