sunnyboy2018

On 11/17/2019 at 1:02 PM, sirineou said:

Why would they put Prices for Thais most of whom can't read English in English??

More Thais read English than Americans speak Thai. Why dont you pack your contempt for Thailand in a bag and take it with you when you leave. Sooner rather than later.

On 11/17/2019 at 12:51 PM, Number 6 said:

Obviously.

 

You holding your breath there bro?

Holding on to hot air!

On 11/15/2019 at 1:22 AM, Mitkof Island said:

Just boycott the place as i do all places that charge more. I love how they try to hide the Thai prices in Thai numbers. 20 baht for Thais

Yeah you boycott the place. You'll have them on their knees begging for your business in days...555

On 11/17/2019 at 12:40 PM, Monomial said:

It will please me when it says Thai residents, not Thai nationals. That is what Superpark says, and I have no problem with it.

 

And until it properly allocates the same privileges to all Thai residents rather than a privileged category of them, it will be racist. You can be pedantic about the definitions if you want, but racism adequately sums up what treating different groups of residents actually means. Those who aren't Thai are required to only sit in the back of the bus, so to speak.

 

In my opinion, your position is quite simply without merit no matter how much you try and justify it. Thailand used to grant entry to the national parks for all residents at the local price. When they changed it to Thais only, that became a racist policy. It will remain that way until they change it back...

 

 

Its just a form of tourist tax.  Get over yourself!

On 11/17/2019 at 11:44 AM, Number 6 said:

What's racist about it? It states foreign visitor. That could be East Asians as well.

 

A huge pet peeves of mine is people that don't understand the difference between prejudice, nationalism, racism and bigotry.

 

Xenophobia is another one. The word most are after is jingoism.

 

This mentality also pervades the wokesters and homosexual community.

 

If you're going to complain, call out someone for being racist get it right.

The ever discontented TVF curmudgeons, now seek victimhood. 555 So funny. So sad.

6 hours ago, BritManToo said:

No condoms!

There is an element of truth in this.  Since the 80s and the Meechai condom campaign Thai girls  especially bar girls are pretty responsible regarding the use of condoms. But in the Philippines with the cultural and religious influence of Catholicism condom use is less acceptable even amongst prostitutes. If bareback risk taking is your thing the Philippines is the place to go. I was quite shocked about how many girls were prepared to go bare back. This is why Philippines girls are vanilla and unskilled in the sexual arts relying on just straight intercourse. For what its worth their shared language is overrated as the cultural and intellectual chasm is the determining issue. Philippines girls tend to be characterless and boring compared to Thai girls and have no sense of cultural identity. But thanks for this thread it is interesting and informative.

14 hours ago, DannyCarlton said:

Dick farang.

No I think not. Kwai means buffalo so Kwai farang means stupid,  big and clumsy. In Bangkok Sapan Kwai, Buffalo bridge,  is an entertainment zone, similar to NP but primarily for Thais.  The most common word for the Male organ is 'ham'..however, there is the word 'khai' that can be used instead of 'ham'. The seriously bad phrase is 'hi/ hee farang'. This is malicious, lacking ignorance and is a deliberate insult that is usually spoken about us but not directly to our face.

35 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Fully agree mate, amazing Issan, never stops amazing me.

Yet there will be no leg over for you, not bowing to the monks, tut, tut, that is a serious offence, you naughty farang you.

I think you mean diary of a farang though, not dairy.

Diary of a Foreigner.

On 9/16/2019 at 3:48 AM, DannyCarlton said:

I have never been called "farang" or "kwai farang" in Thailand, usually "mister", sometimes "sir".

 

My retirement extension is still 1900 baht annualy. Cheaper now because I don't have to pay for an Embassy letter (2k baht). Never used an agent, never put a lump sum in the bank. I transfer in exess of 65k baht monthly from my UK bank account which I have always done visa rules or not. Just call into my bank on the morning of my visit, obtain the correct paperwork and off to IO. No big queues now, usually 30 minutes in and out, once per year. No stress. No fear of getting my extension denied.

 

Never done or been asked for a TM30.

 

I don't need a residence certificate to renew my DL (every 5 years), I just show my yellow book.

 

I have driven daily in Pattaya for the last 5 years, never been stopped by the police. Not once.

 

Visitor numbers are actually on the increase but the demographic of visitors has changed. Those running businesses catering for farangs are suffering but not my problem, bars and restaurants less crowded.

 

"My Thailand', the beautiful country with friendly natives, low cost living, and a stress free life ... isn't there anymore." Oh yes it is, live and kicking.

 

The only current downside to Thailand is the exchange rate, but the GBP has taken a hit in the Phillipines too. The high value of the baht is unsustainable and has to come down. Also the problems with the GBP will be resolved when Brexit is resolve. I suspect that THB exchange rates will return to the levels of 3 years ago within the next year or 2.

