9 hours ago, Dibbler said:

I think perhaps you've not been to Sri Lanka recently, would that be correct Mr Google expert?  No photoshop required to show the natural beauty of Sri Lanka.  Attached more genuine photos from my recent trip to watch blue whales off the coast of Mirissa.  Incredible to watch these amazing animals just a few hours sail off the south coast.  From Colombo one can be out watching whales within half a day.  

You seem like a typical tourist.  Most expats avoid people like you. The discussion here is more about serious long term living.

4 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I'm probably 5-10 years behind current events in Sri Lanka. I was not aware that was a capital crime. So update me if you know so much about it.

At least you are honest.  Unfortunately, in this day and age, it is a capital crime(whatever that means) not to be informed.  Sorry but I have now time to educate you and I doubt you could afford it anyway.  The internet provides all the tools you need. Go get 'em grasshopper!

9 hours ago, Hummin said:

Well, I like to go to clubs, sit down, and talk with people,

Do you listen as well, or only talk?

This applies to all 3rd world countries: It's cheaper to live somwhere "up country" as opposed to big city living. Makes a big difference.
Folks willing and able to live in a rural environment are at an advantage, as far as expenses are concerned.
But not everyone has the Genes to live in a rural environment. More "doable" for a Farang, when embedded in some Family-Situation (for better of for worse).

I took the other route: Settled in the sticks (solo), built my house plus small farm. Kept me busy for 2 1/2 years.

After that, I had a guy visiting me more and more. His name was "Boredom". Finally, and to avoid those visits from this unwelcome fellow called "Boredom", I ended up driving 45 minutes to get to the nearest metropolis (100'000 inhabitants) to get to enjoy some company with like-minded people (Farangs as well as Thais) and some decent shopping. Daily.
I had another friend that helped me to keep Mr. Boredom at bay. His name was "Laptop computer". We became so familiar with each other, I ended up calling him "Compy" and he called me "Stufa" (stupid Farang).

After almost 5 years I reached the conclusion, that this had to end. Moved back to Pattaya with the predictable result that my monthly expenses increased by 100%.
This only to add to the DILEMMA. Country Boy or City Slicker? The difference can be a couple of thousand $ £ € CHF every month.
Cheers.  

You seem like a typical tourist.  Most expats avoid people like you. The discussion here is more about serious long term living.

Yes, in Sri Lanka sometime tourist but mostly there for work. Otherwise a Thailand resident. And you, from your posts you sound slightly jaded? That's why we're having this discussion, to find places for people like you to move to where you might fit in better.


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15 hours ago, torrzent said:

Maybe they were unpleasant to you because you called it Burma rather than using the correct name, Myanmar

It was Burma when I was there. Myanmar was imposed as a name by SLORC. I employed 25 Myanmarse ? It's a made up word..a noun with no adjective....They live in fear and horror of their own making. 

28 minutes ago, torrzent said:

At least you are honest.  Unfortunately, in this day and age, it is a capital crime(whatever that means) not to be informed.  Sorry but I have now time to educate you and I doubt you could afford it anyway.  The internet provides all the tools you need. Go get 'em grasshopper!

It's not a capital crime but grotesquely ignorant 

Myanmar was imposed as a name by SLORC

 

Myanmar is a name much-preferred by everyone in the country because the old name (Burma) refers to one ethnic group only - the Burmese.  I have been living in the country for 6 years and no-one ever uses the old name - the new name is much more inclusive for all ethnic groups.

 

There are some nice beaches in the country, but took me 2 days of hard motorbike riding to reach it!

 

 

9 hours ago, torrzent said:

At least you are honest.  Unfortunately, in this day and age, it is a capital crime(whatever that means) not to be informed.  Sorry but I have now time to educate you and I doubt you could afford it anyway.  The internet provides all the tools you need. Go get 'em grasshopper!

You would need to start with the Thai population, most of whom have no idea about what happens outside Thailand.

As far as paying you to educate me goes, Australia is currently gripped by scandals surrounding private educators ( with taxpayer subsidies ) who have put their students deep in debt with worthless vocational courses. With your omniscience, you probably knew that already. So no need for sorry.

