Thailand or Philippines? Who has been to both?

[Berkshire]

On 11/14/2017 at 3:46 AM, Ruffian Dick said:

Asking for anecdotes is very entertaining, but statistics are more accurate.

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

 

But as every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way, the stats in different categories yield different results.

I'm not sure where those stats came from, but if you compare the Philippines to the USA on that same site, it suggest that America is much, much more dangerous than the PI.  The BS alarm is on high....

 

http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/compare/Philippines/United-States/Crime

[Ulysses G.]

5 minutes ago, Berkshire said:

I'm not sure where those stats came from, but if you compare the Philippines to the USA on that same site, it suggest that America is much, much more dangerous than the PI.  The BS alarm is on high....

 

http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/compare/Philippines/United-States/Crime

If you are living in Detroit or Compton, maybe so.

[Berkshire]

1 minute ago, Ulysses G. said:

If you are living in Detroit or Compton, maybe so.

Come on UG, the site didn't say that.  Just like it didn't focus on the south of Thailand.  But if people want to make decisions about an entire country just based on that, more power to them. 

[KarenBravo]

Dentistry in the Philippines is weird and ugly.

Many Filipinas don't seem to have a chin.

Edited November 16, 2017 by KarenBravo

[HooHaa]

17 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

2 factually incorrect, rent, same long term, more expensive as a tourist in PI, data plan on my phone, 300bht (AIS) Vs 300peso (SMART) and SMART throw in all I can eat SMS per month.

 

Again, nonsense, my ais is way chearer than my globe. Pldt is almost 3000 pesos for 8 mbps. 

 

Lte and 4g speed do not exist in philipines, while i get around 40 mbps most places i go in thailand.

 

My electricity here is almost doublw what i pay in thailand, and there i have a house, in phils i have a 1 br condo.

 

Rent is certsinly higher here in makati and bgc.

 

I pretty much agree with everything he said excepting comments about the women and the quality of english spoken.

[pgrahmm]

49 minutes ago, Berkshire said:

I'm not sure where those stats came from, but if you compare the Philippines to the USA on that same site, it suggest that America is much, much more dangerous than the PI.  The BS alarm is on high....

 

http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/compare/Philippines/United-States/Crime

Yes , the PI stats are completely understated - for many reasons.....

 

Primary being the country is desperate for tourist money that it isn't receiving - safety being a major, major issue....

 

If you compare the 2 countries you notice very little police presence in the Phils.....Only for photo ops & posturing....Not the presence you see in TH....

 

Phil on Phil crime goes largely unreported in the Philippines....It's a part of life there.....This even is true in cities such as Stockton in the US.....

 

Most towns have a police box, a village head man & no bank....The business people who make money hide behind walls, gates, security, & the protection monies paid out to gangs like the NPA.....Many do not believe in regular banks (even in the US) and keep their wealth stashed behind their walls - and many get sacked & have to start over = part of life....

If there is a dispute a meeting is set up at a trusted persons house & the police chief, the head man + the involved parties meet to argue it out......Amazingly next to nothing is ever written down or recorded....And, some disputes are never resolved....Civilized window dressing.....

Crimewise - if the NPA gets involved, nobody reports it, gets in it's way - or gets involved.....And they are everywhere....Everything is on the menu for a price.....Again - nobody stands in the way - they'd rather live....

 

There is no divorce in the PI.....But there is much to be gained from disappearing spouses (nobody looks too hard)....It's a cottage industry.....

I know of one.....Somebody on another TH v PI thread said he knew of 5......

At one time the USMC wouldn't allow any Marines with Filipino heritage to take leave there - don't know if that's true now or not - considered too dangerous....

 

Many years ago there were more smiles there....That's seemed to have changed in the past decade .......People there are working hard - shipping their brightest  kids off to other countries - and, they are scared.....

 

It's a very desperate place.....

[Ruffian Dick]

14 hours ago, Berkshire said:

Come on UG, the site didn't say that.  Just like it didn't focus on the south of Thailand.  But if people want to make decisions about an entire country just based on that, more power to them. 

 

14 hours ago, KarenBravo said:

Dentistry in the Philippines is weird and ugly.

Many Filipinas don't seem to have a chin.

I guess we have a choice of sources.

[cnx101]

On 11/11/2017 at 4:31 PM, pumpjack said:

why ?

please explain 

im very interested in vietnam, the junk boat tour off halong bay is on the bucket list.

