9 hours ago, 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 

 

 

I'm sensing a bit of excitement building in your mind while working................

''We were having a intellectual conversation about the history, arts and cuisine of Cambodia only for imbeciles to come into the thread about chickens''

intellectual conversation about the history, arts, here? in these pages? in ThaiVisa you mean? that is rich, you're definitely in the wrong place.

 

Unintelligible post removed 

@Cameroni

 

Offensive post removed 

 

@Ralf001

 

Offensive post removed 

 

@Harrisfan

 

Reply to removed post 

 

@fredwiggy

12 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I'm going to have to ask this thread to  be closed sadly 

 

We were having a intellectual conversation about the history,arts and cuisine of Cambodia only for imbeciles to come into the thread about chickens 

 

I was discussing a serious YouTube video where an Australian man was arrested and had a distressing  ordeal 

 

Again the academics on here,  artists and historians among us  cannot discuss intellectual conversation without being derailed 

 

 

 

Did you cry?

 

Normally you cry.

Here you go, Siem Reap vs Bangkok

 

Housing:

Overall, I would say same as Bangkok. Of course, you are comparing apples to oranges. Thus $2000 a month gets you a lovely River View or high floor modern condo in Bangkok. In Siem, that gets you a 8 bedroom villa with private pool and servants. I pay more here for my apartment than I do for my condo in Bangkok, but its 2x bigger and I have a better pool. If you are on a budget, Siem has far nicer cheap places. 

 

Food:

No comparison, the restaurant food is overall better in Bangkok, but minimally cheaper here. The quality of meat is better in Bangkok. Local Produce is better and cheaper here. I wont eat seafood here, I will in Bangkok. Khmer food qua khmer food is not high on the scale of gourmet delites. By saying the food is better in Bangkok, does not mean the food is bad here, its just if you are a gourmet, you would be happier in BKK.  The border closure has affected prices and availability. Btw, because of the French, the bread is really good here. But only one place does real bagels, in stead of 50. The pizza sucks.

 

Expats:

Big city vs nowheresville. Far more spread out in BKK. More concentrated here. Lesser quality IMHO overall since ANYONE, save some folks here, can get in. Some very sketchy druggies down in the girly bar area. More working folks in Bangkok, more bsing digitial nomads and NGOers here per capita. Lots of retirees, lots of last legger retirees too.

 

Visas:

Retirement Visa is one year, around $300, no reports, no fees to leave, free Temple pass after 2 years.. Business visas are easily available via an agent. In essence, visas are the easiest in SE Asia, no reporting, no bs. Hows your Thai visa treating you? Hope you live in Isaan somewhere where its 5 minutes.

 

Shopping:

Bangkok. This is the land of chinese junk.

 

Medical/Dental:

Bangkok

 

Transport:

Here $1-2 gets you anywhere in the city, door to door. Scooters are very usable to experienced expats. Driving is on the correct (American) side of the road. Far easier and cheaper to travel in Siem vs Bangkok for oldsters, less walking. Intercity? Bangkok wins.

 

International: Bangkok wins, the Siem airport is a Chinese fiasco.

 

Entertainment:

Bangkok rules. Yes, you have the temples here, but it will cost you. Until you have a pass, its only something you can do occasionally. I go about once a week to smoke a joint and try to spot a howler monkey near Pallilay temple. There are no concerts, one movie theatre, no sports. The Botanical Gardens are free and worth multiple visits. Walking by the River. Occasional festivals.

 

Adult Nightlife:

Bangkok wins. This is minor league here. The KTVs in the Khmer areas are fun if you like KTVs (I dont).  I dont go to Chicken Shacks, so you need not bother asking. Bar Fines are $15 here, 500B. But, when the border is open, you can leave Siem Reap at 10am, cross the border, catch the train to BKK and be sitting in Billboard with an Ice Coffee and Number 561 at 9pm for $12. Nuff said.

