Retire to Philippines - Forget Thailand

[yogi100]

On 3/1/2019 at 12:41 AM, tlandtday said:

First off sitting on the banks of the mekong and you get five bars maybe the tower is directly across the river lol.  Thailand's internet is okay but nothing to brag about and ranks far beneath many southeast asian countries.   Are you claiming Thailand has better internet than England or the United States?  Please explain what this is based upon. Pretty much all data runs contrary to this assertion.

And there is little doubt Thailand in many ways is going the route of China in terms of monitoring civilians, open democracy etc.  Sure xenophobia exists elsewhere but to the same degree?  Are you perhaps new to Thailand?

 

 

I can download a 2 hour film in 5 minutes in London. That same film takes me hours to D/L using the Wifi in my  hotel in Pattaya.

 

But I can leave my hotel in Pattaya and be in a Gogo Bar full of pretty girls within 3 minutes. I can't do that at all in London.

[bomber]

7 hours ago, BritManToo said:

My gf is a bargirl, but no Thai would treat her like that 'cos she'd knife them.

Sounds like a nice girl,get her wed and buy her a house before you lose her,snooze you lose

[tlandtday]

On 3/1/2019 at 9:55 AM, Pilotman said:

I lived in the South East of the UK, its economic power house.  My internet was not as fast or reliable as the one I have now from TOT and it was a lot more expensive, 3 times the cost. No, not at all new to Thailand. I just know the country  very well and I see the things that mark it out as a much better place to live than the UK at least.  

 

P.S sitting on the Mekong, why would Thailand have a mast on the Laos side? 

Across open water not so far what's the point?  Also what are your internet speeds and what are you using to test it.  I could show you a hundred places between pattaya and bangkok where you have no internet coverage.  It depends on the terrain, user numbers and more.  Taking an example from one or two areas is hardly indicative of the rest of the country:)

[tlandtday]

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Pros-

1. The women can be lovely. And many of them speak english. And if you are older guy, that is a plus in the PI. Plus they are way less demanding, and the bar is set much lower, in terms of their expectations.

2. The visa system is something that some think is simpler. You do need to have money on deposit, and unlike Thailand it remains on deposit the entire time you live there. A minimum of $20,000 for the SRRV Smile visa.

3. In general I would say the people can be quite friendly. Especially the women. But, unlike Thailand, even the men can be friendly. I suspect if I lived there, I would have a number of local male friends, unlike here. 

4. The place is more Westernized. You do not feel like you are living on another planet, which can be nice sometimes. Some shopping can be better, as there are Costco type outlets there. 

 

https://nomadcapitalist.com/2018/01/15/the-philippines-residency-srrv/

 

Cons-

1. The entire country is like one big Tijuana.

2. The security situation is not very good. You always have to keep your eyes open, keep an eye on your back, and beware of robbery, home theft, and violence. It is rampant. I have many friends who live there, and they all say the same thing. 

3. If you do get into an altercation with a Philippine man, or are getting robbed or harassed, unless you are a 6th degree sensei, do not fight back. An astonishing number of locals are well trained in the fighting arts. Many are good with sticks, knives, blades or any sort, and their hands, fists and feet. I have a friend who is a world class security consultant. He is a master of seven different martial arts. He says he can usually fight his way out of a gang of men, nearly anywhere in the world. Except in the PI. That is the only country he will NOT take an assignment.

The average guys there, can take down the average Westerner in five seconds. In Thailand few have those kinds of skills. Very few.

4. The food sucks. The only other country I can think of with worse food, is Cuba. Granted, if you are willing to spend the money, you can find good food. But, it is not the general rule, as it is here. Also, the access to fresh fruits and vegetables is pathetic compared to Thailand. Very low quality, and often not fresh. Thailand is a paradise by comparison, when it comes to all things related to food. 

5. Pollution. They use a lower grade of diesel. So, there is alot of soot in the air. The PI has an epidemic of lung diseases and respiratory diseases. Even on many of the populated islands. The hospitals are full of people who are having a very hard time breathing. It is a real issue there. Lung disease is at an epidemic level, though the authorities do not like to talk about it, and publish very little information on it.