 

by the way i find 80 % of phils woman are ....lets say not very attractive, yet to see a stunner  but here in thailand i see stunners all the time

Sorry late reply just saw your post, very nice people I’ve been three times the last year over three months altogether never been cheated or had any problems with people or anything easy for everything good Wi-Fi everywhere cheaper than here, for me great gyms also very inexpensive good cheap beer if you like a drink and accommodation inexpensive with friendly staff and good service in restaurants with genuine smiles everywhere. I don’t like Hanoi so much but Saigon is great and I will move to live DaNang soon hopefully. Also the women are lovely and very intelligent walk down the street don’t expect to shouted at hello handsome man, where you go, they have class.

Edited November 21, 2017 by cnx101
Add on

[manchega]

On 11/16/2017 at 8:59 AM, Berkshire said:

I'm not sure where those stats came from, but if you compare the Philippines to the USA on that same site, it suggest that America is much, much more dangerous than the PI.  The BS alarm is on high....

 

http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/compare/Philippines/United-States/Crime

would have to agree with that.  death by cop is far more likely in US ( please do not insult the rest of America by making that generalisation)

as is death by random shooter.

would go with Philippines over us any day of the week

[Berkshire]

5 minutes ago, manchega said:

would have to agree with that.  death by cop is far more likely in US ( please do not insult the rest of America by making that generalisation)

as is death by random shooter.

would go with Philippines over us any day of the week

Hmmm, I know certain neighborhoods in big American cities can be a tad dangerous.  But even still, not like the PI.  I feel safer in Thailand than the USA...can't say I feel safer in the Philippines than the USA.  

[marko kok prong]

I was there for a month last year, in Bohol island and also went to cebu for a couple of days,so hard to really form a veiw enjoyed it at the time,but having viewed some blogs on u tube ect by long term expats,it seems as a foriegner you will have money,and are more likely to be robbed than you are here, {depends where you live of course],i do not live in a tourist area,i find most Thai's where i live friendly and honest,in the Phils i sometimes felt an undercurrent of danger,especially at night. It is also no way as developed as Thailand[internet,roads,ect],i thought a lot of the women were nice looking,and generally they will ask you out,hard job to stop them calling you 'Sir" even in bed.

[taipeir]

Sorry late reply just saw your post, very nice people I’ve been three times the last year over three months altogether never been cheated or had any problems with people or anything easy for everything good Wi-Fi everywhere cheaper than here, for me great gyms also very inexpensive good cheap beer if you like a drink and accommodation inexpensive with friendly staff and good service in restaurants with genuine smiles everywhere. I don’t like Hanoi so much but Saigon is great and I will move to live DaNang soon hopefully. Also the women are lovely and very intelligent walk down the street don’t expect to shouted at hello handsome man, where you go, they have class.

I got cheated loads of times with change in Vietnam even in the airport's. Also maids going through our stuff. It's a good spot but many people think foreigners are to be milked dry.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

[nausea]

Thailand or Philippines?  A lot depends on where you hail from, and your age. Strangely enough, as an older UK person I find many cultural resonances in Thailand, absent from my brief sojourn in the Philippines. As an American you might find the opposite. It's an unfortunate quirk of fate that UK state pensions receive annual upgrades in the Philippines but not here, such is life.

[pattsman42]

Personally I feel that Thailand has the edge but certain factors could sway towards the Philippines depending on point of view. A US citizen with a Philippine wife who is covered by veterans health care would probably prefer Subic or Angeles city to Bangkok or Pattaya. He would be closer to the US, able to access health services from approved hospitals, and be driving on the same side of the road as at home.

 

Looking from a neutral point of view, Thailand offers several advantages:

 

1. Location, in the heart of South East Asia and a major air hub with easy worldwide connections. The airport is of a high standard where as Manila's NAIA was voted as the worst airport in Asia a while back.

 

2. Climate, yes Thailand gets hot and floods regularly but isn't subject to typhoons like the Philippines.

 

3. Infrastructure, much better in Thailand with high speed internet and constant electricity supply.

 

4. Getting around, Thailand has a reasonable internal transport network with a skytrain and subway in Bangkok. The Philippines relies on ferries and flights to get around the 7000+ islands which are subject to major disruptions during the typhoon season. Manila is a massive traffic jam with a minuscule city rail network. Chinese investment should help to improve the infrastructure but this is a long term project.

 

5. Safety and security, Manila can be quite dangerous and there are many areas I wouldn't go in the day time, let alone at night. Both countries have a problem with muslim separatists in the south but in Thailand this is usually confined to a few bombings vs kidnappings and open warfare in the Philippines.

 

6. Language, most Thais speak some English but the Philippines has the upper hand in this area.

 

7. Food, definitely Thailand, there are Thai restaurants all over the world but very few Philippine ones. Even non Thai food is generally done to a high standard and there is lots of variety available.