 

People:

Khmers overall are nicer and their English is better. They are extremely obsequious to Westerners, especially Americans which is why I guess they are nicer. Probably because they are all grindingly poor. I have no problem with Thai people btw. Khmers on the surface are far less "religious" than Thais, but more mysterious. Lots of rocks in the jungles with offerings. One thing that is interesting is the way Khmers view Westerners who live here: if they work for you, you are "theirs". "My foreigner is very nice, it calls me for work every day." Yes, we are "its". When you live here, you have as many servants as you want. Laundry washed folded and ironed $1 kilo. Food delivery, .25-50 cent tip. Cleaning house $5. Cook, $1. I try to overpay as much as possible. And most of them help you without any expectation of tip.

 

Atmosphere:

Bangkok is a big city. Siem is a sleepy tourist backwater. Cambodian poverty is grinding. I do my best to help. 

 

Tourism:

Very tame. Pub Street is like the bright lights and loud music you would find on Soi 6 in Pattaya...without the girls and sex. Loads of locals. Loads of European backpacker girls. Tourists are primarily at Pub Street and Sok San Road/Funky Lane/Wat Bo. You can live in areas where you will be the only white face.

 

Crime:

Ive only been pickpocketed in Bangkok. I consider it extremely safe unless you are one of those dudes messing with ladyboys and getting massacred by the locals.. Here, if folks stay away from the Ladyboys in the tourist areas (I can give you a report tomorrow since the Sports Bar for the Man U match is 100 meters from Ladyboy Corner) and dont drink too much you will be fine. Drugs like cocaine, ketamine, meth and weed are illegal but readily available. The cops, whenever you might see them, dont usually interfere with Westerners until such time as they cause a problem OR are wanted. Whats a problem? Messing with a local. Thats the only crime that ever seems to be applied ab intio to barangs. You can be a Turk and Azeri stabbing each other in the street and the cops wont care. Be so fd up on ketamine you fall off your scooter and the cops wont even come. Touch a local or get aggressive with local: here comes the mob of Khmers. Wanted folks in other countries: Huge priority for the cops. They get $$. Overstays? They get $$. Kiddie diddlers? Big, big dollars.

 

Attn for a Certain Bunch Here

For those of you who breathlessly whisper the words Cambodia and insinuations of you fantasies of the Child Prostitution: Its the biggest mistake you will over make. There are NGOs in town who need to deliver to justify their funding. The FBI loves it because its a slam dunk conviction in the USA. The police will run stings so check that ID for that cute girl who caught your eye.. They can either take your money or sell you to an NGO. And anyone can get a piece of the action. A lot of the expats keep an eye open for that, tips always a worth a few bucks or points with the folks who need to look the other way about other matters..  And dont think you can come here and be a teacher to fullfill your fantasies they have been grabbing those left and right.. And the best part for many foreigners is that unlike the USA which brings you back for Pelican Island, you get to stay in a Cambodian Prison.

 

Beggars:

Bangkok in my mind is bereft of beggars. I know there was a worm dude squirming up Suk for years and have seen homeless on the streets down on Suan Luang but never a real annoyance, unlike Africans. One of the horrible things in Siem are the begging children and amputees. Under no circumstances should you give any money to begging children, buy anything from peddling children, touch any child, pay any attention to an unaccompanied  child, photograph a unaccompanied child. They are everywhere in the tourist areas, including the Angkor Park.  The thing to say is Tow chingnay, go away. Amputees frequent the tourist areas. As an American whose country is partially responsible for all of those injuries I usually give food.

 

 

 

Tuk Tuk dudes:

Its your main mode of transport. If you live here, make some friend, I have a main and backup day guy and a main and backup night guy. They are completely loyal and helpful and I overpay. Never buy drugs from tuk tuk guys. As soon as they whisper ":weed" just smile and say "No, thank you, no weed, no ketamine, no cocaine, no lady massage, no lady boom boom, no Temples". Most of them will laugh and a few will say "young boy" with a smile. dont pay more than  5,000R for a ride anywhere in town. Download the PassApp app.

