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Leaving Thailand Where Would You Go?


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Posted

The problem with all these other countries though is that they too are affected by the exchange rate 'crisis' so unless they are considerably cheaper than Thailand you're in the same position as here.

Posted

I'd say Cambodia- I have a friend who's building a resort out there and it seems all the factors make Cambodia great. Plus the fact they use USD makes it exchange proof.

Just to add at where I usually buy currency in the UK the rate was a shocking 44 baht/ £

If they use Dollars and your in the UK with pounds how is it exchange proof ;) .

Posted

Funny...no one has yet mentioned one of the closest places...Malaysia. Nothing unusual there as it is often overlooked in these type of surveys.

And nobody seems to mention the creeping Islamization of Malaysia.

Malaysia is now non secular, Sharia Law is on par with constitutional law.

Creeping Islamization may not effect you now but if you upped you wife and kids from Thailand who knows what an Islamic future holds for your family?

Moving to Malaysia would be a gamble.

Posted

No problem...

Back to paradise for me.

Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia! B)

seconded...but a touch further north...Cairns..

The only problem is, they're both full of Australians. :lol: If heading out that way, it'd have to be NZ for me... amazing country, cool people, nice chicks, laid-back, not too many flies... :whistling:

Posted (edited)

:blink:

I am about to retire in Thailand, and I hope to stay there. It will be tight to live but it is still financially viable for me.

If push came tp shove, and I had to leave Thailand for financial reasons, ny first choice would be Cambodia...because what I've read about the costs of living there and the relative ease of obtaining a visa to stay long-term.

Next would be Laos, then Vietnam for 3rd choice.

After that Malaysia (low on the list for as relaatively expensive) and my last choice would be Singapore...just beacause of the high cost of living in Singapore.

Frankly, if I thought I could afford it...Singapore and Malaysia might be very high up on my favorites list. But they are more expensive than all the others, and my list is based strictly on cost and ease of visa access. Singapore and Malaysia are down low on that list just for the cost reason.

And just a note for all you "businessmen" who seem to think Vietnam is a paradise for business. In a sense you are right. But never forget that Vietnam is a centrally directed (by those at the top) business climate. You can obtain a license or a favorable deal from some official in the Vietnamese Communist Party. But if someone more senior wants a cut of your deal, that license you worked so hard to get and cultivated all those friendships for can be gone in the blink of an eye. If the senior guy wants his (or her) cut...all your hard work and your friends mean nothing. It's gone with the wind, unless you make an "agreement" with the senior guy that favors him.

I know of two Singaporeans, and one American who learned that lesson about Vietnam the hard way. I'm not saying Vietnam isn't a fine place for business, but don't be fooled, keep your eyes open. As they say, keep your enemies close, and your friends closer.

:blink:

Edited by IMA_FARANG
  • Like 1
Posted

Argentina!!!! That is an interesting country as i think.

Never went there.

Oh believe me, you will NOT disappointed! The only problem is the food, you'd have to settle for huge steaks and red wine...:-}

Language is an issue for me since I dont speak Spanish. Try Patagonia. If you're a golfer and enjoy your steaks and red wine you'll go crazy..

Posted (edited)

Funny...no one has yet mentioned one of the closest places...Malaysia. Nothing unusual there as it is often overlooked in these type of surveys.

And nobody seems to mention the creeping Islamization of Malaysia.

Malaysia is now non secular, Sharia Law is on par with constitutional law.

Creeping Islamization may not effect you now but if you upped you wife and kids from Thailand who knows what an Islamic future holds for your family?

Moving to Malaysia would be a gamble.

You're absolutely correct about Malaysia. Forget about their glitzy ads touting it as a wonderful vacation destination (may well be true for short time visits), but living there is a whole another matter. I've got a friend that lived there for years and he says it's pretty much become a Muslim state (not that there's anything wrong with that!). And with the Malaysian ringgit strengthening even faster than the baht, it's gotten pretty darn expensive.

Edited by Berkshire
Posted

I'd say Cambodia- I have a friend who's building a resort out there and it seems all the factors make Cambodia great. Plus the fact they use USD makes it exchange proof.

Just to add at where I usually buy currency in the UK the rate was a shocking 44 baht/ £

If they use Dollars and your in the UK with pounds how is it exchange proof ;) .

My business holds currency in £, $ and Euro.

Posted

Argentina!!!! That is an interesting country as i think.

Never went there.

