4 minutes ago, JoseThailand said:

 

Of course girls are not included

For Thailand, I have two "budgets."  What I have to spend, and what I actually spend.  

 

The "have to spend" budget isn't much. The actually spend budget is whatever.  People should ideally have access to both amounts, I think.  

 

 

Because some 25 years ago I went to the Vietnam Embassy in Belgium and I felt an unbearable weight of communism. Now I've been living in Thailand for more than twenty years, worked for a University and live in my wife's village since I retired. I have my family here, and I do not regret my choice.

But there is no Pattaya 🤔😮🤣

I would like some more info on Vietnam, so how is the visa situation? We can buy a $25 e-visa for 90 days, then do a quick visa run to cambodia or lao? Then re-enter without issues on another e-visa?  That sounds quite good.

 

Also is there anything comparable to Shopee, Makro, Big C in vietnam? Thanks

2 minutes ago, OneManShow said:

But there is no Pattaya 🤔😮🤣

Pattaya is nice if you really like "bar culture" and drinking alcohol with the most average thai girls. It's not that special imo, though it's not a bad place to lay low

5 minutes ago, hovercraft said:

l with the most average thai girls

 

I would say below average.

 

Too much?

On 5/7/2025 at 11:17 AM, KhunLA said:

Another plus for TH is the infrastructure, and all aspects of it.  Watched a couple Paddy Doyle YT vids on Nam, lovely country, like TH, but infrastructure was a bit dismal at times.   First couple days there, and he had to wait hours when a few main roads had to be cleared of landslides.

 

Internet and electric service very iffy.  I haven't got the patience to live anywhere less developed than TH.

internet is fantastic in Vietnam, certainly in Da Nang.  Free wifi in every shop, cafe, even on the beach.  Have you ever driven Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, is that a great road?  roads are comparable in both countries.  i go to Vietnam half the year, never experienced a power cut.

30 minutes ago, NICKMONDO1 said:

internet is fantastic in Vietnam, certainly in Da Nang.  Free wifi in every shop, cafe, even on the beach.  Have you ever driven Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, is that a great road?  roads are comparable in both countries.  i go to Vietnam half the year, never experienced a power cut.

I can only go by videos I saw and all three issues I mentioned were  live on video.

 

He does like getting out of the metros but also stated electric and internet was iffy in the metros he visited.

 

Aside from that he loved it.

It doesn't matter where you end up. There is no paradise where everything is exactly as you like it. Leave Thailand, and after your honeymoon period is over, in a new location, you'll end up finding new problems to complain about. It's quite likely you'll regret leaving Thailand.

 

I'm not interested in living in a one-party Communist (Socialist) state (from 1976) despite some of the advantages being touted on here.

 

I suspect that some expats moved to Vietnam and secretly regret it, and are trying to convince themselves that they made a good decision; moreover, they are still in the Thailand (ASEAN) forum talking about it. 

1 hour ago, NICKMONDO1 said:

internet is fantastic in Vietnam, certainly in Da Nang.  Free wifi in every shop, cafe, even on the beach.  Have you ever driven Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, is that a great road?  roads are comparable in both countries.  i go to Vietnam half the year, never experienced a power cut.

I've never had a problem with the Internet in Thailand. I don't care about free wifi as I would never use it, but most shops do have free Wifi if you care to use it, and major shopping malls too. I have good cellular packages to use when travelling, and 1000/1000 fiber at home. It surprises me that anyone would need anything better, and possibly leave the country for it. You can get much better if you pay for business packages and get dedicated lines (no sharing). It's all here.

Quote

Why are you still in Thailand, not in Vietnam?

 

I like Thailand and the Thai people.

There's always plenty to moan about , so that keeps me happy.

To much time and money invested to go elsewhere now,

Also family here.

 

On 5/7/2025 at 2:26 AM, hovercraft said:

If Vietnam is more welcoming to long stay tourists then I might have to go there. The Thai government treats the foreign population living here like trash.

