Today’s featured Thailand blogger is a fine young chap from the U.K. with a strong interest not only in Thailand, but also in social media. Jon runs not just one blog, but several. The Thailand blog is a personal blog, but you can also find links to his blogs on social media and technology in SE Asia.

1. What is your name, the name of your blog and the subject matter of the Thailand blog (language, food, general life, nightlife, etc)? If you don’t mind, please provide a photo of yourself so I can share it with my readers. We all like to see who it is that we’re talking to.

I’m Jon Russell, aka Jonny Foreigner which is the name of my Thailand blog while my new, way more exciting, project is a blog devoted to social media in Thailand.

2. How long have you been blogging about Thailand? What was your inspiration to start Jonny Foreigner? Did you (or do you) blog about any other subjects?

I started Jonny Foreigner back in November 2008, a month or so after arriving in Thailand initially to keep friends and family up to date, then it became an outlet for digesting life and events out here. My blog is quite unashamedly personal, it doesn’t always feature the latest news but if something has stirred me one day (as often happens) you can be sure to read it there.

My social media blog began back in December last year, almost by accident though I had been trying to start a new project around work. I was in the digital media industry in London so, after getting to know the web in Thailand from a year of residence and a few interesting interviews, it seemed like a good idea. To the best of my knowledge I’m the only social media blogger devoted to Thailand – take that as you please I guess

I like the concept of photo blogs though mine, Something Beginning With T, needs a little work and more content.

3. Obviously you are not Thai and have chosen to expatriate to Thailand. What country are you from originally? What made you choose Thailand as your home away from home?

I’m English was living in London where I met my girlfriend (now wife) who was student. When we found out we were expecting a child we decided to move to Thailand so that he could experience Thai culture and learn to read and write Thai as well as English.

My missus spent close to three years in London so she was also keen to see her family and friends again, I was also keen as I had always wanted to live and work abroad but never had a reason.

Our plan is to move back to London in a few years for the little one’s schooling, but then again you never know do you?

4. How long have you been visiting and/or living in Thailand? If you’re currently living in Thailand, what part of Thailand do you live in? Why did you choose this city/province over others in Thailand?

I live in Saraburi, a medium-sized town around 100 km north of Bangkok in central Thailand. Monkey-infested neighbour Lopburi gets most of the tourists, Saraburi is much a quieter place.

This city chose me as it is where my wife was born and her family lives.

I enjoy the laid back lifestyle but increasingly the lack of major facilities is beginning to grate and explains why we are often in Bangkok over the weekend or overnight during the week.

5. From the south of Thailand to Bangkok and Chiang Mai and the NE provinces of Isaan Thailand is very different depending on what part of the country you’re in. What is your favorite region in Thailand and why?

I’m a city-lover at heart so Bangkok, with its rich, diverse culture is my favourite place. The coast is beautiful though, Pattaya has a naughty reputation but the family friendly parts are great for us.

Further north of Saraburi is the national park and the namtoc chet sao (seven sisters waterfalls) which are a set of seven natural pools, linked together with the falls. On a hot day (plenty to choose from) there are not many better places for some food, sunshine and a splash.

6. Even though Thai food is really built upon the same 4 precepts as Chinese food (sweet, sour, spicy and salty) Thai food is known throughout the world for its spicy component. Do you like spicy food? What is your favorite Thai dish?

I like to think I’m pretty good with the spices though I’m not foolish enough to take on a Thai pound for pound.

I can eat somtam, nam prick and other spices dishes though m favourites are all pretty basic: khao pad moo (fried rice with pork), pad ka pao moo (pork stir fry and rice), guayteo moo (pork noodle soup), geng keow wan (green curry) and massaman curry are my choice cuts.

As you can see, I’m not a fan of chicken in Thailand, pork is far better and more common than in the West.

7. Thailand is known to be very affordable as a tourist destination and as a place to live. What things do you find to be the biggest bargains in Thailand?