Oh believe me, you will NOT disappointed! The only problem is the food, you'd have to settle for huge steaks and red wine...:-}

Language is an issue for me since I dont speak Spanish. Try Patagonia. If you're a golfer and enjoy your steaks and red wine you'll go crazy..

Steaks, Red wine, beautiful Argentinian Girls???? I can take care on this. With pleasure! :lol:

How is the political situation there? High crime? Exchange rates to EUR or USD?

Posted (edited)

Funny...no one has yet mentioned one of the closest places...Malaysia. Nothing unusual there as it is often overlooked in these type of surveys.

And nobody seems to mention the creeping Islamization of Malaysia.

Malaysia is now non secular, Sharia Law is on par with constitutional law.

Creeping Islamization may not effect you now but if you upped you wife and kids from Thailand who knows what an Islamic future holds for your family?

Moving to Malaysia would be a gamble.

You're absolutely correct about Malaysia. Forget about their glitzy ads touting it as a wonderful vacation destination (may well be true for short time visits), but living there is a whole another matter. I've got a friend that lived there for years and he says it's pretty much become a Muslim state (not that there's anything wrong with that!). And with the Malaysian ringgit strengthening even faster than the baht, it's gotten pretty darn expensive.

Anyone who knows about the region is aware that Malaysia never was a "secular" state to begin with so there is no "creeping Islamization" of the country. Malaysia is constitutionally an Islamic state as Islam is enshrined as the official religion in its constitution; and all Malays born in the country are automatically deemed to be Muslim and subject to both secular civil laws and Islamic Sharia laws as they are applied to mainly personal, family, and gastronomic matters.

However, other ethnicities, and foreigners living in the country, are free to practice their own religions or none at all, and are not subject to the strictures of Sharia law. However, they will feel the general "prudy" atmosphere of the country due to the fact that something like 80% of the population are Muslim.

What I like about Malaysia is you get most of the English language ability, "Western" thinking mentality, and scenic tropical beauty found in the Philippines, even the women are similar in appearance being both ethnically Indo-Malay peoples, and the much better infrastructure and general political stability of Malaysia.

Edited by FarangBuddha
Posted

Interesting topic.

Cambodia, Philippines, Laos, vietnam- all out of the question for me- corruption much worse than thailand, terrible infrastructure and a poor standard of living if you enjoy western amenities and goods. And the food sucks in the Philippines. My top places after thailand:

1) Jakarta is a good option- lived there in the past- modern city, western amenities, bali is close by, great night life (only beaten by Thailand in the region in my opinion); but the increasing power/influence of the islamic parties is an issue.

2) Singapore would be great- very comfortable- but need to have weekends away regularly for abit of nature and chaos.

3) Hong Kong

Also considering the US in the future - north west coast or san fransisco area (even though i lived in NYC before, too hectic when you want to settle down later in life!).

Having said all that- im pretty confident thailand will develop nicely and safely. Given the amount of foreign investment streaming and the strong baht even after the red shirt thing, seems alot of people agree for now.

Posted

Why don't you share that "small middle east country" with the rest of us. At a guess I would think either Jordan or Lebanon.

Half right. :thumbsup:

Does Jordan have a sea coast and mountains within a 2 hour drive?

Posted

Moving to Malaysia would be a gamble.

The subject of your perceived "creeping Islamisation" has already been addressed very well so I won't add to it.

However I would just like to say thay moving to any country outside your home nation is a gamble. All that changes are the stakes and the odds.

Posted

IMHO, Thailand is the best of the bunch here in Asia. Everything else has "issues". So....I would probably head to Argentina. We loved it there. Chile is also pretty cool. I speak a bit of Spanish, so it's no biggie. And Spanish is easy to learn...unlike Thai! Not sure about the visa issue though...heard there are issues with getting long term visas.

Otherwise, we will get an RV and cruise Europe. Or get an RV and cruise the US...again. Being able to go where you want, when you want, is great. Campfires at night, rivers right outside your door. Good stuff. Just head to head south for the winter!

Posted

The only problem is, they're both full of Australians. :lol: If heading out that way, it'd have to be NZ for me... amazing country, cool people, nice chicks, laid-back, not too many flies... :whistling:

lol...lots of Kiwis in FN Queensland too..and Japanese, POMEs, Thais etc.....oh and flies, snakes, crocs, ...fewer sharks now the crocs ate 'em....

