Cambodia: Is It A Good Alternative To Thailand?

[JR Texas]

JR Texas: Hi.....I would really like to hear from expats that have left Thailand and are currently living in Cambodia...especially in Siem Riep, PP, or Sihanoukville.

I want to to know if it is a good alternative to Thailand in terms of quality of life, visas, business rules, food, safety, girls, etc. I am looking for some solid information........the love Thailand or leave it crowd need not respond.

I lived in Cambodia for a few months, but that was about three years ago. I am sure things have changed....hopefully for the better.

[ThaiGoon]

I thought you said you were a "professor." What's with these business visa rules and moving to Siem Riep, Sihanoukville stuff then?

(A (self-proclaimed) farang professor in Thailand is seeking a business opportunity (and uh... "girls") in Cambodia!!! .... :D )

Edited July 3, 2007 by ThaiGoon

[JR Texas]

I thought you said you were a "professor." What's with these business visa rules and moving to Siem Riep, Sihanoukville stuff then?

(A (self-proclaimed) farang professor in Thailand is seeking a business opportunity (and uh... "girls") in Cambodia!!! .... :D )

JR Texas to ThaiGoon: Nice to have you back.....useful comments as usual. Am I a professor? Yes. I am a professor at a university in Thailand. I have two doctorates. How many do you have? No need to answer.

Has it ever crossed your mind that a professor might decide to retire and start a business? Has it ever crossed your mind that a professor might decide to work as an academic and start a business? No need to answer.

About girls......I mentioned that because many people are interested in the subject......they are thinking about moving to Cambodia and would like to know if there is any difference between Cambodian girls and Thai girls......got it? No need to answer.

Given that you are, apparently, a student at a university in the USA (my guess is that you are majoring in business or economics), please do me a favor and go read a book and stop watching FOX News.

This thread is not about me. I generated it because some people are totally fed up with Thailand and want to know what it is like living/working in Cambodia. If you have nothing constructive to contribute, then this thread is not for you. Got it? No need to answer.

[samran]

Land of milk and honey I believe.

Tap water is fantastic I hear.

[wileycoyote]

I believe there are still lots of restricted areas due to landmines.

Wiley Coyote

[samran]

I believe there are still lots of restricted areas due to landmines.

Wiley Coyote

land titles and ownership also not very clear due to most records being lost in the 70's. Thus, no one to sue....

[Neeranam]

Nearly everyone I've known that's gone to Cambodia have done so because of cheap prostitutes or/and drugs. Because I gave them both up 7 years ago, I don't really fancy it much.

[chinthee]

"No Phone, No Pool, No Pets, Ain't Got No Cigarettes..."

Come on, this debate has already been done here. Cambodia is sort of like the last line of defense as you back your way out of Thailand. It goes like this: Start in Singapore or Hong Kong with a good job. Lose that, move to Thailand cause it's free and easy. Lose your ability to stay with stricter visa rules. Move to either Laos or Cambodia as your last refuge. Cambodia wins, cause it has a beach. I don't know where you go after that...Bangladesh?

[bendix]

hahaha . .funny thread. I'm waiting for Begbie to come in and boast (again) about the investment he's made which has doubled in the last 6 months. It's funny he's never very forthcoming about the nature of the investment or the basis of the new value, but never mind. I'm sure Cambodia's rock-solid legal infrastructure will protect him.

Cambodia? OK for a 4 day visit to see the sights, but live there? God forbid.

[JR Texas]

hahaha . .funny thread. I'm waiting for Begbie to come in and boast (again) about the investment he's made which has doubled in the last 6 months. It's funny he's never very forthcoming about the nature of the investment or the basis of the new value, but never mind. I'm sure Cambodia's rock-solid legal infrastructure will protect him.

Cambodia? OK for a 4 day visit to see the sights, but live there? God forbid.

JR Texas: Yes, I have already heard most of what you are saying (and did live there for a short time). All things change.....I am hoping we hear from expats that are actually living there, and not from people who think that a person might only go there because they are somehow down on their luck in Thailand (for some people that is true, for others it is far from the truth).

There are some people who are looking for the "next frontier." I am think that Cambodia (especially Sihanoukville because of its airport, deep water port, spectacular beaches, and casinos) and Vietnam are the next frontiers. Imagine getting in on the ground floor of the next Pattaya.

