American vlogger leaves Thailand after years for Vietnam

3 hours ago, newnative said:

I suspect it's a case of he's looking for fresh material for his vlog.

Yes. “Influencers” do have a rather fascinating way of stating facts. Apparently, the truth is just a rough draft, and accuracy is something to be added later… if convenient.

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

We are absolutely thrilled to have one less vlogger here in Thailand. Somehow the air seems a little cleaner today and it's easier to breathe.

I am missing him already

He can’t even speak Thai. Probably annoyed the Thais don’t speak enough English to his liking. He popped up couple times on the YouTube, something about him annoyed me. Hope he stays in Vietnam.

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Beere said he will spend a few weeks in Vietnam and plans to make comparison videos between Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok.

If he were to compare the beer prices he could rest his case.

3 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

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.

Saint Croix. Was there not so long ago.

He'll be back once he gets tired of the Vietnamese not being too welcoming to foreigners because they still have resentment about the Vietnam war & loss of family members. I visited it twice. They never say hello, very difficult to order food, almost the whole population doesn't speak English or basic English. Their food is not that great.

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

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.

I agree with your comments, but we should not forget that Thailand's tourism industry is around 20% of GDP. If tourism is on the way down, so is the whole Thai economy. Vietnam does not rely so heavily on tourism, so any increase is simply a bonus to them.

As expats, whilst we may think is good for us, it's tourism that allows expats to enjoy all the variety and choice we have here. Everything from restaurants and sports bars, to golf courses and shopping centers, even flights.

Imagine many of these businesses closing, the premises left vacant for months, possibly years. It's not a good look.

I agree, the Thai government has been / is asleep at the wheel. No innovation, no investment in tourism, the same old scams here. They just thought the people would keep coming.

Vietnam is now a genuine competitor, possibly even a threat to Thailand in the tourism market. Vietnam's tourism was booming pre covid. It's picked up where it left after covid. Meanwhile, the Thai government continue to do nothing.

He also said Thailand's heat, air quality and worsening floods had made him less inclined to explore more of the country.

So has he only explored Phuket and Bangkok?

Thailand will probably survive this guy leaving. There has been one referenced incident where this guy's American sense of entitlement led to threats of physical confrontation initiated by himself.

Vietnam has some 90 days Visa run requirements and long term visa isn't easier than Thailand. A lot of YouTubers lose followers when they move to places subscribers aren't interested in. I was watching an American/ Korean guy blogging out of Bangkok, when he moved to South Korea I unsubscribed.

Edited August 15Aug 15 by robert2

Lol... six years is still a relatively new arrival, so you rocked up during Covid or shortly after. Go harping off on your soapbox like a pro once you reach 15-20 years here. The grass is always greener etc. and whilst Vietnam is up and coming now, it probably needs another 5 or so years before it becomes clear what tragetory it will take long term.

Yes, Thailand is struggling at the moment and is a political circus that isn't entirely sure what it wants to do, but Vietnam is a one-party communist state... so I wouldn't be too quick to jump ship just yet. Sit in your armchair and watch what happens.

I suggest all those that made this guy look like a whiner and had no meaning to reality should take note of his comments. Ridiculing his comments with, "this and that comments", should pay closer attention to negative comments rather than wipe them away like a nuisance rather than taking his thoughts into account to help Thailand improve it's status quo in the competitive tourism in this region.

14 minutes ago, Sir Dude said:

so I wouldn't be too quick to jump ship just yet.

Please . . . let him jump ship and all the other DTVers, too

Just now, John Drake said:

Please . . . let him jump ship and all the other DTVers, too

You are right regarding him as he's a moron... was more aimed at the general expat population here instead. I will try to be clearer next time. Cheers.

7 hours 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.

None of this dude's reasons would be mine for a move! In fact, the opposite.

At least in México you can get PR easily.

12 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

based in Thailand since 2019, says he is considering Ho Chi Minh City as a new base

Well done Sir, a good choice!

Bye, bye Thailand - Good morning Vietnam!!

3 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

Well done Sir, a good choice!

Bye, bye Thailand - Good morning Vietnam!!

A theme that seems to be on the rise in the tourism industry as well.

12 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Vietnamese are definitely more hustling if that's what you're looking for.

About the Thai tax thingie. the tax is on all ACCESSIBLE income remitted, not ALL income.

The category of money makes a difference.

