On 9/2/2024 at 11:14 PM, grumpyoldman said:

 

In conclusion, at this point in time would recommend Manila over Angeles.

I just got back from Manila, sooner than planned, because I could not take the filth, poverty, noise, greedy beggars which included near every gov official! Plus filthiest hotel in 45 years of travel. $ 45/night - what a garbage dump with cockroaches running all over. Horrible! And I've seen many bad places worldwide.

 

Never made it to Angeles City. Didn't want to. The girls I had planned to meet were understanding and did their best to comfort me and helped what they could but nobody wanted to come to the airport!

 

The Manila Airport area is a war zone; Gangs are roaming around, shots are fired nightly and lot of robbers are staking hotels... Hotel had 4 armed guards, the whole building had steel fence and when I went to near by small store they came along. Not an over kill! A group followed us on the other side of the street. Mean looking filthy desperate guys in 20s.

My Pinoy friends couldn't believe I stayed there for 2 nights. Nobody wanted to come there to meet me so I left.

I didn't know better.

 

If somebody goes there better fly directly to Clark International in Angeles City. Can't be worse.

After I get therapy in Thailand I may take a second shot doing so 🙂 I never was a quitter and ladies were very eager to take care of me. These are not paid ones, no - but regular Pinays who want to meet farangs. Young and pretty and ALL SPEAK GOOD ENGLISH!!

 

PS. I'm back in my regular Bangna hotel. This is a Paradise! I walk day and night where ever I want to. No fear of anything bad. The food is great, people smile and I feel good again.

So, the money I flew in Manila was well spent! I appreciate Thailand even more.

 

Bit over dramatic 

I travel the Manila train at 11pm back in May 

A lot of security guards everywhere they are not needed in my opinion 

Manila is my favourite city 

 

What hotel was this ?

Obviously not a 4 or 5 star

 

 

I didn't get anyone bother me except the very polite  Railway police 

 

I'm not sure how you seen gangs roaming the airport?

Business lounge? 

 

I had more trouble in Thailand staying in a hotel near that Grand palace area walking at night to be accosted by aggressive beggars 

 

 

 

Maybe they, robbers and gangsters,  red this and left you alone?

 

"....but I want to hear from you guys in Isaan too and even in the Philippines"

 

"Can you live on 20,000 baht per month if you own your own home /condo"

 

"I am very very poor and will need to live on this"

 

"According to the findings, the world's most risky cities for tourists are Caracas, Venezuela with a risk score of 100 out of 100. In second place is Karachi with a score 93.12, followed by Yangon (91.67), Lagos in Nigeria (91.54) and Manila (91.49).

Thailand's capital was in 30th place with a risk score of 53.34."

 

7 hours ago, GypsyT said:

I just got back from Manila, sooner than planned, because I could not take the filth, poverty, noise, greedy beggars which included near every gov official! Plus filthiest hotel in 45 years of travel. $ 45/night - what a garbage dump with cockroaches running all over. Horrible! And I've seen many bad places worldwide.

 

Never made it to Angeles City. Didn't want to. The girls I had planned to meet were understanding and did their best to comfort me and helped what they could but nobody wanted to come to the airport!

 

The Manila Airport area is a war zone; Gangs are roaming around, shots are fired nightly and lot of robbers are staking hotels... Hotel had 4 armed guards, the whole building had steel fence and when I went to near by small store they came along. Not an over kill! A group followed us on the other side of the street. Mean looking filthy desperate guys in 20s.

My Pinoy friends couldn't believe I stayed there for 2 nights. Nobody wanted to come there to meet me so I left.

I didn't know better.

 

If somebody goes there better fly directly to Clark International in Angeles City. Can't be worse.

After I get therapy in Thailand I may take a second shot doing so 🙂 I never was a quitter and ladies were very eager to take care of me. These are not paid ones, no - but regular Pinays who want to meet farangs. Young and pretty and ALL SPEAK GOOD ENGLISH!!

 

PS. I'm back in my regular Bangna hotel. This is a Paradise! I walk day and night where ever I want to. No fear of anything bad. The food is great, people smile and I feel good again.

So, the money I flew in Manila was well spent! I appreciate Thailand even more.

 

I'll agree with georgegeorgia, hugely over the top dramatic hwy69. Gangs at the airport, rubbish Mr.

 

Stayed in a very nice hotel Makati 10 months ago, some fun bars and discos around P. Burgos. The immediate go-go girl dancing places were empty, so quite boring. There is some decent food to be had. Did not see the gangs and robbers hwy69 describes.

 

I like to party in Manila and then head somewhere cool for the week, back to Manila, another cool spot, back to Manila and then home, This year, MNL-Puerto Galera-MNL-Palawan Pt.Barton-MNL-Home, two week paid holiday done.

 

P.S. and reason for edit:when I did go walkabout would take a pocket of some larger coins and give one to the utterly poor I came upon. The smile I got from a super ragged old beggar woman when I gave her a 20 peso coin was priceless.

comparing the two

 

 

Is Manila safe for tourists?

