Thailand vs Panama. Decisions Decisions!

[BarBoy]

hi, I have had an offer from an old pal of mine to relocate to Panama, all expenses paid, free bed and board and a senorita to boot. however I have never been there before and I am quite content with my life here in Thailand. Has anyone been to Panama before? He tells me the lifestyle over there is amazing, great weather, girls are awesome and there is always something going on. Visas are excruciatingly easy to obtain and the food is quite good too. Just looking for a bit of advice before I make my final decision. Thanks.

[EVENKEEL]

Welcome back Bob. You're missed.

[RSD1]

Another bob smith windup, bravo, I'm moving to Spain, to Cambodia, no to the Philippines, South Africa!

[BarBoy]

2 minutes ago, RSD1 said:

Another bob smith windup, bravo, I'm moving to Spain, to Cambodia, no to the Philippines, South Africa!

please keep on topic. btw what is your obsession with this Bob character?

[RSD1]

Just now, BarBoy said:

please keep on topic. btw what is your obsession with this Bob character?

I was perfectly on topic. This is just another one of your many windups about I'm moving here or I'm moving there. Next month Rio!

[CallumWK]

21 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Welcome back Bob. You're missed.

 

Missed like a toothache.

[RSD1]

3 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Missed like a toothache.

More like a buttrash I'd say.

[BarBoy]

9 minutes ago, RSD1 said:

More like a buttrash I'd say.

is that you in your picture or are you just pretending to be someone you're not?

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

To the OP, International Living raves about Panama year in, year out.  That said - never been. Also prudent to take what IL says with a big grain of salt. For example, they rave about Chiang Mai but never once mention the terrible air pollution.

 

 

 

[G_Money]

A “friend” wants to pay Bob’s expenses to move to Panama and then provide free room and board.

 

Bob, I think your friend wants to get into your pants.

 

Have you considered changing your Display Name from barboy to buttboy?

[ChaiyaTH]

Funny to read this, I have been digging into Panama as a starting point after flying to Brazil as of the visa's for Thais. I am planning to flag my sailboat either with Panama or Marshall Islands so far. However for living itself I was more looking into other places, well, i will just drift around coastal cruising mainly.

 

Considering to do that 6 months a year, or all year except for hurricane season, and spend those months in Thailand. Solves the tax issues too and nature is far greater over there. Cost wise I do not really see a significant difference either.

 

The cost of a second hand boat is also peanuts (40-50K) it earns itself back + retains value faster than a condo here. It would be a write off regardless compared to hotel and flight costs saved.

 

Thailand does not really have anything to offer aside of weed and cheap easy girl access.

Edited 2 hours ago by ChaiyaTH

[spidermike007]

I have been to Panama, but never lived there. It is quite modern, the countryside is gorgeous, the food is good, and there are alot of beautiful women, who are open and receptive. But, bear in mind the place is quite expensive. A free place to stay is nice. Might be worth going there for a month, and seeing how you like it. It is a different world from Thailand. Likely alot more culture. Also close to Colombia, the US, and other spots in South America, which would be a real plus for me. Plus, far easier to learn Spanish than Thai. 

 

One of the other upsides for me would be the ability to establish friendships with local men, it's nearly impossible here in Thailand to establish any kind of meaningful friendship with a Thai man. They're just not interested and their lack of curiosity is off the charts. Not so in Latin America. 

[Presnock]

2 hours ago, BarBoy said:

hi, I have had an offer from an old pal of mine to relocate to Panama, all expenses paid, free bed and board and a senorita to boot. however I have never been there before and I am quite content with my life here in Thailand. Has anyone been to Panama before? He tells me the lifestyle over there is amazing, great weather, girls are awesome and there is always something going on. Visas are excruciatingly easy to obtain and the food is quite good too. Just looking for a bit of advice before I make my final decision. Thanks.

I read weeks ago in a magazine for expats and it mentioned that Panama was very pro expat on taxes as compared to Thailand and what Thailand might consider.  Panama doesn't tax any income earned outside of Panama and the cost of living is about half that of the US.  Just saying...

[G_Money]

2 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Funny to read this, I have been digging into Panama as a starting point after flying to Brazil as of the visa's for Thais. I am planning to flag my sailboat either with Panama or Marshall Islands so far. However for living itself I was more looking into other places, well, i will just drift around coastal cruising mainly.

 

Considering to do that 6 months a year, or all year except for hurricane season, and spend those months in Thailand. Solves the tax issues too and nature is far greater over there. Cost wise I do not really see a significant difference either.

 

The cost of a second hand boat is also peanuts (40-50K) it earns itself back + retains value faster than a condo here. It would be a write off regardless compared to hotel and flight costs saved.

 

Thailand does not really have anything to offer aside of weed and cheap easy girl access.

Why not stick with Brazil?

[G_Money]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

I have been to Panama, but never lived there. It is quite modern, the countryside is gorgeous, the food is good, and there are alot of beautiful women, who are open and receptive. But, bear in mind the place is quite expensive. A free place to stay is nice. Might be worth going there for a month, and seeing how you like it. It is a different world from Thailand. Likely alot more culture. Also close to Colombia, the US, and other spots in South America, which would be a real plus for me. Plus, far easier to learn Spanish than Thai. 

 

One of the other upsides for me would be the ability to establish friendships with local men, it's nearly impossible here in Thailand to establish any kind of meaningful friendship with a Thai man. They're just not interested and their lack of curiosity is off the charts. Not so in Latin America. 

What do you look like and how do you dress?  Do you think that is an issue why you’re not meeting men?

 

Have you considered ladyboys?

[ColeBOzbourne]

34 minutes ago, G_Money said:

Why not stick with Brazil?

I believe the Retirement Visa for Brazil is much more difficult to obtain than for Panama or other countries in that area.