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

[BenDeCosta]

Just now, moontang said:

They dont allow AW to sell Root Beer, it was renamed RB to not a

offend Mohamed.  I heard drink prices are outrageous.  

Alcoholic drinks in Malaysia are very expensive. And there very few options. But even the worst Malaysian beer is nicer than Leo.  

[Deli]

Yes, to Cambodia

[polpott]

9 minutes ago, BenDeCosta said:

Go to Bukit Bintang and buy a pint of beer and tell us what it costs. 

35 Ringgit last time I was in Bukit Bintang.  Had several unpleasant experiences with the native Malay too. Would never set foot in the place again.

[zzaa09]

On 3/24/2021 at 7:16 AM, simon43 said:

After returning to Thailand, after working in Myanmar for about 5 years, I found the Thailand that I remembered when I first moved there in 2002, had changed too much for me to consider living there in my retirement.  I therefore relocated to live in Luang Prabang, a town where I briefly worked as the Headmaster of the international school, about 8 years ago.

 

The fact that it is a communist country actually seemed a bonus.  Here is a town where the kids go out and pick up litter from the streets each week, and the local adults do the same.  Unlike Thailand, the various authorities (police, immigration etc) don't have the slightest interest in sticking themselves into my life.  I don't have to do 90-day reports, nor inform anyone of my whereabouts and trips, nor even visit an immigration office to get my annual business visa, work permit and ID card.

 

(I guess things would be different if I were a Hmong activist etc, but without the slightest interest in politics or religion, I enjoy living here).  Sure, Laos is completely under the thumb of China, but again, none of this affects me in a negative way.

 

I'm not a sex monger, but 'compony' is readily available if one is discrete.  Don't sh*t in your own house of course, so use a hotel (I've done this many times).  Secret police?  Look, I have more radio transmitters and strange antennas than Goonhilly Down, but the police and authorities never bother me - well I've never had a visit so far ????

 

The food is excellent, with daily French baguettes, Lao coffee and local dishes.

 

Some people tell me that living in Laos is expensive.  I rent an old Lao house - 3 bedrooms,  just 100 metres from the Mekong river.  It has a beautiful garden and I pay under 11,000 baht a month, plus 100 baht for water and about 3,000 baht for electricity.  I find food cheap!

 

Crime?  Nothing affects me.  No pilfering or anything.  I learnt many years ago that security fences/cameras/dogs etc attract criminals.  All I have are the rusty metal bars on my windows.  Besides, I have little to steal.

 

My local bank account (with a Franco-Belgian bank) gives me 6 - 8% annual interest...

 

I guess the only downside are the lack of decent health/hospital facilities.  It's important to have expat/medivac insurance and to stay healthy!!

 

Forgot to add that my online teaching job needs fast internet.  I have 50 MB/sec fibre connections into my house from both LaoTel and Unitel, plus 4G mobile data as a backup.  I rarely have a connection problem.

 

Well presented, Simon - 

Appears that you've put some in their place.

 

[Jingthing]

37 minutes ago, bermondburi said:

Good. Keeps out the riffraff. A price worth paying.

Keeps me out.

[bermondburi]

8 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Keeps me out.

Well, I didn't want to say it......????

[Andy from Kent]

23 minutes ago, polpott said:

Had several unpleasant experiences with the native Malay too. Would never set foot in the place again.

 

Please share those experiences with us if you don't mind.   It may help some made a destination decision.

 

[Jingthing]

9 minutes ago, bermondburi said:

Well, I didn't want to say it......????

No worries. 

[CharlieH]

Flame poet and responses removed.

 

7) You will respect fellow members and post in a civil manner. No personal attacks, hateful or insulting towards other members, (flaming) Stalking of members on either the forum or via PM will not be allowed.
 

[LomSak27]

Laos hands down. Not a contest.
 

I used LP as my bolt hole back in the early aughts (noughties), when living in CM. It is definitely not a problem finding women if you are living there. Still it would be LP not Vientiane. Some CW's lived in Vientiane for a year, ok, but they moved on. Living in Portugal today. 

Cambodia, I could live there but I wonder if I would ever like it. For me, that decision is as easy as their street food. Full stop right there.

 

I would head to Indonesia before Laos or Cambodia.

[polpott]

14 minutes ago, Andy from Kent said:

 

Please share those experiences with us if you don't mind.   It may help some made a destination decision.

 

Sorry to bore other posters but I was asked.

 

Sat waiting for a train at KL station. Talking to a young couple and as soon as I told them that I was English they turned away and blanked me.

 

On arriving at the rail station in JB, went to the information desk and asked directions to the city centre. Gave me a convoluted set of instructions and walked miles without success. After asking several people I ended up at my start point and it turned out that "City Centre" was the name of the shopping mall through a set of double doors from the information desk.
 

