Thailand’s Losing Its Edge — Is Vietnam the Next Real Deal?

[Dan747]

  I am very disappointed in the Thailand Immigration visa changes that are pushed by the (TAT) Thailand tourism authority. My family and I have a house in Ubon that every year I try and spend 6 months there. I have been using the canceled Non-"O" multiple entry visa for $200 USD (No insurance) for several years and now looks like I will have to do border runs to remain in Thailand. I find it to be very frustrating. Just saying, Good Luck and Happy Travels.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

On 6/16/2025 at 7:08 AM, BritManToo said:

If I were a nomad, I'd do 60 in Thailand, 45 in Vietnam, 90 in Malaysia, and 30 in Philippines, no visa required, then repeat as needed.

 

For me, as I get older, I like having a SINGLE home and place to come home to, including a place where I can keep my belongings.... more than what will fit in 2 or 3 large suitcases.

 

I have a Thai wife so I'm not likely to be leaving anywhere.... But if I ever did have to leave, it wouldn't be to end up living out of a rotating series of hotels or Airbnb's...

 

 

[norsurin]

My next trip is Bangkok for 2 months..then makati and Cebu for 1 month before i go to Bali for a month.

Bali have really beautiful girls.I meet some Indonesian in Singapore and Malaysia when i worked there.

Easygoing girls who don't complain about lack of money.

[kiwikeith]

On 6/16/2025 at 11:00 AM, Scouse123 said:

---

 

I’ve been seeing more and more posts on YouTube and the web saying “Thailand is finished,” and while that might be a bit extreme, I get where people are coming from. Something’s changed.

 

Many long-time visitors and retirees are growing increasingly frustrated — and not just because prices are rising (which they are). They are rising everywhere worldwide.

 

Dual pricing is more blatant than ever. Not just in parks and temples, but also in taxis, and even in everyday items — you get quoted one price, while the Thai person behind you receives another.

 

Add to that the visa mess — rules changing all the time, inconsistent enforcement, and immigration officers who seem to go by how they feel that day — and it’s no wonder people are getting frustrated.

 

Even ASEAN NOW itself had multiple threads recently where this came up again and again.

 

What’s worse is the shift in attitude. Foreigners used to feel genuinely welcome. Now it often feels like you’re just a wallet with legs. That has been going on for years, but it's become more blatant, and they don't seem to care.

 

Scams are more common, there's more aggression in nightlife areas, and in certain parts of the country, Customer service is a forgotten word.

 

It’s just full-on hustle 24/7. For people who aren’t here for the bar scene or don’t want sex tourism shoved in their face, it’s becoming less appealing. I found it impossible to have a quiet beer in a bar in Nana Plaza, 

 

That said, I think many people rushing to Cambodia are doing so because they’re priced out, not because it’s better.

 

Outside of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the infrastructure is still weak, and Sihanoukville is a complete disaster thanks to failed Chinese casino projects.

 

Cambodia is cheaper and visa-friendly, but it’s not a real alternative to Thailand for most people. It simply lacks appeal. After three or four days, I'm eager to get back home to Thailand.

 

Vietnam, on the other hand, is playing its cards right and getting its act together.

 

Great beaches, solid infrastructure, a growing expat scene, and they’re working on long-stay visa options — possibly even a 10-year visa for foreigners.

 

It’s cleaner, less intrusive, and doesn’t have the same "walking ATM" vibe. For people without roots in Thailand (such as family or business), Vietnam is becoming increasingly attractive.

 

I won't leave Thailand because of my partner, and I have roots here. However, I will live quietly, pay my living expenses, and probably curb my previous penchant for changing cars every three years, etc. I will probably have a spending binge when I go to Vietnam or Cambodia, where I feel I get better value for money.

 

Thailand’s still got a lot going for it, no doubt. But it’s definitely at a tipping point.

 

If they don’t sort out the immigration headaches, stop gouging tourists and policy flip-flopping, and bring back some of the old warmth, more and more people will quietly (or loudly) move on.

