ExpatPH

Cons:

Hospital quality and care. Not good enough for very serious conditions. Then you must fly to Singapore or Thailand.

 

Food, bland, chewy and boring. Home cooking or international restaurants are your options. Some been to local restaurants and said it was good. Still they're mostly frequent western restaurants. Go figure.

 

Internet is unreliable, you need at least 2 ways to connect to Internet. Fiber internet started last few years, in limited buildings.

 

Higher murder rate. Don't flash your money, don't start business, don't behave superior to local population. I back down in any hostile situation and being polite, same I did in TH, and I defused the situation. Live to see another day.

 

Pro's:

Visa extensions up to 36 months. No 800k. No TM30. No embassy letter. No minimum bank balance. Not required to deposit in a local bank. After 36 months, leave country for 1 day, return and start from top again. Peace of mind.

 

With similar lifestyle to TH, money last longer in PH due to weaker peso. I easy spend 65.000 THB per month in TH, I seldom spent more than 75.000 PHP per month.

 

PH Currency stays weak over years, while Thai baht only get stronger and stays higher than most foreigners can understand.

 

For foreigners with only 1500$ / 1146£ /  1331€ pension, you get a better lifestyle in PH.

 

For well off foreigners where money is no limit, you can buy a 100 million Peso luxury condo, buy your Rolls or Bentley, you can get prefered customer service (VIP) many places, banks and hospitals included. I don't say that those rich would choose PH, I'm saying that those rich would get their luxury here.

 

Feel welcome in country. No 'kwai farang' (no buffalo foreigner). No hostile attacking ladyboys. No threats from male population. No 10 locals attacking 1 foreigner.

 

English widely spoken.

 

Above is what I experienced in country, not trying to sell the place, only inform how it is here, the good and the bad.

 

PH is not similar to TH in any way. But PH is not a poor mans very last option. PH have luxury condos, fine dining, imported food, deli shop, 5* resorts, rentals on the beach, helicopter trip, luxury cars. If you have the cash, most things can be found here in PH.

 

I'm not trying to sell this place, how could I? It has many negatives same all countries has. Murder rate is #2 in south east Asia after Myanmar. Things move slowly here either it's traffic, waiting time in banks, or in hospitals. Atm's run out of money, or are offline. Many western medicines are not available or require doctors prescription. PH have 7-Eleven but not on every corner. We have imported furniture and building materials. We have very fast internet in Manila and Boracay.

 

Many expats told me they never been to Thailand, they moved straight from home country to PH. They are happy here.

I met TH expats in numbers, some like it here, others only complain and never return. They want their comfort and luxury that TH offers, even if they have to swollow a bitter pill: immigration.

 

Up to you.

 

I hope expats located in Cambodia and Vietnam will start their own thread here on Thaivisa, south east Asia section. Recent updated thorough information about those alternative destinations are needed.

 

Regards

ExpatPH

 

 

5 minutes ago, baansgr said:

its not the cost in Thailand that is making people move, its the feeling and treatment towards foreigners that is making people move.

 

+1

Most come to a point where they had more than enough. And then some.

If people here could be honest when they post, most of them know of expats who already left, last 2 years, and increased last 2 months. They know why expats left: Immigration.

Expats had 800.000+ per year but not in thai bank, so living cost in TH has nothing to do with their leaving.

 

Locals here eat local produced pork, pork, pork, some chicken, and fish. Seldom / never beef or steaks.

 

Locals raise pork in numbers you wouldn't believe. Its supposed to be for their small piggery, but most pig get slaughtered  before age 2 and eaten by the family.

 

Fresh meat in photos taken in supermarket, are local produce.

Imports are the frozen steaks in photos mostly from New Zeland.

 

Btw, are you hungry? haha

1 minute ago, emptypockets said:

Unfortunately I did read the whole thread. My take on the whole thing is that it is an upsell of a less than desirable existence forced by reasons of financial struggle to justify living there. 

Not judging you or anyone else on their life choices..... God knows I've made some bad ones! 

Honestly answer this question:

If finances were not an issue ( and by extension nor were any perceived visa issues)  would you prefer to live in Thailand or the Philippines? 

Be honest. 

 

This what this whole thread, subliminally, is all about. 

 

Are you baiting or trolling?

 

*** When was your last visit to PH, and where, and how long did you stay?

 

This thread is about alternative destination for those who was denied extension of stay / 1 year retirement. And for those who are worried for their upcoming renewal.

Keyword: Alternative destination.

You write you have read all posts, havent I mentioned many negatives, icluding #1 concern for retired people, Hospitals, doctors, nurses, medicine?

Havent you seen it?

 

In what point did I upsell, with all my negative comments as well?

 

Please reply all, and expect that I will ignore your future posts, because in my opinion you are baiting, trolling.

 

4 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

He stated that the greatest Philippine export was people.  

 

You forgot to mention that Pinoys are also very wanted overseas in health care, cruise industry, ships, and more.

Pinoys are more dedicated to their job overseas, they dont quit in a whim for whatever same caucasians tend to do. They are more caring and human than caucasians nurses in hospitals, and retirement homes for the elderly, whos patient says I prefer the pinay nurse. And yes, mostly they have same salary as caucasians, so no explotation in these occupations.

They are sought after on ships all over the world.

Doesn't hurt to tell the complete story.

You really need to research more, and see both side of the coin.

They might be in demand too, because they work harder, longer, and with more humanity.

32 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

It seems you life revolves around visiting the local mall. Isn't there anything else to do there.  I think I would go stir crazy living in a mall! 

 

And why would you assume that, unless you haven't read thoroughly from post #1?

 

I mentioned:

Boracay.

Bohol.

Dumaguete.

Moalboal.

And province long stay

Your fast conclusion, is far from the truth.

Try read from post #1 and all posts thereafter, before you jump to conclusion.

 

Quote:

 

Most choose to live in walking distance to their prefered mall, for a reason. Traffic jam and frequent rain.

Keyword was : MOST

Not me. Pay attention.

1 minute ago, Lacessit said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression Duterte had outlawed visa agents.

 

Travel agents are permitted, and do this legally from their travel office.

Else you're right.

From my opening post #1:

 

'With the never ending visa changes in Thailand, I hope this will be helpful now for SOME present stressed TH expats and others'.

 

keyword: Some.

 

* Thaivisas Thailand Visa Information section is flooding with posts about the many who got problem either at point of entry, or when extend or renew.

THEY are my 'target group'.

 

I received pm from married people, who no longer feel safe.

 

I use substantial time to write this topic, many hours every day. I do my best to reply totally honest, both positive and negative. No sugar coating here.

 

Naysayers and haters do not get to me, I see appreciation from many others, and I will continue writing.

 

Regards

ExpatTH