 

I actually prefer the vietnamese food, I could eat banh mi every day.

Not every meal though surely.

Simple Thai wife of 19 years and a 17 year old daughter in full time education. Also I bought a house here.

Vietnam is great though. 

On 5/7/2025 at 11:40 AM, Nemises said:

 

the link mentions nothing about retired expats

No, but retired means you have money coming in. A tourist isn't the same. I know people who are retired and live there and own cars.

This is an especially good question for those under 45. Vietnam is a rising star, Thailand is a falling star.

 

If you are retired in Thailand and have been for even a few years there's little reason to pick up and go to Vietnam or Cambodia. That is unless you're broke.

 

If I were a brokie or global gonad I'd be in Vietnam .

 

The food is almost as good as Thai. For those that prefer far less spice and perhaps even more fresh ingredients Vietnam is the ticket.

 

The Vietnamese people are not especially warm and perhaps even more came to keep outsiders at a measured distance.

 

Vietnam has beaches that are very acceptable for living. I would generally speaking want beaches that were a bit warmer and more beautiful (Thai islands, Indonesia islands).

 

Vietnam is going to clean Thailand's clock and it's probably only going to be 15 years before they just surpass the entire GDP of the nation. Thailand has gone absolutely nowhere for 25 years.

 

Seems like everything is taxed to the hilt in Thailand.

Vietnamese women are stunning 👍👍

On 5/7/2025 at 2:53 AM, Maxbkkcm said:

Vietnam is hell on earth.

 

Noisy, overpopulated, scams all over.

 

Groomy place, truly a hopeless place.

 

i wonder why people are praising it. Very strange and misleading.

I think you have a point.

10 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

This is an especially good question for those under 45. Vietnam is a rising star, Thailand is a falling star.

 

If you are retired in Thailand and have been for even a few years there's little reason to pick up and go to Vietnam or Cambodia. That is unless you're broke.

 

If I were a brokie or global gonad I'd be in Vietnam .

 

The food is almost as good as Thai. For those that prefer far less spice and perhaps even more fresh ingredients Vietnam is the ticket.

 

The Vietnamese people are not especially warm and perhaps even more came to keep outsiders at a measured distance.

 

Vietnam has beaches that are very acceptable for living. I would generally speaking want beaches that were a bit warmer and more beautiful (Thai islands, Indonesia islands).

 

Vietnam is going to clean Thailand's clock and it's probably only going to be 15 years before they just surpass the entire GDP of the nation. Thailand has gone absolutely nowhere for 25 years.

 

Seems like everything is taxed to the hilt in Thailand.

"Thailand has gone absolutely nowhere for 25 years." Is an entirely erroneous statement. And your last comment about taxes gives you away as an American Trumpian. Thailand's economy has increased enormously over the past few decades.

On 5/9/2025 at 3:44 PM, Magictoad said:

"Thailand has gone absolutely nowhere for 25 years." Is an entirely erroneous statement. And your last comment about taxes gives you away as an American Trumpian. Thailand's economy has increased enormously over the past few decades.

 

This is absolute rubbish. I don't think the GDP is hit over 2.75% in the last two and a half decades. The last decade it's been under 2. The current government is well aware of it but speaks nothing of it. That is because they are absolutely ill prepared to do anything about it. This was to be the swan song of Taksin. He was going to put the economy back on track. Instead what we get are sketchy casinos for money laundering.

 

Any developing economy that's going to lift itself out of poverty really does need a solid 5% growth over decades.

 

Finally, aside from the broken pink lines and yellow line what's really changed in Bangkok in the last 10-15 years? What's changed in thailand?

On 5/8/2025 at 3:32 PM, ThreeCardMonte said:

lived single in Pattaya, I would agree, 30k is not a life”

Not for you perhaps, but some people are content. People are different. 

Some enjoy walking, reading, watching TV, eating mostly local food etc. 

Each to their own. 

12 hours ago, garygooner said:

Not for you perhaps, but some people are content. People are different. 

