ExpatPH

Thailand to tout tourists from Middle East and North Africa

 

Well Thailand chased away long stayers, ed-visa, digital nomads, offshore workers and lastly expats.

 

Then India and China tourist didn't spend as much as Thailand expected.

 

Middle East and North Africa,  seriously??

 

Guess you run out of countries.

 

Maybe we foreigners, we farang wasn't so bad after all...

 

Som nam na.

 

Food delivery in Cebu.

Motorcycle taxi in Cebu.

 

Foodpanda in selected cities in Philippines, deliver food on your door in 40-50 minute.

International food, American food, local food, etc. Delivery is mostly free, only a few add on 50peso (1$), a few restaurants have minimum order 300-500php.

Only once did I return food on arrival, because it was already cold. Else I been very satisfied 20+ times.

 

Pay cash on delivery, online payment available but not reccommended, since refund takes forever. Reviews.

Download on Google play store.

 

Pros:

Food on your door.

Most restaurants open from 11 am to 9 pm, a few restaurants has longer opening time.

 

Cons:

Horrible support chat.

Complaints are not followed up.

Don't pay in advance, cold food, 2 hour waiting, no show, all according to reviews.

Cancellation not allowed as soon restaurant start prepare your food.

App on Google play store.

https://www.foodpanda.ph

 

Angkas, a organized motorcycle taxi service, has returned for anoter 6 months test run.

Order motorcycle taxi online on their App in Google play store and Apple store

 

Pros:

Always available, on your location within 2 minutes.

You get fixed fare depending of distance ahead of journey, before you confirm.

50% cheaper than taxi car, my experience.

No argument about what route to take, driver take the shortest way, sure.

New clean helmet.

Driver has driver license.

Driver had safety training, many applicants failed driving with a passenger in a "8", and slalom. Link.

 

My experience, only once did the driver drive uncomfortable and too fast. Else a comfortable ride in moderate speed.

Angkas safety record is 99,7%

End of trip, open the Angkas app again and rate the driver, also possible to comment what was less good.

 

Implemented Safety rules:

You are required to use helmet and lock it, before journey starts. New clean helmet provided.

Hold driver on his waist, not on his shoulders.

If you want driver to drive slower, tap driver on the shoulder.

 

Drivers told me they pay Angkas 20% of their income. Fare is already 50% less than taxi fare, drivers don't earn much. I usually tip so they get 80% of taxi car fare, and drivers appreciate this very much. I use Angkas more than taxi, because they always available and nearby.

 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/10/19/angkas-will-focus-on-passenger-safety-during-6-month-test-run

 

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/pnp-hpg-supports-angkas-pilot-030048463.html

 

https://www.topgear.com.ph/moto-sapiens/motorcycle-news/angkas-safety-fiesta-2019-a959-20190506

 

ExpatPH

 

And actual tourist number arrivals, will continue to drop.

They don't want to easen visa rules.

 

Export and tourism will continue to drop.

They don't let the baht adjust or float.

 

Household debt has been a known problem for years. Zero - 5% downpayment on new car and new motorcycle, that they all must have.

Never elsewhere seen so many with only 400-500 US$ monthly income, who have latest Iphone and or brand new motorcycle.

 

2019 will be a interesting year, when export and actual tourist arrivals continue to drop.

 

Old news.

My food items bought in Big-C was confiscated half year ago, on my way out.

 

Smoking ban is one thing, food items etc is laughable. 

Nonsense.

Topic is crazed foreigner, not about thais.

 

Nonsense.

Laws has changed dramatically last years, we who visited in the 90's and lived in Thailand over a decade have seen that.

 

Last 3 years restrictions of many visa categories also demonstrate that even further. Numerous crackdown on back to back visa, ed-visa, long stayers, much because foreigners didn't follow the rules, involved in crime, involved in morders of Thai women.

 

Now it's well behaving expats on retirement extension of stay, who feel the latest restrictions.

'No consequences' is utter nonsense.

 

Those who also understand and listen into natives conversation, know how often foreigners bad behavior, are Thai peoples topic.

 

2 incidents last days where a foreigner demonstrate superior attitude toward a native, don't help the image of us foreigners.

Thais would never dare to spit & kick a police officer!

Ever seen arrest of Thai men? They lay on the street, humble as humble can possibly be.  Then a visitor, a tourist, a foreigner dare to spit & kick a police officer. Unbelivable.

 

''crazed foreigner'  stories in the news, makes the situation worse for the rest.

 

 

Lived almost 20 years now in south east Asia, and asked my native friends: do you notice foreigners behavior out and around? 

 

Reply: we notice EVERYTHING you do in public, and we talk about it online and in private.

We appreciate foreigners who behave polite, and we look down on those foreigners who behave badly, and rude to us who are born here.

 

Imagine you are in your country of birth. Then you observe a tourist of other skin color first hit another local, then spit and kick one police officers. Imagine your reaction.

 

A small case? Absolutely not.

 

This is obvious disrespect to the country one visit, and disrespect to people who are born there.

 

Even worse to attack a public servant in uniform.

 

We wouldnt accept it in our country of birth. Why shall we accept it when it happen in Thailand.

 

Nothing to do about paranoid.

Many of us know the difference between right and wrong. 

 

Many of us do actually care about fellow foreigners behavior, and reputation when we're abroad.

 

And yes, if enough negative incidents reach the public, news,  police, and lawmakers, even more restrictions are absolutely likely.

 

39 minutes ago, jonclark said:

What is all this "blacklist" nonsense. It was a small problem that the police dealt with well. Fine him and send him on his way. Just as the law states. End of.

 

I am sure the embarrassment of seeing his behavior all over the local internet is punishment enough. 