Food is unquestionably the best bargain. Not only is it freshly cooked but it rarely costs more than £1 (50 baht).

You can find cheap clothes here but be warned, the cheaper they are the quicker they will wear out.

8. Even though there are bargains to be had, some things are certainly more expensive than others. What do you find to be most expensive in Thailand?

Anything imported will retain its original cost with a little extra in Thailand

As a parent I must admit that most of our big spends are on our son. We prefer good quality items for him – cot, buggy, etc – which are of poorer quality in Thailand. There is also less of a selection so we have bought and shipped a lot of stuff from the UK.

Electronics, phones, computers, cars are the kinds of things which are expensive here, particularly for a resident who is earning baht. Even if your salary is good for Thailand the prices are proportionately more of your wage than you are used to at home.

9. There are many good reasons given by those who live in Thailand for settling in the Kingdom. What do you feel is the best part of living in Thailand?

Weather, food, lifestyle are three universal appeals. I also think there is a lot of opportunity here too. As a foreigner, networking is easier and Thailand is very much a who you know kind of place.

Many expats here start business or run internet-related companies here as the low cost of living will give them more for their wages.

10. One group that’s easy to find online are the complainers who live in Thailand, but seem to feel that the Thai’s should change to accommodate their Western guests. What things do you feel are frustrating for foreigners living in Thailand? Do you think these aspects of Thailand should change or that they are simply part of the culture?

Thailand can be frustrating but the best solution is mai pen rai (it doesn’t matter) jai yen, jai yen (stay cool).

What bugs me though, as someone with a small child, is complete strangers approaching wanting to hold, hug, kiss or even just touch my son. They find me grumpy when I turn them away but it is something I’m not comfortable with. I’m sure you’ll find this and agree in due course, Steve.

11. Considering the last few years especially it’s evident that Thailand is a country in flux. Western thinking and Western customs are rapidly invading the Kingdom. The Thai people seem to be looking for change and the political leadership in Thailand is constantly changing. How do you think Thailand has changed since the first time you visited, both positively and negatively?

A few months after I moved to Thailand the PAD staged brought Suvarnbhumi airport to a standstill with a blockade. As a former Politics student, I was immediately interested in Thai politics and all this drama only made it more compelling and different the bland goings on of London.

Politics in Thailand is complicated and at difficult to predict. I keep my eye on several key blog (Bangkok Pundit, Absolutely Bangkok and New Mandala) which help keep balance and perspective on the goings on.

There is little doubt that the political mess has affected Thailand adversely though it is hard to see what can be done to immediately remedy the situation.

12. Even with all the changes in the past decades, it’s safe to say that Thailand is very different from any Western country. How is your life in Thailand different from your life in the West?

For me life here is hugely different to my life in the West as in Thailand I became a father. That aside, there are a million things different here, often they are minor and it takes someone from the West being over here to point it out.

13. Please tell us about 3-5 of the best posts from your blog.

My rant about Maxnet’s internet service gets regular traffic as many agree although the post isn’t the reason the company has renamed itself.

This introduction to Saraburi (town) is the only one of its kind on the web, rightly or wrongly.

This post demonstrates the goodness (as well as stupidity) of people in Thailand.

As a learner of Thai I occasionally blog about the subject, here is one post with suggestions on speaking Thai and one on suggestions for reading Thai. Posts like this are useful as they also help tighten your Thai too.

This social media post announcing Indonesia as the Twitter capital of Asia has been most viral, getting close to 50 mentions on Twitter and a huge amount of visits (though it was originally posted on Posterous here).

If you liked this interview why not go check out all of my Thailand blogger interviews.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Check out these similar posts:

• Chris from My Egg Noodles
• Talen from Thailand – Land of Smiles
• Vern from Thai Pulse
• Ben From Thai Pirate
• Jungle Girl from My Jungle Life
• Mike From My Thai Friend
• Martyn From Beyond the Mango Juice