Manila vs Bangkok

[georgegeorgia]

I would ask that a comparison between Manila🇵🇭 and Bangkok 🇹🇭is completed please !

 

Or you may complete Cebu vs Bangkok 

 

I did receive a Personal message saying I should of compared the Philippines foreigner city of Cebu  instead of Manila !

 

And you may do so ,Cebu City vs Bangkok OR

Manila City vs Bangkok city 

 

That's up to you as ametuer  data analysts and please there is no need to show your  qualifications we are all data analysts and information gatherers 

 

 

This is specific to this scenario and this is not me in this scenario 

 

•60yo to 70 yo retired farang single man 

Still relevant fit ,walking , financially ok 

 

 

Manila City vs Bangkok City 

Or Bangkok vs Cebu City 

 

Who has better gyms / fitness /recreation 

 

Financial aspects - cost of living

compared to each city ,rents ,food ,

 

Public transport is important 

 

Safety is important 

 

Medical care is important 

 

Cafes are important 

Good parks to walk 

Shopping malls 

Cost of food in supermarkets 

Easy access 

Pollution 

Nicer people?

Friendly government departments?

Redtape highest?

Easy footpath walking pedestrian friendly 

 

we as amateur academics, if we have the Government permission to call ourselves that!!

have the data analysis of web data analyst such as Numbeo

 

But....as a amateur social engineer I'm also looking beyond financial aspects and looking at other factors in comparison 

 

Many say Vietnam is cheaper to Retire ,and yes it maybe so ..BUT please look at other factors, healthcare , recreation , coffee ,gyms ,

 

Yes compare Manila to Bangkok in relation to the above scenario 

Financial,coffee etc 

 

 

 

[susanlea]

A guy who went to every country says Philipines is no 1.

[georgegeorgia]

2 minutes ago, susanlea said:

A guy who went to every country says Philipines is no 1.

I thought you indentify as a non guy ?

 

[2baht]

Spend 6 months in each place and make your own mind! 

[susanlea]

29 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Who has better gyms / fitness /recreation 

 

Financial aspects - cost of living

compared to each city ,rents ,food ,

 

Public transport is important 

 

Safety is important 

 

Medical care is important 

 

Cafes are important 

Good parks to walk 

Shopping malls 

Cost of food in supermarkets 

Easy access 

Pollution 

Nicer people?

Friendly government departments?

Redtape highest?

Easy footpath walking pedestrian friendly 

Can't speak for Cebu but I will pick the best Thai options based on this.

 

Gyms - Chiang Mai good gyms 60 baht

Transport - anywhere with Bolt and Grab. Hua Hin and CM are cheap.

Cafes - CM

Pollution - Hua Hin is clean

Beach walks - HH

City walks - CM

Malls - Bangkok

Cheap massages - CM

Food - Bangkok and CM

Nightlife - Bangkok

Day trips - CM

 

June to December CM

Jan to May Hua Hin/Bangkok

 

 

[susanlea]

7 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

I thought you indentify as a non guy ?

 

An American who claims to have visited all 196 nations said Phil no 1.

[susanlea]

4 minutes ago, susanlea said:

Can't speak for Cebu but I will pick the best Thai options based on this.

 

Gyms - Chiang Mai good gyms 60 baht

Transport - anywhere with Bolt and Grab. Hua Hin and CM are cheap.

Cafes - CM

Pollution - Hua Hin is clean

Beach walks - HH

City walks - CM

Malls - Bangkok

Cheap massages - CM

Food - Bangkok and CM

Nightlife - Bangkok

Day trips - CM

 

June to December CM

Jan to May Hua Hin/Bangkok

 

 

I forgot traffic - Hua Hin not much.

 

Points total

CM 7

HH 4

BKK 3

 

[gargamon]

In the Philippines, the gyms are typically catered to locals, with all the western “tricks“ used to suck money out of people. Sign up fees.  Minimum 1 year memberships. Prepay the year. 1500 pesos for your access card. In Thailand, at least in the tourist areas, you can easily get a 1-3 month access card with maybe a 100 baht fee for the entry card. Yearly memberships are available at a reduced rate. And the Thai gyms generally have more equipment.

[susanlea]

CM has 3 good gyms that I know of at 60 baht per day. There are two massage places at 120 and 130 baht per hour. Plenty of cheap rooms. Healthcare a plenty. No beach and 3 months of pollution however you can fly direct to HH.

 

 

[georgegeorgia]

17 minutes ago, susanlea said:

Can't speak for Cebu but I will pick the best Thai options based on this.

