pattsman42

The Kuta area of Bali is Australian to the extent that Aussie banks all have ATMs there for their customers. Some hotels have Australian TV channels, bars have Australian larger and serve meat pies with tomato sauce to patrons watching Australian rules football on the big screen TV.

Low end party culture at its finest, with drunken behaviour that anyone unfortunate enough to be in a night club area in any Australian city at chucking out time would instantly recognise.

Not worth chancing it with tyres. Go to a place with a quick turnover and check the date stamp on the side wall. I notice that the soles of my shoes often come unglued living in hot humid conditions, have a look at the number of tyre treads that have come off next time you drive down the highway.

Couldn’t they just have 2 tier pricing like many places, a lower price written in Thai for the locals and a higher one for the foreigners ? Locals happy with normal prices and foreigners screwed over for money. Problem solved.

Bali and Phuket were once exotic places, no longer. Both have been ruined by mass market tourism and any criticism of one can usually be applied to the other. Both have taxi mafias, corruption and scams. Thailand has the jet ski scam and Bali has the money changers just for starters.

Using numbeo.com Bali comes out at around 75% of Phuket’s cost of living. 

Bali has a big volcano which is currently causing major disruption to the tourism industry and some very good deals are available on accommodation with discounts of up to 80% on offer. 

Thailand is more geared towards people wanting to retire there in terms of visas and the healthcare is of a higher standard.

These days a roving retirement is quite possible with the low cost of airfares and ability to source accommodation in advance using the internet. With a bit of planning costs can be kept down and a lot of the negatives avoided. Phuket is insanely expensive over Christmas and new year but cheap in June if you don’t mind a few showers. The Philippines is horrendous during the Typhoon season but pleasant for the first half of the year. Cambodia is cheap and has easy visa rules. Malaysia gives most western nationals 3 months on arrival which could be spent on the beach in Langkawi drinking duty free scotch. If you can avoid spending more than about 3 months of the year in one country you are unlikely to flag up as visa runner and can pass as a tourist.

A 3 month stamp on arrival in Malaysia followed by a 2 month tourist visa with a 30 day extension in Thailand already has half of the year covered. A bus ride into Cambodia with 30 days on arrival followed by a 3 month business visa takes us to 10 months when we can find a cheap flight to Bali or the Philippines for the remaining 2 months. Most of this could be done without having to fly. Add or subtract countries and vary the time intervals as you wish.

Perhaps Krabi vs Lombok would be worth comparing.

I can recommend the Malaysian Island of Langkawi for duty free. The entire island had DF status and there are DF shops all over the place, not just the airport.

Johnny Walker Red Label for US$9 a litre and dirt cheap cigarettes. Need to show your passport when buying, limited to 5L of spirits and 200 ciggies per month and no sales to muslims. You need to spend 48 hours on the island and normal allowances apply if taking purchases into the rest of Malaysia.An alcoholics paradise.

In Ho Chi Minh recently I saw small bottles of water on sale for US$2 and a piece of cheese between two slices of bread (not worth describing as a sandwich) for US$5.

Phnom Penh duty free sells small bottles of pepper sauce for more than a large bottle costs in the Mustafa Centre in Singapore.

Likewise, Swiss chocolate in Zurich Airport duty free, cheaper in Mustafa Centre.

First rule of buying duty free: Know the regular High Street price and never assume DF is automatically less.

Heathrow Airport occasionally gets caught out with stories of bottles of whisky on sale cheaper in local off licences than DF at the airport. The airport was in the news so often over pricing rip offs they had to have a special advertising campaign to try and deny it.

The Thais are far from alone when it comes to fleecing travellers.

You cannot use a mobile phone, even if it is in flight mode and they will enforce this. Otherwise acceptable for the price, there are better airlines if you want to spend more money. 3* average rating on Skytrax with mixed reviews. Don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed.

Try this website;

https://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=Uber-Black-Bangkok-Thailand&lang=en

You're looking 700-1000 baht depending on traffic.

If you ask about types of progressive lenses, they will show you a chart demonstrating the qualities of each type. Essilor and Zeiss are the two premier brands and even they have different grades. The higher end lenses will typically be thinner and have clear vision over a greater area without you having to adjust your head.