8 hours ago, The manic said:

It's not a capital crime but grotesquely ignorant 

Careful now. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

19 hours ago, Dibbler said:

I think perhaps you've not been to Sri Lanka recently, would that be correct Mr Google expert?  No photoshop required to show the natural beauty of Sri Lanka.  Attached more genuine photos from my recent trip to watch blue whales off the coast of Mirissa.  Incredible to watch these amazing animals just a few hours sail off the south coast.  From Colombo one can be out watching whales within half a day.  

I was there last week, and thanks for calling me an expert!

BTW, the food is surprisingly weak there as well.  The curry is fantastic but you cant eat that 3 times per day, 365 days per year.  In spite of being an island, there is very little good seafood. Most of the fishing fleet heads off to far away places such as the seas around Indonesia, since there are so few fish.

Was not impressed by the local talent either!

Edited May 6, 20188 yr by torrzent

9 hours ago, Dibbler said:

 

Yes, in Sri Lanka sometime tourist but mostly there for work. Otherwise a Thailand resident. And you, from your posts you sound slightly jaded? That's why we're having this discussion, to find places for people like you to move to where you might fit in better.


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If I am slightly jaded, then you are totally jaded.  And I am sure quite a spectacle with your white knee socks, running shoes, and camera around the neck. 

9 hours ago, The manic said:

It's a made up word

Aren't all words made up, including the name "Burma"?  I mean, words didn't originate with the Big Bang.

I don't know anything about Sri Lanka except having a holiday there. I must admit though i loved Kandy and always thought it would be a nice place to live. Has a very pleasant even temperature all year round.

To the Brits.....  seems the yanks have taking over,but look up Utube  Kev in Thailand,now in Spain,he is doing quite a few vlogs there Mojacar in particular,tried uploading one,hope its OK  but all I can say is breathtaking,Id go like right now but got 5 mutts in tow,two are elderly so Ill see their lifespan out and prob take the others with me.   been to quite a few areas in Spain,yes can speak the lingo, but here is outstanding,utterly beautiful  Im going for it Thai wife  grave doubts but if she wants to come along  up to her

watch.htm

Edited May 6, 20188 yr by altcar bob
info

10 hours ago, swissie said:

This applies to all 3rd world countries: It's cheaper to live somwhere "up country" as opposed to big city living. Makes a big difference.
Folks willing and able to live in a rural environment are at an advantage, as far as expenses are concerned.
But not everyone has the Genes to live in a rural environment. More "doable" for a Farang, when embedded in some Family-Situation (for better of for worse).

I took the other route: Settled in the sticks (solo), built my house plus small farm. Kept me busy for 2 1/2 years.

After that, I had a guy visiting me more and more. His name was "Boredom". Finally, and to avoid those visits from this unwelcome fellow called "Boredom", I ended up driving 45 minutes to get to the nearest metropolis (100'000 inhabitants) to get to enjoy some company with like-minded people (Farangs as well as Thais) and some decent shopping. Daily.
I had another friend that helped me to keep Mr. Boredom at bay. His name was "Laptop computer". We became so familiar with each other, I ended up calling him "Compy" and he called me "Stufa" (stupid Farang).

After almost 5 years I reached the conclusion, that this had to end. Moved back to Pattaya with the predictable result that my monthly expenses increased by 100%.
This only to add to the DILEMMA. Country Boy or City Slicker? The difference can be a couple of thousand $ £ € CHF every month.
Cheers.  

MaeJoMTB please read the above carefully...

Pattaya is not much cheaper than the village, but actually much more expensive!

Who would have guessed?

19 minutes ago, altcar bob said:

To the Brits.....  seems the yanks have taking over,but look up Utube  Kev in Thailand,now in Spain,he is doing quite a few vlogs there Mojacar in particular,tried uploading one,hope its OK  but all I can say is breathtaking,Id go like right now but got 5 mutts in tow,two are elderly so Ill see their lifespan out and prob take the others with me.   been to quite a few areas in Spain,yes can speak the lingo, but here is outstanding,utterly beautiful  Im going for it Thai wife  grave doubts but if she wants to come along  up to her

watch.htm

If you are British, why are you using the Thai writing system?