The chinese move loudly, but love your article, well written and to the point.

[baansgr]

Vietnam is already on the downward spiral, beer taxation increases, foreigners opening bars and restos with foreigner prices...dual pricing just about everything that is wrong with Thailand...and no long term visa,...and of course they are commies

[SingAPorn]

Not surprising that Thailand is done. With all the cheating all over against foreigners, the tax doubts on foreign income, the visa hassles by immigration and the red tape,  the lack of respect in many places towards foreigners, all the drug drunks teen junkies from the west that are give a free passage and mainly the overcharging and cheating by anything from the taxi driver on arrival to the crooked contractor who shamelessly overcharges the foreign home owner during maintenance works etc. 

 

Even the malls in Thailand are now at similar prices to the west if not more. 

 

At one point those who can, are fed up, rent or sell their homes or condos in Thailand and will naturally spend the long winter months in Vietnam. Like or leave it ? Ok fine, people have took the word and are leaving. 

[PB172111]

On 6/16/2025 at 6:00 AM, Scouse123 said:

---

 

I’ve been seeing more and more posts on YouTube and the web saying “Thailand is finished,” and while that might be a bit extreme, I get where people are coming from. Something’s changed.

 

Many long-time visitors and retirees are growing increasingly frustrated — and not just because prices are rising (which they are). They are rising everywhere worldwide.

 

Dual pricing is more blatant than ever. Not just in parks and temples, but also in taxis, and even in everyday items — you get quoted one price, while the Thai person behind you receives another.

 

Add to that the visa mess — rules changing all the time, inconsistent enforcement, and immigration officers who seem to go by how they feel that day — and it’s no wonder people are getting frustrated.

 

Even ASEAN NOW itself had multiple threads recently where this came up again and again.

 

What’s worse is the shift in attitude. Foreigners used to feel genuinely welcome. Now it often feels like you’re just a wallet with legs. That has been going on for years, but it's become more blatant, and they don't seem to care.

 

Scams are more common, there's more aggression in nightlife areas, and in certain parts of the country, Customer service is a forgotten word.

 

It’s just full-on hustle 24/7. For people who aren’t here for the bar scene or don’t want sex tourism shoved in their face, it’s becoming less appealing. I found it impossible to have a quiet beer in a bar in Nana Plaza, 

 

That said, I think many people rushing to Cambodia are doing so because they’re priced out, not because it’s better.

 

Outside of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the infrastructure is still weak, and Sihanoukville is a complete disaster thanks to failed Chinese casino projects.

 

Cambodia is cheaper and visa-friendly, but it’s not a real alternative to Thailand for most people. It simply lacks appeal. After three or four days, I'm eager to get back home to Thailand.

 

Vietnam, on the other hand, is playing its cards right and getting its act together.

 

Great beaches, solid infrastructure, a growing expat scene, and they’re working on long-stay visa options — possibly even a 10-year visa for foreigners.

 

It’s cleaner, less intrusive, and doesn’t have the same "walking ATM" vibe. For people without roots in Thailand (such as family or business), Vietnam is becoming increasingly attractive.

 

I won't leave Thailand because of my partner, and I have roots here. However, I will live quietly, pay my living expenses, and probably curb my previous penchant for changing cars every three years, etc. I will probably have a spending binge when I go to Vietnam or Cambodia, where I feel I get better value for money.

 

Thailand’s still got a lot going for it, no doubt. But it’s definitely at a tipping point.

 

If they don’t sort out the immigration headaches, stop gouging tourists and policy flip-flopping, and bring back some of the old warmth, more and more people will quietly (or loudly) move on.

I found it impossible to have a quiet beer in a bar in Nana Plaza,

lol….are you serious 

[PB172111]

2 hours ago, norsurin said:

My next trip is Bangkok for 2 months..then makati and Cebu for 1 month before i go to Bali for a month.

Bali have really beautiful girls.I meet some Indonesian in Singapore and Malaysia when i worked there.

Easygoing girls who don't complain about lack of money.

