On 10/31/2025 at 6:51 PM, Rob Browder said:

Upside: Cambodia offers 1 year retirement extensions for ~$350 (about the same as an agent-extension in Pattaya), with no "bank money seasoning" or similar BS, and these include multiple-entry - though, must be 55, vs 50 in Thailand.  If younger, it's a bit more for a 1 year extension.  In general, they are happy you spend your money into their economy, instead of somewhere else. 

Contrast to Thai immigration only care they get a cut of your money, and could not care less about the billions in lost revenue, which their extortion/abuse of expats has caused their countrymen's lives / businesses.  Many I spoke to there (and around the world) left Thailand specifically because of immigration abuse/corruption.

Yes, plenty of English teachers in Cambodia, and native-speakers don't need "waivers" or such for not having a "degree in English." 

Cost of Living is generally low - not dissimilar from Thailand - so, can live rich or cheap, depending on your budget and choices.

 

Downside: Phnom Penh traffic is a mess, and no public-transportation system to speak of.  They have a few "ok" malls, but nothing like Bangkok's.

Sihanoukville was wrecked by the Chinese laundering their money into building there - then covid and a change in gambling-regulations killed it mid-build, so the place is full of 1/2 finished buildings.  The beach is still nice, though  mostly empty. 

Kep or "Kampot" is where many who previously lived in S-ville moved - where one would more likely find Western expats - as well as in Siem Reap, which has seen a lot of development.  Alas, no ocean near Siem Reap. 

 

I would suggest expats living in Thailand at least familiarize themselves with Cambodia, so have a "Plan B" - as there is no way to predict their "one year-extension at a time" future, with the insanely-corrupt Thai immigration.

 

Thanks for your comments but for reference re: visa. 

 

I have just renewed my retirement extension visa through to October 2026. Cost me $295 cash, down from last year's $300. Includes multiple re-entry permits. No 90 day reports. No equivalent of 400,000/800,000 baht to be kept in a Cambodian bank, in fact no need to have a Cambodian bank account therefore no financial bureaucracy. The visa is now a small printed adhesive white label which takes up minimal space in your passport - no more whole page visas! The only requirement is evidence of your registration on FPCS (Foreign Persons in Cambodia System). The onus for this falls on your Cambodian host/manager/boss etc. All visa applications are processed by the Immigration Office in Phnom Penh. Here in Siem Reap it takes around 10 working days to get your passport back with the new visa extension, so I always keep a copy. 

 

I live relaxed in a quiet suburb of Siem Reap away from all the nightlife - not my scene these days. I regularly visit the Angkor Archaeological Park using my free annual pass. Nearby are the scenic Kulen Mountains and further afield at the Northern border with Thailand is Preah Vihear UNESCO temple complex which I have visited. I also like Battambang with its old French Colonial buildings. Phnom Penh is too busy and big for me being a country bumpkin. I have made several visits to the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake. I have never visited Sihanoukville, Chinese are not my favourites!

 

The Khmer people IMO are far more friendly than the Thais and IMO are not money grabbers. In February 2026 I will complete 6 happy years full time residence in Cambodia.

 

My reason for leaving Thailand was all the hassle, admin bureaucracy and financial demands regarding a Thai Retirement Visa. For many years I qualified with the 65,000 baht per month routine through agents in Chiang Mai and then Khon Kaen,  but as the exchange rate got worse I was not going to put 800,000 baht into a Thai Bank for it to invest and get the interest and not allowing me to withdraw from the sum (a Thai scam). 

On 10/31/2025 at 2:06 PM, georgegeorgia said:

I was just watching a YouTube video which has me scared of Cambodia 

 

An Australian middle aged Ian Muldoon went on holiday there last year and was arrested for damaging a ATM 

 

He was gang raped in the prison by prisoners 

Absolutely shocking

stuff and has me scared now 

 

after watching that , absolutely shocking and terrified 

 

 

 

Why? You planning on raiding an ATM?