 

I explored all the destinations you mentioned (except Phillipines) when looking for a place to retire in SE Asia. Thailand was head and shoulders above the rest of the places, and still is. From this thread, I realise that I haven't missed anything by not exploring the Phillipines first. Cost of living, possibly slightly less, the rest - nah.

 

 

A nice positive reasoned exposition of reality. Whatever changes there have been are greatly exaggerated for people by reading this forum. Most people have not experienced problems but have read about them here. The money issue can be a problem even for those who have sufficient funds but can't make the criteria as is the case with the OP....So use an agent. I would much prefer to do that than set up in another country. I am referred to as farang sometimes in my hearing but its easy enough to tell people if i dont like it. I think many Thais would be mortified. As  for 'Kwai' farang...never heard of it. What does it mean?

On 9/26/2019 at 7:11 AM, tlandtday said:

You must be joking.   You mustn't drive much lol.  Never been referred to as a "farang" you must be living in an expat colony.  The TM30 could well be implemented toward you at any time here or on a trip somewhere with an immigration check.  Thailand is not yet down the drain but it is certainly circling.  If you cannot see the changes and where this is headed that is okay because you can happily carry on and don't forget to take off those rose colored spectacles at the next inevitable check stop.

His experience is similar to mine.

On 11/7/2019 at 1:45 AM, cerox said:

Hello guys,

 

I have been in the Philippines for 2.5 weeks now so I will share my opinion. Please keep in mind that I have been here for only this short time and I am no expert at all.

 

I went to Manila, Boracay, Cebu. First two for travels, Cebu is where I have been almost a week now to see how local life works here and not be deluded by travels only.

 

Cost of living

Yes, you can live here very cheaply I do not doubt this - also cheaper than Thailand. However not for the same quality - you will have to settle for something smaller, less nice, sketchy area etc. - Thailand and other countries in my opinion provide much better value for money, esp. for accommodation. I pay around 550-600 EUR monthly for a small 25m² (did not measure) unit AirBnB. From what I heard is they rent them for 25k PHP monthly for a long-term contract so 440 EUR, but it does not include Internet (own Fiber) and Electric. So AirBnB is of course flexible, more expensive, but so much more comfortable, as I do not have to make long contracts with the Internet providers and condo owners. Also no risk of not getting the deposit back. I now understand what ExpatPH wrote here before that so many expats chose to live in monthly hotels / airBnB etc. It is just hassle-free.

Either way: doing it on your own or the "complete package" - bad value for money compared to other countries in the region.

 

I am aware that I can rent cheaper in other areas of the city.

I have seen a lot of poverty, mostly at dawn as soon as it gets dark - during the day it is "ok". Poor people do not even own a motorbike, not like Thailand, Vietnam etc.

Around the so-called "nice areas" Ayala, ITPark, there is a lot of poverty, slums, also for the other malls when you just go a few streets away. Rivers/Streams are black, polluted. Seems like you have to spend most of your life indoors, at the malls, home etc.  - there is not much to do here if you do not want to check out islands, beaches all the time.

 

I ordered a portable air quality monitor via Lazada. Delivery will take 2-3 weeks, not a few days. I was told I have to be home to receive the package myself. They do not receive deliveries for anyone, not even food in some buildings. This is what they call "security". I call it a great inconvenience and hassle. Sorry but this is how I see it.

The "security" at malls "inspects" the upper part of my backpack - usually if it is full after a supermarket etc. they do not check it at all. I do not understand the purpose of this fake security, other than fighting unemployment and giving people jobs.

 

Despite all the poverty, I want to say I had zero issues. No kids surrounding me, no confrontations, no people hassling/begging me for money. I think many people here exaggerated maybe way too much and made me scared before I even came here. But maybe that is because I have not been here long enough. Also the reason might be the way I conduct myself - in densely populated areas I will have empty pockets, carry my backpack in front. If there is heavy air pollution and strong sunlight, I wore sunglasses and 3M N95 mask - seems to scare people so you do not get bothered at all. Never had a need to carry a backpack in front in Thailand. If I go away from the malls (many other foreigners) I am quickly the only foreigner.

 

Another thing which is better than expected is the traffic. People here wrote you basically could not go anywhere after 4 p.m. I did not have any issues - just use Ankas motorbike taxi only or walk with a mask (pollution). I do not see any need to "plan my day around traffic" as suggested before. In Manila I found it worse with queues for the Skytrain at peek times at some stations. Cebu easy - do not understand the need to go home in the early afternoon.

