ExpatPH

"There are absolutely no tourists on the public transport in philippines"

So all the white skin long nose people on the A/C bus from Cebu to Bantayan every day, are who?

Even the cheaper non air con bus, have white skin long nose people, on board daily.

Happy to meet you any day at Cebu North bus terminal, for real life observations of departing buses.

Can also observe on South Bus terminal and watch buses to Carcar and Argao, no tourists on those buses either?

Heck, lets make a full day out of it and observe a few hours at Ayala center jeepney (Puj) central, and lets start counting tourists (bring your calculator)

The nonsense level is beyond alarming.

9 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

That's among the reasons there's renewed interest/exploration of alternatives to Thailand such as the Phils, Cambodia, Vietnam, etc....

 

It should be, any sensible person, should see that time has come for all, to have a Plan B.

More changes on the way, guaranteed.

This is what I can't understand:

With the new rules,

You can't touch 400.000 baht of you own money,

for as long as you want to get next year's retirement extension of stay,

and probably more changes, before this year is over,

so how can some still defend los to the bitter end?

Next 90 days reporting, suddenly they ask for bankbook, and if you have less than 400k,

your extension get revoked.

You can't use 400k of your own money!

Crime, Thailand vs Philippines.

Assault: Thailand has 388 times more than Philippines

Rape rate: Thailand has 6% more than Philippines

Total crime: Thailand 7 times more than Philippines

Murder: Philippines has 8% more than Thailand

Total crime per 1000: Thailand has 8 times more than Philippines

Murder with firearms: Thailand has 3 times more than Philippines

Robberies: Thailand has 13 times more than Philippines

Violent hate crime: Thailand has 5% more than Philippines

Kidnappings: Philippines has 

50% more than Thailand

Corruption: Thailand has 43% more than Philippines

Foreign prisoners: Thailand has 5 times more than Philippines

It's much better in Thailand?

https://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/compare/Philippines/Thailand/Crime

11 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Sounds like apartment renting is common for singles, and apartment or house renting common for couples.

Yes, fewer her than in Thailand buy property. Not because they poor. Some have a monthly spending up to 250.000+ peso per month, although 40 - 70.000 peso would be a good average estimate.

Same another poster mentioned, buying property here takes tons of paperworks. Never looked into it because seasoned expat explained to me what headache it was for them. With the extreme building boom Cebu had last 5 years, sale on second hand market isn't easy. Another reason to not buy.

7 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I agree 100%!!!  Very helpful and informative.

Thank you TallGuyJohninBKK

I always appreciate good feedback, and forget the rest.

16 minutes ago, losworld said:

I recently did some research on agoda looking at hotels in siam reap cambodia and reading the comments and ratings they are far ahead of Thailand right now in the hospitality department. 

Thailand will soon become the Walmart of the tourist world welcoming low income group tours from China and India unless things take a different direction in a hurry.

Thats good news for expats who prepare plan B. Easier to move to neighbour country, than overseas to PH.

Local forum khmer440 and cambodiaexpatsonline can be a good resource for those interested in Cambodia as Plan B.

Friends in Pattaya emailed me that they only see people from China and India these days, less caucasians tourists and expats, they said.

Thaivisa today reported decline in hotel bookings for songkran.

I don't care what destination people choose as their Plan B.

My intention in this thread, is to tell about life here, the good and the bad.

For those who have a agenda against PH, please continue enjoy Thailand as long you can.

21 minutes ago, Cat ji said:

tsa!  I can compare crime statistics, and violent crime /mugging and house robbery is definitely not common in Thailand. 

...What you have listed - aside from the visa situation and the availability of females/prostitution - equals shithole.

Wrong. I never listed prostutes in numbers. On the contrary, i said very limited prostitution, compared to Thailand.

And that spesific is not very interesting, for people who seriously research for Plan B.

47 minutes ago, reenatinnakor said:

Haven't read all the posts but the traffic in any major Philippines city is worse than the worst time of day in Bangkok. Period.

Also no public transport. Need your own car. Taxis are driven by people mostly can't speak English...and that's in Makati, so can't imagine what's it's like in the province.