Yes, we have gone over this before.......but what is missing is some real views from expats who are there now. I don't care about what it was like two years ago or even one year ago........what is it like now?

[suiging]

I think the lack of cambodiavisa.com, speaks volumes. The old Asia hands on here would have gone some time ago if the place was viable for anything other than a holiday.

Things do change, but not yet.

[bendix]

There's a flaw in your methodology. You're not going to get real views. You'll get self-justifications from people who pretend they have gone there for the next frontier, but in fact have failed in Thailand. . . .. .

[samran]

Imagine getting in on the ground floor of the next Pattaya.

I wouldn't wish that fate on any city in the entire world.....

[A_Traveller]

There's a flaw in your methodology. You're not going to get real views. You'll get self-justifications from people who pretend they have gone there for the next frontier, but in fact have failed in Thailand. . . .. .

On this I have to agree. Trying to get an unbiased view about Cambodia within Thailand either from Thai citizens or 'visitors' is pretty unlikely. The tensions between the two countries are reflected by the Thai, and the lack of understanding of the situation there leads to the automatic failed label. However, I do recall that filth once stood for Failed in London try Hong Kong.

Sorry to OP for not giving the reply he's looking for but I do feel here's not the place to ask. Maybe he'll be more fortunate on the PM front.

Regards

[chinthee]

hahaha . .funny thread. I'm waiting for Begbie to come in and boast (again) about the investment he's made which has doubled in the last 6 months. It's funny he's never very forthcoming about the nature of the investment or the basis of the new value, but never mind. I'm sure Cambodia's rock-solid legal infrastructure will protect him.

Cambodia? OK for a 4 day visit to see the sights, but live there? God forbid.

JR Texas: Yes, I have already heard most of what you are saying (and did live there for a short time). All things change.....I am hoping we hear from expats that are actually living there, and not from people who think that a person might only go there because they are somehow down on their luck in Thailand (for some people that is true, for others it is far from the truth).

There are some people who are looking for the "next frontier." I am think that Cambodia (especially Sihanoukville because of its airport, deep water port, spectacular beaches, and casinos) and Vietnam are the next frontiers. Imagine getting in on the ground floor of the next Pattaya.

Yes, we have gone over this before.......but what is missing is some real views from expats who are there now. I don't care about what it was like two years ago or even one year ago........what is it like now?

JR, in seriousness, I did go examine Cambodia & Sihanoukville as a potential investor 2 years ago. I got professional advice and I thought I did a pretty good job of turning over every rock to sniff out opportunities and walked away saying no. Property laws, foreign ownership & control, infrastructure, tourist development etc., weren't ready yet. Siam Reap may be a different situation.

Since then, I have followed developments there with a slight-medium interest, but I've seen nothing that is compelling me to get on a plane again.

Vietnam is well on its way, you'd be wise to look there in select areas. India too.

My two Satang - honestly delivered. It's a wonderful place to visit in some areas. Absolute pit of the earth in others. As a place to both LIVE and do business, it would be a VERY poor choice compared with Thailand.

I'd love to hear from some real businessmen who disagree about it being a good place to sniff around for owning or operating a business.

[chicagogato]

hahaha . .funny thread. I'm waiting for Begbie to come in and boast (again) about the investment he's made which has doubled in the last 6 months. It's funny he's never very forthcoming about the nature of the investment or the basis of the new value, but never mind. I'm sure Cambodia's rock-solid legal infrastructure will protect him.

Cambodia? OK for a 4 day visit to see the sights, but live there? God forbid.

JR Texas: Yes, I have already heard most of what you are saying (and did live there for a short time). All things change.....I am hoping we hear from expats that are actually living there, and not from people who think that a person might only go there because they are somehow down on their luck in Thailand (for some people that is true, for others it is far from the truth).

There are some people who are looking for the "next frontier." I am think that Cambodia (especially Sihanoukville because of its airport, deep water port, spectacular beaches, and casinos) and Vietnam are the next frontiers. Imagine getting in on the ground floor of the next Pattaya.

Yes, we have gone over this before.......but what is missing is some real views from expats who are there now. I don't care about what it was like two years ago or even one year ago........what is it like now?