Ah Bali. The Benidorm of Asia for the Australians.

Too busy for me. No peace on the beach from hawkers. Roads are narrow and crowded.

[norsurin]

1 minute ago, PB172111 said:

Ah Bali. The Benidorm of Asia for the Australians.

Too busy for me. No peace on the beach from hawkers. Roads are narrow and crowded.

I know about the Aussies.. doesn't bother me at all.I have a friend there who was my 1st officer in the ankerhandler i worked in.He invited me to stay in his house but i said no.I prefer to have a free life and dont want to stay with his wife and kids He is from Bali.He told me that he can introduce me to a beautiful serious lady.. but i decline that.

Im not looking for a serious relationship..i want to stay single enjoying my freedom.I never go to the beach..after many years working at sea worldwide i had enough about the sea.The last time i visit a beach was in 2011 .That was in Sentosa Island in Singapore..We drank all day there..it was a funny day.At nighttime we went to orchard tower and had fun.All the crew with a asian girl with us back to the Next morning we ordered a taxiboat to pick up the girls.Good memories from working in Asia.

 

[CG1 Blue]

4 hours ago, 1happykamper said:

Very little effort has been put out on their part. Here in Hua hin.. Most Thai girls STILL scream out "massage" after standing there for 10 years! It's annoying. I wish one day a waitress would enquire "is everything OK" about 5 minutes after they serve my meal. Once in 10 years that's happened. 

Why move to another country and wait 10 years hoping the natives will change their ways, and behave the way YOU want them to behave? 

 

Just remember, you chose Thailand, Thailand didn't choose you. 

 

P.S. I assume your username is meant to be irony? You don't sound like a happy camper 🙂

[1happykamper]

4 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

Why move to another country and wait 10 years hoping the natives will change their ways, and behave the way YOU want them to behave? 

 

Just remember, you chose Thailand, Thailand didn't choose you. 

 

P.S. I assume your username is meant to be irony? You don't sound like a happy camper 🙂

You reply is absolutely ridiculous. You know nada ✌️

[CG1 Blue]

I've only been to Vietnam a couple of times, and only to HCMC. I didn't feel the same sense of freedom in Vn that you get in Thailand, especially around the nightlife where I was told (by locals) the bars could be raided any time by police wanting to crack down hard on fun. I was strongly advised not to get caught up in a raid! 

 

Maybe it's different these days, and the authorities are more relaxed over there? Or maybe I need to venture further than HCMC. 

[CG1 Blue]

4 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:

You reply is absolutely ridiculous. You know nada ✌️

I know what is ridiculous. Expecting Thai massage ladies to stop calling out 'massage' 🤦‍♂️

[ronnie50]

2 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

I've only been to Vietnam a couple of times, and only to HCMC. I didn't feel the same sense of freedom in Vn that you get in Thailand, especially around the nightlife where I was told (by locals) the bars could be raided any time by police wanting to crack down hard on fun. I was strongly advised not to get caught up in a raid! 

No, Vietnam is definately not a nightlife kind of place - I don't think anywhere. The holiday island of phu quoc might be an exception. but I've never been there. It seems popular though. Been to Hanoi, HCMC many times and also to Da Nang and Hoi An. I didn't really like HCMC either.

[JensenZ]

8 hours ago, J Branche said:

People are done with the Currency Manipulation that Thailand is implementing.  Economy not doing well but surprise USD is down 11.6% against the Baht but USD is up 2.6% against the Vietnamese currency.

 

Others Year over Year

Yuan (China) down 10.6%

Pound down approx 6%

Cambodian Riel down 9.5%

Vietnamese currency down 14.23%

Australian Dollar down 12.72%

 

I would immediately place Thailand on the list of Countries Manipulating Currency and stop all but essential trade until it is corrected.

I'll focus on the Thai baht. Take a look at the USD/THB chart, and you'll see the THB is trading at about the average price for the last 14 years (against the USD). People visit Thailand from all over the world, and some currencies have done better against the baht historically, but it's not a reason not to visit Thailand.