 

Gyms - Chiang Mai good gyms 60 baht

Transport - anywhere with Bolt and Grab. Hua Hin and CM are cheap.

Cafes - CM

Pollution - Hua Hin is clean

Beach walks - HH

City walks - CM

Malls - Bangkok

Cheap massages - CM

Food - Bangkok and CM

Nightlife - Bangkok

Day trips - CM

 

June to December CM

Jan to May Hua Hin/Bangkok

 

 

Ah yes , I forgot the massages 

Of course Cebu beats Manila in that case but Bangkok bears Cebu 

[georgegeorgia]

1 minute ago, susanlea said:

CM has 3 good gyms that I know of at 60 baht per day. There are two massage places at 120 and 130 baht per hour. Plenty of cheap rooms. Healthcare a plenty. No beach and 3 months of pollution however you can fly direct to HH.

 

 

130 baht for a massage ???

Your joking surely 

[susanlea]

4 minutes ago, gargamon said:

In the Philippines, the gyms are typically catered to locals, with all the western “tricks“ used to suck money out of people. Sign up fees.  Minimum 1 year memberships. Prepay the year. 1500 pesos for your access card. In Thailand, at least in the tourist areas, you can easily get a 1-3 month access card with maybe a 100 baht fee for the entry card. Yearly memberships are available at a reduced rate. And the Thai gyms generally have more equipment.

Thai gyms typically have daily, weekly and monthly rates. At least outside Bangkok. If going 5+ times a week then choose monthly. If you only go 3 times a week you can just pay daily 60 baht and try different gyms for variety.

[georgegeorgia]

8 minutes ago, gargamon said:

In the Philippines, the gyms are typically catered to locals, with all the western “tricks“ used to suck money out of people. Sign up fees.  Minimum 1 year memberships. Prepay the year. 1500 pesos for your access card. In Thailand, at least in the tourist areas, you can easily get a 1-3 month access card with maybe a 100 baht fee for the entry card. Yearly memberships are available at a reduced rate. And the Thai gyms generally have more equipment.

Yes !

And I heard and read the same things ,

although Philippines has a lot more Anytime fitness franchise as well as the big Fitness First  which I don't think is a franchise 

 

I'm thinking though Fitness First seem to have Western prices all around the World ...same as Starbucks 😉

[susanlea]

1 minute ago, georgegeorgia said:

130 baht for a massage ???

Your joking surely 

No sir, there are two shops next door in a temple for 120 and 130. I tried the 120 shop and it was good. Both shops are normally busy. Located in old city. Close to the middle of the old city.

[susanlea]

6 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

thinking though Fitness First seem to have Western prices all around the World

Yes expensive. Avoid them. Thai gyms are great value.

[susanlea]

Go Gym in CM only 60 baht and huge.

[Crossy]

Even in The Pub personal attacks are not permitted (try it in a Glasgow boozer), some posts have wandered into the abyss!

 

Let's keep it friendly and on-topic.

[stoner]

9 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Even in The Pub personal attacks are not permitted (try it in a Glasgow boozer), some posts have wandered into the abyss!

 

Let's keep it friendly and on-topic.

 

i believe if you did that in cardonald you would get a wee kiss. 

[bob smith]

37 minutes ago, susanlea said:

I forgot traffic - Hua Hin not much.

The main road that cuts through Hua Hin is regularly congested, especially on weekends.

 

bob.

[susanlea]

1 minute ago, bob smith said:

The main road that cuts through Hua Hin is regularly congested, especially on weekends.

 

bob.

Chiang Mai has many busy roads. HH only has 1 and only on weekends. You need to get out more.

[susanlea]

2 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

i believe if you did that in cardonald you would get a wee kiss. 

How tough are they really?

[stoner]

Just now, susanlea said:

How tough are they really?

 

mostly talkers. 

[bkk_mike]

6 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I would ask that a comparison between Manila🇵🇭 and Bangkok 🇹🇭is completed please !

 

Or you may complete Cebu vs Bangkok 

 

I did receive a Personal message saying I should of compared the Philippines foreigner city of Cebu  instead of Manila !

 

And you may do so ,Cebu City vs Bangkok OR

Manila City vs Bangkok city 

 

That's up to you as ametuer  data analysts and please there is no need to show your  qualifications we are all data analysts and information gatherers 

 

 

This is specific to this scenario and this is not me in this scenario 

 

•60yo to 70 yo retired farang single man 

Still relevant fit ,walking , financially ok 

 

 

Manila City vs Bangkok City 

Or Bangkok vs Cebu City 

 

Who has better gyms / fitness /recreation 

 

Financial aspects - cost of living

compared to each city ,rents ,food ,

 

Public transport is important 

 

Safety is important 

 

Medical care is important 

 

Cafes are important 

Good parks to walk 

Shopping malls 

Cost of food in supermarkets 

Easy access 

Pollution 

Nicer people?