 

 

 

If you understand Thai language, hi hit the native man in dark clothes. Then he spit on & kick a police officer.

 

Thai people filmed this, and im sure its already on many facebook accounts, and shared in high numbers. This incident lead to that more natives dislike foreigners.

 

Foreigners don't need more bad publicity, or more dislike / hate from the locals. This video only give the locals, and authorities, the reason to dislike foreigners, even more.

 

What started as a small problem became much bigger when he as a tourist, spit and kick a public servant.

Its no longer a small problem, thanks to the idiot behavior, by a foreigner.

 

Nonsense is those who excuse this kind of behavior done by foreigners in Thailand. This was the second incident in few days.

 

Hope he get what he deserves.

 

Speechless.

 

What a real life story.

 

Respect Colin.

Sincerely

Manila are very strict.

Quote from another member who applied in Manila, earlier this year.

 

"They required a bank statement showing $1,000USD, plane ticket arriving and leaving, along with hotel accommodation or invite letter if staying withfriend, and copy of passport picture page.

I only had 1 week of hotels booked which they said was not sufficient"

 

According to others who used Manila, they are the most strict office.

 

If you not 'must go' to Manila, I'm sure visa expert and moderator Ubonjoe can reccommend other destinations in the region, to apply for new visa.

 

ExpatPH

Lazada wallet return and refund policy are horrible, I waited almost 1 month for refund.

 

Seller accepted order, later unable to deliver because out of stock.

 

Many negative reviews on other forums.

 

Can still pay cash within 48 hours after order, at any 7-Eleven, right?

 

Cash is king anyway, why pay 2-3 weeks in advance (items from China) ?

 

Lately had a few negative experiences with Lazada, so I use them less in the future. Not customer friendly.

 

We don't have this in Philippines either.

Thailand 'win' again?

Overkil.

 

 

Philippines:

 

Yes the food sucks imo, but so much western food are available here in restaurants, and supermarkets in major cities.

 

Some Thaivisa members also posted in other threads that they enjoyed the local food, so keep an open mind at least.

 

As another member said, Philippines is best for those over 50 years, and those who don't need a 'Walking Street' and openly prostitution. Although that can also be found here, in Angeles.

 

If i was younger than 50, I would seriously test out Vietnam.

Over 50 but in good health, Philippines is a alternative.

 

Wonderfull women.

Easy visa, no stress!

English.

No tm-30, No tm-28.

No 800k or 400k.

And the exchange rate!

 

USD = 51

GBP = 63

EUR = 56

AUD = 34

CAD = 37

 

Now compare to Thailands poor exchange rates.

Philippines still a bad option?

 

In other thread I posted according to survey, Philippines is overall 8% cheaper than Thailand.

 

If Cambodia is a option, so should Philippines be. I find them both to be similar in many ways = both less frills and comfort than in Thailand, and both half GDP compared to Thailand.  Many times, a country's GDP can be a indicator for what to expect, when it comes to western comfort and quality.

 

While a few remaining defenders of LOS still bash some other countries in the region, I have a question:

if your next visa extension was denied, and countries nearby isn't good enough, are you heading to your home country?

I expect so, since you already told us that other countries are only shit.

 

Food for thoughts.

 

ExpatPH

 

Hospitals and medication repeated warning.

 

To illustrate how it is to have a terminal illness in late stage, and live here in Philippines.

 

Tramadol is the strongest opioid pain medication for 'moderately severe pain' that my doctors give me, when not admitted.

 

When admitted Opium tablet 5mg was the strongest given. No opioids IV available. Hour later I was still in extreme pain, but no solution available.

 

Tramadol only take the peaks of my pain these days, so I basically live with pain 24/7.

 

I'm too weak for a major surgery after extended blood work, so Tramadol was and still is the strongest they give me.

 

Another member mentioned earlier, only a few doctors in Manila are licensed to give stronger opioids.

 

Consider this very seriously, if you have last stage health issues.

 

ExpatPH

 

1 hour ago, RLAretired said:

 

Sounds like the best part of living in the PI. 

 

I'm tired of, and bored with, Thai women.  Wondering how to meet a nice Filipina in Bangkok -- maybe here teaching English (but without wasting time on some Internet "dating" app)?? 

 

Although you dont like internet dating, Thaifriendly and Pinalove have many pinays located in Thailand.

 

Else, become a english teacher yourself.

 

Alternative 'hang out' (joke) at border to Laos where I expect many of them still do their visa runs.

 

Thai women keep their figure much better, due to healthier eating habbits.

 

Here in PH most have a big 'belly' at early 20's and keep on gaining weight by the minute. +20 kilos in few years are common. Choose wisely, a slim figure.

 

 

1 hour ago, lopburi3 said:

But perhaps not a good option for those hiding from US law enforcement (due DSS) or anyone using/dealing drugs (due local enforcement).

https://philippineslifestyle.com/american-fugitives-deported-justice/

 

Agree lopburi3.

 

Just demonstrates that the local Law Enforcements here in Philippines, are much better than many think.

 

Police, NBI, Drug enforcements Agency and many more, are hard working to catch any who brake the law, or who managed to sneak into the country.

Cebu pacific air, the local budget airline, are famous for long delays and cancellation.

Staff who didnt meet to duty, lead to huge number of cancellations lately.

The scandal came on tv, newspapers and comsumer protection board was involved. 

 

From my own experience, Cebu Pacific total ticket prices  (many add-on) isn't lower than flag carrier Philippine Airlines. Sometimes even higher. I prefer the flag carrier, because they depart and arrive mostly 'on time'. And 25 kilo luggage on economy.