11 hours ago, torrzent said:

At least you are honest.  Unfortunately, in this day and age, it is a capital crime(whatever that means) not to be informed. 

If ignorance (= not to be informed) was a capital crime, the global population would be reduced to a few million individuals...at most!

 

While knowledge has never been so abundant and so easily accessible, people have never been so ignorant...that is, if you don't count knowing the latest football results and the Kardashians biobraphy, as being knowledge.

 

Whatever the tool offered, you can be sure that people will look and find a way to use it for some other, lesser, purpose than originally intended.

Einstein didn't come with E = MC2 in order to build the atomic bomb, television was not invented to promote reality shows and internet was not set up to watch porn...and yet there we are...

Spain, Almeria, Mojacar Beach Sunday Afternoon ! Vlog 295

 

Kev-In-Thailand

•

3.1K views3 days ago            Earlier post probably taking too long to down load,following his earlier vlogs it just gets better Why the hell he wants to return to Patts is amazing,I'm done with Thailand,and Asia in particular,just so fascinating that places like this still exist,especially after being away fro it for so long,free medical cheap train /airfare back'ome for quick visits   perfect

 

16:05

 

 

Kev in Thailand in Spain, Agua Amarga, Film Location of Sexy Beast ! Vlog 294

 

Kev-In-T

Edited May 6, 20188 yr by altcar bob

On 5/2/2018 at 9:40 PM, JAZZDOG said:

Murder rates in those islands around 30/100K, Thailand 3/100K

What site do you use for the crime comparisons?

On 5/4/2018 at 6:11 PM, simon43 said:

 

I live and work in Myanmar, but still intend to retire back to Thailand (or maybe Laos).

 

Why do you like Laos?

 

In threads like this one, Laos is rarely mentioned if at all, so I know little about it.

I think you've made the first mention of it in this thread, after 176 posts.

2 hours ago, torrzent said:

I was there last week, and thanks for calling me an expert!

BTW, the food is surprisingly weak there as well.  The curry is fantastic but you cant eat that 3 times per day, 365 days per year.  In spite of being an island, there is very little good seafood. Most of the fishing fleet heads off to far away places such as the seas around Indonesia, since there are so few fish.

Was not impressed by the local talent either!

Watching whales, without a harpoon in my hand completely pointless.

I was under the impression Sri Lanka was a place elderly Americans went to 'play' with native children.

Gotta agree with you, I don't usually find ethnic Indian women attractive (apart from Sunny Leone and Deepika Padukone).

16 minutes ago, JimmyJ said:

 

Why do you like Laos?

 

In threads like this one, Laos is rarely mentioned if at all, so I know little about it.

I think you've made the first mention of it in this thread, after 176 posts.

Laos is a communist hell hole, probably the most boring country in the world I've ever visited.

Nothing to do, no bars, no nightlife, no decent food.

Someone said the baguettes were really good, but they weren't, same soft sugary bread as Thailand.

(Vietnam completely different their Baguettes. locally known as 'Banh Mi' are really good)

 

Imagine deepest rural Issan, but without the good food and attractive women ...... that's Laos.

 

Vietnam is great, this is an iced coffee (Phin Sua Da) and chicken baguette (Banh Mi Ga Xe) for $1.50c in a major chain 'Highlands Coffee', air con, sofas, free wifi. (Direct flight VietJet, CM to Saigon $75)

Edited May 6, 20188 yr by MaeJoMTB

4 hours ago, simon43 said:

 

 

 

Myanmar is a name much-preferred by everyone in the country because the old name (Burma) refers to one ethnic group only - the Burmese.  I have been living in the country for 6 years and no-one ever uses the old name - the new name is much more inclusive for all ethnic groups.

 

There are some nice beaches in the country, but took me 2 days of hard motorbike riding to reach it!