Some enjoy walking, reading, watching TV, eating mostly local food etc. 

Each to their own. 

The expensive things are the Mia noi, her condo and her BMW, these things do add up

On 5/9/2025 at 3:29 PM, KhaoHom said:

The food is almost as good as Thai. For those that prefer far less spice and perhaps even more fresh ingredients Vietnam is the ticket.

 

Nam allow GMO to be grown, possibly up to 50% by now ... NO THANKS

TH does not 👍

On 5/9/2025 at 3:32 PM, KhaoHom said:

Vietnamese women are stunning 👍👍

 

I found woman of most nationalities to be stunning.

12 hours ago, Lorry said:

The expensive things are the Mia noi, her condo and her BMW, these things do add up

She'd have to be incredibly cute!  😍

On 5/9/2025 at 6:19 AM, NICKMONDO1 said:

internet is fantastic in Vietnam, certainly in Da Nang.  Free wifi in every shop, cafe, even on the beach.  Have you ever driven Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, is that a great road?  roads are comparable in both countries.  i go to Vietnam half the year, never experienced a power cut.

Which scenic road and not dangerous you recommand in south vietnam from danang? 

On 5/12/2025 at 10:15 AM, KhaoHom said:

 

This is absolute rubbish. I don't think the GDP is hit over 2.75% in the last two and a half decades. The last decade it's been under 2. The current government is well aware of it but speaks nothing of it. That is because they are absolutely ill prepared to do anything about it. This was to be the swan song of Taksin. He was going to put the economy back on track. Instead what we get are sketchy casinos for money laundering.

 

Any developing economy that's going to lift itself out of poverty really does need a solid 5% growth over decades.

 

Finally, aside from the broken pink lines and yellow line what's really changed in Bangkok in the last 10-15 years? What's changed in thailand?

Broken pink line? They are fully functionnal lines bts.

 

The development is unsane. Look how many malls opened, how many condos. New cars everywhere. Farangs move in in drove. Thai economy is booming and is higher than 10 years ago. 

On 5/7/2025 at 1:45 AM, JoseThailand said:

Vietnam is getting a lot of hype now, 40% cheaper than Thailand, easy immigration rules, no problem with border runs or "staying too much", friendly and helpful locals, no fake smiles like in Thailand when they only want your money. Tourists are flocking to Vietnam and can't stop raving about how much they like it. So the question is: why are YOU still in Thailand, and not in Vietnam?

 

... because I'm not a fu👑 tourist 🤔😆

10 hours ago, garygooner said:

She'd have to be incredibly cute!  😍

Don't tell me you bought her a Toyota!

Shame on you!

3 hours ago, ViajeroLA said:

... because I'm not a fu👑 tourist 🤔😆

 

You are, unless you have a permanent residence, which you most likely don't

12 hours ago, ViajeroLA said:

 

... because I'm not a fu👑 tourist 🤔😆

I'm a tourist, and always will be.  Here on holiday ... long holiday ... 25 years.   Just have to pop in every year and ask to stay, another year.  Give 'em some silly reason, like, being married, or want to retire here.

 

Unlikely, but one day, they could easily say, F'off and get out.  So yes, we're all tourist, unless holding a Thai passport.

On 5/9/2025 at 3:44 PM, Magictoad said:

"Thailand has gone absolutely nowhere for 25 years." Is an entirely erroneous statement. And your last comment about taxes gives you away as an American Trumpian. Thailand's economy has increased enormously over the past few decades.

 

You're absolutely and thoroughly clueless. The economy of Thailand has been in the toilet for a quarter century.

 

But hey, you're card carrying leftist so it's a given you know nothing about economics and finance.

 

Its been a slow burn buoyed by 100s of millions of damaging tourists over that period. Now... rubber hits the road...

 

Thai Central Bank says hold on to your Depends....

 

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2025/05/10/thailand-is-entering-a-dark-economic-storm-in-late-2025-lasting-at-least-a-year-says-central-bank-boss/