 

The Temples:

You need to see them once in your life and if you are in SE Asia, shame on you if you dont. How many times you go there is up to you. 

 

Lifestyle and general:

For Americans. Think about living in a place like Asheville NC or Columbia SC with Atlanta and Charlotte right there. Laid back one place with fun stuff, action in the other. 

 

I came because of the weather (smog), the Visas and because of my age. I think that you could look at here as a version of Nong Khai, a place I am thinking about . Bangkok gets rougher as you get older but the damn hassle with Visas and the annoyance of the Thai government just ruins the whole country for me.

 

 

39 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Bangkok wins. This is minor league here. The KTVs in the Khmer areas are

At first I thought you were talking about a baseball team , I take it your reference to " KTV"  are Go Go bars?

 

Just now, georgegeorgia said:

At first I thought you were talking about a baseball team , I take it your reference to go go bars?

There are no Go Gos in  Siem.

46 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

One of the horrible things in Siem are the begging children and amputees. Under no circumstances should you give any money to begging children, buy anything from peddling children, touch any child, pay any attention to an unaccompanied  child, photograph a unaccompanied child.

This is very sad 

Unfortunately if you give money to one then you get a swarm of children asking !

2 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

This is very sad 

Unfortunately if you give money to one then you get a swarm of children asking !

Its not sad. Its the best thing you can do. Dont not support exploitation.

53 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

I go about once a week to smoke a joint and try to spot a howler monkey near Pallilay temple.

Must be some super weed if you can see howler monkeys way off in South America. Where can I get some of that? Ever spot any polar bears in Cambodia?

55 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Here you go, Siem Reap vs Bangkok

 

Housing:

Overall, I would say same as Bangkok. Of course, you are comparing apples to oranges. Thus $2000 a month gets you a lovely River View or high floor modern condo in Bangkok. In Siem, that gets you a 8 bedroom villa with private pool and servants. I pay more here for my apartment than I do for my condo in Bangkok, but its 2x bigger and I have a better pool. If you are on a budget, Siem has far nicer cheap places. 

 

Food:

No comparison, the restaurant food is overall better in Bangkok, but minimally cheaper here. The quality of meat is better in Bangkok. Local Produce is better and cheaper here. I wont eat seafood here, I will in Bangkok. Khmer food qua khmer food is not high on the scale of gourmet delites. By saying the food is better in Bangkok, does not mean the food is bad here, its just if you are a gourmet, you would be happier in BKK.  The border closure has affected prices and availability. Btw, because of the French, the bread is really good here. But only one place does real bagels, in stead of 50. The pizza sucks.

 

Expats:

Big city vs nowheresville. Far more spread out in BKK. More concentrated here. Lesser quality IMHO overall since ANYONE, save some folks here, can get in. Some very sketchy druggies down in the girly bar area. More working folks in Bangkok, more bsing digitial nomads and NGOers here per capita. Lots of retirees, lots of last legger retirees too.

 

Visas:

Retirement Visa is one year, around $300, no reports, no fees to leave, free Temple pass after 2 years.. Business visas are easily available via an agent. In essence, visas are the easiest in SE Asia, no reporting, no bs. Hows your Thai visa treating you? Hope you live in Isaan somewhere where its 5 minutes.

 

Shopping:

Bangkok. This is the land of chinese junk.

 

Medical/Dental:

Bangkok

 

Transport:

Here $1-2 gets you anywhere in the city, door to door. Scooters are very usable to experienced expats. Driving is on the correct (American) side of the road. Far easier and cheaper to travel in Siem vs Bangkok for oldsters, less walking. Intercity? Bangkok wins.

 

International: Bangkok wins, the Siem airport is a Chinese fiasco.

