The new Brexit Blue but it's black passport seems to be quite delicate. The pages have buckled in mine but the data page is fine. No issue at airports or borders yet
Living in a bkk suburb gives you the friendless plus the advantage of a short commute to the capital. Although perhaps not pretty, Samut Prakan is friendly
Can't say I've had any issue with Thai people in around 10 years on and off of living in Thailand. When it comes to making expat friends, I find it to be very introverted compared to where I lived last, Mongolia. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just not really my vibe.