Closer, friendlier, cheaper, more professional ........... anybody wondering, really? 

21 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Not much to add, except that the Chinese actor's trafficking situation, maybe, contributed 0.5% to the decline in arrivals, and everything else 99.5%... 😆 

Not so sure about that.

"The Chinese actor" incident was a huge story over in China. 

4 hours ago, norsurin said:

Sure they will.I guess the trillions will be the main focus.They migth talk about the Vietnamese prostitutes in Thailand again i think.And food poison in Vietnam just for taking bad about Vietnamese people and other stuff there.

And getting your photo splashed all over the papers when you grovveling for posting a bad hotel review.

6 hours ago, mikebell said:

and ridiculous over-complicated visa procedures necessitating copious quantities of printing deforestation.

 

Thanks, one of the reasons I left Thailand after 20 years to live in Siem Reap, Cambodia (now almost 6 years). Hassle free visa!

I’ve only been to Vietnam about five times. I enjoyed phở and bún bò Huế, but I generally prefer tom yum kung and other Thai flavors. I loved bánh mì, though many of the other dishes I tried didn’t click, the seafood dipping sauces tasted milder than I expected, and the dessert options felt limited in the places I visited (Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City). At one point it got so rough that we couldn’t handle any more Vietnamese food, and my Thai girlfriend ended up making tom yum kung at our Airbnb. Maybe I just didn’t find the right spots, did I miss the “real” Vietnamese food?

8 hours ago, ozfarang said:

Says who?

Or is that just your opinion, with no facts to back it up

   Common knowledge.  If I mention it's a sunny morning do I have to provide 'back up' that the sun rises in the morning?   And, if it's not common knowledge to you, it's up to you to do your own research. 

16 hours ago, Celsius said:

 

And frozen bank accounts

 

I was wrong.

 

86 million bank accounts frozen in Vietnam. 

 

Maybe just better stay away from 3rd world countries?

The mainlanders are off to wreck havoc on and ruin another country.

9 hours ago, Watawattana said:

As I come up to retirement I've been proactively looking at all of the countries is SE Asia.  I've probably spend most time in China and Thailand.  Only country I have not yet gone to is Laos.  Thailand was very much top of my list for a very long time; but it isn't now.  Vietnam currently is, but I need to spend more time there to see what's behind the gloss; I doubt it's a perfect country.  The gloss in Thailand is pretty thin in places, but Thailand is still a very wonderful country with an awful lot to offer.  I just need to balance the pros & cons.

 

SE Asia is just too damn hot.  I want Japan.  Too bad unless you work there the visa situation is horrible.  I have no need nor intention to ever work again.

7 hours ago, falangUK said:

I’ve only been to Vietnam about five times. I enjoyed phở and bún bò Huế, but I generally prefer tom yum kung and other Thai flavors. I loved bánh mì, though many of the other dishes I tried didn’t click, the seafood dipping sauces tasted milder than I expected, and the dessert options felt limited in the places I visited (Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City). At one point it got so rough that we couldn’t handle any more Vietnamese food, and my Thai girlfriend ended up making tom yum kung at our Airbnb. Maybe I just didn’t find the right spots, did I miss the “real” Vietnamese food?

Perhaps you didn't tried more options esp. in Sai Gon where the food scene is amazing. Seafood in coastal cities like Da Nang where you were along with Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Hue have excellent selection at prices you can't beat. My Thai wife actually eats more Viet food than Thai these days. We lived in Northern California where there are an abundant of Viet restaurants everywhere you go. 

 

18 hours ago, Celsius said:

 

And frozen bank accounts

 

Try opening a bank account in Vietnam.

51 minutes ago, Showtime said:

 

SE Asia is just too damn hot.  I want Japan.  Too bad unless you work there the visa situation is horrible.  I have no need nor intention to ever work again.

 

Japan is wonderful if one  can speak Japanese. One of my favourite destinations. For a visitor the place is  paradise fantastic one of a kind opportunities that neither Vietnam, nor Thailand can offer. On my bucket list is a ferry journey to Japan's outer islands. The ferries offer private cabins for the overnight journeys, excellent food options and a chance to go for a cruise without having to  pack one's romper.

Linguistically speaking.....

 

Seems logical.

3 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

One of my favourite destinations.

 

MiyakoJima....nice, very nice....

 

21 hours ago, ozfarang said:

Says who?

Or is that just your opinion, with no facts to back it up

check this out ..   all spelled out .   watch the whole vid

 

15 hours ago, Showtime said:

 

SE Asia is just too damn hot.  I want Japan.  Too bad unless you work there the visa situation is horrible.  I have no need nor intention to ever work again.

