Alternatively, engaging with folks from more creative or demanding industries has been helpful to me -- cross-border businesses, startups, art dealerships, and such. This really comes down to how much of assimilate vs separatist you'd like to be in Thailand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acculturation in Thai culture; in other words, most would feel (genuinely) connected without needing to get to the same level of depth you're talking about.

Alternatively, engaging with folks from more creative or demanding industries has been helpful to me -- cross-border businesses, startups, art dealerships, and such. This really comes down to how much of assimilant vs separatist you'd like to be in Thailand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acculturation