 

Random stuff:

- country is just so inefficient - waiting times everywhere

- queues at ATMs - 2 out of 5 ATMs are out of order and nobody seems to bother to solve it

- queues at buses to neighboring cities are crazy-long - I really pity the people who have to commute like that every day

- not enough restrooms in malls, maybe one restroom per floor, 2 toilets out of 4 or 5 are out of order. Queues to go to the toilet and long walking to find one

- pharmacists have little knowledge or are little qualified - things I can buy in Thailand, unknown here, but Lazada has it. They have tons of malls but important  things I have to buy online?!

- Smart mobile Internet: needed customer support for some questions I had yesterday: two hours waiting time, not 3 minutes like at DTAC in Thailand

- queues at pharmacies, after you hand over the money it seems you have to wait again at another counter to get change and medicine

- Massage (talking about muscle relaxation, nothing sexual): mostly totally incompetent: had 4 massage, 3 were very bad, one was average and "much better" than the others. Compared to Thailand, as soon as I explain what I want I get 9/10 times someone very good

- construction quality much worse than what you know from Thailand, AirCon (window-type) if it does not fit in like in the current apartment there are small holes below it - it is not air-tight/sealed to the outside. - Toilet low quality - have to flush many times, Shower has a bucket for manual shower- surely for a reason. 

- Fire alarm (very loud) going off for a few seconds regularly also at night sometimes, nobody seems to bother (happened both in Manila and Cebu - both condo buildings, both expensive ones)

 

I do not need to tell you what kind of luxury I can get in Thailand or Vietnam for 600 EUR monthly. Yes you can get cheaper here but I do not want to live next to slums or have cockroaches in my condo.

 

Food: Restaurants are ok, but paid 10 EUR upwards for a good meal.

Street food: tried a few times, inedible in my opinion, I am not picky I eat street food in Thailand and Vietnam all the time

Food courts in malls: most stuff not good, they sell "Greek" food it tastes so bad it is really an insult for the Greek culture, same as the "Thai massage" they sell here.

Most food heavily fried in oil, unhealthy, many overweight people. Healthy food seems very rare. If you think Thailand street food is unhealthy with their sugar, MSG etc. in it, you are complaining on a very high level.

 

Boracay they scammed me everywhere, esp. for the boat ride back to Caticlan they insisted on a very inflated price compared to locals - no choice need to catch a flight. In the bigger cities I had choices like Ankas, Skytrain (Manila) etc.so less of an issue.

 

Electricity/Internet: in Boracay blackouts regularly when I visited, so I guess the province where some live so cheaply is even worse because it is not a tourist hotspot. Manila/Cebu no issues - zero blackouts so far. Internet stable - no issues. It is slow (15 Mbit/s downstream, 1 Mbit/s upstream "Fiber" in Cebu IT Park). but it is stable and usable - I do not understand why people need so many ways to be online and are offline regularly. No issues for me. For those who need very fast Internet - gets really expensive, not good value for money at all. Check the plan of PLDT/Sky as an example:

https://pldthome.com/fibr?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-4nuBRCnARIsAHwyuPreHSfxcnBDaA7qxoCXffJNUaYa3m8Or8GGTJIkgVXKvA9yX_1GxwAaAqVTEALw_wcB

 

Smart Prepaid SIM: only reasonable Load/package for me was 30 days for 1000 PHP - capped at 800 MB per day.

 

Positives:

Lots of choice if you want to date this is the country to be in.

Expats more approachable than in Thailand, I noticed that too.

Locals more approachable, most of them speak good English.

Easy-going country, starting from visa (got 60 days at the airport by just asking) - cheaper and zero time effort compared to Immigration office), but also the people are very relaxed and easy-going.

Bakeries better than Thailand, some good bread

Chocolate, marshmallows and other sweet stuff really cheap here as in Europe

 

Overall, much more negatives than positives for me. Plan is to stay till around December then head somewhere else. I would not live here, but I can understand those guys who want to live here. It is not that bad, if you are in a good area, but be prepared to either reduce your lifestyle or pay up. Easy to find a girl - see many old Western guys with younger Filipino girl here.

 

Good country for a holiday, beautiful beaches. Would be my first choice for beach holiday and some adventure.

Good report.  I find Thais and expats here very approachable. Ive been to Philippines for a holiday. I wont be rushing back.

On 10/5/2019 at 7:00 AM, pgrahmm said:

Have 2 family members, USMC Master Sergeants ..Both half filipino - USMC will not allow them to visit family in the PI on leave = cited as too dangerous....

USA Marines are not allowed to visit Pattaya on shore leave during joint military manoeuvres such as Cobra Gold.

22 minutes ago, balo said:

I know several Filipinos , both men and women working in Thailand, very friendly and easygoing people, asked them several times about PH,  and they all tell me Thailand is better when it comes to the infrastructure, food, hotels, condo , prices, etc.  