 

Entertainment:

Bangkok rules. Yes, you have the temples here, but it will cost you. Until you have a pass, its only something you can do occasionally. I go about once a week to smoke a joint and try to spot a howler monkey near Pallilay temple. There are no concerts, one movie theatre, no sports. The Botanical Gardens are free and worth multiple visits. Walking by the River. Occasional festivals.

 

Adult Nightlife:

Bangkok wins. This is minor league here. The KTVs in the Khmer areas are fun if you like KTVs (I dont).  I dont go to Chicken Shacks, so you need not bother asking. Bar Fines are $15 here, 500B. But, when the border is open, you can leave Siem Reap at 10am, cross the border, catch the train to BKK and be sitting in Billboard with an Ice Coffee and Number 561 at 9pm for $12. Nuff said.

 

People:

Khmers overall are nicer and their English is better. They are extremely obsequious to Westerners, especially Americans which is why I guess they are nicer. Probably because they are all grindingly poor. I have no problem with Thai people btw. Khmers on the surface are far less "religious" than Thais, but more mysterious. Lots of rocks in the jungles with offerings. One thing that is interesting is the way Khmers view Westerners who live here: if they work for you, you are "theirs". "My foreigner is very nice, it calls me for work every day." Yes, we are "its". When you live here, you have as many servants as you want. Laundry washed folded and ironed $1 kilo. Food delivery, .25-50 cent tip. Cleaning house $5. Cook, $1. I try to overpay as much as possible. And most of them help you without any expectation of tip.

 

Atmosphere:

Bangkok is a big city. Siem is a sleepy tourist backwater. Cambodian poverty is grinding. I do my best to help. 

 

Tourism:

Very tame. Pub Street is like the bright lights and loud music you would find on Soi 6 in Pattaya...without the girls and sex. Loads of locals. Loads of European backpacker girls. Tourists are primarily at Pub Street and Sok San Road/Funky Lane/Wat Bo. You can live in areas where you will be the only white face.

 

Crime:

Ive only been pickpocketed in Bangkok. I consider it extremely safe unless you are one of those dudes messing with ladyboys and getting massacred by the locals.. Here, if folks stay away from the Ladyboys in the tourist areas (I can give you a report tomorrow since the Sports Bar for the Man U match is 100 meters from Ladyboy Corner) and dont drink too much you will be fine. Drugs like cocaine, ketamine, meth and weed are illegal but readily available. The cops, whenever you might see them, dont usually interfere with Westerners until such time as they cause a problem OR are wanted. Whats a problem? Messing with a local. Thats the only crime that ever seems to be applied ab intio to barangs. You can be a Turk and Azeri stabbing each other in the street and the cops wont care. Be so fd up on ketamine you fall off your scooter and the cops wont even come. Touch a local or get aggressive with local: here comes the mob of Khmers. Wanted folks in other countries: Huge priority for the cops. They get $$. Overstays? They get $$. Kiddie diddlers? Big, big dollars.

 

Attn for a Certain Bunch Here

For those of you who breathlessly whisper the words Cambodia and insinuations of you fantasies of the Child Prostitution: Its the biggest mistake you will over make. There are NGOs in town who need to deliver to justify their funding. The FBI loves it because its a slam dunk conviction in the USA. The police will run stings so check that ID for that cute girl who caught your eye.. They can either take your money or sell you to an NGO. And anyone can get a piece of the action. A lot of the expats keep an eye open for that, tips always a worth a few bucks or points with the folks who need to look the other way about other matters..  And dont think you can come here and be a teacher to fullfill your fantasies they have been grabbing those left and right.. And the best part for many foreigners is that unlike the USA which brings you back for Pelican Island, you get to stay in a Cambodian Prison.