On 11/1/2025 at 4:15 AM, georgegeorgia said:

Interesting,is that because they use the US dollar ?

Does anyone else feel it's more expensive say than Thailand in terms of rentals , groceries etc ?

We lived in SR 20yrs ago. Acceptable rentals were pricey yet nowhere near Bangkok standard. Cost of living was cheap if you lived off local food. Anything imported or a decent western meal was expensive. Overall, it was not cheap to live there.

On 11/5/2025 at 5:25 PM, Burma Bill said:

 

Thanks for your comments but for reference re: visa. 

 

I have just renewed my retirement extension visa through to October 2026. Cost me $295 cash, down from last year's $300. Includes multiple re-entry permits. No 90 day reports. No equivalent of 400,000/800,000 baht to be kept in a Cambodian bank, in fact no need to have a Cambodian bank account therefore no financial bureaucracy. The visa is now a small printed adhesive white label which takes up minimal space in your passport - no more whole page visas! The only requirement is evidence of your registration on FPCS (Foreign Persons in Cambodia System). The onus for this falls on your Cambodian host/manager/boss etc. All visa applications are processed by the Immigration Office in Phnom Penh. Here in Siem Reap it takes around 10 working days to get your passport back with the new visa extension, so I always keep a copy. 

 

I live relaxed in a quiet suburb of Siem Reap away from all the nightlife - not my scene these days. I regularly visit the Angkor Archaeological Park using my free annual pass. Nearby are the scenic Kulen Mountains and further afield at the Northern border with Thailand is Preah Vihear UNESCO temple complex which I have visited. I also like Battambang with its old French Colonial buildings. Phnom Penh is too busy and big for me being a country bumpkin. I have made several visits to the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake. I have never visited Sihanoukville, Chinese are not my favourites!

 

The Khmer people IMO are far more friendly than the Thais and IMO are not money grabbers. In February 2026 I will complete 6 happy years full time residence in Cambodia.

 

My reason for leaving Thailand was all the hassle, admin bureaucracy and financial demands regarding a Thai Retirement Visa. For many years I qualified with the 65,000 baht per month routine through agents in Chiang Mai and then Khon Kaen,  but as the exchange rate got worse I was not going to put 800,000 baht into a Thai Bank for it to invest and get the interest and not allowing me to withdraw from the sum (a Thai scam). 

Great info

On 10/31/2025 at 8:06 PM, georgegeorgia said:

I was just watching a YouTube video which has me scared of Cambodia 

 

An Australian middle aged Ian Muldoon went on holiday there last year and was arrested for damaging a ATM 

 

He was gang raped in the prison by prisoners 

Absolutely shocking

stuff and has me scared now 

 

after watching that , absolutely shocking and terrified 

 

 

 

That's terrible. I recognized the name when I was passing through Kampot. Ian has a Facebook account with a young boy, age of the boy is questionable. Perhaps that is why things turn horribly for him in prison. Being a pedfle is bad anywhere. Saw him drinking beers. I knew there's was something off about him. Now we know why.

1 hour ago, yankees992012 said:

 

That's terrible. I recognized the name when I was passing through Kampot. Ian has a Facebook account with a young boy, age of the boy is questionable. Perhaps that is why things turn horribly for him in prison. Being a pedfle is bad anywhere. Saw him drinking beers. I knew there's was something off about him. Now we know why.

If you told me it was raining...I would have to go outside my self to check !

On 11/5/2025 at 2:25 PM, Burma Bill said:

I have just renewed my retirement extension visa through to October 2026. Cost me $295 cash, down from last year's $300. Includes multiple re-entry permits. No 90 day reports. No

 

equivalent of 400,000/800,000 baht to be kept in a Cambodian bank, in fact no need to have a Cambodian bank account therefore no financial bureaucracy. The visa is now a small printed adhesive white label which takes up minimal space in your passport - no more whole page visas! The only requirement is evidence of your registration on FPCS (Foreign Persons in Cambodia System). The onus for this falls on your Cambodian host/manager/boss etc. All visa applications are processed by the Immigration Office in Phnom Penh. Here in Siem Reap it takes around 10 working days to get your passport back with the new visa extension, so I always keep a copy. 

