American vlogger leaves Thailand after years for Vietnam

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12 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Those of you who have been around a while have heard my story. I got the 7-year-itch living in Thailand, moved to Zihuatanejo Mexico (Shawshank Redemption beach at the end of the film), and was back to the LOS in 6 weeks with a renewed appreciation.

What was wrong with the Zihuatanejo area? I heard it's like many other beach areas that are quiet. The one in Shawshank was of course in the US Virgin islands. I'm guessing you knew that but just wanted to see the beach you visited.

Watched about a minute of the video the photo is taken from and it was painful. Sounded like he can't speak properly or he was trying to read and say something at the same time .

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5 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I had a former "friend" who lived there. I carefully described the lovely condo I was renting in Thailand right on the beach in Na Jomtien, what I was paying per month, even sent videos, and asked if I could get similar for the same price-ish. He told me "of course." I asked him if there was any nightlife like Walking Street. decent girls to play slap and tickle with. He told me "of course." I asked him if there was decent healthcare available. You already know what he told me.

Turns out he lied through his teeth as his only form of income was playing music in a mediocre trio and I told him, because I was retired and getting a suitable pension, I'd play keyboards for free to help the band sound a little better - more types of songs are available with keyboards. Zihuatanejo is a retirement community for old Canadian couples. He set me up in a subterranean sh!thole with no view. There are only so many internet lines available so you have to wait until someone moves or dies to get internet to your home. There is NO nightlife to speak of. The whole time I was there I saw only one woman I'd even think of asking out for a drink. The mayor's wife fell off her horse and, as there is NO suitable healthcare, died as she was medevaced by helicopter to the nearest hospital miles away. You think the traffic is bad in Thailand? Pleeeeeeeeze! I like riding a pushbike, but it was challenging. One day I just got fed up and started yelling at a driver. There was a military vehicle across the street and the pendejo manning a 50 caliber cannon aimed it at me and indicated I should calm down.

Zihuatanejo is a place to visit if all you want to do is eat at decent restaurants or play golf and I don't play golf. Most of the time there are no alligators on the beaches but it is something bathers must be aware of. I trusted that "friend" so I didn't investigate how the beach in the movie and the reality were polar opposites. As for a place to live? HELL no!

I guess all things that sound decent have to be investigated personally. I pictured a place Hemingway might stay at, doing some fishing and drinking until he found yet another place to visit.

11 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

There are only so many internet lines available so you have to wait until someone moves or dies to get internet to your home.

Sounds like Naklua around 1980...

Back on topic, and with regard to a vlogger moving on, no matter where you go, there you are there's a door waiting to hit you in the ass.

Edited August 15Aug 15 by NanLaew

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I guess all things that sound decent have to be investigated personally. I pictured a place Hemingway might stay at, doing some fishing and drinking until he found yet another place to visit.

I actually worked for a few years at the Naval Base in Puerto Rico - would possibly still be there if the base hadn't been shut down. I had a beer at a bar where Hemingway used to frequent. Puerto Rico was actually a decent place though I would never consider retiring there. I did Divemaster work on the weekends and, after a day's hard work, would drive home in a little convertible with the top down and stop off to grab a beer for the ride. They kept the beers in a shelf just above a freezer so when they popped the top, it got really frosty. THAT was an experience I will always cherish - driving back tired and happy with an open container that no one cared if you had, reminiscing about the day's adventures.

23 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Vietnam's tourism industry is breaking records and booming, meanwhile, Thailand's tourism industry is in a downturn.

In May 2026, their tourism was up 16.5% year on year.

https://news.tuoitre.vn/vietnam-tourism-sets-twin-records-in-international-arrivals-in-may-first-5-months-103260604120857023.htm

Whilst this guy, individually, is no great loss to Thailand, he represents a trend.

Though my heart does go out to the Thai people who make a living in tourism, and are dependent on an incredibly regressive administration and a lack of progress with regard to policy, there is a silver lining in this whole thing.

Of course I'm referring to pure selfishness on the part of us expats. Less tourism theoretically should mean lower prices, fewer price hikes and lower occupancy in hotels, which certainly benefits us if we're doing a lot of traveling.

Also the general environment is just better with less crowds. The authorities have had plenty of time to commit to the necessary reforms and they seem either indifferent, or just completely ignorant. It is quite possible that there's just a little bit of arrogance in the mix too.

"Giving his first impressions of Vietnam's largest city, Beere said there was "more optimism in the air", along with "a lot more youthful energy" and "a lot more hustle energy"."

That's the same impression I'm getting from my younger friends returning from Vietnam vacations. Hoever, over the years I have heard problems from long-term expats regarding Vietnam immigration always changeing the rules. As a senior, I value the one year Thai visa above all. I need consistency at this stage of my life (smile).

7 hours ago, ukrules said:

lol, wait until he finds out just how accomodating the Vietnamese are towards people like him.

Yes I agree. Vietnam is far less tolerant of vloggers than Thailand. Mandatory ID registration, stricter rules on cross-border YT revenue, and a high level of monitoring of content by government officlals. I guess he will find out in due course. In the meantime, one less "same same" vlogger in Thailand, so no great loss to us.

Only 74k subscribers over 7 years, yea, he better try another market to earn money in. Hope he realizes, there is no retirement visa in Nam.

In comparison ... Chris racked up 458k subscribers in 6 years (557 vids)

Doyle 334k in 5 yrs (746 vid)

74K in 7 yrs ... (174 vids) think he needs to work a lot harder & better

Edited August 15Aug 15 by KhunLA

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Vietnam's economy grew by 8.02% in 2025

Vietnam's GDP Per Capita reached US$5,026

Thailand's GDP Per Capita reached US$8,057

Economic comparisons are multi-factors and no single comparison can measure a nation's economic progress.

38 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I actually worked for a few years at the Naval Base in Puerto Rico - would possibly still be there if the base hadn't been shut down. I had a beer at a bar where Hemingway used to frequent. Puerto Rico was actually a decent place though I would never consider retiring there. I did Divemaster work on the weekends and, after a day's hard work, would drive home in a little convertible with the top down and stop off to grab a beer for the ride. They kept the beers in a shelf just above a freezer so when they popped the top, it got really frosty. THAT was an experience I will always cherish - driving back tired and happy with an open container that no one cared if you had, reminiscing about the day's adventures.

Since the Old Man and the Sea, I always wanted to catch a big marlin but haven't had the chance yet. I'm also waiting for Cuba to open up to Bass fish there, along with the food. Spent the last 40 years raising kids so haven't traveled to as many places as I've wanted, so when we move back to Texas the bucket list will be continued. My daughter's best friend's family is from Puerto Rico. She told me it was also pretty nice.