Yeah, Japan is amazing.  Visa runs are okay from Japan to keep you going, but if the authorities find that you've leased an apartment then they'll deny you entry.  It wasn't on my list of 'possibles' due to no straightforward and safe-ish visa run process.

Worked in Na Trang and I found it to be a fabulous place. Often would overnight at the Caravel hotel? in Ho Chi Min

On 9/17/2025 at 12:31 PM, ozfarang said:

Is this the site you are using?

 

https://evisa.gov.vn/e-visa/foreigners

 

I've no trouble with it freezing today

I'll give it another shot. Submitted application, uploaded photo and Passport and received notice confirming receipt next step ... nothing. Have time. Emulated the Embassy in Bangkok and Consulate in Khon Kaen asking for help  ... no reply.

Thailand has chosen nationalism over economic propserity and it can be seen in so many ways... for example, Operation Expat Exodus that intends to get rid of as many long-term foreign residents as possible through banking rules, visa policy, tax demands et al. 

How is it that the Chinese and those looking for a cheaper holiday are suddenly evidence of a booming tourism industry in Vietnam, but when they holiday in Thailand they are deemed undesirable by many board members ?

 

Total hypocritical Thailand haters.

On 9/17/2025 at 9:53 AM, Wrwest said:

Looking to make a first Visit with family to Danang. Now if I could just get the eVisa website to cooperate. I understand there is a problem with the site "freezing".

Thought they had 45 day free visa?

9 minutes ago, kinyara said:

How is it that the Chinese and those looking for a cheaper holiday are suddenly evidence of a booming tourism industry in Vietnam, but when they holiday in Thailand they are deemed undesirable by many board members ?

 

Total hypocritical Thailand haters.

 

 

Nice rant........but it could just be that Vietnam is a more attractive destination overall.

 

 

I would tend to agree with that.

33 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Nice rant........but it could just be that Vietnam is a more attractive destination overall.

 

 

I would tend to agree with that.

 

Not a rant at all and it may well be, but it's my observation of the double standards that a lot of board members seem to apply to the tourism demographic of Thailand.

 

" Thailand's failing because it's only attracting the Chinese and low budget tourists "

 

" Wow look how good Vietnam's tourism is, it's attracting the Chinese and tourists looking for a cheaper holiday "

On 9/16/2025 at 10:23 PM, Wrwest said:

Looking to make a first Visit with family to Danang. Now if I could just get the eVisa website to cooperate. I understand there is a problem with the site "freezing".

 

This wasn't an issue in the past . . . but the system is inundated with requests now, especially from Chinese package tour groups.

 

If you do manage to visit bring your ear plugs as you'll need it for the traffic noise.

 

They don't want you there; hence the excuse of a malfunctioning e-visa system  😂

On 9/18/2025 at 3:25 PM, kinyara said:

 

Not a rant at all and it may well be, but it's my observation of the double standards that a lot of board members seem to apply to the tourism demographic of Thailand.

 

" Thailand's failing because it's only attracting the Chinese and low budget tourists "

 

" Wow look how good Vietnam's tourism is, it's attracting the Chinese and tourists looking for a cheaper holiday "

 

 

 

...and there lies the difference. What I have seen in half a dozen trips to Vietnam is a better quality of Chinese visitor.....I don't recall seeing any obvious 'zero Dollar' tourists.

5 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

 

This wasn't an issue in the past . . . but the system is inundated with requests now, especially from Chinese package tour groups.

 

If you do manage to visit bring your ear plugs as you'll need it for the traffic noise.

 

They don't want you there; hence the excuse of a malfunctioning e-visa system  😂

Thai Wife and Stepdaughter will be sorely disappointed.

On 9/17/2025 at 12:41 AM, thecyclist said:

"The Chinese actor" incident was a huge story over in China. 

 

He was indeed an 'actor' .... because the whole story was a psyop. It never happened.

 

China does not want their citizens traveling abroad but rather staying in country.

 

How to discourage outbound travel to Thailand?

 

Cook up a fake hostage story about dangerous Thailand.

 

Easy as pie and the sheep buy it every time.

On 9/19/2025 at 11:58 PM, Wrwest said:

Thai Wife and Stepdaughter will be sorely disappointed.

 

There is nothing they can do about the noise pollution in Vietnam, nor the e-visa internet sign up thing.

 

Suck it up or go to Cambodia  😂