Just so you know the USA taxes the global income of Americans regardless of where they live or earn the income, thus unless Thailand has a tax treaty with Thailand he is being double taxed. Also if the state he used to live in still considers him a resident and has an income tax he has to pay that too. The residency test is a lot more then just physically being there. It includes owning property and a variety of other things.

14 minutes ago, Showtime said:

Just so you know the USA taxes the global income of Americans regardless of where they live or earn the income, thus unless Thailand has a tax treaty with Thailand he is being double taxed. Also if the state he used to live in still considers him a resident and has an income tax he has to pay that too. The residency test is a lot more then just physically being there. It includes owning property and a variety of other things.

It depends on the income level.

Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE): Allows qualifying individuals to exclude a major portion of foreign earnings from U.S. taxes (up to $130,000 for 2025 and $132,900 for 2026) using IRS Form 2555

12 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Vietnamese are definitely more hustling if that's what you're looking for.

About the Thai tax thingie. the tax is on all ACCESSIBLE income remitted, not ALL income.

The category of money makes a difference.

Not to be picky, but it’s assessable income.

4 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

Lol... six years is still a relatively new arrival, so you rocked up during Covid or shortly after. Go harping off on your soapbox like a pro once you reach 15-20 years here. The grass is always greener etc. and whilst Vietnam is up and coming now, it probably needs another 5 or so years before it becomes clear what tragetory it will take long term.

Yes, Thailand is struggling at the moment and is a political circus that isn't entirely sure what it wants to do, but Vietnam is a one-party communist state... so I wouldn't be too quick to jump ship just yet. Sit in your armchair and watch what happens.

I’m 21 years in and in recent years started to spend several months in another country, basically because I’m pissed off with the total hassle that is currently Thailand.

Will I ever totally leave? It’s not out of the question now that my daughter has left for university. I’d rather not uproot, but I’m not a million miles away from doing just that.

1 hour ago, Showtime said:

Just so you know the USA taxes the global income of Americans regardless of where they live or earn the income, thus unless Thailand has a tax treaty with Thailand he is being double taxed. Also if the state he used to live in still considers him a resident and has an income tax he has to pay that too. The residency test is a lot more then just physically being there. It includes owning property and a variety of other things.

There is a treaty.

Thailand determines tax residence only based on days in Thailand.

It's true that other countries have more complex rules. An exam ok ks Mexico.

11 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Sounds like Naklua around 1980...

..

Lol, sounds like Phuket in 2002! When I built Phuket Airport Hotel and needed an internet line, a crew turned up on Sunday and started hanging the cable from the telegraph poles and along the road beside the runway. "Where will they connect the cable to the internet at the other end?" I asked. "Oh, we will connect it inside the airport control tower - they have a spare line...!!"

But back on-topic, (well sort of). I've started the slow process of getting Irish citizenship, based on my grandfather's Irish nationality. There's no yes/no decision to be made - I'm legally entitled to it, but the admin process is slow. My brother already completed the process, but he's a plonker and refuses to share the data with me, so I'll have to employ a service company in Dublin to do the legwork.

Why do I want Irish citizenship? Well, not to live in Ireland! It's a plan B (er wait... no, plan C), if I'm forced out of Thailand in my old age. Brexit screwed up my legal right to live in sunny, warm EU countries with minimal paperwork. Now I have to meet minimum monthly income requirements to get the visa, (and that income threshold is more than my UK pension...)

Edited August 15Aug 15 by simon43

7 hours ago, cynic1 said:

I suggest all those that made this guy look like a whiner and had no meaning to reality should take note of his comments. Ridiculing his comments with, "this and that comments", should pay closer attention to negative comments rather than wipe them away like a nuisance rather than taking his thoughts into account to help Thailand improve it's status quo in the competitive tourism in this region.

With a forum name “cynic”, what do you think the chances are of your good words being heeded?

Riveting ,a real trailblazer.

The world needs more men like this.

On 8/15/2026 at 6:50 AM, Georgealbert said:

American vlogger Philip Beere, who has been based in Thailand since 2019, says he is considering Ho Chi Minh City as a new base

See ya, don't let the door slam behind you on the way out

Edited August 15Aug 15 by SAFETY FIRST

20 hours 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.

I was at Rosie Roads in 2004, my ship was part of the loading up military gear and transporting to the east coast. I was attacked by what we called "no seeums" arms itched something terrible while slinging cargo.

Watched a few of this guys reels on IG. He films from red light districts and has a collection of bad shirts. No wonder he likes the youthful energy.