....chicks?? ... got me there...seen lots of old boilers.. :rolleyes:

Agree NZ is amazing..bit too "cool" for me now...by Thai standards ...the sheep of course are still attractive... :unsure:

Posted (edited)

I would have thought that given the 'Guest Status' of expats living in Thailand, the bottom line plan has to be to return home - Life here in Thailand clearly and without any misundertanding from the Visa rules being nothing more than an extended visit.

However that point might still have been lost on some in which case return home might not be an option.

The question then ought more sensibily be, not so much where else whould you consider going, rather where else would have you and can can you afford to live there anyway?

Edited by GuestHouse
  • Like 1
Posted

I would have thought that given the 'Guest Status' of expats living in Thailand, the bottom line plan has to be to return home - Life here in Thailand clearly and without any misundertanding from the Visa rules being nothing more than an extended visit.

However that point might still have been lost on some in which case return home might not be an option.

The question then ought more sensibily be, not so much where else whould you consider going, rather where else would have you and can can you afford to live there anyway?

I think no matter where you go, other than your home country, visas will be an issue. For me, it's been pretty easy here in Thailand. No complaints. I am a guest and I understand that.

But your point about where to go that is affordable for you is a big deal. Sure, I would love to live in, say, Nice for 1/2 of the year with a nice ocean view...and then, say, Phuket Island with another nice ocean view. But can't afford either!

Posted (edited)

Why don't you share that "small middle east country" with the rest of us. At a guess I would think either Jordan or Lebanon.

Half right. :thumbsup:

Does Jordan have a sea coast and mountains within a 2 hour drive?

It does if you are close enough to the border with Turkey! (Antalya if I remember right?)

I agree Lebanon is a beautiful country with great people but I found it to be very expensive there.

I was only there on holiday though so would guess living a local lifestyle it could be manageable.

What are your monthly expenses?

Edited by PattayaParent
Posted

As I have said before , especialy for the older guys on a small and diminishing(Dissapearing) pension , Cambodia would be the economical choice with the same life choices as Thailand on a smaller budget , many that I have known only wore a rut from where they live to where they eat and drink the majority of the time . A friend of mine has been travelling most of the countries in SE Asia fgor some 40 years , and figures the same , overall , Cambodia is more economical in the long haul , he has seen what I have achieved on a small pension and my standard of living has improved since moving here from Thailand . There are many things that are available in Thailand that are not available here , but most of those are not needed , and this country is Improving by leaps and bounds , much of it to the advantage of visitors/expats .

Posted

....... the bottom line plan has to be to return home ......

No, no.

I had to spend 4 months in the UK last year for medical treatment,

but going back to live........... :bah:

I think no matter where you go, other than your home country, visas will be an issue.

That depends on the passport you hold.

I am welcome anywhere in the EU. :D

Posted

Half right. :thumbsup:

Does Jordan have a sea coast and mountains within a 2 hour drive?

It does if you are close enough to the border with Turkey! (Antalya if I remember right?)

What are your monthly expenses?

But Jordan's only sea coast is in the south at Aqabah.

(Unless you count the Dead Sea?)

Lebanon is no more expensive than Thailand once you get away from Beirut.

I have a 3 bedroom furnished apartment for $550 a month

Food is cheap, and plentiful. Wine $6 a bottle, for good drinkable quality

produced in the Bekkah Valley.

For a couple of months in the winter it will cost me $100 a month for electricty

for heating. August is a similar cost, but for cooling. Thank god for reversible AC units. :D

In between the weather is balmy and $10-15 a month covers it.

Getting the one year residence permit took some time, but in between the Immigration

where quite happy issue me 3 month multi-entry visas, without leaving the country.

Renewing the permit was easy.

Posted

sure and Americans are welcomed everywhere in America.

Wonder why no one mentioned India, Sri Lanka or Nepal.

If you are already complaining about the pollution and supposed Thai discrimination against farang in Thailand then India will be literally hel_l on earth.

Posted (edited)

sure and Americans are welcomed everywhere in America.

Wonder why no one mentioned India, Sri Lanka or Nepal.

If you are already complaining about the pollution and supposed Thai discrimination against farang in Thailand then India will be literally hel_l on earth.

I live on the beach, here is no pollution. So it is on many beaches in India and in the mountains. And I don't feel discriminated by the locals at all, quite the contrary.

Edited by Birdman
Posted (edited)

Malaysia or Japan.

Japan is not as expensive as people think.

You want cheap, can have cheap

You want expensive, can have expensive

Love those Onsen's, but that's another topic.

Edited by LindsayBKK

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