Would you ever seriously think about moving to Cambodia or Laos?

[CharlieH]

I have yet to visit Vietnam but have read good reports and it looks very nice.

If things went pear shaped I would definitely explore it further.

 

 

[AlfHuy]

Just now, CharlieH said:

I have yet to visit Vietnam but have read good reports and it looks very nice.

If things went pear shaped I would definitely explore it further.

 

 

My mate moved 7 months ago to VN. He works for MAKRO. He just loves everything. Invited me over (once Covid allows).

[BritManToo]

Just now, CharlieH said:

I have yet to visit Vietnam but have read good reports and it looks very nice.

If things went pear shaped I would definitely explore it further.

The sight-seeing in Vietnam beats everywhere else hands down.

[CharlieH]

Just now, AlfHuy said:

My mate moved 7 months ago to VN. He works for MAKRO. He just loves everything. Invited me over (once Covid allows).

I had actually planned a 7 day trip over there pre-covid nonsense. I am looking forward to being able to explore the region better in the not too distant future. My time for "long haul" and all the red tape that now goes with it is well and truly over.

[KarenBravo]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

The sight-seeing in Vietnam beats everywhere else hands down.

 

Yes, but you only do it once. You can do that on a holiday.

[AlfHuy]

1 minute ago, KarenBravo said:

 

Yes, but you only do it once. You can do that on a holiday.

Once retired, the rest of your life becomes a long holiday.

[BritManToo]

Just now, KarenBravo said:

Yes, but you only do it once. You can do that on a holiday.

I've been there 5 times in the past 2 years (free VISA waiver for Brits, air fare around 1kbht each way direct from CM).

Saigon x3, Da Nang x1, Hanoi x1 and only seen a fraction of the sights I would like to visit.

You'd need a really long holiday to see it all.

Edited March 25, 2021 by BritManToo

[golfpro47]

I have lived in Thailand 25 Years and Cambodia was my bolt hole when I needed a change , I visited many many times,usually for 1-2 weeks and always enjoyed my time there,the biggest mistake I made was moving over to Phnom Penh Full  time.Looking  for what I call a decent Condo/Apartment to Rent the ones I viewed were in the 450 600US,I had looked at what Barang were calling good Condos at 300-350US and they were shocking couldn’t believe how some Barang were living. I settled on a playyyce just over 2klms from the City Center,a brand new Building Furnished,they were looking for 650US I offered to pay 550US 6Months in advance and got it for that.

 I didn’t find the food to bad(except the street food)plenty of Euro Restaurants prices decent,but really missed Thai Food.

what surprises me are that most of the comments by people who have lived there  or have visited regularly is they nearly all say cheap beer,cheap and ready available drugs,I often wonder what kind of life they lead when they are the first 2 things they mention.

After about 6Months I was getting bored,relief was my Work as I was Working all around Asia,so at about 9-10 Months I decided I had had enough and moved back to Thailand.

Most of my friends I had there have also departed,some to Thailand,Vietnam and some back to Europe, I am told by people I still know there that they are also considering leaving,they are fed up with the usual things,dirty,attitude,Crime more prevalent and far to many Chinese now with there bad attitude,and of course getting more expensive.

Did I enjoy my long stay there no,did I enjoy my frequent visits prior to moving there most definitely,but my experience living there and the stories I am being told, I am glad I left when I did, I made a big mistake moving there and as such I have never been back.

[bermondburi]

1 hour ago, Sydebolle said:

I know many who actually moved to Cambodia; too much bureaucracy, impolite, rude and arrogant by the local authorities giving those dirty farang a extensive ride on the merry-go-round. The first wave moved when border running was eradicated; hundred thousands of aliens, spending 20K-30K monthly in the realm, disappeared and left a huge hole in many Thai pockets. 

The TM1 - TM37 forms, inconsistent application of (sometimes non-)existing laws, greasing the palm fees to enforce the „No Tips“, the ever-worsening forex rates and increasing costs moved another few hundred thousands. 

Without my entire family of kids and grandkids I might have moved to Laos, where USD 400 buy (officially) a one year visa with multiple re-entries and a work permit; process taking one week. The country absolutely beautiful, certainly behind Thailand in many comfy aspects but lovely people and unspoiled naturals compensate for all those missing achievements of the 21st century! 

100s of thousands....????????????????

[simon43]

[quote]

... I do want a real relationship again. That seems to preclude Laos

[/quote]

 

Not at all.  The law regarding sexual relationships with Lao women (or men if you're a woman), is in practice, aimed at the 'young bucks'.  Us older guys have no problems if it's a genuine relationship with a local woman.  I have several older foreign friends with Lao GFs who live with them in a steady and public relationship - no issues from the police whatsoever.