How important that is, depends entirely upon you. I need glasses to pass my employment medical every year and buy one pair of top class lenses which I use for work. I have another pair of cheaper glasses for everyday use. There is a slight difference in vision quality but it doesn't bother me.

My work glasses were done in Manila with an eye exam by a ophthalmologist and cost around B20 000 including frame. My everyday glasses were done by Top Charon using the prescription from the Philippines, my own frames and cost B12 000.

OWNDAYS frames are slightly lower quality and the lenses around the lower to mid level of the Essilor range. They are however cheaper. Only you can decide how much your vision is worth. 

Bell travel will transfer you to a mini bus and drop you off at your hotel however you need to book online as walk up ticket sales at Survanabumhi have ceased.

There is a free shuttle bus between the two airports for passengers with connecting flights. Supposedly you need an air ticket but I believe they don't check too thoroughly.

The islands in the Sulu sea are a definite no-go area for foreigners, there isn't much south of Puerto Princesa anyway. Back in May when I visited, there was a security alert on and island hopping tours from Coron were cancelled. There was an increased security presence with thorough checks before boarding the ferry back to Manila.

I never felt concerned in either Coron or PP. There was an attack on a dive resort in 2001 in which foreigners were kidnapped. Keeping up to date with the latest news and warnings would be well advised, along with the usual precautions.

On 07/12/2017 at 6:13 PM, cm662 said:

I care about nice clean beaches and oceans.  I hope to enjoy scuba diving, sailing and hiking,  biking.  And of course a nice lovely dark haired lady.

Try Palawan province in the Philippines, a whole different world to Manila. Clean and unspoiled, world class SCUBA diving on the wrecks in Coron, beaches at El Nido, fresh seafood from waters so clear you can see down to the sea bed from a sail boat.

The capital, Puerto Princesa is well maintained, safe and has a reasonable level of amenities. Prices are Low and Manila is a short flight away. The area is unaffected by hurricanes.

Well worth looking at.

This thread would be most helpful if we simply listed the advantages and disadvantages of each country and let the readers draw their own conclusions about which place is best based on how much weight they themselves give to each point.

For example:

In the Philippines the internet is poor even in Manila. This would be a big factor for a digital nomad but relatively unimportant for someone who doesn't even know how to open a laptop. However the retirement visa requirements are easier in the Philippines, this would be important for someone without much money but not important to someone who could afford a Thailand Elite Card.

For those wanting to fit in by learning the local language, Tagalog would be relatively easy where as Thai would be extremely  difficult.

Cheap hotels in the Philippines are usually quite scummy and you need to above a certain price point to be sure of something decent. Cheap hotels in Thailand are often very good value and only cost less because they are a few streets away from attractions and services. I've stayed in a nice US$25 a night place in Bangkok where as that price will get you a dump in Manila.

Etc.

For a first time visitor, initial impressions are likely to be much better for Bangkok than Manila. Bangkok is a world class city where as Manila is a third world dump with a few nice enclaves. There is little if any “wow” factor in Manila, it is dirty, overcrowded, dangerous and has crumbling infrastructure. Bangkok invariably never fails to impress with attractions such as the grand palace and better shopping centres than I have seen in the west.

I have never felt unsafe in Bangkok where as in Manila whilst walking around one evening, two different street vendors advised my Filipina wife to take me back to my hotel. Also two people we knew who were visiting for a wedding got mugged.

Outside of the Bangkok, much of Thailand is over run with tourists. Phuket is now an expensive mass market rip off, Pattaya a sleezy, polluted traffic jam. However there are nice places if you do your homework and avoid the hotspots for the low budget Chinese, Indian, Russian and Middle Eastern tour groups. Domestic transport is relatively efficient and not subject to extensive disruptions caused by weather.

Outside of Manila, much of the Philippines is still undiscovered by the mass market package deal crowd. Getting there is more involved and subject to disruption in the wet season but the SCUBA diving is world class, the beaches in Palawan stunning and the countryside around Baguio and Tagatay is like Europe.

If you have more money and want better facilities then Thailand wins. Less money and happy with a quiet life in the provinces the the Philippines is probably a better option.