 

 

They are not allowed to use the old name. They live in fear of MI. They are forced to inform on each other. They are brainwashed, tribalised and victims of their own making. The regime uses mass rape, torture, blackmail,incarceration, disappearances,  etc to control a hapless population. You will remember ASSK asked the the world,NOT to use the term Myanmar as it was imposed by the most violent thuggish regime in the world.  But whether it is now called Burma or The ridiculous Myanmar it is really  a hell for most people. Anybody,including you who thrives there has blood on their hands up to their elbows. It  is a toxic dump, no infrastructure, nasty racist, deluded, but cowed people. Yes they are victims of a hideous regime but the government are the people writ large.

Edited May 6, 20188 yr by The manic

Threads like this are great. I appreciate all the info and opinions.

The more I think about it, I find no good reasons to any other place, except Portugal a country I know very well. To cold and expensive, but as a europeen I have rights that gives it a huge pluss. Vietnam is tempting, but have no experience at all with Vietnam or Vietnamneeses. And I have Thai girlfriend, I would say better off in Thailand, since I truly believe they are more happy in their home country close or closer to family, their culture, and food, than in any other country. 
 
Pillippines I love, but crap food, smoke, pollution, and a political system and leaders worse than Thailand. Kidnapping is a real treath, small but is there. Worst nightmare is kidnapped by muslims. 
 
I love their Islands, diving, landscape and driving motorbike there, and most people is a bit more educated, and speak english. 

Very good post, thank you for the information. I love Portugal, have spent many holidays in all the regions over 20 years. You are correct, it is now expensive compared to SE Asia. Winters are cold, apart from the Algarve coast but even there can still vary considerably. I have experience of living in Paraguay. Unfortunately, the infrastructure is diabolical. Cost of living is higher than Thailand. Thailand is wonderful by comparison.

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Uruguay does look quite attractive though and the residency seems possibly doable even with all the ambiguity. The main downside I see so far is that it may not be "cheap" enough compared to Ecuador and Nicaragua. I'm reading positive things about lower cost health care access there even if over 60 with preexisting conditions. Americans often forget that Medicare access is not free. Average lifetime out of pocket medical costs for people on Medicare are about 150,000 dollars. 

Spent time in Uruguay when living in Paraguay. It is not called 'Switzerland of South America' for nothing. Visitors from neighbouring South American Countries go for the casino's. Cheap it is not!

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7 minutes ago, The Fugitive said:

Spent time in Uruguay when living in Paraguay. It is not called 'Switzerland of South America' for nothing. Visitors from neighbouring South American Countries go for the casino's. Cheap it is not!

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Yeah, I am realizing that. Especially the Punta del Este coastal area. The main city Montevideo seems pleasant but that's of course not cheap either. I think the only more lower cost places are more inland like Minas. 

Edited May 6, 20188 yr by Jingthing

33 minutes ago, The manic said:

They are not allowed to use the old name. They live in fear of MI. They are forced to inform on each other. They are brainwashed, tribalised and victims of their own making. The regime uses mass rape, torture, blackmail,incarceration, disappearances,  etc to control a hapless population. You will remember ASSK asked the the world,NOT to use the term Myanmar as it was imposed by the most violent thuggish regime in the world.  But whether it is now called Burma or The ridiculous Myanmar it is really  a hell for most people. Anybody,including you who thrives there has blood on their hands up to their elbows. It  is a toxic dump, no infrastructure, nasty racist, deluded, but cowed people. Yes they are victims of a hideous regime but the government are the people writ large.

I am guessing they won't be offering you an Honorary Consul position any time soon!

Edited May 6, 20188 yr by torrzent

They are not allowed to use the old name. They live in fear of MI. They are forced to inform on each other. They are brainwashed, tribalised and victims of their own making. The regime uses mass rape, torture, blackmail,incarceration, disappearances,  etc to control a hapless population. You will remember ASSK asked the the world,NOT to use the term Myanmar as it was imposed by the most violent thuggish regime in the world.  But whether it is now called Burma or The ridiculous Myanmar it is really  a hell for most people. Anybody,including you who thrives there has blood on their hands up to their elbows. It  is a toxic dump, no infrastructure, nasty racist, deluded, but cowed people. Yes they are victims of a hideous regime but the government are the people writ large.

Superb post. If ever there was a doubt......

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