 

Beggars:

Bangkok in my mind is bereft of beggars. I know there was a worm dude squirming up Suk for years and have seen homeless on the streets down on Suan Luang but never a real annoyance, unlike Africans. One of the horrible things in Siem are the begging children and amputees. Under no circumstances should you give any money to begging children, buy anything from peddling children, touch any child, pay any attention to an unaccompanied  child, photograph a unaccompanied child. They are everywhere in the tourist areas, including the Angkor Park.  The thing to say is Tow chingnay, go away. Amputees frequent the tourist areas. As an American whose country is partially responsible for all of those injuries I usually give food.

 

 

 

Tuk Tuk dudes:

Its your main mode of transport. If you live here, make some friend, I have a main and backup day guy and a main and backup night guy. They are completely loyal and helpful and I overpay. Never buy drugs from tuk tuk guys. As soon as they whisper ":weed" just smile and say "No, thank you, no weed, no ketamine, no cocaine, no lady massage, no lady boom boom, no Temples". Most of them will laugh and a few will say "young boy" with a smile. dont pay more than  5,000R for a ride anywhere in town. Download the PassApp app.

 

The Temples:

You need to see them once in your life and if you are in SE Asia, shame on you if you dont. How many times you go there is up to you. 

 

Lifestyle and general:

For Americans. Think about living in a place like Asheville NC or Columbia SC with Atlanta and Charlotte right there. Laid back one place with fun stuff, action in the other. 

 

I came because of the weather (smog), the Visas and because of my age. I think that you could look at here as a version of Nong Khai, a place I am thinking about . Bangkok gets rougher as you get older but the damn hassle with Visas and the annoyance of the Thai government just ruins the whole country for me.

 

 

 

 

A lot of good stuff in there, I would just disagree with the 'beggars'  - In Thailand they would be screaming "that's culture".

 

We used to make regular visits to Siem Reap when we had a restaurant in Buriram; regular 3 nights were arranged, taking between 8 and 28 people. Visited 30 times in 18 months. We befriended one of the girls selling bracelets etc. She went to school in the morning and would then spend 3 or 4 hours in town selling stuff. We always made a point of buying something from her.

 

I would always drop a Dollar to the amputee orchestra at the temples

6 minutes ago, ColeBOzbourne said:

Must be some super weed if you can see howler monkeys way off in South America. Where can I get some of that? Ever spot any polar bears in Cambodia?

Hey thanks for checking my error, I meant gibbons. They howl. They are monkeys that howl, thats why I used that term. I should have said howling, huh? Good job.

 

They look alike too.

 

Anything else you need to fix?

 

Who told you there were bears here?

9 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Hey thanks for checking my error, I meant gibbons. They howl. They are monkeys that howl, thats why I used that term. I should have said howling, huh? Good job.

 

They look alike too.

 

Anything else you need to fix?

 

Who told you there were bears here?

Cambodia has Sun and Black bears. Ever go to the beaches? I heard their beaches are nice. Anyone seeing polar bears has some real good weed.

16 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Hey thanks for checking my error, I meant gibbons. They howl. They are monkeys that howl, thats why I used that term. I should have said howling, huh? Good job.

Thanks for the clarification. I feel better now. Gibbons are very cool as howlers and acrobats. 

8 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Ever go to the beaches?

Im not a beach guy. There are things in the water. Horrible things. Hungry. Needing. Ravenous. Seeking food. I am food. I like land.

Just now, Yagoda said:

Im not a beach guy. There are things in the water. Horrible things. Hungry. Needing. Ravenous. Seeking food. I am food. I like land.

But the sunrises, a glass of wine, good company, salt air.

Comment on moderation 

 

@ezzra

 

 

Retirement visa is cheaper and way less hassle in Cambodia from what I hear.  It's become more and more of a PiTA in Thailand every year.  I have a friend thinking of moving to Cambodia because of this.

2 minutes ago, shdmn said:

Retirement visa is cheaper and way less hassle in Cambodia from what I hear.  It's become more and more of a PiTA in Thailand every year.  I have a friend thinking of moving to Cambodia because of this.

1900bht = $60 Vs $300

So not cheaper!