Queues everywhere esp banks and government places. Security checks everywhere. You get frisked even going into the Mercury Drug pharmacy.

The food is mainly shit unless you go to a nice Western restaurant... You can't eat on the street like in Thailand and have a present experience.

I been going there on business twice a year for the last 15 years... I got use to it but the place is still a shit hole. Not even 25 per cent as nice as thailand.

So you haven't read all the 333 replies, where in fact NONE has said that PH is in anyway same TH, still you come with strong opinions, without take into consideration:

- Thailand’s roads 2'nd most dangerous in the world! Well know fact and survey posted earlier.

- Impossible to get taxi in Sukhumvit area and many other areas in BKK from 4pm to 10pm. Grab taxi not allowed at BKK's airport, so taxi mafia can continue. All on Thaivisa.

- BKK well famous for Taxis who refuse trips, and who dont want to use meter. All on Thaivisa.

- Taxi drivers who kick out older passengers  in heavy rain, or masturbate in taxi, watch porn while have female passenger. All on Thaivisa.

- a country that call you foreigner or americano, instead of buffalo. We all know it and heard it.

- a country (PH) who actually welcome you and stay, rather than spend all your money, and get out. See surveys posted earlier.

- No public transport???? I guess 1 million buses and jeepneys don't count as public transport, neither do for example Cebu 7000 meter taxis, and Grab taxi in high numbers as well. Facts.

- and easy tourist visas in PH that allow you to stay up to 3 Years, without stress, not same TH immigration who come up with new regulations yearly. All on Thaivisa.

- you dont read news report every week here on TV Thailand Visa Information, from people who was refused entry, or didnt get renewed their 1 year of stay? Every week last 3 years!

- Nor do you know many rape and murder cases in Thailand. All on Thaivisa.

I could go on all night, but sometimes one can't enlighten people even with well known proven facts, reported incidents here on Thaivisa.

41 minutes ago, seasia said:

Hi ExpatPH.

 

You have probably created the best Thailand to " other country " comparison I have come across.

Full of detail, well balanced.

 

Yes, I have read your posts carefully, including the comment about how much time you have spent with your postings.

Thanks for taking the time. Interesting thread.

 

I was unaware about the healthcare standards. Somewhat off putting.

10 years of living in TH, with a prior 10 years of tourist visits.

 

Considering elsewhere, fair number of options.

 

In no rush but just doing plenty of research.

 

A lot of my friends have visited both TH & PI, all with well balanced views.

One achieved what I think was his main aim, met a PI lady, fell in love, married then returned to UK.

That about 5 years ago, both seem very happy.

 

I have only visited once and that just to Angeles.

As I do not want to cause problems with your excellent thread I can only give a brief comparison to say Pattaya.

 

Angeles, somewhat better service, helps that most there can speak English.

Less pushy, less greedy.

 

Food, was OK for me on a tourist visit, ate in bars/restaurants and Jolly Bee.

Would not want to live on that but your supermarket photos and prices show you can eat OK long term.

 

I had no issues on my visit, felt safe.

Internet unfortunately was poor.

 

Decent people, good service at hotel.

Spent some time with an expat living there, he was helpful.

 

Pleasant visit.

 

Cheers.

Thank you so much for your feedback, seasia.

If I was in my 40's, I would probably stayed in Subic bay or Angeles, or also Bantayan island or Bohol to get my beachbum fix. Vietnam would also be very high on my list.

I think a pinay lady would be the best choice for those who want to get married to a Asian, and bring her to his country. Pinays adapt well and fast, a asian food shop and catholic church would make most of them satisfied. 

Ladies from other asian countries seems to be less happy, and wish to go back to their country.

If I was in my 40s and in excellent health, I would not worry too much about healthcare.

But Im older and I had horrible unacceptable experience in hospitals here.

On the other hand, expats with non life threatening condition, and in less pain, was satisfied.

Same the survey I posted before, the people, the welcome to the country, the warm r e a l smiles, is what make me happy here every day. Add-on easy visa extensions without constant uncertainty, and the flaws of the country are much easier to accept.