JR, in seriousness, I did go examine Cambodia & Sihanoukville as a potential investor 2 years ago. I got professional advice and I thought I did a pretty good job of turning over every rock to sniff out opportunities and walked away saying no. Property laws, foreign ownership & control, infrastructure, tourist development etc., weren't ready yet. Siam Reap may be a different situation.

Since then, I have followed developments there with a slight-medium interest, but I've seen nothing that is compelling me to get on a plane again.

Vietnam is well on its way, you'd be wise to look there in select areas. India too.

My two Satang - honestly delivered. It's a wonderful place to visit in some areas. Absolute pit of the earth in others. As a place to both LIVE and do business, it would be a VERY poor choice compared with Thailand.

I'd love to hear from some real businessmen who disagree about it being a good place to sniff around for owning or operating a business.

Cambodia & Sihanoukville?

As the saying goes,"It takes monet to make money." If you have money and creativity, you could probably make money too in Cambodia. I lived there for a long time and there are no visa worries. You can stay as long as you like. Just pay as you go.

Check Khmer440dotcom and pose your question over there. Maybe you can get some usful input. Good luck!

[lazeeboy]

I thought you said you were a "professor." What's with these business visa rules and moving to Siem Riep, Sihanoukville stuff then?

(A (self-proclaimed) farang professor in Thailand is seeking a business opportunity (and uh... "girls") in Cambodia!!! .... )

JR Texas to ThaiGoon: Nice to have you back.....useful comments as usual. Am I a professor? Yes. I am a professor at a university in Thailand. I have two doctorates. How many do you have? No need to answer.

Has it ever crossed your mind that a professor might decide to retire and start a business? Has it ever crossed your mind that a professor might decide to work as an academic and start a business? No need to answer.

About girls......I mentioned that because many people are interested in the subject......they are thinking about moving to Cambodia and would like to know if there is any difference between Cambodian girls and Thai girls......got it? No need to answer.

Given that you are, apparently, a student at a university in the USA (my guess is that you are majoring in business or economics), please do me a favor and go read a book and stop watching FOX News.

This thread is not about me. I generated it because some people are totally fed up with Thailand and want to know what it is like living/working in Cambodia. If you have nothing constructive to contribute, then this thread is not for you. Got it? No need to answer.

dont cambodia have there own visa forum ,i thought this forum was only thailand related

[chemist]

Hi everybody. I have never been to Cambodia, and I know virtually nothing about the country. However, I have occasionally enjoyed visiting the following Cambodia-related forum: cambodiaforumsdotcom (I hope I didn't break any forum rules by posting that address ).

chemist

PS As you can see, this is actually my first posting on Thaivisa

[tropo]

There's a flaw in your methodology. You're not going to get real views. You'll get self-justifications from people who pretend they have gone there for the next frontier, but in fact have failed in Thailand. . . .. .

That's an interesting, though biased theory.

Just for interests sake, what would a move back to the Philippines be considered as? Side-ways, or backwards?

Could not Cambodia appeal as a place where some foreigners feel more welcome?

I like Cambodia. I find communication easier and the people more open and friendly than in Thailand, but for me, if the visa deal becomes too bothersome I'll head back to the Philippines.

JR, have you not considered Malaysia as an alternative?

[ThaiGoon]

JR Texas to ThaiGoon: Nice to have you back.....useful comments as usual. Am I a professor? Yes. I am a professor at a university in Thailand. I have two doctorates. How many do you have? No need to answer.

Has it ever crossed your mind that a professor might decide to retire and start a business? Has it ever crossed your mind that a professor might decide to work as an academic and start a business? No need to answer.

About girls......I mentioned that because many people are interested in the subject......they are thinking about moving to Cambodia and would like to know if there is any difference between Cambodian girls and Thai girls......got it? No need to answer.

Given that you are, apparently, a student at a university in the USA (my guess is that you are majoring in business or economics), please do me a favor and go read a book and stop watching FOX News.

This thread is not about me. I generated it because some people are totally fed up with Thailand and want to know what it is like living/working in Cambodia. If you have nothing constructive to contribute, then this thread is not for you. Got it? No need to answer.

:D :D :bah:

[JR Texas]

There's a flaw in your methodology. You're not going to get real views. You'll get self-justifications from people who pretend they have gone there for the next frontier, but in fact have failed in Thailand. . . .. .

That's an interesting, though biased theory.