Friendly government departments?

Redtape highest?

Easy footpath walking pedestrian friendly 

 

we as amateur academics, if we have the Government permission to call ourselves that!!

have the data analysis of web data analyst such as Numbeo

 

But....as a amateur social engineer I'm also looking beyond financial aspects and looking at other factors in comparison 

 

Many say Vietnam is cheaper to Retire ,and yes it maybe so ..BUT please look at other factors, healthcare , recreation , coffee ,gyms ,

 

Yes compare Manila to Bangkok in relation to the above scenario 

Financial,coffee etc 

 

 

 

You really should say where you're from...

If you're British, the Philippines has an advantage for retirement in that your state pension won't be frozen.

English is spoken more widely in the Philippines.

The food is generally better (and spicier) in Thailand.

Retirees to the Philippines have the option of joining the government's universal healthcare scheme (not an option, I believe, in Thailand, unless you work and pay taxes there.)

Both countries have similar restrictions on foreign ownership of land, but in both foreigners can own condominiums.

You're far more likely to see a Typhoon/Hurricane in the Philippines.

Due to the history, with the Philippines having been a US territory, with long term US military bases, there are more American retirees in the Philippines.

You're more likely to get shot in the Philippines.

You're more likely to die in a traffic accident (especially if you're on a motorbike) in Thailand.

[JensenZ]

I have lived in Manila, spent a lot of time in Cebu City, 5 years in Angeles City, and now, for 19 years in Pattaya. I don't like Cebu City at all. I'd put it at about equal with Manila.

 

There are only 2 good options from my point of view. Pattaya vs Angeles City, and Pattaya wins hands down. 

 

I enjoy visiting Bangkok and Manila for a few days but living full-time in cities with populations of around 11 and 15 million respectively, no thanks. I have no idea how expats manage to do it.

[spidermike007]

That is an easy one. Let me summarize.

 

Philippines
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. Older guys can get with far younger women, without an issue. The parents actually encourage it! Generally, it is possible to have a real conversation with many women there. Not the case here. It is rare here. Unlike most Thai women, the women there can have a real sense of curiousity, and will ask genuine questions about you, and your life, beyond where do you come from, how much do you earn, and what do you own? The PI seems to have a higher level of intellectual development.

2. The visa system is something that some think is simpler.

3. The place has thousands of islands, and some stunning beaches, and cleaner water than Thailand, at least on the Gulf Coast. But, the islands are fairly hard to get to, and the services are very limited, and more expensive than in Thailand.

4. 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. I have never met a society of men, who are less interested, less curious about, and less willing to get to know foreigners, than I have here in Thailand. It is sometimes astonishing. It is a real disappointment. 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. Some of the highways are better, and as an American, I can have goods shipped to me, with a preferred system, that allows low cost shipping, and duty free imports. Unheard of in Thailand. Importation of goods in Thailand can be horrendously difficult. It is an onerous system, one that is outdated by decades, in this age of globalization. Thailand is far, far more insular and fearful of the outside world, than the PI.

They are more Western in their mindset. The colonial occupation by Spain, which was largely managed by Mexico, means the culture is more Western leaning. Which makes them more open to the outside world and more curious. Qualities which are sorely lacking here. 

I find it rare for Thai men to have much interest at all, in really getting to know us. They seem to be lacking curiosity of the outside world, to a remarkable degree. 

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

Cons-
1. The entire country is like one big Tijuana. It is depressing. Very little landscaping in the homes, even nice homes are ugly, and have barbed wire, and glass topped walls everywhere you look.

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 black belt in a few 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. Alot of slums in the big cities, and just not physically appealing.

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.

8. Infrastructure. The entire country lacks the infrastructure you have here in Thailand. As I am typing now, I am enjoying a 180MB download speed, and a 100MB upload speed, all on fiber optic cable, for 800 baht a month. Unheard of in many countries, including the US! Triple the cost there. No sky train network anywhere near comparable to Bangkok. Mo MRT network either. They have one under construction, and it will be limited to ten stations.

Shall I go on? I could. As far as I am concerned, the only reason to live there is the women, and a slightly more cooperative, and far less xenophobic and racist government. Alot of ex-pats are looking to leave Thailand, as the current administration is so far beyond heinous and incompetent, it is unspeakable.