6. Aesthetics. The average house you would rent, looks like a slum. Tall walls, with barbed wire, to keep out intruders. And they just do not pay attention to landscaping and gardens like the Thai people do. So, most neighborhoods are fabulously ugly. 

7. Renting. There is a vastly lower number of rental units available, few are as nice as what you can find in Thailand, and it is almost always more expensive, with the possible exception of Central Bangkok. You just cannot find the studio apartments like the ones available all over Hua Hin, for 6,000 to 8,000 baht a month. That does not exist there.

 

Shall I go on? I could. As far as I am concerned, the only reason to live there is the women, and a more cooperative government. Alot of ex-pats are looking to leave Thailand, as the current administration is so far beyond heinous it is unspeakable. But, I expect them to be shown the door in the next elections, as they are despised by most Thai people. 

Mike you make some good observations now if you can only keep a lid on the TDS. ????  Serenity now!!!!

[Sparkles]

I lived and worked in the Phil,Northern Luzon, on the coast, for 18 mths .I would never even go back for a holiday.Totally corrupt, worse than here,lawless,2 of my Resort locals murdered,nothing followed up. Couldn't keep drug selling out of my own workforce.Pitiful poverty ,being Catholic far too many children to support and now a nutter as leader.Friends tells me nothings changed.Look at alternatives not what seems cheaper or better.

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, Letseng said:

Why is Phil gov. better than Thai gov.? Do you really think Duterte is a caring person?

Of course not. But the PI is far more Westernized than Thailand, which is like Mars in comparison. And they are also much smarter. They understand how much money ex-pats spend, and they encourage, rather than discourage them. Smart, right? That combined with a greater lack of fear of the outside world, as is so common, and so boring here. 

[Pilotman]

15 minutes ago, tlandtday said:

Across open water not so far what's the point?  Also what are your internet speeds and what are you using to test it.  I could show you a hundred places between pattaya and bangkok where you have no internet coverage.  It depends on the terrain, user numbers and more.  Taking an example from one or two areas is hardly indicative of the rest of the country:)

I am not so sad that I measure stuff like that, if it works okay and I can stream stuff, I am happy. I don't live between Pattaya and Bangkok, so its irrelevant to me. Interestingly, when we visit my in laws, in the far north east, I can still stream  Netflix. None of my friends, living in various parts of LOS, have any problems with internet  access ability or speeds. 

[tlandtday]

3 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

I am not so sad that I measure stuff like that, if it works okay and I can stream stuff, I am happy. I don't live between Pattaya and Bangkok, so its irrelevant to me. Interestingly, when we visit my in laws, in the far north east, I can still stream  Netflix. None of my friends, living in various parts of LOS, have any problems with internet  access ability or speeds. 

Nothing sad about knowing your internet speeds lol. 

[ravip]

Now here is a super alternative to the Thai haters and bashers!

(Will there be a single taker?)

[Pilotman]

3 minutes ago, tlandtday said:

Nothing sad about knowing your internet speeds lol. 

Why? unless you're a geek, (nothing wrong with that if you are. my Son is one and I still love him; a bit! ) if it works, all is good. ????

[brokenbone]

5 minutes ago, ravip said:

Now here is a super alternative to the Thai haters and bashers!

(Will there be a single taker?)

i think more and more come to realize,

that the only thing that really matters is citizenship or permanent residency, so we wont have to argue about that too

when the body collapses.

for me that means back to europe, but since i cant handle such a journey with my broken body, its vietnam until hopefully the day come soon when i can leave asia for good

[tlandtday]

28 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

Why? unless you're a geek, (nothing wrong with that if you are. my Son is one and I still love him; a bit! ) if it works, all is good. ????

I'm not a "geek" but if I am asserting that one country has better internet than another I will make the effort to at least know the facts:)

[Pilotman]

3 minutes ago, tlandtday said:

I'm not a "geek" but if I am asserting that one country has better internet than another I will make the effort to at least know the facts:)

I know the facts, it works better, faster and more reliably than BT ever did for me in the UK, what more do I need?  