Just for interests sake, what would a move back to the Philippines be considered as? Side-ways, or backwards?

Could not Cambodia appeal as a place where some foreigners feel more welcome?

I like Cambodia. I find communication easier and the people more open and friendly than in Thailand, but for me, if the visa deal becomes too bothersome I'll head back to the Philippines.

JR, have you not considered Malaysia as an alternative?

JR Texas: I really appreciate the posts, even Bendix's (send me some money) and ThaiGoon's (think you need some help....hit the books).

As stated, I lived in Cambodia for a short time: Siem Riep, PP, and Sihanoukville. So, I know a bit about Cambodia. But that was a few years ago. A dean at the university I am at told me, not long ago, that he thought Cambodia was rising fast and that Sihanoukville might eventually be a small Phuket. That got me very interested (along with all of the negative visa/business changes and rising tide of xenophobia and loss of democracy and freedom, etc., in Thailand).

I have been all over: Chile, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, China, India......others. I have stayed many years in Thailand (off and on since 1986, so I am not new here and have seen the changes). Now, it is like I am thinking, "been there and done that."

The Philippines is a real possibility, but I do not want people shoving a cross in my face.......also heard it was getting too dangerous......massive population problem. Malaysia, well, it is doing better than Thailand on many fronts, but I am fond of my head (ha ha ha). Radical Islam may surface big time there in the future (same for Indonesia)--actually already happening.

India, interesting but too hard for me. Fiji, interesting but too expensive. Chile, interesting and beautiful country but I really am not in to the "machismo culture." Panama........really thinking about it, but maybe the culture would not suit me.

China....not bad in certain places......really taking off and developing at an astonishing pace. Beats the hel_l out of Thailand in many select places (select is the key word........some places are no good).

Vietnam.......well, it is old news now that they are changing fast and are taking wealth/jobs away from Thailand. It might be a good choice in places like Nha Trang.

Cambodia.....basically, I would like to hear from a person who is there now .........particularly a person running a business. I want to know what it is like now......safety issues are also a concern.

About bias......if any person says that the only reason another person would be living in Cambodia is because they can't make it in Thailand......we know that is horse shit. Those people simply can't entertain the notion that some people do not think Thailand is a great place to live or establish a business.

On the other side, any person living in Cambodia that tells us that everything is wonderful there.....well, we know that is also horse shit.

I am going to try to get info. from Khmer440dotcom............maybe somebody who is living in Cambodia will pop up on this thread. Thanks again for the input.

GOOD LUCK!

[tropo]

The Philippines is a real possibility, but I do not want people shoving a cross in my face.......also heard it was getting too dangerous......massive population problem.

You always hear this blanket statement "getting/is too dangerous".

Personally I feel safer in the the Philippines than I do in Pattaya. That has a lot to do with the Pattaya Newsclippings room and TV here because I haven't personally been under attack, but the Thais living here are far more aggresive than any Filipinos I have met...and the girls are 3 times as aggressive. Probably Pattaya is not a good comparison.

When you assess the danger of any place, you must consider the location. There are very dangerous places in Manila just as there are dangerous places in any city, and particularly any city the size of Manila which has slum areas.

Once you've excluded a few dangerous areas, the rest of the Philippines is safe and no one waves crosses in your face. The Philippine Catholic religion is not a fervent type of religion and they happily accept other religions. It's a religion by rote rather than conviction with their ancient Animist beliefs running deep in their Psyche.

Don't forget there is a sizeable Muslim population living amongst the Catholics.

[ThaiGoon]

That got me very interested (along with all of the negative visa/business changes and rising tide of xenophobia and loss of democracy and freedom, etc., in Thailand).

Yeah "professor" JR Texas, there's plenty more democracy and freedom in Cambodia than in Thailand.

About bias......if any person says that the only reason another person would be living in Cambodia is because they can't make it in Thailand......we know that is horse shit.

:D True. 99% of farangs who have relocated from Thailand to Cambodia were professors in Thailand. They just moved to Cambodia because they wanted to "work as an academic and start a business" while enjoying the natural beauty of Cambodian girls over there....just like Begbie and his friends.

Thanks again for the input.

Ehh, I thought this thread wasn't about you or for you. You were only asking all these questions for other people...

[JR Texas]

The Philippines is a real possibility, but I do not want people shoving a cross in my face.......also heard it was getting too dangerous......massive population problem.