 

I live relaxed in a quiet suburb of Siem Reap away from all the nightlife - not my scene these days. I regularly visit the Angkor Archaeological Park using my free annual pass. Nearby are the scenic Kulen Mountains and further afield at the Northern border with Thailand is Preah Vihear UNESCO temple complex which I have visited. I also like Battambang with its old French Colonial buildings. Phnom Penh is too busy and big for me being a country bumpkin. I have made several visits to the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake. I have never visited Sihanoukville, Chinese are not my favourites!

 

The Khmer people IMO are far more friendly than the Thais and IMO are not money grabbers. In February 2026 I will complete 6 happy years full time residence in Cambodia.

 

My reason for leaving Thailand was all the hassle, admin bureaucracy and financial demands regarding a Thai Retirement Visa. For many years I qualified with the 65,000 baht per month routine through agents in Chiang Mai and then Khon Kaen,  but as the exchange rate got worse I was not going to put 800,000 baht into a Thai Bank for it to invest and get the interest and not allowing me to withdraw from the sum (a Thai scam). 

 

I renewed my TH visa extension just last month also, good till Nov 17 2026.   Cost ฿2500 / $77 USD.  

 

90 day online takes about 2 mins, 4X a year, and my money gets DD into local bank for all our needs.  Wife bought yet another lot of land this week, paying 340k, and could sell for 500k, if wanting.  NO RISK investing  (land) so beats our money sitting in  a bank in USA or TH.  What I leave in USA ( no risk) only gets ~5%.

 

Own home and live < 10 mins from the surf, < 10 mins from rolling hills, 5 mins from all things we need, but still no neighbors within 140 meters, by choice.

 

Good hospital nearby (10 mins), infrastructure, internet, have solar, BEV, excellent countrywide charging station network.  All needed for my smile.

 

I find Thais very friendly, and not 'money grabbers' at all.  Also find people the same worldwide, most good, a few not so.

 

Pretty sure I wouldn't be any happier any place else in SEA.  

 

Different strokes for different folks .... ENJOY

43 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 

I renewed my TH visa extension just last month also, good till Nov 17 2026.   Cost ฿2500 / $77 USD.  

 

90 day online takes about 2 mins, 4X a year, and my money gets DD into local bank for all our needs.  Wife bought yet another lot of land this week, paying 340k, and could sell for 500k, if wanting.  NO RISK investing  (land) so beats our money sitting in  a bank in USA or TH.  What I leave in USA ( no risk) only gets ~5%.

 

Own home and live < 10 mins from the surf, < 10 mins from rolling hills, 5 mins from all things we need, but still no neighbors within 140 meters, by choice.

 

Good hospital nearby (10 mins), infrastructure, internet, have solar, BEV, excellent countrywide charging station network.  All needed for my smile.

 

I find Thais very friendly, and not 'money grabbers' at all.  Also find people the same worldwide, most good, a few not so.

 

Pretty sure I wouldn't be any happier any place else in SEA.  

 

Different strokes for different folks .... ENJOY

Sorry to interrupt.   

This thread is about Cambodia not about your farmhouse in Nakhon nowhere in Thailand ..

 

Thankyou for your diligence and empathetic duty 

 

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Sorry to interrupt.   

This thread is about Cambodia not about your farmhouse in Nakhon nowhere in Thailand ..

 

Thankyou for your diligence and empathetic duty 

 

 

 

 

Kymer chicks

12 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Sorry to interrupt.   

This thread is about Cambodia not about your farmhouse in Nakhon nowhere in Thailand ..

 

Thankyou for your diligence and empathetic duty 

Sorry for the digression from ... "the history, arts and cuisine of Cambodia"  or is thread about prison gang raping, not sure, since I stopped reading after your post, but since I'm not gay, that doesn't interests me.

 

Wasn't really talking to you, rarely if ever do, seriously, as why bother, as you'll never be going to KH anyway, or living in SEA.   