 

I don't have any steady relationship because I'm simply too busy with my teaching and science projects - it wouldn't be fair on my partner.

Edited March 25, 2021 by simon43

[Pravda]

Up to you if cheap beer, apartment cost and uneducated girls are your deciding factor to move.

 

Personally I am quite happy here. I keep wanting to move back to Canada but I just can't quit. My wife and I own a condo, but are renting another place close to her work. The place is very close to Ekkamai BTS, super modern 35sqm condo that comes with better than hotel furniture and my god Japanese toilet. Do you know the pleasures of taking a dump on a warm seat every morning? Can I get that comfort in Laos and Cambodia for $550 a month including wifi? At gateway ekkamai there is this Amazing Isaan gal that makes one of the best pizzas in Bangkok. 5 bucks for a medium. 

 

GRAB. So many choices for so cheap. I am a cheap charlie so I use coupons and promos. My god, it's practically free and they give you promos. 

 

MALLS

 

One thing Farang mug does not realize is that the bigger the city the cheaper the prices. Thailand has a lot of manufacturing and I can get a lot of good things for next to nothing. Yes, cheaper in the west, the problem is most people don't know where to look. Even brand names that people say it's a ripoff. There is a reason Chinese used to come here on big shopping trips, They know their stuff.

 

If you think the price of beer and 100 chitty apartment and uneducated hoz should be a   deciding factor then by all means shoo

 

BTW, I wouldn't live in Thailand 40 years ago. Not for me. I actually noticed the longer I live here the less scams there are. I came here as a backpacker in 2003 and the difference is huge.

 

 

[worldexpress]

I really don't want to live under a communist or an oppressive authoritarian government but the reality is politically ideal place is slim pickings at best in this part of the world. If the straws are keep getting filed on the back of the Thai camel, it would definitely force me to look elsewhere. Sooner rather than later.

[kingofthemountain]

3 hours ago, WineOh said:

Ok, thanks for the input!

For those who say a firm NO, what is it that is keeping you here?

What do you love about Thailand?

I stay in Thailand, and particularly in Pattaya

for the girls (Large choice and relatively cheap) 

also to be near the sea, with a hot weather, a good infrastructure

a cheap cost of life in a fun and vibrant city were the reasons why i have chosen to live here.

 

However a lot of things have changed year after year

a catastrophic xchange rate evolution (The euro has lost near 40% in 10 years vs the baht) an increase in the cost of life (The rent and street food are still cheap, but a lot of others things are up) the sea and air pollution worse year after year and now the covid crisis destroying the city, taking out all of the fun (Imo we are in for a very long and hard time since the highest Thai authorities and elites have always wanted to change Thailand's international reputation, getting rid of all the visible sex trade, and it's now or never for them)

 

As i want to be near the sea Laos isn't an option, and infrastructure in Cambodgia isn't great plus the air pollution is the same in most of these countries.

 

Also i don't drink beer so i don't really care about the cost of it lol

 

Then my plan B is Mexico

Edited March 25, 2021 by kingofthemountain

[Hanuman2547]

No to Cambodia.

Might try Laos.

Third option would be Vietnam.  It's a vast country and very different regions.

[simon43]

[quote]

...I really don't want to live under a communist or an oppressive authoritarian government...

[/quote]

 

Well. Thailand is a pretty authoritarian government, is it not? ????

 

As the the communist Lao government, I don't think the vast majority of locals notice anything authoritarian about them ????  I think most politicians, police and military seem to be too busy relaxing in their hammocks to worry about those sort of things.

 

As they say "Laos PDR = Laos, Please Don't Rush"!  ????

 

 

[Jingthing]

Having backup options to Thailand is something I'm very interested in. Ease of visas and residence stability are a high priority for me if I ever leave.

 

Cambodia is on my list.  Laos isn't.

 

My current list ranked:

 

Mexico 

Philippines 

Colombia 

Cambodia 

USA last resort 

Edited March 25, 2021 by Jingthing

[thailanddogerator]

Cambodia is okay because people are more welcoming than Thai, but this country still look like a dump in 2021, it's sad that the billionaire dictator never improves or care his people.

 

[oobar]

1 hour ago, Pravda said:

Do you know the pleasures of taking a dump on a warm seat every morning?

A Thai toilet seat is actually too COLD in the mornings?  Never heard of such a thing until now.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, kingofthemountain said:

As i want to be near the sea Laos isn't an option, and infrastructure in Cambodgia isn't great plus the air pollution is the same in most of these countries.

