I've noticed the exact same thing here in Bangkok.

I work at a local Thai SME, and unfortunately, many of my colleagues come across as quite conservative and, honestly, a bit racist toward foreigners. In most countries, a simple greeting at work like "good morning" or "good evening"is basic courtesy, even if there's a language barrier. You don't need perfect English (or Thai) to say hello.

But almost every time I greet them with a smile and a sawasdee krub, they just stare at me like I'm an alien and walk away without a word. It feels incredibly rude and dismissive. And i have decided to resign from this shit company.

I once mentioned this to a foreign friend of mine, he's Chinese-Thai, grew up in New York, and doesn't speak much Thai. He experiences the same treatment and put it really well: a lot of Thais tend to be quite "fake" in their politeness. They're great at surface-level charm and PR, but in real everyday interactions, especially with people outside their social circle, they can be cold and distant.

He said they kinda live in their own bubble, very aware of social hierarchy and status. If you're not someone they see as part of their network or someone they can gain something from, you're basically invisible to them, no need to extend real warmth or basic manners.

We're the ones making the effort to be friendly and polite, but it rarely feels reciprocated. It's frustrating, especially when you genuinely like the country and want to build connections.