It's good for a short holiday to visit the islands, but that's it really.  


 

My Philippina friend loved to visit Thailand because she was harassed a lot less than in the Philippines especially when she went out alone. Never bothered at all butin her home country sexual harassment,  comments,  assaults and unwanted attention was pervasive.

On 8/20/2019 at 2:35 PM, AAArdvark said:

As well as the US and Europe.  I know multiple Filipina nurses in the US, who if they don't mind the hard work, earn a veritable fortune. 

They are rarely eligible for work in the UK and the rest of The EU unfortunately.

On 11/15/2019 at 8:10 AM, DannyCarlton said:

You've been reading too much TV. Another urban myth perpetuated by Thai Visa. The crackdown on expats has absolutely nothing to do with poor souls such as the young Russian overstayer, who probably never did any harm to anyone and was just trying to enjoy his life in the way he wanted to.

 

It has everything to do with the government (junta) pandering to the xenophobia of their Thai base. No different to Trump's war cry of "Build the wall" and "Mexican immigrants are real bad hombres".

 

You have fallen for the propoganda of the government that wasn't even aimed at you.

 

You get on with your life and let others get on with theirs. In reality (a land you clearly don't inhabit) their actions have zero effect on you.

 

 

You may well be correct but in general  it takes a special kind of hate filled inadequate to be disgusted by petty criminals. The anger and hate is so out of proportion and vaguely deranged that counselling and psychiatric seems advisable. Such people have not fallen for government propaganda...they have been damaged since childhood but lack  the intelligence to mask their misanthropy. They lack the empathy to know shame. We can only pray such people do not breed and pass on their sickness to vunerable children. Charity, forgiveness,  empathy and love really help not hate and disgust.

On 11/14/2019 at 6:38 AM, AhFarangJa said:

I wonder who he upset.............????

Matzon for one. 555

On 11/14/2019 at 3:55 AM, toofarnorth said:

I think it was Irish stew with salt and buttery.

Nope. Truncheon meat!

A very long lunch!

10 hours ago, Xaos said:

Pattaya is like police state. Checkpoints 24/7 I drive a lot big bike got all papers dont drink, but situation is extraordinary. Stopped 3 times a day offten everyday. On top of that they do urine tests etc. Fining pot smokers 10k on spot even they smoked legally at home countries. 

One time cop told me whats ur bike cc I said 1000cc he said my licence not good for 1000cc only scooter, tho no such licences and mine full thai 5 years. Less checkpoints in Baghdad. I travel asia a lot too. Never seen this bad. In vietnam its hard to see cop, only one i

I saw was directing traffic. If I wouldn't be attached here I would leave to other place most likely. 

I do not drive a motorbike but many of my friends do. They are rarely stopped, and when stopped,  politely checked for correct paperwork. Breath tests are rare and urine tests for pot  never. I call BS on aspects of the above rant. On the checkpoint on Pratumnak/ Thapraya both Thais and foreigners do get checked, mainly for paperwork and helmet issues.  However, Thailand is a corrupt police state run by a military junta. its just that in the past only Thais suffered but now due to irreversible changes among ths power elite foreigners are now suffering too. There is an unholy puritanical alliance between the sangha, the power elite and the army to reshape Thailand, break the people and control western influence. This has always been the way of Siam. Saigon is more tolerant than any city in Thailand.  Hanoi is not.

On 8/26/2019 at 2:34 PM, Leaver said:

How many military coups has Thailand had in recent history?

 

How many members of a certain family, and their political party, are now in exile?

 

And you think a communist country is unstable and Thailand is stable?   ????

Alas this is true. There's no bounce back from this military coup. Its dragged Thailand into the gutter of corruption,  incompetence,  injustice,  fear, am

and debt. There is no moderator anymore to guide this ship of state and contain the idiocy of the military. Thailand is now as backwards as parts of Africa and soon will be the Zimbabwe of SE Asia.

How much for my life story?

16 hours ago, shen923 said:

Even more disturbing is comments such as this.  If one has well over 65K/mo coming in from pensions or investment distributions, WTH difference does it make how much they can "scrape together" as you term it, as to rather or not one can retire?  

True.  My income exceeds the requirements in total but not in convenient montly tranches so i use an agent.

19 hours ago, kevinmartyn said:

I have been working for over 40 years and a British foreigner staying in Thailand. I personally do NOT have access to 65,000 bhat and have NI payments over 35 years! Who are these people that have a pension income of 65k++

Company pensions   private pensions, corporate pensions. If you work for a blue chip company or a good public sector job you pension can be as high as your salary. My pension is my state pension and my rentals income plus dividends on investments.

6 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Hyperbole aside, they certainly are not!

True.