 

"Violent crimes, such as armed robbery in public places, sexual assault, and murder, occur regularly and are a serious problem in the Philippines, including Metro Manila. Many crimes involve guns. Gangs often drug tourists before robbing or assaulting them. Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and scams are common."

 

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/philippines

 

1 hour ago, GypsyT said:

Is Manila safe for tourists?

 

"Violent crimes, such as armed robbery in public places, sexual assault, and murder, occur regularly and are a serious problem in the Philippines, including Metro Manila. Many crimes involve guns. Gangs often drug tourists before robbing or assaulting them. Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and scams are common."

 

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/philippines

 

You are going Google news whereas I have traveled there for many years, have always had a good time. www.smarttravellerhasfun.com.

 

Celsius post I think a photoshop job as the lady's head doesn't really fit the horrendous eastern Euro pimp ink job on the ho. Building could be anywhere, so I just don't get it.

Will never return to Philippines. 

A filthy hole with lousy attitude girls.  AC is all Korean run and they have ruined the place.  Big waste of time, Pattaya is much much better.

3 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Will never return to Philippines. 

I don't think the whole country is rotten - far from it.

 

But Manila really is!

Those who take limo with tinted windows from MNL to safer guarded areas never see real streets life.

I'm already planning the next trip 🙂

This time being smarter and with a local guide.

 

 

 

 

On 12/29/2024 at 8:40 PM, bkk6060 said:

Will never return to Philippines. 

A filthy hole with lousy attitude girls.  AC is all Korean run and they have ruined the place.  Big waste of time, Pattaya is much much better.

Funny because id say its the Thai girls whose attitude has changed the most over the last few years.

 

Ive been to Pattaya 7 times and just did my first week in Philippines and absolutely loved it.   It will be the focus of my next 1+ month trip.

2 hours ago, Trakk said:

Funny because id say its the Thai girls whose attitude has changed the most over the last few years.

 

Ive been to Pattaya 7 times and just did my first week in Philippines and absolutely loved it.   It will be the focus of my next 1+ month trip.

Where did you go? seems to really vary

24 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Where did you go? seems to really vary

Just Angeles for a week, so will have to try some other spots as ill likely do Philippines for 3 weeks next go around, with a swing by in Pattaya for 7-10 days to end the trip.

On 3/5/2025 at 10:18 AM, Trakk said:

Funny because id say its the Thai girls whose attitude has changed the most over the last few years.

 

Ive been to Pattaya 7 times and just did my first week in Philippines and absolutely loved it.   It will be the focus of my next 1+ month trip.

If BKK60 is basing his perception of the Philippines on Angeles City, he is waaaaayyyy off the mark. It's no wonder he calls it a filthy hole, as that does describe AC.

 

Same with GypsyT and his take on how unsafe Manila is. All cities have unsafe sections, but here in Makati, in Ermita, I've never felt unsafe. If you all of a sudden get a gut feeling things aren't right, jump in a cab. All big cities have rough areas. Currently in Makati, having a great time.

On 12/30/2024 at 10:01 AM, GypsyT said:

Is Manila safe for tourists?

 

"Violent crimes, such as armed robbery in public places, sexual assault, and murder, occur regularly and are a serious problem in the Philippines, including Metro Manila. Many crimes involve guns. Gangs often drug tourists before robbing or assaulting them. Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and scams are common."

 

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/philippines

 

I walked on the train at night I never had any problems,full of security guards and police 

 

Alice Springs would be more violent than Manila 

I dare you to walk a Friday night in the Alice 

2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I walked on the train at night I never had any problems,full of security guards and police 

 

Alice Springs would be more violent than Manila 

I dare you to walk a Friday night in the Alice 

 

If you think Manila is safe, ask yourself why do they need armed guards everywhere.

 

Every mall and bank in Manila has a guard with a shot gun or assault rifle.  Many hotels, restaurants, and even Starbucks do too.  I've never seen more guns except in Jerusalem.

 

1 minute ago, TinyTimmy said:

 

If you think Manila is safe, ask yourself why do they need armed guards everywhere.

 

Every mall and bank in Manila has a guard with a shot gun or assault rifle.  Many hotels, restaurants, and even Starbucks do too.  I've never seen more guns except in Jerusalem.

 

I worked out it gives people jobs 

I have been 3 times in 2 years 

 

Please try to walk some of the rural cities of Australia at night and you will see more violence than Manila 

1 minute ago, georgegeorgia said:

I worked out it gives people jobs 

I have been 3 times in 2 years 

So they are hiring guards for charity?  You must be Joking.

 

 I've spent more than 2 years of my life in Phils.  I wouldn't walk around Manila at night except in a few busy well guarded areas.

2 minutes ago, TinyTimmy said:

So they are hiring guards for charity?  You must be Joking.

 

 I've spent more than 2 years of my life in Phils.  I wouldn't walk around Manila at night except in a few busy well guarded areas.

I did last March and loved it 

Travelled on the train got off at Abdo Santos ,all very helpful railway staff 

 

Place is full of guards and police everywhere 

Would I walk through Alice Springs at night in Australia at night? Definitely not 

On 7/2/2024 at 10:54 PM, n00dle said:

 

Haha, I have posted there in one topic, once.