There is no overall correct answer as your situation will determine what is best for you. I love Thailand and my Filipina wife likes it as well but fitting in is an issue for her as she needs to be able to socialise with her own kind. I like the Philippines but poor internet, power cuts and transport disruption get annoying as does general incompetence and delays.

The Cebu A330 is fitted out in a 3-3-3 configuration = 9 across, the normal configuration is 2-4-2 = 8 across, therefore the seat width is noticeably narrower. Given their poor reputation for on time performance, I would be reluctant to book a non protected transfer with them, ie one where they don't have to accommodate me on a later flight if the incoming one is late.

WizzAir only operate direct flights from DWC to Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary and Romania, other destinations will require another connecting flight.

Low cost is great for point to point up to about four hours, beyond that the graph starts to taper off.

From most European cities, use a search engine such as Skyscanner or Kayak which should find you a good price on a full service airline with a one stop connection, baggage allowance, food and drink, protected transfer, better back up in the event of a disruption and no hidden fees suddenly appearing at the check out stage.

For a trip like this its not worth the bother for a small saving. Use Cebu for domestic and regional flights if you aren't concerned about arriving late and you can't find a promo ticket on a full service airline for a similar price.

The Cebu Pacific flight to Dubai is operated by an Airbus A330 in a high density configuration of 436 seats, the maximum certified for the aircraft is 440. Some A380s have fewer seats on board. It is like a sardine can and not suited to larger westerners, its meant for Filipinos working in the Middle East. From Dubai, a direct flight to Europe will be very expensive as it is a hub airport meant for people to fly through not to and from. If visiting the Philippines from Europe buy a through ticket on one airline, if coming from  Dubai then add in all the extras such as taxes and fees, baggage, meals etc and decide if the saving is worth it compared to a full service airline. Its probably not as the passengers are generally overseas filipino workers and very price sensitive which keeps fares down. Similarly Hong Kong - Manila is a low yield route and tickets on Cathay Pacific are comparable to Cebu Pacific.

North America can be reached non stop from Manila in a reasonable flight time where as Bangkok requires a connection. 

There are more airlines operating into Bangkok from Europe and good deals can be found for business class as it is primarily a leisure route. Generally fares will be lower, however it is quite possible for a search to turn up a good deal on a Manila flight if there is a sale on.

Personally I feel that Thailand has the edge but certain factors could sway towards the Philippines depending on point of view. A US citizen with a Philippine wife who is covered by veterans health care would probably prefer Subic or Angeles city to Bangkok or Pattaya. He would be closer to the US, able to access health services from approved hospitals, and be driving on the same side of the road as at home.

Looking from a neutral point of view, Thailand offers several advantages:

1. Location, in the heart of South East Asia and a major air hub with easy worldwide connections. The airport is of a high standard where as Manila's NAIA was voted as the worst airport in Asia a while back.

2. Climate, yes Thailand gets hot and floods regularly but isn't subject to typhoons like the Philippines.

3. Infrastructure, much better in Thailand with high speed internet and constant electricity supply.

4. Getting around, Thailand has a reasonable internal transport network with a skytrain and subway in Bangkok. The Philippines relies on ferries and flights to get around the 7000+ islands which are subject to major disruptions during the typhoon season. Manila is a massive traffic jam with a minuscule city rail network. Chinese investment should help to improve the infrastructure but this is a long term project.

5. Safety and security, Manila can be quite dangerous and there are many areas I wouldn't go in the day time, let alone at night. Both countries have a problem with muslim separatists in the south but in Thailand this is usually confined to a few bombings vs kidnappings and open warfare in the Philippines.

6. Language, most Thais speak some English but the Philippines has the upper hand in this area.

7. Food, definitely Thailand, there are Thai restaurants all over the world but very few Philippine ones. Even non Thai food is generally done to a high standard and there is lots of variety available.

8. People, Filipinos are generally friendly and welcoming and love to socialise, however the macho culture can be annoying with the men thinking they have to act like Mexican bandits. The Thais are more reserved and the Buddhist influence is calming, witness people queuing for trains during the rush hour where as Filipinos would be a mob. Both cultures are Asian, the Philippines has a western veneer on top.

Thailand is infested with tourists, many of the less desirable nationalities. Philippine tourism is increasing but its still not a mainstream destination.