Went to the bus depot in Georgetown. Asked the young guy in the ticket office which was the bus to Batu Ferrhingi. Never looked up from his newspaper and pointed in the general direction of several buses. Asked again only to get the same response

 

I could go on. Found the native Malays to be ignorant, unhelpful and generally unpleasant, Chinese Malays absolutely the opposite, lovely people.

 

I've stayed in several moslem countries, never found one where I warmed to the locals.

[Jingthing]

4 minutes ago, polpott said:

Sorry to bore other posters but I was asked.

 

Sat waiting for a train at KL station. Talking to a young couple and as soon as I told them that I was English they turned away and blanked me.

 

On arriving at the rail station in JB, went to the information desk and asked directions to the city centre. Gave me a convoluted set of instructions and walked miles without success. After asking several people I ended up at my start point and it turned out that "City Centre" was the name of the shopping mall through a set of double doors from the information desk.
 

Went to the bus depot in Georgetown. Asked the young guy in the ticket office which was the bus to Batu Ferrhingi. Never looked up from his newspaper and pointed in the general direction of several buses. Asked again only to get the same response

 

I could go on. Found the native Malays to be ignorant, unhelpful and generally unpleasant, Chinese Malays absolutely the opposite, lovely people.

 

I've stayed in several moslem countries, never found one where I warmed to the locals.

Yeah I also like Chinese Malaysians.

Malaysia is the only country I've ever visited where a convenience store clerk in hajib spat at my face when I answered her question about my nationality. Oh well.

[Leaver]

28 minutes ago, LomSak27 said:

Laos hands down. Not a contest.

 

28 minutes ago, LomSak27 said:

I would head to Indonesia before Laos or Cambodia.

 

So, does that make it Indonesia "hands down" not Laos?  

[LomSak27]

Just now, Leaver said:

So, does that make it Indonesia "hands down" not Laos? 

 

Try reading this again.

 

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

[Sheryl]

the 2 person flamefest is officially over.You know who you are. Behave, please.

[Leaver]

13 minutes ago, polpott said:

Sorry to bore other posters but I was asked.

 

Sat waiting for a train at KL station. Talking to a young couple and as soon as I told them that I was English they turned away and blanked me.

 

On arriving at the rail station in JB, went to the information desk and asked directions to the city centre. Gave me a convoluted set of instructions and walked miles without success. After asking several people I ended up at my start point and it turned out that "City Centre" was the name of the shopping mall through a set of double doors from the information desk.
 

Went to the bus depot in Georgetown. Asked the young guy in the ticket office which was the bus to Batu Ferrhingi. Never looked up from his newspaper and pointed in the general direction of several buses. Asked again only to get the same response

 

I could go on. Found the native Malays to be ignorant, unhelpful and generally unpleasant, Chinese Malays absolutely the opposite, lovely people.

 

I've stayed in several moslem countries, never found one where I warmed to the locals.

 

Worked and travelled in many Islamic countries, some of them being real sh*te holes.  Found the locals to be friendly.  Many were poor by western standards, but always offered a coffee and an smile.  

 

Travelled Malaysia's tourists areas several times, and have been to KL many times.  Never a problem.  

 

Personally, I found the Chinese Malaysians extremely attractive.  

[polpott]

1 minute ago, Leaver said:

 

Worked and travelled in many Islamic countries, some of them being real sh*te holes.  Found the locals to be friendly.  Many were poor by western standards, but always offered a coffee and an smile.  

 

Travelled Malaysia's tourists areas several times, and have been to KL many times.  Never a problem.  

 

Personally, I found the Chinese Malaysians extremely attractive.  

Strange how in every thread and every subject you manage to disagree with everyone else and have more experience than them. Habitual troll or what? Half of my extended family are moslem and I've lived with the locals in one. I know what I'm talking about.

[Leaver]

3 minutes ago, polpott said:

Strange how in every thread and every subject you manage to disagree with everyone else and have more experience than them. Habitual troll or what? Half of my extended family are moslem and I've lived with the locals in one. I know what I'm talking about.

 

Strange how I say I have had positive experiences with Muslems in Islamic countries, including Malaysia, yet you say I disagree with you, and everyone else, for that matter, and then claim you have more experience than me, after accusing me of claiming I have more experience than others.

 

I make no apology that I am NOT a Thai apologist, but you are way off mark with this post.

 

Actually, more like a personal attack, yet you call me troll.  Strange.  

[guzzi850m2]

No I would never move to those countries, okay to visit, but Thailand is home.

 

Yes it isn't as it was before, is it anywhere?

 

Scam? What scams, I haven't been scammed here.

 

I don't have a problem getting a smile from most Thais, being polite and respectful helps in that regard.