 

Just a little Thai perspective, for those that might have read about KH lacking infrastructure, internet, roads, availability of BEV, CS network & solar, in case that may interest some.

On 11/1/2025 at 6:59 AM, zzzzz said:

My story> Been in Thailand since 1985
been going to Cambodia since 88 ( illegally till 90)   just to the area around Pailin) for gems
than legally 1st trip in 2006
Moved there for a year in 2008, lived/worked in PP
back to Thailand till we ( i've got a khmer wife) moved over in 2021 and built a house in Kep
Last 17 months, now back in Phuket< 

Cambodia is different than Thailand and anyone that says its like Thailand was has not been to Thailand in in the 80/90's
ITS NOT

Cambodia was lawless back till around 2012, than... then, malls started, roads got worse, the people got greedy, the rich got richer and the poor poorer
Khmers are not like the thai's
the food sucks compared to Thai, they have a few dishes but.....
for 90% of things its more experience than Thailand and the quality of local goods is inferior as well
health care, inferior by far
visa ( no money in Bank ) $290-300/year
VS  15,000-17,000 baht ($415- 425) no money in bank, using an agent
If ur a cheap charlie an love ur $1.00 beers, than Cambodia is better 

Many seem to say the people are more friendly, i dont find that at all, if ur smiling and friendly, people are people everywhere 

My 1 baht take.....
and yes I prefer Thailand

 

Finally a voice of reason - I too go way back in Thailand & Cambodia -spent a year in Battamabang, KomPong Cham, PPenh in 73, US Army, then another year in 1996 contractor…….Cambodia is NOT like Thailand 30/40 years ago, not even a distant close, and there is no indiginous ‘Khmer' food  it is all regurgitated Thai & Chinese wiith a Khmer name.  No where else on earth can you go into a resturant and order endangered species from the menu.    suppose I could go on and on but haven’t the time.  People that think Cambodia should read the book “Off the rails, a year of living dangerously"

5 minutes ago, Explorator en Actione said:

Finally a voice of reason - I too go way back in Thailand & Cambodia -spent a year in Battamabang, KomPong Cham, PPenh in 73, US Army, then another year in 1996 contractor…….Cambodia is NOT like Thailand 30/40 years ago, not even a distant close, and there is no indiginous ‘Khmer' food  it is all regurgitated Thai & Chinese wiith a Khmer name.  No where else on earth can you go into a resturant and order endangered species from the menu.    suppose I could go on and on but haven’t the time.  People that think Cambodia should read the book “Off the rails, a year of living dangerously"

Thanks, and agree, as rarely read anything positive about everyday life there.  

 

I think it only became popular of late, with former Thai expats, since the embassies stop issuing 'income letters' and those expats not meeting the Thai Imm financials, wanting to stay in SEA, didn't have too many options left.

 

$300 USD and problem solved, not being the worst place to be, I don't think, but not for me.

29 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Kymer chicks

 

Whats the going rate for a rental over there these days ?

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Whats the going rate for a rental over there these days ?

Me free, you $500

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

Me free, you $500

 

Struth, they be exxy now.

 

Was $10.00 at throw at the chicken farm in Koh Kong last time I was over there.

 

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Wasn't really talking to you, rarely if ever do, seriously, as why bother, as you'll never be going to KH anyway, or living in SEA.   

I can go anytime I want 

 

Your the one living in Nakhon nowhere ,what a boooring life 

14 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

I can go anytime I want 

 

Your the one living in Nakhon nowhere ,what a boooring life 

Have you read some of your post ... 

 

Nothing is or was boring about my life, very full & happy.  Unlike you, I'm not constantly asking about life, I simply do or have already done.

 

... troll on 

7 hours ago, KhunLA said:

 

I renewed my TH visa extension just last month also, good till Nov 17 2026.   Cost ฿2500 / $77 USD.  