 

8. People, Filipinos are generally friendly and welcoming and love to socialise, however the macho culture can be annoying with the men thinking they have to act like Mexican bandits. The Thais are more reserved and the Buddhist influence is calming, witness people queuing for trains during the rush hour where as Filipinos would be a mob. Both cultures are Asian, the Philippines has a western veneer on top.

 

Thailand is infested with tourists, many of the less desirable nationalities. Philippine tourism is increasing but its still not a mainstream destination.

 

9. Costs, Thailand is no longer a cheap destination, especially with the strength of the baht at the moment though it is usually much cheaper than a western country. Philippines has very expensive electricity and for the same standard a hotel will be cheaper in Thailand. Difficult to say as your situation will determine what you need to spend.

 

10. Health care, Thailand is a major medical tourism destination with high standard private hospitals easily found. Outside of Manila the Philippine health system leaves a lot to be desired.

 

11. Things to do, Bangkok is a world class city and I've never been bored there. I'm still discovering new things all the time. Manila isn't in the same league but make the effort to look and you may be pleasantly surprised, shooting is popular and firing ranges easily found. The Philippines has better beaches  but they are harder to get to. Phuket is easily reached with direct flights from Europe where as  similar places in the Philippines require ferry or overland travel.

 

Overall Thailand is more cultured and sophisticated, it offers affordable luxury and convenience. The Philippines is more rough and ready rather than luxurious but if you can adapt to the conditions it can be a good option. Your circumstances will determine which is better for you.

 

 

 

 

 

[Gruff]

I would agree that BKK always used to be the major SE Asia air hub and was always the cheapest destination in SE Asia certainly from Europe. I think that is less so now and i have recently found flight from Europe to Manila cheaper than BKK. Cebu Pacific also have a direct flight to Dubai which can often be less than Baht 5000, so all round MNL is becoming more accesible.

[pattsman42]

The Cebu Pacific flight to Dubai is operated by an Airbus A330 in a high density configuration of 436 seats, the maximum certified for the aircraft is 440. Some A380s have fewer seats on board. It is like a sardine can and not suited to larger westerners, its meant for Filipinos working in the Middle East. From Dubai, a direct flight to Europe will be very expensive as it is a hub airport meant for people to fly through not to and from. If visiting the Philippines from Europe buy a through ticket on one airline, if coming from  Dubai then add in all the extras such as taxes and fees, baggage, meals etc and decide if the saving is worth it compared to a full service airline. Its probably not as the passengers are generally overseas filipino workers and very price sensitive which keeps fares down. Similarly Hong Kong - Manila is a low yield route and tickets on Cathay Pacific are comparable to Cebu Pacific.

 

North America can be reached non stop from Manila in a reasonable flight time where as Bangkok requires a connection. 

 

There are more airlines operating into Bangkok from Europe and good deals can be found for business class as it is primarily a leisure route. Generally fares will be lower, however it is quite possible for a search to turn up a good deal on a Manila flight if there is a sale on.

 

[watcharacters]

On 11/3/2017 at 10:19 AM, steven100 said:

The Philippines is crap ....   you can have it all. 

 

 

 

To each his own my fine feathered friend.   I don't disagree with your sentiment but at the same time, I doubt you can deny that,  by and large, the Filipino  people are  easily very friendly and engaging.

 

 

 

[Gruff]

2 hours ago, pattsman42 said:

The Cebu Pacific flight to Dubai is operated by an Airbus A330 in a high density configuration of 436 seats, the maximum certified for the aircraft is 440. Some A380s have fewer seats on board. It is like a sardine can and not suited to larger westerners, its meant for Filipinos working in the Middle East. From Dubai, a direct flight to Europe will be very expensive as it is a hub airport meant for people to fly through not to and from. If visiting the Philippines from Europe buy a through ticket on one airline, if coming from  Dubai then add in all the extras such as taxes and fees, baggage, meals etc and decide if the saving is worth it compared to a full service airline. Its probably not as the passengers are generally overseas filipino workers and very price sensitive which keeps fares down. Similarly Hong Kong - Manila is a low yield route and tickets on Cathay Pacific are comparable to Cebu Pacific

 

I did not notice any sgnificant less room on Cebu Pacific but you are correct it is mainly Filipinos. Therefore you may well get more room overall as less likely to be seated next to a huge Westerner. 

 

Wizzair fly for less than the price of a Chiang Mai entertainments lady, from Dubai to a number of European cities. Wizzair fly into Dubai DWC though which maybe a reason they can be cheap. If you have time it is not really a problem because although quite far out of Town the fare is just 100 baht.