Not true, Cambodia air is totally clear compared to Thailand.

I couldn't believe how clean it was the first time I left the smog of Chiang Mai for the clear air of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, Pravda said:

Up to you if cheap beer, apartment cost and uneducated girls are your deciding factor to move.

I would say 'easily available' rather than 'uneducated', I've had plenty with degrees out here.

[vandeventer]

Right now I would rather be in Thailand than most places. I was here during the VN war in 1967 on a r&r fron VN and yes the place and people were great. But time goes on and there are a lot more people in Thailand now then in 1967. The government is not making a lot of money from taxation as most Thais hate paying taxes so that leaves the infrastructure and hospitals in need of help. Everything changes as time moves on and you just have to change with them or no matter where you live you will not be happy.

[Burma Bill]

On 3/24/2021 at 11:44 AM, WineOh said:

they (Cambodia) have everything that Thailand has just cheaper.

Thank you for your favorable comments but with respect not electricity!  My monthly electric bill here in Siem Reap is far more expensive than the one in Thailand. Cambodia buys electricity from Thailand. My Thai bill was around 800 baht (about 27$) per month, including one air-conditioning unit and the usual appliances, but here in Cambodia, with virtually the same appliances but with 2 air-conditioning units, it is around 100$ per month.  Favorably, mains water to my apartment is not metered and I get an unlimited supply for a flat rate of 5$ (150 baht) per month, payable to my landlord.

[Freddy42OZ]

On 3/24/2021 at 11:44 AM, WineOh said:

What would it take for you to make the move over the border? 

 

I'd move if Phnom Penh was as developed Bangkok.   In other words I wouldn't. 

Why move to somewhere *less* developed?  

 

[Burma Bill]

On 3/24/2021 at 11:44 AM, WineOh said:

Cambodia .............. they have everything that Thailand has just cheaper

 Thank you for your favorable comments but with respect, not electricity. My monthly metered bill in Thailand was around 800 baht (27$) per month for the usual electrical appliances and one air-conditioning unit. Here in Siem Reap I pay around 100$ ( 3,000 baht) metered for virtually the same appliances and 2 air-conditioning units. Cambodia buys electricity from Thailand. However, favorably, mains water to my apartment is not metered and I get an unlimited supply for just 5$ (150 baht) per month paid to my landlord. 

Edited March 25, 2021 by Burma Bill
additional information

[simon43]

[quote]

...Cambodia buys electricity from Thailand....

[/quote]

 

Laos has a distinct advantage, in that its many hydro dams provide cheap electricity for the country, and exported to china and Thailand.  One downside is of course, the problems that damming the Mekong and other rivers can cause, such as to fish migration.

[Pravda]

2 hours ago, oobar said:

A Thai toilet seat is actually too COLD in the mornings?  Never heard of such a thing until now.

 

You don't use aircon overnight? 

[bermondburi]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

[quote]

...Cambodia buys electricity from Thailand....

[/quote]

 

Laos has a distinct advantage, in that its many hydro dams provide cheap electricity for the country, and exported to china and Thailand.  One downside is of course, the problems that damming the Mekong and other rivers can cause, such as to fish migration.

anyone factoring in cost of electricity in their moving decision should stay at home.

[adammike]

4 minutes ago, bermondburi said:

anyone factoring in cost of electricity in their moving decision should stay at home.

It's about running the air-conditioning 24/7.If I was going to move to the tropics it's something I would want to know about.

[simon43]

9 minutes ago, bermondburi said:

anyone factoring in cost of electricity in their moving decision should stay at home.

Not a factor for me - I use no air-con, my house is cool enough (in the shade of trees etc).

[brewsterbudgen]

8 hours ago, WineOh said:

Ok, thanks for the input!

For those who say a firm NO, what is it that is keeping you here?

What do you love about Thailand?

I'm not sure I "love" any country.  Having lived in Thailand for nearly 16 years, I've certainly fallen out of my initial infatuation with the place.  I find most Thai food over-rated, and the Thai "mai pen rai" attitude and general childishness annoying when I used to find it endearing!  I'm still here because my work is here, and I couldn't earn as much back in the UK (or another country, except China) as I do here in Bangkok.  My wife is Lao, so (pre-Covid) we visited Laos a lot and have built a house there, but neither of us want to live there.  My kid goes to a fairly affordable international school here and is doing well.  As my whole family are all foreigners I do worry about future immigration changes and where will all settle eventually though.  Wherever it is, it won't be the UK unless we are really desperate.