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

Housing,

Overall, I would say same as Bangkok. Of course, you are comparing apples to oranges. Thus $2000 a month gets you a lovely River View or high floor modern condo in Bangkok. In Siem, that gets you a 8 bedroom villa with private pool and servants. I pay more here for my apartment than I do for my condo in Bangkok, but its 2x bigger and I have a better pool. If you are on a budget, Siem has far nicer

cheap places .... Can't type outside quoted box!

5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

1900bht = $60 Vs $300

So not cheaper!

Yeah but they nick you every time you leave

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

Housing:

Overall, I would say same as Bangkok. Of course, you are comparing apples to oranges. Thus $2000 a month gets you a lovely River View or high floor modern condo in Bangkok. In Siem, that gets you a 8 bedroom villa with private pool and servants. I pay more here for my apartment than I do for my condo in Bangkok, but its 2x bigger and I have a better pool. If you are on a budget, Siem has far nicer cheap places

My misses just arranged a 3 bed detached house in our gated village just outside Chiang Mai for 6,500bht a month ($210).

Partially furnished, big Aircon in living room, hard to beat that!

21 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

1900bht = $60 Vs $300

So not cheaper!

 

You forgot to mention the 800k requirement in a Thai bank account sitting there doing nothing.  Basically dead money you can't touch.  It costs around 12,500 baht doing it through an agent to try avoid that.

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

My misses just arranged a 3 bed detached house in our garden village just outside Chiang Mai for 6,500bht a month ($210).

Partially furnished, big Aircon in living room, hard to beat that!

Nice score. Pool? Where do you go when the smog hits.

 

We are still smoking in Garden Village

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

Here you go, Siem Reap vs Bangkok

Great post, very informative. Very clear picture of the pros and cons between the two. 👍

Further to Yagoda's detailed comparison, I've just switched in the last 5 months from a Thai retirement visa to a Cambodia retirement visa, living in Siem Reap and visiting my condo in Jomtien as a tourist now.

 

I was looking for a quieter more pleasant environment for at least the next 10 years of my retirement and my initial experience has been overwhelmingly positive. Painless setting up process, visa, banking and accomodation wise. The central riverside area is lovely to walk, pedestrian friendly. If you don't want to walk a Tuk Tuk is never more than a minute away to get anywhere using the online apps. I don't feel I'm lacking choice eating out or buying in the main Supermarket. Only 2 noticeable price differences, higher electricity bill offset by cheaper alcohol bill. I avoid the small girly bar area where the dodgier foreigners hangout, and am gradually meeting a diverse mix of decent friendly what I call regular expats like myself. It's a small place in comparison and the idiots and ones to avoid tend to become apparent quite quickly 

 

Most important for me, the locals are the star of the show. The helpfulness and general friendliness everywhere I go makes the place for me. 

 

I was last in Siem Reap 10 years ago prior to my return this time, liked it then but think it has improved even more as a retirement destination. For me not being a heavily built up location losing its character to the copy and paste ugly modernism and congestion of more developed Asian cities like Bangkok is a massive positive.

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

Its not sad. Its the best thing you can do. Dont not support exploitation.

 

Erm...didn't you write about exploiting 'hard bodied women'? Are you not paying them to have sex with you or are they doing it for free?

If for free, I foresee an exodus of equally ugly males from Thailand.

3 minutes ago, BatteringRam said:

 

Erm...didn't you write about exploiting 'hard bodied women'? Are you not paying them to have sex with you or are they doing it for free?

If for free, I foresee an exodus of equally ugly males from Thailand.

 

Hard bodied women renting out their bits.

Children (some disabled) beegging for coins.

 

Both are same same in your feeble mind ?

4 minutes ago, BatteringRam said:

 

  I foresee an exodus of equally ugly males from Thailand.

 

 

Count me n.

6 minutes ago, kinyara said:

I avoid the small girly bar area where the dodgier foreigners hangout,

Best part of town 🙂