Edited December 4, 2017 by Gruff

[pattsman42]

The Cebu A330 is fitted out in a 3-3-3 configuration = 9 across, the normal configuration is 2-4-2 = 8 across, therefore the seat width is noticeably narrower. Given their poor reputation for on time performance, I would be reluctant to book a non protected transfer with them, ie one where they don't have to accommodate me on a later flight if the incoming one is late.

 

WizzAir only operate direct flights from DWC to Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary and Romania, other destinations will require another connecting flight.

 

Low cost is great for point to point up to about four hours, beyond that the graph starts to taper off.

 

From most European cities, use a search engine such as Skyscanner or Kayak which should find you a good price on a full service airline with a one stop connection, baggage allowance, food and drink, protected transfer, better back up in the event of a disruption and no hidden fees suddenly appearing at the check out stage.

 

For a trip like this its not worth the bother for a small saving. Use Cebu for domestic and regional flights if you aren't concerned about arriving late and you can't find a promo ticket on a full service airline for a similar price.

[bluewavesam]

Language and visa-wise, choose PHL. Cebu and Palawan are great. Beaches, food, infrastructures in Thailand. Both have amazing beaches and destinations, and friendly people. I suggest you stay for a year in both places and see for yourself. Good luck.

Edited December 5, 2017 by bluewavesam

[huawei]

Lived and worked in both..Thailand wins, no contest, even though Thailand is deteriorating..but as with everywhere else it's all about how much money you have, where you live, education, hospitals, safety..

[The manic]

On 03/11/2017 at 3:14 PM, Gruff said:

I have definitely had awful food in Phils and regrettable a lot of restaurants are bad. If you are in a new town and with nobody to make recommendations then you are almost certain to suffer. But there is really good Filipino and Western food to be found as well.

 

Yeah I had decent western food at the ABC hotel. But the club's were crap, the massage parlour were dreadful and and gun men littered the street even guarding 7/11 with pump action shot guns. And now with a mad dog murderer running the place I would not consider it.  And compared to Thailand the Phillipinnes has no cultural depth. 

[keithpa]

On 11/3/2017 at 7:28 AM, starky said:

Here we ago again. This must be one of the most oft repeated threads on here. I agree with the other poster go find out for yourself don't ask other people where you should live. I have lived in both so in a nutshell strictly IMO... 

Phillos: Better Islands better beaches cleaner water.

              Girls now in the Phillos probably more loyal, less likely to stray. Workers and non workers ( could be the Catholic thing or maybe just their nature)

           Top 15% of the Phillos girls slay the Thais on looks but your average girl is better looking in Thailand.

           English is 1000 times better than Thailand.

           Dollar goes a little bit further.

 

Thailand: Better infrastructure,  better Airports (don't want to be going in and out of Manila all the time but if retired who gives a rats)

                Exponentially better food

                More to see more to do better set up to deal with expats.

               Not as poverty stricken

                Less guns (believe it or not)

                 Even though you don't take drugs no guarantee you won't get caught up in drug related violence. To which I will add never felt nervous at any place any time or anywhere in Thailand couldn't say that about the Phillos.

     Look there are quite a few things I have left out but you are seriously better off finding out for yourself. As in a couple minutes someone will refute and say the complete opposite of everything I just said.

You tell him not to ask other people where to live, then you give 10 reason on where to live.

[pgrahmm]

Although I've input on this topic a few times...

 

It breaks down this easily for me.....I've had parties in my home (Thailand) that have had well over 30 filipinos....I've been to parties with over 100 of them here....I've spoken with business owners living here from the Philippines....

I'm connected to a family in the priviledged class of the PI = (90+ hotels, strings of 7/11's, catering companies, restaurants).....

 

After either multiple/extended visits - or the ones based here for whatever circumstances = not one, not a single one wants to return to the PI from TH.....

 

These are people with deep connections and invested lives in/from all areas of the Philippines - and not a one wants to leave Thailand & go back.....

 

Not one.....

 

They blend in well and are largely unnoticed and happily living here.......

 

There are many more than a few here....

[torrzent]

3 hours ago, pgrahmm said:

Although I've input on this topic a few times...

 

It breaks down this easily for me.....I've had parties in my home (Thailand) that have had well over 30 filipinos....I've been to parties with over 100 of them here....I've spoken with business owners living here from the Philippines....

I'm connected to a family in the priviledged class of the PI = (90+ hotels, strings of 7/11's, catering companies, restaurants).....

 

After either multiple/extended visits - or the ones based here for whatever circumstances = not one, not a single one wants to return to the PI from TH.....

 

These are people with deep connections and invested lives in/from all areas of the Philippines - and not a one wants to leave Thailand & go back.....