 

The yearly visit to immigration isn't too bad, okay I have a marriage visa now because I couldn't get retirement last year and that was a pain in the <deleted> with the paperwork required but in the end I managed with only slightly higher blood pressure.

 

Considering living perhaps 4-5 month somewhere in southern EU when I retire and then winters in LOS. Spain/Portugal/Italy on the list to explore further when it happens.  

[holy cow cm]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Keeps me out.

Hardly any riff from your raff. 

[Jingthing]

Just now, holy cow cm said:

Hardly any riff from your raff. 

I resemble that remark.

[holy cow cm]

8 minutes ago, guzzi850m2 said:

No I would never move to those countries, okay to visit, but Thailand is home.

 

Yes it isn't as it was before, is it anywhere?

 

Scam? What scams, I haven't been scammed here.

 

I don't have a problem getting a smile from most Thais, being polite and respectful helps in that regard.

 

The yearly visit to immigration isn't too bad, okay I have a marriage visa now because I couldn't get retirement last year and that was a pain in the <deleted> with the paperwork required but in the end I managed with only slightly higher blood pressure.

 

Considering living perhaps 4-5 month somewhere in southern EU when I retire and then winters in LOS. Spain/Portugal/Italy on the list to explore further when it happens.  

Ummm. Us people who have been sacrilegiously living here year after year after year need to be appreciated and given a long term stay and no have to go see them and jump. Ridiculous. I have kids and am married and here for way too long to not be allowed some silence. 

[holy cow cm]

20 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

Strange how I say I have had positive experiences with Muslems in Islamic countries, including Malaysia, yet you say I disagree with you, and everyone else, for that matter, and then claim you have more experience than me, after accusing me of claiming I have more experience than others.

 

I make no apology that I am NOT a Thai apologist, but you are way off mark with this post.

 

Actually, more like a personal attack, yet you call me troll.  Strange.  

You take away the Muslim folk during my drinking time and then you have taken away most disagreements. 

[bermondburi]

34 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

Worked and travelled in many Islamic countries, some of them being real sh*te holes.  Found the locals to be friendly.  Many were poor by western standards, but always offered a coffee and an smile.  

 

Travelled Malaysia's tourists areas several times, and have been to KL many times.  Never a problem.  

 

Personally, I found the Chinese Malaysians extremely attractive.  

Absolutely. I remember walking around a quiet, fairly well off neighborhood in Riyadh where there was a little park for the kids to play. Just chatting with my wife and a Saudi guy practically ran out of his house to offer me tea and cake. 

 

Wonder if a Saudi guy wearing thobe would get a British guy do the same in a nice part of London?

????????????????

Somehow. I think not.

[Leaver]

4 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

You take away the Muslim folk during my drinking time and then you have taken away most disagreements. 

 

Moderate Islamic nations have no problem with alcohol.  

[Leaver]

7 minutes ago, bermondburi said:

Absolutely. I remember walking around a quiet, fairly well off neighborhood in Riyadh where there was a little park for the kids to play. Just chatting with my wife and a Saudi guy practically ran out of his house to offer me tea and cake. 

 

Wonder if a Saudi guy wearing thobe would get a British guy do the same in a nice part of London?

????????????????

Somehow. I think not.

 

What have you ever been offered by a Thai guy, not including a lady boy?  ????

 

Edited March 26, 2021 by Leaver

[holy cow cm]

1 hour ago, polpott said:

Sorry to bore other posters but I was asked.

 

Sat waiting for a train at KL station. Talking to a young couple and as soon as I told them that I was English they turned away and blanked me.

 

On arriving at the rail station in JB, went to the information desk and asked directions to the city centre. Gave me a convoluted set of instructions and walked miles without success. After asking several people I ended up at my start point and it turned out that "City Centre" was the name of the shopping mall through a set of double doors from the information desk.
 

Went to the bus depot in Georgetown. Asked the young guy in the ticket office which was the bus to Batu Ferrhingi. Never looked up from his newspaper and pointed in the general direction of several buses. Asked again only to get the same response

 

I could go on. Found the native Malays to be ignorant, unhelpful and generally unpleasant, Chinese Malays absolutely the opposite, lovely people.

 

I've stayed in several moslem countries, never found one where I warmed to the locals.

I have had my share of tossed on there and even here in south Thailand by them. My point now is to avoid all of them and let them only deal with themselves their own kind if it is possible for me for where I am at. 20 years ago I was actually poisoned in the food by.... 

[holy cow cm]

4 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

Moderate Islamic nations have no problem with alcohol.  

Ok. Bali is my given that i love. 

[holy cow cm]

The actual answer from this expat is yes. I am not moving back to the USA as this road here in SE Asia is more fun.

[Leaver]

18 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

Ok. Bali is my given that i love. 

 

Not only is alcohol readily available there, but it's ridiculously cheap also.