9. Security. I have a friend who does private security for a lot of very high net worth individuals, and corporate CEOs, when they travel, and he told me that the only country in the world that he will not take an assignment is the Philippines. When I asked him why he reminded me that he was at the 6th or 7th degree level in six different martial arts, besides the fact that he was 6'5 and about 280 lbs. of muscle. Spent his whole life training. Not the kind of guy you would want to mess with. He told me under normal circumstances he could incapacitate a group of four or five guys, in under a minute. Not in the PI. He said that in general, the Philippine men had the greatest degree of fighting skills of any group of people in the world, and that if you encountered a single guy, or a group of Philippine guys on the street you just never knew what their level of skill was, and you had to assume that they were expert street fighters. He said many were experts with knives, sticks and improvised weapons. Not the case here.

If you add on top of that, the fact that the country is extremely poor and that there's a fairly high level of desperation, it makes the Philippines a very, very dangerous place. Crime there is very opportunistic. And being a foreigner makes you a potential target. Again, not the case in Thailand. You really have to know what you're doing, you really have to know where you're going at all times, especially at night, and you always have to have eyes in the back of your head, and constantly looking over your shoulder. Of course, it varies depending on the city, the part of the city, and the region. But it is just one of many reasons I would not want to live there. I've been told this by a number of friends who live in the Philippines and it's been my observation, the several times that I have visited.

I like the people. The level of English skills and the women seem to be the big draw for most guys. But random guys in the street, can be a hazard, and that is variable I would want to have to deal with, regularly. 

I consider the PI to be far more of a ghetto experience. But, I am referring to the environment, and I think you are referring to the social aspect. I agree with that. Thais are spectacularly insular, and seem to have little to no curiosity about the outside world. The people in the PI are infinitely more open minded, and far more Western. And the language is a huge plus in the PI. Many speak good english, and I would guess if you were attempting to speak poor Tagalog, the people would try far harder than here, to understand what you are trying to say. Since they are more Westernized, they are likely more creative, linguistically. If you do not have the pronunciation and the tones down perfectly here, the people are completely lost. A total inability to dance around in circles intellectually. And they barely even care to try to understand what you are saying! That is a huge nuisance and annoyance here. 
 
The PI is a foreign country. Thailand is a distant planet.

[georgegeorgia]

11 minutes ago, JensenZ said:

I have lived in Manila, spent a lot of time in Cebu City, 5 years in Angeles City, and now, for 19 years in Pattaya. I don't like Cebu City at all. I'd put it at about equal with Manila.

 

There are only 2 good options from my point of view. Pattaya vs Angeles City, and Pattaya wins hands down. 

 

I enjoy visiting Bangkok and Manila for a few days but living full-time in cities with populations of around 11 and 15 million respectively, no thanks. I have no idea how expats manage to do it.

Your obviously not a "city boy" 

I live in Sydney City and a few months ago a friend drive me about ,6 hours out of Sydney City 

 

I felt scared , helpless ,anxious 

There were dead animals laying on the side of the road with blood on them.

Dark trees were swaying in the wind ,there was no lights 

It was very very spooky 

[susanlea]

7 minutes ago, JensenZ said:

I have lived in Manila, spent a lot of time in Cebu City, 5 years in Angeles City, and now, for 19 years in Pattaya. I don't like Cebu City at all. I'd put it at about equal with Manila.

 

There are only 2 good options from my point of view. Pattaya vs Angeles City, and Pattaya wins hands down. 

 

I enjoy visiting Bangkok and Manila for a few days but living full-time in cities with populations of around 11 and 15 million respectively, no thanks. I have no idea how expats manage to do it.

Good to know. 

[susanlea]

I'd visit every beach on Samui and KPN if I was you. 3 weeks on each island. Apart from HH and CM those 2 islands would interest me. A point of note there are direct flights between Surat Thani and CM so you can travel more cheaply and split time.

[JensenZ]

4 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Your obviously not a "city boy" 

I live in Sydney City and a few months ago a friend drive me about ,6 hours out of Sydney City 

 

I felt scared , helpless ,anxious 

There were dead animals laying on the side of the road with blood on them.

Dark trees were swaying in the wind 

It was very very spooky 

When I was in my 20s to early 30s I lived in Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane, and Johannesburg in my teens, so have done a fair bit of city dwelling...then I spent 20 years seaside on the Gold Coast. I just don't like crowds.

 

In Pattaya, you have everything you need, with less hustle and bustle. I'm next to a big park and near the sea... and there are now 2 major shopping malls. What else do I need? Plenty of gyms too these days, although I have my own at home.

[arick]

You just have to look out the window of the airplane and you can see the difference.