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.

[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. 

[MalcolmB]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

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

Maybe you are coming on too strong.

 

If some don’t want to be your friend it could be them, but if nobody wants to be your friend it is you.

[spidermike007]

51 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Maybe you are coming on too strong.

 

If some don’t want to be your friend it could be them, but if nobody wants to be your friend it is you.

I have a lot of friends and I've had a lot of friends all over the world in my travels, and when I've lived elsewhere overseas. That has not been the case in Thailand. Other than men who have had the ability to meet Thai men at an University or professional setting overseas, or and unusual situation like that, I know very few foreign men here who have good Thai male friends.

 

It is cultural it's not me. And it's my belief that in addition to the language barrier it's also due to a stunning lack of curiosity about us, and about the outside world. 

[Patong2021]

Suggest one reads the current  Panama news. You know, the stories on the soaring crime rate,  and social unrest

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, G_Money said:

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?

What a completely ridiculous, unnecessary, and unhelpful reply. Perhaps you can try harder next time. 

 

In the past two years since this election cycle does it feel like this forum is getting dumbed down with more venom, or is it just my perception? 

[SoCal1990]

Expat living in PANAMA:

 

• Cost of living can be higher than expected, especially in urban areas and for imported goods.

• Heavy traffic and poor urban planning in Panama City; challenging driving conditions.

• Limited variety of imported goods and high prices for specialty items.

• Language barrier for non-Spanish speakers; difficult to integrate into local culture.

• Cultural differences, such as “mañana culture,” can frustrate those used to punctuality.

• Bureaucracy in immigration, residency, and legal processes can be time-consuming.

• Risks of property scams and challenges in securing work permits.

• Hot, humid climate and long rainy seasons may be uncomfortable for some.

• Healthcare quality varies; good private care is available but can be expensive.

• Difficulty meeting locals or forming relationships due to cultural and language gaps.

• Traditional family-oriented culture may require serious intentions when dating locals.

• Perceptions of foreigners as short-term visitors can create challenges in forming relationships.

• Language barriers can make meaningful connections with locals more difficult.

• Expats may feel isolated or confined to cliquish expat communities.

• Petty theft and crime in certain areas; some regions have higher crime rates.

• Internet and infrastructure in rural areas can be unreliable; power outages occur.

• Limited overland access due to the Darien Gap, making travel to South America difficult.

• Dependence on air and sea travel for international connections and imports.

• Isolation from larger cultural and economic hubs in neighboring countries.

[G_Money]

20 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

What a completely ridiculous, unnecessary, and unhelpful reply. Perhaps you can try harder next time. 

 

In the past two years since this election cycle does it feel like this forum is getting dumbed down with more venom, or is it just my perception? 

First of all the election has nothing to do with my post.  You’re deflecting and using that as an excuse. 
 

“What a completely ridiculous, unnecessary, and unhelpful reply. Perhaps you can try harder next time. “

 

Why is that?  I was not being condescending.

 

If you can’t attract Thai men there must be a reason.  Could be appearance, grooming habits, not enough baht to spend

 

No difference whether man or woman.  While what I stated are possible the old cliche “Money number One” in Thailand is still very accurate.

 

You most likely already know the answer to your concerns.

 

 

[BarBoy]

1 hour ago, MalcolmB said:

Maybe you are coming on too strong.

 

If some don’t want to be your friend it could be them, but if nobody wants to be your friend it is you.

It is almost impossible for a farang to make any meaningful friendship with a Thai male. I am sure there are exceptions to the rule but on average I have seldom seen a real friendship as they are just not interested in it.

[marin]

19 minutes ago, BarBoy said:

It is almost impossible for a farang to make any meaningful friendship with a Thai male. I am sure there are exceptions to the rule but on average I have seldom seen a real friendship as they are just not interested in it.

You have been saying that since your first post here. You always get the same reply. It's you bob!!!

[freedomnow]

Don't feed the goblin.

 

He has probably been holed up in blackpool for his entire life on this forum.

[BarBoy]

22 minutes ago, marin said:

You have been saying that since your first post here. You always get the same reply. It's you bob!!!

what?? marin who are you.

[marin]

i am the guy who see's right through you. notice when you get a bit flustered you forget your capital letters. 

[BarBoy]

9 minutes ago, marin said:

i am the guy who see's right through you. notice when you get a bit flustered you forget your capital letters. 

...Same as you. It's 'I' not 'i'.

 

how pedantic are you really? you need to a get a grip.

 

 

[marin]

3 minutes ago, BarBoy said:

how pedeantic are you really?

Bob this is why all know its you. You call me out, and spell pedantic wrong... Not the sharpest tool in the shed. 😂

 

4 minutes ago, BarBoy said:

Same as you. It's 'I' not 'i'.

hhhhhhhow are you?🤣

[BarBoy]

1 minute ago, marin said:

Bob this is why all know its you. You call me out, and spell pedantic wrong... Not the sharpest tool in the shed. 😂

 

neither are you, marin.

 

brothers in arms then?

 

Colin.