 

90 day online takes about 2 mins, 4X a year, and my money gets DD into local bank for all our needs.  Wife bought yet another lot of land this week, paying 340k, and could sell for 500k, if wanting.  NO RISK investing  (land) so beats our money sitting in  a bank in USA or TH.  What I leave in USA ( no risk) only gets ~5%.

 

Own home and live < 10 mins from the surf, < 10 mins from rolling hills, 5 mins from all things we need, but still no neighbors within 140 meters, by choice.

 

Good hospital nearby (10 mins), infrastructure, internet, have solar, BEV, excellent countrywide charging station network.  All needed for my smile.

 

I find Thais very friendly, and not 'money grabbers' at all.  Also find people the same worldwide, most good, a few not so.

 

Pretty sure I wouldn't be any happier any place else in SEA.  

 

Different strokes for different folks .... ENJOY

Quote

good till Nov 17 2026.   Cost ฿2500 / $77 USD.

You got ripped off, the 1 year extension is ONLY 1,900 baht   ($59)
and u conveniently forgot to mention if u keep 800,000 in the bank or qualify at 65,000 baht/month income 
visa is the ONLY reason one would choose cambodia

I own a house in Kep and still prefer Phuket  🙂

100 + 500 or maybe 200 for bank statements.   Went with 600 instead of 300, in case  I was wrong, so all in, 2500 or 2200.   Yea, I know, ext only 1900.

 

Had to drive ~100 kms to IO, but powered by excess solar, so, free.   Not an inconvenience, as enjoy popping into Hua Hin for a bit of shopping & munch.  Do it anyway about once a month on average.  In & out of HH Imm about 1 hr +/-.

 

I did add, DD into BBL, and yes, 65+k a month, as need here in TH anyway, for investing & living expense, toys along with O&A.  Our actually monthly living expense is only about 30k +/-.  so the rest of DD, is play money.

 

Extending in TH, really is way too easy IMHO  If not in TH, I doubt I'd be in SEA, as no other place interests me.

43 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

You got ripped off, the 1 year extension is ONLY 1,900 baht   ($59)
and u conveniently forgot to mention if u keep 800,000 in the bank or qualify at 65,000 baht/month income 
visa is the ONLY reason one would choose cambodia

I own a house in Kep and still prefer Phuket  🙂

 

Thank you for your comments and yes, no mandatory financial requirements for a visa in Cambodia. I prefer paying 295$ cash without having to show 400,000/800,000 Thai baht in a Thai bank which I objected to. I regarded it as a Thai scam - all my money in my bank account is for me to use as I like. I opened a Cambodian bank account so that my three UK pensions could be paid into it. In Thailand I lived in Phayao and Khon Kaen Provinces. For the past 6 years I have lived in Siem Reap.

Enjoy Kep and Phuket.

6 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Have you read some of your post ... 

 

Nothing is or was boring about my life, very full & happy.  Unlike you, I'm not constantly asking about life, I simply do or have already done.

 

... troll on 

Your a self centred old man past  his use by date 

Used to be important in your working life , now nothing , living in a farmhouse out the back of woop woop 

Geez that's exciting.

Get to pattaya Dad ,you know you want to !

You want to swing the leg over but I guess been stuck with a Thai Mrs and her family of bludgers you have to be content with what you want 

Thankyou for your service Dad

 

31 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Your a self centred old man past  his use by date 

Used to be important in your working life , now nothing , living in a farmhouse out the back of woop woop 

Geez that's exciting.

Get to pattaya Dad ,you know you want to !

You want to swing the leg over but I guess been stuck with a Thai Mrs and her family of bludgers you have to be content with what you want 

Thankyou for your service Dad

 

Pattaya ... 

 

F'g amateur hour

You think paying is exciting ... nuff said

3 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Calm down Lopburi boy.

Oh it makes me angry ,

outraged , livid when an old man who was once important in his bygone eras , but now living the hillbilly life on Sakon nowhere has the hide to be critical of the horny adventurous old men who "pay for it " in Pattaya 

 

If he was ONCE important, doesn’t that sort of leave you in the dust?