torrow

Many thanks for the information

Hi, I need to have a debit card posted from the UK. What's the best option please?

I've just returned from a side trip to Cambodia and Vietnam. For me, Cambodia is a non starter. It's not Thai lifestyle on the cheap. Cross the border into Poipet and you'll soon appreciate what Thailand has to offer. I travelled overland across Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) in Vietnam with a few stops on the way.

I did like Vietnam and will return to venture more. The people are very friendly and helpful, English is freely spoken and decent bread available everywhere. Vietnam just seemed to be more welcoming and switched on to Westerners than Thailand. Maybe that's only HCMC?

I think Vietnam's an awesome place and much, much more welcoming than Thailand (except right up in the North where they go all... for want of a better word... Chinese). There's also a bit of an (underserved) superiority complex in Hanoi but for the most part Vietnam is great.

Cambodia is not Poipet (which is a toilet of epic proportions). Nor is it Thailand (thankfully to those of who live the Cambodian side of the border). If you want Thailand, stay in Thailand. If you want a great place to live and a more affordable lifestyle with far less crocodile smiles - Cambodia's great. It takes more than a naive coach trip to Ho Chi Minh to discover Cambodia properly.

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Yes I was keen to see the real Cambodia. It seems one of these places you either love or you hate. In total, I had about 5 days in Cambodia. Nothing bad happened, it just didn't ring any bells for me. I had a couple of days in Siem Reap too - it reminded me of Benidorm.

Vietnam was different story and you're right, much more welcoming than Thailand.

I've just returned from a side trip to Cambodia and Vietnam. For me, Cambodia is a non starter. It's not Thai lifestyle on the cheap. Cross the border into Poipet and you'll soon appreciate what Thailand has to offer. I travelled overland across Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) in Vietnam with a few stops on the way.

I did like Vietnam and will return to venture more. The people are very friendly and helpful, English is freely spoken and decent bread available everywhere. Vietnam just seemed to be more welcoming and switched on to Westerners than Thailand. Maybe that's only HCMC?

here you go...

Useful thanks. Yes, the condo uppermost in the picture is directly opposite some land used by market traders to park and can get noisy from about 4am but it is a nice condo, clean and modern.

wanna check how much you have left in your fone account. Type

*101# and press send.

Remember, you must dress comfortable and kind of poor like them. Buy a used jacket at the morning market for about as low as 10K dong or 15 baht to 20K dong or 30baht. Wash it one time and make sure the jacket has pocket inside the jacket. Now put your wallet and money fone inside there. And put 200K dong and less in your outside jacket for use. Enjoy your trip.

Many thanks for all the info

After luggage and final X-ray, approx 4-5 booths selling services before you leave airport. I tend to go to the left and deal with the SIM card, taxi service and tour girls.

Any recommendations which network? Will they put the sim in the phone and set it up?

All SIM cards are Same Same but Different. OP pray tell where you will be going in Vietnam which will assist you getting a SIM with appropriate features immediately. If you're more adventurous try the mobile carts on the street selling water, soda and cigarettes *YMMV

If you're arriving in an airport, simply respond to the cat calling... Taxiiiii, sim caaaard... Hotellll

Thanks for the reply. Am arriving HCMC airport. I need data on my phone for Internet, Line etc.. Is there some facility similar to AIS in Suvarnabhumi? Will be travelling with no definate plan, maybe Da Nang or Hanoi

If it is this one, I use to go to Lotus. Very good

They are not good, the things are ancient hot and piled full of luggage at the front, absolute crap. operated by ignorant zombies

We fly regularly from Krabi and use this bus all the time (and sometimes to Lotus). Never had a problem. Sure there is a pile of luggage at the front: most folks are flying and the luggage has to go somewhere. At least you can see your case. Aircon is good too. Guess you had a bad experience.

Having a couple of weeks in Vietnam. What's the best sim card to buy and where to buy it, thanks?

There is good and bad everywhere. Nowhere is perfect, you have to adapt. Once I learned how to adapt in PI it was great. Here in Thailand I could adapt to. We can't go to another country (and culture) and expect it to be like home. I know Thai men with 2 wives/gf's, which seems to be quite acceptable - if the man can support both. Money is harder here, there is no safety net so it will always be a focus. I will be happy if I can find a good compromise.

If anyone is interested, khmer440 has a recent Thailand/Cambodia comparison article written by someone who has lived in both countries.

Just went to check it out, and the google site "says he died yesterday, and everything has been removed from his TV site. anyone heard anything on this

Here is the link to the article together with replies:

http://www.khmer440.com/k/2014/11/cambodia-or-thailand-comparing-expat-destinations/

For those of you curious about the Philippines. In short, it's poor and overcrowded but the people are great. It's a place of great contrast. There are areas of Manila which boast the biggest shopping malls in the world and there are areas of Manila where even I wouldn't venture. I personally lived in Manila for a long time and would happily go back. First timers should stick to areas such as Ortigas in Manila (loads of ex pats) or Cebu. Ortigas has a number of big malls, (Mega Mall, Shangrila Plaza etc) It has also taken the initiative to put guards on the streets (you won't see many police)

Crime is a big problem. It's not like Thailand where you are reasonably safe anywhere. Don't wear jewellery, don't flash expensive phones, don't go off the beaten track alone.