9. Costs, Thailand is no longer a cheap destination, especially with the strength of the baht at the moment though it is usually much cheaper than a western country. Philippines has very expensive electricity and for the same standard a hotel will be cheaper in Thailand. Difficult to say as your situation will determine what you need to spend.

10. Health care, Thailand is a major medical tourism destination with high standard private hospitals easily found. Outside of Manila the Philippine health system leaves a lot to be desired.

11. Things to do, Bangkok is a world class city and I've never been bored there. I'm still discovering new things all the time. Manila isn't in the same league but make the effort to look and you may be pleasantly surprised, shooting is popular and firing ranges easily found. The Philippines has better beaches  but they are harder to get to. Phuket is easily reached with direct flights from Europe where as  similar places in the Philippines require ferry or overland travel.

Overall Thailand is more cultured and sophisticated, it offers affordable luxury and convenience. The Philippines is more rough and ready rather than luxurious but if you can adapt to the conditions it can be a good option. Your circumstances will determine which is better for you.

I have seven short visits to Thailand this year ranging from 12 hours to 5 days duration, all arrivals by air. I have never been questioned by immigration regarding purpose of visit, length of stay or source of funds. I'm an Australian citizen living and working in Singapore and simply get stamped in and out each time so obviously nothing flags up.

Too many obvious "visa runs" and length of time spent in Thailand would start to raise suspicion, along with a third world passport and doubts regarding your ability to support yourself.

A pretty young Ugandan girl staying on tourist visas would be a prime target for questioning. At least she would be easy to trace once in Bangkok as they all seem to be around the Sukhumvit/Nana area. 

No, but you may end up getting fondled.  The ladyboy bars in Soi 6 back onto Soi 6/1 and the "girls" often go there for a quiet break. A single man walking up 6/1 can expect several propositions.

There is some form of public dentist but you need to qualify and waiting times are long. Medical insurance policies usually offer some form of dental cover but it probably won't stretch to covering the full cost of major work. Australian dentists are amongst the most expensive in the world.

Thai prices are 25% for simpler work up to 50% for specialist procedures using imported materials. I find generally that a mixed bag of work will come out at about 35-40% of Aussie prices.

I have had; fillings, cleaning, crowns, root canal, braces and an implant done in Thailand. Cost has been around 40%  of what I would pay in Australia for work of the same standard. I started out with simple fillings and was happy with the quality of the work and proceeded with more advanced procedures.

The dentist I went to actually talked me out of some work I wanted doing, telling me my own teeth were better than crowns and why did I want to spend so much money.

Whilst Thailand is cheaper its not as cheap as it used to be and greater savings can be made in Vietnam or Cambodia for the more adventurous. I am very happy with my current dentist in Bangkok and will probably stay with them but if I wasn't with them already there are a couple of possibilities in Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City which would be even cheaper.

There is a coffee place on Beach Road on the right hand side of Soi 6/1. I've bought beans from there before, just be careful of the ladyboys further up the soi.

The military government managed to smash the invincible Phuket taxi mafia, so perhaps there is some hope.

If Pattaya taxis actually took some passengers instead of sitting parked outside Central Festival all day trying to hit a jackpot fare, they might actually make more money. The meter is not entirely useless as it serves as a hat rest or place to mount a tissue box on. Why can't a meter thats less sensitive to heat be developed as most of them seem to be covered up, obviously to prevent sun damage ?

I was having great fun in Bangkok recently with the lurkers outside my hotel, I'd ask for a price to where I wanted to go and them show them the GRAB quote. When they refused I pressed the button and a few minutes later was being driven away.

While we're on the subject, how about those thieving baht bus drivers who are charging B50 from the bus station down to Beach Road ?

An ordinary root canal can be done by any dentist but as yours is complicated you need an endodontist, basically a specialist in root canal work who sees the more difficult cases that a general dentist might lack the skill or equipment to perform. Think special microscopes and files.

Try calling the bigger dental centres in Pattaya to see if they have one available otherwise you’ll need to go to Bangkok. Specialists often visit on set days rather than remain permanently at one clinic as there is unlikely to be enough work to occupy them continuously.

You will definitely need anaesthetic unless the tooth is completely dead already, don’t delay as you risk an abscess which will be an emergency.