In a big city where people constantly surround you, it’s strangely easy to feel alone.
According to a recent survey by Thailand’s Mental Health Department, 40.4% of Thais report feeling lonely. That’s nearly half the country. And if you’re one of them, you’re definitely not alone. Whether you’re a Bangkokian, someone who just moved to the city or an expat starting over in Thailand – loneliness can hit when you least expect it. And sometimes, it makes you feel smaller than you think.
That’s why I was so intrigued when I heard about Walk and Talk, an event hosted by Crimson Cat Events, a social group on Meetup. They regularly gather people in the city to join in simple, low-pressure activities that help ease isolation and encourage connection without language barriers. Walk and Talk invites strangers to do exactly what the name promises: walk and talk.
I was curious. And honestly, a little nervous. What if it was awkward? What if I said something weird?
The event took place at Benchakitti Park from 7pm to 8pm. The sun was already low, the heat had lifted and that calm early-night vibe was settling in. I arrived early – one of the first people there. I noticed two others nearby and even though no one was holding a sign, I could instantly tell they were here for the same reason (maybe it was the familiar ‘lonely but open’ aura).
Soon, more people started arriving almost out of nowhere, and we became a small group. The host mentioned that 36 people had signed up. Fewer actually showed up, but it was still a good number. Enough to feel like a gathering, but not so many that it became overwhelming. We officially started about 15 minutes later. Before the walk, we stood in a circle, shook hands and introduced ourselves. Then the show began. And I’d describe it as more of a fast-paced stroll because once the conversation started, our steps naturally sped up to match.
We talked about everything and nothing. Where we’re from, our work, favourite neighbourhoods, even the best massage spots in the city. One lady had just walked out of her Thai language class because the teacher told her she looked too overwhelmed. She came to clear her head. Another guy talked about buying second-hand antiques and reselling them for double the price. Even funnier, two members of the group realised they had both matched the same guy on a dating app. (Neither of them are not seeing him, in case you’re wondering.)
Most of the group were expats, which gave me an interesting perspective – one that’s rarely voiced but deeply relatable. We didn’t use phones, we didn’t take selfies. But for those 45 minutes, we were fully present with each other, and with ourselves. The plan was to walk two laps around the park. But just as we finished the first round, a soft drizzle started to fall. The host made a call to end the walk early and head over to Emsphere for dinner. Some people peeled off, heading home or grabbing food elsewhere. A few of us walked to the mall together, which kind of felt like an unofficial second lap.
There’s something powerful about doing something small with intention. Walk and Talk isn’t therapy. It’s not a dating event. It’s not even designed to be memorable. But in a world that’s constantly rushing toward the next big thing, one quiet lap around a park with a stranger can feel like a radical act.
I left that evening feeling lighter – not because anything profound was said but because someone genuinely listened. And in a time when loneliness is being called the new epidemic, maybe the antidote isn’t more followers or group chats. Maybe it’s just a walk. One lap. One stranger. One simple conversation.