You always hear this blanket statement "getting/is too dangerous".

Personally I feel safer in the the Philippines than I do in Pattaya. That has a lot to do with the Pattaya Newsclippings room and TV here because I haven't personally been under attack, but the Thais living here are far more aggresive than any Filipinos I have met...and the girls are 3 times as aggressive. Probably Pattaya is not a good comparison.

When you assess the danger of any place, you must consider the location. There are very dangerous places in Manila just as there are dangerous places in any city, and particularly any city the size of Manila which has slum areas.

Once you've excluded a few dangerous areas, the rest of the Philippines is safe and no one waves crosses in your face. The Philippine Catholic religion is not a fervent type of religion and they happily accept other religions. It's a religion by rote rather than conviction with their ancient Animist beliefs running deep in their Psyche.

Don't forget there is a sizeable Muslim population living amongst the Catholics.

JR Texas to Tropo: Thanks for your input on The Philippines and perspective on safety/religion. Certainly it should not be ruled out as an alternative to Thailand.

JR Texas to ThaiGoon: What do you think you are doing? Strange. Now, it is 10:06 am in Thailand........it must be about 10:06 pm in the USA......way past your bedtime......go have some milk and cookies and go to sleep. Pleasant dreams.

[Old Croc]

I think the lack of cambodiavisa.com, speaks volumes. The old Asia hands on here would have gone some time ago if the place was viable for anything other than a holiday.

Things do change, but not yet.

Nice throw away line Suiging. Did you think to check before you made the statement?

cambodiavisa

[duke69]

To answer the direct personal question of JR Texas:

1) Cambodia is good to enjoy young gals without big troubles given that you keep very low profile, you don't start any business, just play your dirty sick habits and pay when requested from local MOB.

2) start a business: I know that this is not the real question which was n.1 but I answer anyway: Cambodia is the wilder of the wild west, if you run a biz, little one, low profile, small income in a touristic area, you may survive and pay for your gals, boys, and the water and electricity bills. If you become somehow bigger, you will be offered to sell everything for 1$ and your skin to the local MOB/Police/Military.

To note as follow:

Pol Pot gang made an agreement with the gov (they actually never surrended), now they run businesses.....and for people who were torturing, killing, raping....their own people till few years ago.....you're are just some overweighted flesh to play with.

Police is military and viceversa, if you piss someone you will wake up with drug in your house, and perhaps a dead underage gal dead in your bed.....you can then deal with the local courthouse for a deal.

Food is crap, highly polluted and far away from thailand. Water.....but if you have been there you already know, 3 years ago was exactly same as today, the only difference is that the official data on HIV were not revealed or better not fully understood.

Low profile for a few weeks every year to satisfy your academic needs, forget about business, forget about friends, forget about safety and good food.

ps. I agree that the macho culture of Chile and a bit of philippines ain't a good match for some kind of hobbies, avoid China unless you give 1$ to your family to pay the bullet and claim back your body.

harsh, but sadly true. I don't live in Cambodia, but I have a close friend which was loser enough to try it for a couple of years, Cambodia to me is the new frontier for maniacs and losers (indeed most of times these 2 qualities are common in the same person).

Nothing personal, after all this is a general topic and we are giving some feedbacks to some friends of yours

[ThaiGoon]

Duke69, I think you forgot to answer JR Texas' most important question which was.... how's working as an academic or a professor like in Cambodia?

[meemiathai]

JR Texas to ThaiGoon: Nice to have you back.....useful comments as usual. Am I a professor? Yes. I am a professor at a university in Thailand. I have two doctorates. How many do you have? No need to answer.

I have two balls. How many do you have?

I have no brains. How many do you have?

Why Cambodia, not China?

[DeputyDawg]

About girls......I mentioned that because many people are interested in the subject......they are thinking about moving to Cambodia and would like to know if there is any difference between Cambodian girls and Thai girls......got it? No need to answer

Rumour has it the slit goes from side to side rather than back to front

[DragonQuest]

i just got back from cambodia, I stayed for 1 week and let me tell it is a road to nowhere and hel_l, definetly a 3rd world country and everybody will ask you for money everyday! super hot, dusty, polluted like you cant imagine, i took a plane out of there faster then you can say speedy gonzalez!