[Ks45672]

On 2/1/2019 at 5:45 PM, Pilotman said:

regular 'brown outs', poor to none existent 3G in many parts of the country, crumbling infrastructure, a homicidal maniac as a President,  an active drugs mafia, a near Civil War on the southern Islands.  Really?   

As if Thailand doesn't have any of those things.... ???? 

[Ks45672]

On 2/28/2019 at 4:49 PM, BritManToo said:

Link to newspaper article please or it didn't happen.

They may be able to tell if you're in or out of the UK (I'm doubtful as they don't seem to know if terrorists are in or out), but they can't prove where you went.

The stamps in your passport might give it away.... 

[BritManToo]

8 hours ago, Ks45672 said:

The stamps in your passport might give it away.... 

Unfortunately, I lost it last week, just getting a new one.

[marcusarelus]

8 hours ago, Ks45672 said:

As if Thailand doesn't have any of those things.... ???? 

They don't that's why so many prefer it over the PI.  All of my friends from the Philippines cry real tears whenever they have to go back home (lost job or whatever).  

[lopburi3]

1 hour ago, marcusarelus said:

They don't that's why so many prefer it over the PI.  All of my friends from the Philippines cry real tears whenever they have to go back home (lost job or whatever).  

Actually Thailand has much more drug use and drug issues than PI (where tourists are no longer offered them) and usage has been cut greatly.  Terrorist activity is just as active in Thailand and like PI mostly confined to small area.  President in PI was elected and is supported by most law abiding residents.  Power outages are less in Thailand as can have a national grid where PI is many islands - but improvement in PI has been substantial and most urban areas have good power supply.  Internet is behind Thailand yes but it is better and the land/mountains/islands make it rather complex.  The infrastructure is actually developing with better roads and good air/ferry service to most places.  Being very overpopulated wages are low and large areas will look grim but within homes most people are very close and friendly to others.  As for crying on losing job in Thailand it has much to do with the loss of money to send home to family than access to 7/11 land facilities.

 

That said understand that most of us will likely make the choice of Thailand for living expat life where standards are more developed.  But it is not a yes/no for most people and many will be happy or sad in either place.  

[Boombum]

On 2/17/2019 at 11:18 AM, jesimps said:

Yes if you're forced to leave because you're going to struggle financially under the new TI rules, then the PI seems a better option to me than returning to UK. ANYWHERE seems a better option than returning to UK!!!

In a lot of ways YES, Unless you’ve a nice Home, Girlfiend, Money, Income UK is going to SUCK...but if you have/had all that why are you here in the 1st place....I’ve sold up everything and given all my Winter Clothes to charity. I would arrive in Heathrow in a pair of Flipflops, Shorts and T shirt , Homeless penniless, unemployed, no Transport, no girlfiend, Freezing Cold....Trouble is, being English as opposed to Immigrant I’d qualify for Nothing and have little chance of knowing what is available....Immigrants all go to a Specialist who applies on their behalf and demands EVERYTHING...We have Zero support...PIPI for me I think...at least I can run my new Business from there too...

 

[marcusarelus]

On 3/3/2019 at 9:35 AM, lopburi3 said:

As for crying on losing job in Thailand it has much to do with the loss of money to send home to family than access to 7/11 land facilities.

I was referring to married couples from the Philippines who live and work in Thailand with SS medical care and so on.  A much better life to hear them tell it. 

[jimmyyy]

If things ever fall apart here in Thailand, i will make a direct line for the PI and won't be looking back.  Too many of my friends live there and they love it.  I am tied down now and can't just up and go, so most likely the rest of my life will be here in thailand unless visa requirements really get ugly in that case i would most likely pick up the whole family and take them back to the states. 

[GreenerGrass]

The financial requirements in Thailand are not so bad, it will weed out a lot of people that are flying by the seat of their pants. Bottom line if you don't have the money what are you doing here. The quality of life in Thailand is far superior than the Philippine's, for starters the weather, they get battered by at least 3 major Typhoons annually! Thailand for me has much better food, accommodation, and the people in general are very nice.