 

i reckon the important question is how did you find it?

 

 

This is a gossip and rumor mill. They can just check your profile and read everything  you've written. I wouldn't put it past some of the regulars here to try to suss out who you are in real life and if they have a problem with you somehow seek you out. Lot's of old expats with time on their hands and attitudes inflamed by heavy drinkinkg LOL!

3 hours ago, StandardIssue said:

Lot's of old expats with time on their hands and attitudes inflamed by heavy drinkinkg LOL!

Yep, grumpie guys, nothing better to do. 

👍

Both places are dumpy. So many other nicer areas in both countries, not sure why anyone would spend a lot of time in either.

 

But for sure Angeles is a bigger dump, and the food in Thailand is a lot better.

1 hour ago, grumpyoldman said:

Both places are dumpy. So many other nicer areas in both countries, not sure why anyone would spend a lot of time in either.

 

But for sure Angeles is a bigger dump, and the food in Thailand is a lot better.

Your Pattaya experience must be very limited

14 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Your Pattaya experience must be very limited

No, been there a bunch of times. Long time friend and restaurateur relocated from Phuket to Bang Sare in the early 2000's. Another friend to Sattahip, but I don't consider those places Pattaya.

 

I think for the thread the OP was talking Angeles City type part of Pattaya, Walking Street, etc.

On 7/1/2024 at 12:24 PM, Hummin said:

 

Kamalas advise 

 

https://tenor.com/view/kamala-harris-do-not-come-gif-25102112

 

 

And just imagine, millions of people voted for that.

The only expats still in the Failippines in 2025 are the ones who are stuck with wives/family or too poor to relocate to Thailand.

1 hour ago, Sandboxer said:

The only expats still in the Failippines in 2025 are the ones who are stuck with wives/family or too poor to relocate to Thailand.

True in some aspects ...but... Thailand is more cheaper than the Philippines 

I found Philippines expensive compared to Thailand and Cambodia 

On 4/17/2025 at 9:12 AM, Screaming said:

And just imagine, millions of people voted for that.

Sure would've been better than the chaos we are dealing with now and as with a typical Republican presidency, we are headed for a recession after years of prosperity,but we are off topic.

On 12/29/2024 at 9:03 AM, GypsyT said:

I just got back from Manila, sooner than planned, because I could not take the filth, poverty, noise, greedy beggars which included near every gov official! Plus filthiest hotel in 45 years of travel. $ 45/night - what a garbage dump with cockroaches running all over. Horrible! And I've seen many bad places worldwide.

 

Never made it to Angeles City. Didn't want to. The girls I had planned to meet were understanding and did their best to comfort me and helped what they could but nobody wanted to come to the airport!

 

The Manila Airport area is a war zone; Gangs are roaming around, shots are fired nightly and lot of robbers are staking hotels... Hotel had 4 armed guards, the whole building had steel fence and when I went to near by small store they came along. Not an over kill! A group followed us on the other side of the street. Mean looking filthy desperate guys in 20s.

My Pinoy friends couldn't believe I stayed there for 2 nights. Nobody wanted to come there to meet me so I left.

I didn't know better.

 

If somebody goes there better fly directly to Clark International in Angeles City. Can't be worse.

After I get therapy in Thailand I may take a second shot doing so 🙂 I never was a quitter and ladies were very eager to take care of me. These are not paid ones, no - but regular Pinays who want to meet farangs. Young and pretty and ALL SPEAK GOOD ENGLISH!!

 

PS. I'm back in my regular Bangna hotel. This is a Paradise! I walk day and night where ever I want to. No fear of anything bad. The food is great, people smile and I feel good again.

So, the money I flew in Manila was well spent! I appreciate Thailand even more.

 

I can say that when the taxi was taking me away from the Manila airport into the city, the area around that place was VERY ghetto and rough with gangland vibes. Really was a bad impression, although it didn't help I was badly jetlagged. On my return through that area a month later it was just the same. The area I was in was nice, but the favela-like slums outside it were very shady (locals eye-balling you for mugging or similar was my impression).

On 4/18/2025 at 12:19 AM, georgegeorgia said:

True in some aspects ...but... Thailand is more cheaper than the Philippines 

I found Philippines expensive compared to Thailand and Cambodia 

Funny thing is the £ goes further there due to the exchange rate being decent compared to Thailand. 

22 minutes ago, FriendlyHorse said:

I can say that when the taxi was taking me away from the Manila airport into the city, the area around that place was VERY ghetto and rough with gangland vibes. Really was a bad impression, although it didn't help I was badly jetlagged. On my return through that area a month later it was just the same. The area I was in was nice, but the favela-like slums outside it were very shady (locals eye-balling you for mugging or similar was my impression).

I travelled on the train at night ,got off at Abdo Santos station around 10pm this is Manila north area ( rough) 

 

I had two shady looking characterers approach me on the stairs outside Bluemintritt they were railway undercover cops who were very nice tell me they had been alerted to me via the cctv network that I was travelling up & down the rail network and they advised me against it , they told me not to walk up and down the carriages