The people are great - very friendly and polite. You will be addressed as Sir in a shop and nothing is to much trouble. In some parts, you will almost be treated as a celebrity.

I for one would be interested to see other peoples feelings about this topic instead of the usual smartass replies. I've spent a long time in the Philippines and to be fair, Filipinos are in a completely different league. Go into a shop or restaurant and you will experience first class service and politeness, not some sullen face stuck in smart phone. I came to Thailand with a view to settle but I'm having second thoughts. I would welcome others experiences of Cambodia and Vietnam.

Yes The filipinos are in another league - a minor league in every respect except one (by and large the filipinos are a nice people)...I've spent extensive time (years) in th PI and have never seen the place the way your describe it.....I've been to all areas and involved with a "hiso" family - I've served as a talent judge for talent competitions along side of the Mayor of a major city along with scions of industry there....I've been to most islands....I've traveled with our own maids and cooks + eaten in the upper level eateries as well as the shopping mall/common food servers.....

Nowhere does the Camelot that you paint exist except for possibly a small area of Manila (micro).....it simply does not exist....

You want to see down and out farangs - dirty - unpolished - scroungy - unwashed = the PI is your place......the people (while some are beautiful) are largely unwashed and desperate = matching up well with the foreigners that gravitate there....want an education----? Take a Tiger Air flight to Clarke AFB from BKK - you'll see exactly the "quality foreigner/farang" headed there - most for the ABC Hotel so they can partake in the pool parties......

Read the thread about the poor soul that wanted/thought about moving his family there and see the real PI......

I had handed to me chances at 100% non fail business interests (new 7-11's in established areas by major bus teminals & hospitals) through family connections that I wouldn't consider because I'd have to spend my life there.....

I could tell you about people trying to pick my pockets in broad daylight - about 3 guys trying to triangle me 2 behind with knives - 1 in front ready to stab me for my wallet at about 12:20 in the afternoon in broad daylight behind the cover of a sign....they found out they'd picked the wrong guy.....

I could tell you about somebody that simply dissappeared because his wife had relatives in the NLA or PLA or whatever it's called...and he was worth more money after 7 years and declared dead....this is an anti government group that makes it's living as muscle for hire for the people that wish to side step the law.....you want somebody to drop their suit? Need someone gone? Need someone hurt and afraid to talk - call these guys....the police give them carte blanche....their scared of them....they are nationwide and organised with para military precision and ranks.....

If you like aggressive beggars (everywhere in the PI) following you gaining in numbers while walking or going to a place to eat - or pounding on the side of your cars at stops - go to the PI....(kind of like the night of the living desperate).....

If you think driving is tough here - it's about 10X worse there - coupled with the fact a lot of lights do not work and street signs are non existent......and the male drivers (hardly any female drivers there) are mano on mano betting their fenders - drive down a dark street and watch suicide drivers/rider coming from every direction on dark rainy nights - many without lights - a large number on bicycles (no sound) - can;t afford anything else.....try driving on a street with 2 lanes when one is completely choked by Jeepney's crawling along with 1940's brakes and trolling for rides the other several hundred Jeepneys might have missed - go to what is supposed to be a seaside city and find overpiriced accomodations (not family - keep reading) with cock roaches sharing the building with you - out in plain sight and light day and night ......watch the worried looks on the faces of the people that care about you when you're around them....travel by bus - just to try it and feel the rear wheel losing traction around turns (they're absolutely suicidal) ...... worse than here - their driver have order to run down anything in their way - there's no consequences for them.....

Wait until you're driving on election weeks and routinely stopped with ploice checking for guns....enjoy the feeling of being searched for weapons going into shopping malls.....look at the the shotgun armed guards at every large business....watch the non existent police (better look fast - they're not there and at most police boxes you'll have to go to their homes looking for them in the smaller towns).......

Want to see a nervous Taxi driver or Trike driver - be a farang and use one......watch as you've chartered a cab as people see you going into a place to eat and circle the car with a towel on their fists looking to see if anything left inside the car....

I submit to you you have no clue about the place......or you're drunk in "paradise".....

Filipinas (some) are great - most are very possessive - jealous - and vocal - don't even thing of acknowledging another female if yours does not know her.....

Been involved with 4 - 1st was great - together 8 1/2 years and traveled the world together with free flight priviledges (from her) and a great time...2nd had the dissappearing husband (found out after I asked why the kids never visited their Dad) and the NLA/PLA family members - think he took one trip into the jungle he never returned from - 3rd = too jealous.....

4th (ex-wife) - a good women - owned her own very large house and business exporting to NY boutiques...+ family has 90+ hotels in it's chain + 7-11's + catering concerns + ranches/farms + commissary businesses.......attended parties in houses larger than a lot of hotels and the other party goers usually had body guards ( holders of government office nationally - business leaders - minor officials - celebrities) ....reason for ending = unlimited arguing/control problems

I had the golden ticket - I was part of a successful family with family houses, ranches, condos, hotels at my disposal - I was undefeatable in Karaoke (important in PI - like the national pastime - at large parties it was defaulted to me as having automatically the best voice) ....I was - through family importance - an important person and I still walked away - why?