If you live in the city of Bangkok, Hua Hin  beaches are only a 2 hour drive, or if you looking for some adventure Kanchanaburi again only a 2 hour drive.   If you play by the rules in Thailand, it is the best country to retire in Asia. I agree with many comments regarding Thai people not wanting us here, but I think that is because we get a lot of bad press, begpackers, scammers, etc. However I am always amazed at how the media make such a big deal out of petty crimes committed by petty criminals from the west.

 

I believe the overall game plan of the Thai Government is to make Thailand an upmarket holiday and retirement destination, which I personally think is a good idea. 

[SteveK]

5 hours ago, GreenerGrass said:

I believe the overall game plan of the Thai Government is to make Thailand an upmarket holiday and retirement destination, which I personally think is a good idea. 

If the Baht keeps strengthening, and inflation stays high, not much will change in Thailand itself, but retirees and holiday-makers may not want to pay first-world prices in a third-world country. So they will inevitably cross it off their list to the detriment of the Thai economy.

 

The price of a bottle of beer in a Bangkok nightclub is comparable to a London club. I suspect that retirees have been willing to endure the problems with xenophobic bureaucracy, paperwork and visa changes because the country still offered them good value. Once the "value" of living in Thailand is removed - why would anyone want to retire there unless they had family in the country?

 

There are still safe countries in the world with good weather and good food, but where visa requirements are much more friendly and you can actually own the land that your house sits on.

[MONIKATSI]

On 2/1/2019 at 10:49 AM, Banana7 said:

Yes, it's USD$20,000 (without a pension) which is less than 800K baht, and also that deposit can be converted into a condo, or long-term lease, etc..

 

 

regular 'brown outs', poor to none existent 3G in many parts of the country, crumbling infrastructure, a homicidal maniac as a President,  an active drugs mafia, a near Civil War on the southern Islands.  Really?   

•  

[MONIKATSI]

56 minutes ago, MONIKATSI said:

regular 'brown outs', poor to none existent 3G in many parts of the country, crumbling infrastructure, a homicidal maniac as a President, Vidmate iTunes Notepad++  an active drugs mafia, a near Civil War on the southern Islands.  Really?   

•  

Yes, it's USD$20,000 (without a pension) which is less than 800K baht, and also that deposit can be converted into a condo, or long-term lease, etc..

[grifbel]

On 3/2/2019 at 9:39 AM, spidermike007 said:

I have a friend who is a world class security consultant. He is a master of seven different martial arts.

I always have a laugh at these guys who claim to be "masters" of so many martial arts.  Considering it takes 20-30 years to master one martial art,  such claims are nonsensical.  Watching Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris reruns does not make you a master, except maybe on a barstool.

[spidermike007]

7 hours ago, grifbel said:

I always have a laugh at these guys who claim to be "masters" of so many martial arts.  Considering it takes 20-30 years to master one martial art,  such claims are nonsensical.  Watching Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris reruns does not make you a master, except maybe on a barstool.

Would a sixth degree black belt be good enough for you? How many black belts do you have? 

[grifbel]

27 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Would a sixth degree black belt be good enough for you? How many black belts do you have? 

LOL, nice try with the strawman argument.  So now we are down from 7 different martial arts to one 6th degree black belt.  This sounds like typical barstool exagerration.  You are out of your league on this discussion.

 

[grifbel]

49 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Would a sixth degree black belt be good enough for you? How many black belts do you have? 

Snatch the pebble, grasshopper.

[kekalot]

On 3/2/2019 at 9:39 AM, spidermike007 said:

5. Pollution. They use a lower grade of diesel. So, there is alot of soot in the air. The PI has an epidemic of lung diseases and respiratory diseases. Even on many of the populated islands. The hospitals are full of people who are having a very hard time breathing. It is a real issue there. Lung disease is at an epidemic level, though the authorities do not like to talk about it, and publish very little information on it.

agreed.

I was in Cebu city for 3 weeks once and it was the only place in the world where I blew my nose and it was almost gray coming out.