 

Not one.....

 

They blend in well and are largely unnoticed and happily living here.......

 

There are many more than a few here....

always laugh at these people that claim to be so connected....at least the house party is alive and well!

[pattsman42]

For a first time visitor, initial impressions are likely to be much better for Bangkok than Manila. Bangkok is a world class city where as Manila is a third world dump with a few nice enclaves. There is little if any “wow” factor in Manila, it is dirty, overcrowded, dangerous and has crumbling infrastructure. Bangkok invariably never fails to impress with attractions such as the grand palace and better shopping centres than I have seen in the west.

 

I have never felt unsafe in Bangkok where as in Manila whilst walking around one evening, two different street vendors advised my Filipina wife to take me back to my hotel. Also two people we knew who were visiting for a wedding got mugged.

 

Outside of the Bangkok, much of Thailand is over run with tourists. Phuket is now an expensive mass market rip off, Pattaya a sleezy, polluted traffic jam. However there are nice places if you do your homework and avoid the hotspots for the low budget Chinese, Indian, Russian and Middle Eastern tour groups. Domestic transport is relatively efficient and not subject to extensive disruptions caused by weather.

 

Outside of Manila, much of the Philippines is still undiscovered by the mass market package deal crowd. Getting there is more involved and subject to disruption in the wet season but the SCUBA diving is world class, the beaches in Palawan stunning and the countryside around Baguio and Tagatay is like Europe.

 

If you have more money and want better facilities then Thailand wins. Less money and happy with a quiet life in the provinces the the Philippines is probably a better option.

 

There is no overall correct answer as your situation will determine what is best for you. I love Thailand and my Filipina wife likes it as well but fitting in is an issue for her as she needs to be able to socialise with her own kind. I like the Philippines but poor internet, power cuts and transport disruption get annoying as does general incompetence and delays.

[MaeJoMTB]

1 hour ago, pattsman42 said:

Outside of the Bangkok, much of Thailand is over run with tourists. Phuket is now an expensive mass market rip off, Pattaya a sleezy, polluted traffic jam. However there are nice places if you do your homework and avoid the hotspots for the low budget Chinese, Indian, Russian and Middle Eastern tour groups. Domestic transport is relatively efficient and not subject to extensive disruptions caused by weather.

 

10 Km outside of Chiang Mai, no white people at all. Zero foreigners in rural Issan, Nan, Petchabun, Trat.

Thailand directs all foreigners to a few very small areas., PI is not so tourist orientated, or it may be that everyone speaks English so no need to 'cluster'..

Jeepneys, m/c taxi and bus everywhere in PI, same as Thailand.`

Edited December 6, 2017 by MaeJoMTB

[pgrahmm]

7 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

10 Km outside of Chiang Mai, no white people at all. Zero foreigners in rural Issan, Nan, Petchabun, Trat.

Thailand directs all foreigners to a few very small areas., PI is not so tourist orientated, or it may be that everyone speaks English so no need to 'cluster'..

Jeepneys, m/c taxi and bus everywhere in PI, same as Thailand.`

Not close to being representative....Years ago I lived 28k out of CM....If I wanted to shop I could drive to CM or turn right & go 22k to Tesco in Chom Thom - 50k out & still farangs commonly seen/found & chatted with......I had no trouble knowing farang neighbors......

Now, there's a lot more out in the countryside.....No matter which direction you go.....

[Gruff]

Get on a bus (even close to tourist areas) and you are likely to be the only white guy either in Thailand or Phils. Both countries the local transport is lkely to be filled with Nationals, so unlke modern Western cities. The reality is that a white guy or girl will 'stick out' more in Thailand or Phils than a Thai or Filipino would in London

Edited December 7, 2017 by Gruff

[pattsman42]

This thread would be most helpful if we simply listed the advantages and disadvantages of each country and let the readers draw their own conclusions about which place is best based on how much weight they themselves give to each point.

 

For example:

 

In the Philippines the internet is poor even in Manila. This would be a big factor for a digital nomad but relatively unimportant for someone who doesn't even know how to open a laptop. However the retirement visa requirements are easier in the Philippines, this would be important for someone without much money but not important to someone who could afford a Thailand Elite Card.

 

For those wanting to fit in by learning the local language, Tagalog would be relatively easy where as Thai would be extremely  difficult.

 

Cheap hotels in the Philippines are usually quite scummy and you need to above a certain price point to be sure of something decent. Cheap hotels in Thailand are often very good value and only cost less because they are a few streets away from attractions and services. I've stayed in a nice US$25 a night place in Bangkok where as that price will get you a dump in Manila.

 

Etc.