I didn't want my life to end there - not safe to walk about.......let alone live......a cloaking/choking existence

Don't even pretend to tell the people on this board how much better the PI is - - - I could go on but this is enough......

Go out and learn your lessons - be careful or it will be your last - don't come across like such a simpleton.......

If you had actually read my post instead of loading up your keyboard ready to fire off a torrid rant full of misspellings (and you have the audacity to accuse me of being a simpleton) I mention nowhere what a wonderful place PI is but at least there as a foreigner you will be treated with respect. I don't think many will argue Filipinos are generally more friendly than Thais. I defy anybody to go into any shop in PI and be ignored by the sales staff. I previously owned a condo there for many years and regularly travelled throughout Manila and the rest of the islands. Sure there are problems with crime: it's a poor country and we have often more in our pockets than they earn in year but provided you don't do stupid things you'll be ok.

Let's face it... you've had four Pinay wives (and probably lost some money too), obviously you have a big chip on your shoulder: don't take it out on everyone in the Philippines.

No big chip....dated some filipinas....married one.....no time wasted but time of discovery of a nation and disclosure...No chip - honest and candid observation....meanwhile what do you bring to the table from your rabbit/ostrich/<deleted> hole.....

The internet is littered with people like you: guys who've have a bad time with a Pinay and then condemn the entire nation. You've obviously spent a lot of time in Angeles City, so it's hardly surprising your experience hasn't been good: but that's not the real PI is it? And if that's the sort of ladies you've been dating, can't blame anyone else but yourself. Yes you are checked for weapons when you go into a mall - you are checked too at MBK in Bangkok. The difference is this, at a PI Mall the guard is likely to greet you with 'Good morning sir' and wave you through. Not every time true but every time I've been into MBK my bag has been searched and I've never been greeted. And on the subject of malls, spend some time looking at ordinary Filipinos. They are families, kids with mobiles just like here. I have many friends in the Philippines, both Pinoy and English. I still visit regularly and I'm still happy to ride a Victory Liner by myself.

Looks complicated... any recommendations about which sites to use for the letter?

If anyone is interested, khmer440 has a recent Thailand/Cambodia comparison article written by someone who has lived in both countries.

I for one would be interested to see other peoples feelings about this topic instead of the usual smartass replies. I've spent a long time in the Philippines and to be fair, Filipinos are in a completely different league. Go into a shop or restaurant and you will experience first class service and politeness, not some sullen face stuck in smart phone. I came to Thailand with a view to settle but I'm having second thoughts. I would welcome others experiences of Cambodia and Vietnam.

did you enjoy the Filipino food??

No, I don't like Filipino food but there are plenty of alternatives available. Don't misunderstand me, the Philippines has it's own challenges for the ex pat which is why I'd like to know more about others experiences in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Have you tried http://www.cambodiavisa.com ?

Thanks for the info. Yes, I've looked already and obviously, it's biased towards Cambodia. I know there are members here who have lived in different countries throughout South East Asia and could offer experienced comparisons.

I for one would be interested to see other peoples feelings about this topic instead of the usual smartass replies. I've spent a long time in the Philippines and to be fair, Filipinos are in a completely different league. Go into a shop or restaurant and you will experience first class service and politeness, not some sullen face stuck in smart phone. I came to Thailand with a view to settle but I'm having second thoughts. I would welcome others experiences of Cambodia and Vietnam.

did you enjoy the Filipino food??

No, I don't like Filipino food but there are plenty of alternatives available. Don't misunderstand me, the Philippines has it's own challenges for the ex pat which is why I'd like to know more about others experiences in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

If they issued a new visa they would cancel the existing valid one.

You must use the 2nd entry before the enter before date on the visa and before your permitted to stay date ends.

Have you done a 30 day extension of your current 60 day entry.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm on a 30 day extension now.

Hi. I have one entry of a double entry tourist visa unused in my passport. The visa was issued in London. I have a plan to go to Laos or Vietnam for a holiday and use the the second entry when returning to Thailand. Can I apply for another double entry visa whilst in Laos or Vietnam whilst I still have an unused visa. The idea being, I am genuinely going for a holiday in Laos, so I might as well take advantage of being near a Thai embassy abroad and in theory, could do a quick border crossing at Rong Kluea or somewhere when the next visa expires. Can I do this?

Yes Yes, thanks... that's the one. Sherawood. Is it feasible to cover the front of a single story house with? Also, how to fix it? A builder has this scheme to fix vertical batons to the wall and then fix the panels to the batons. That kinda defeats the object in my opinion because the wooded batons are liable to infestation.

Hi, she has this idea in her head about using some artificial wooden panelling on the front of the house so the house looks like it's made from wood. Apparently, it's quite common in Thailand but I can't grasp exactly what it is she wants. Any ideas what it is and any ideas how to fix it to the walls? Thanks