Phuket Vs Yangon (Myanmar) - Same Same .. But Different

[hansgruber]

Because it's one of the most boring countries in SE Asia?

Indonesia first with Malaysia a close second.

Muslim nations normally are.

Edited July 26, 2012 by hansgruber

[KarenBravo]

Don't know where you've been in Indonesia, but I found the people far more laid-back and fun-loving than Malaysia.

Malaysia comes just ahead of Brunei and miles behind Indonesia.

[LivinginKata]

Got to agree. Lived and worked in both Indonesia and Malaysia long term (like residential year contracts). Indonesia is Ok, Malysia is more tense. Can't even remotely compare to Thailand. Even tried living/working in Singapore - too expensive, no fun.

[WonkyDonkey]

Because it's one of the most boring countries in SE Asia?

Indonesia first with Malaysia a close second.

Muslim nations normally are.

Ridiculous comments IMO. How can a country possibly be boring?? I think you'll find the thousands of expats living in Malaysia love it there and wouldn't touch Thailand with a barge pole. Malaysia's not for me either, but to say it's boring just because it's not for you is crazy and is a perfect example of the self involved, egocentric bubble so many people live in.

[Guest]

Ridiculous comments IMO. How can a country possibly be boring?? I think you'll find the thousands of expats living in Malaysia love it there and wouldn't touch Thailand with a barge pole. Malaysia's not for me either, but to say it's boring just because it's not for you is crazy and is a perfect example of the self involved, egocentric bubble so many people live in.

I lived 4 years in Singapore. Everything worked well, the government was great and corruption was low. Still I wanted to move along as the country was simply boring. Every society needs some dirt in the streets. Not full of it nor none of it. Just some, which depends the way we look at the world.

These feelings does not come up when having an 2 week or 2 month vacation in the country.

Thais are 'free', but not really intelligent. Singaporeans are intelligent (calculative, not creative), and not really free. Where are the places which have both?

[WonkyDonkey]

Ridiculous comments IMO. How can a country possibly be boring?? I think you'll find the thousands of expats living in Malaysia love it there and wouldn't touch Thailand with a barge pole. Malaysia's not for me either, but to say it's boring just because it's not for you is crazy and is a perfect example of the self involved, egocentric bubble so many people live in.

I lived 4 years in Singapore. Everything worked well, the government was great and corruption was low. Still I wanted to move along as the country was simply boring. Every society needs some dirt in the streets. Not full of it nor none of it. Just some, which depends the way we look at the world.

These feelings does not come up when having an 2 week or 2 month vacation in the country.

Thais are 'free', but not really intelligent. Singaporeans are intelligent (calculative, not creative), and not really free. Where are the places which have both?

I guess we better let the thousands of people who love Singapore know then. I'm sure they'll be highly disappointed to know they're wrong.

I'm sure it was you I read recently saying yo live in Ao por?? Hundreds of times I've read on this and other forums that places like Ao Por and the North of Phuket in general are boring. Can't you see that's exactly the same as you saying Singapore is boring. One man's meat is another man's poison and all that.

[Guest]

I guess we better let the thousands of people who love Singapore know then. I'm sure they'll be highly disappointed to know they're wrong.

I'm sure it was you I read recently saying yo live in Ao por?? Hundreds of times I've read on this and other forums that places like Ao Por and the North of Phuket in general are boring. Can't you see that's exactly the same as you saying Singapore is boring. One man's meat is another man's poison and all that.

Where did you read these, at Bang Tao beach?

Ao Por and North Phuket are still boring. This does not mean it's bad out here.

You might have found your perfect place to settle, I have not. I'm still looking for it.

Just experience the world in real life and you'll see that there are good and bad parts in every place. In personal level it's all about finding and making one place to be the one.

[WonkyDonkey]

I guess we better let the thousands of people who love Singapore know then. I'm sure they'll be highly disappointed to know they're wrong.

I'm sure it was you I read recently saying yo live in Ao por?? Hundreds of times I've read on this and other forums that places like Ao Por and the North of Phuket in general are boring. Can't you see that's exactly the same as you saying Singapore is boring. One man's meat is another man's poison and all that.

Where did you read these, at Bang Tao beach?

Ao Por and North Phuket are still boring. This does not mean it's bad out here.

You might have found your perfect place to settle, I have not. I'm still looking for it.

Just experience the world in real life and you'll see that there are good and bad parts in every place. In personal level it's all about finding and making one place to be the one.

What's it's all about is that everybody's different, so sweeping statements like entire countries are boring are borderline retarded IMO. How can Ao Por be boring?? What if peace and quiet and lovely views was the most important thing you needed in a home and your hobbies were oil painting, walking and cycling. Wouldn't that make Ao Por far less boring than Patong??

IMO, a lot of people that always say the everything and everywhere is boring, are themselves some what unintelligent and boring.

[WonkyDonkey]

In personal level it's all about finding and making one place to be the one.

Yes, and when you have found that place it doesn't all of a sudden mean that people who have different ideas and have chosen somewhere else have got it wrong and their chosen place is boring. Only a moron would think it so.

[Guest]

What's it's all about is that everybody's different, so sweeping statements like entire countries are boring are borderline retarded IMO. How can Ao Por be boring?? What if peace and quiet and lovely views was the most important thing you needed in a home and your hobbies were oil painting, walking and cycling. Wouldn't that make Ao Por far less boring than Patong??

IMO, a lot of people that always say the everything and everywhere is boring, are themselves some what unintelligent and boring.

That must be it.

Before you create you next incarnation, please think why.

This is quite enough for me now.

[WonkyDonkey]

What's it's all about is that everybody's different, so sweeping statements like entire countries are boring are borderline retarded IMO. How can Ao Por be boring?? What if peace and quiet and lovely views was the most important thing you needed in a home and your hobbies were oil painting, walking and cycling. Wouldn't that make Ao Por far less boring than Patong??

IMO, a lot of people that always say the everything and everywhere is boring, are themselves some what unintelligent and boring.

That must be it.

Before you create you next incarnation, please think why.

This is quite enough for me now.

Quite simple really. I like to post on here and don't agree that I should be banned so I carry on posting. Hardly any different to anybody else who posts on here.

When you can think of an intelligent logical answer to how an inanimate place or country can be boring (boredom being an emotional state) let me know.

[WonkyDonkey]

I don't have a need to move to Myanmar to work, but, for many guys back in their various countries that are working and sending money to their Thai girlfriends every month, working in Myanmar, and being with their Thai girlfriend, in the region, may be a great option for them. For many people currently working here under very stringent conditions, working in Myanmar may be a better option for them.

All I am saying is, it would be worth monitoring to see if good opportunities arise there in the very near future. I would suggest, as multi-national companies flock there, they will be sending their own managers and contractors over to get their operation up and running. It reminds me a little of when many companies set up call centers in India and Philippines - but Myanmar will most probably allow this across any, and all industries.

I am certainly not being selfish, or asking "what can Myanmar do for me." It's a "win win" for Myanmar and the farang that may go there to work. This is something Thailand has never been able to see. The comparison with England and the Eastern Europeans is not applicable here. Myanmar will be similar to what we have seen in Dubai. They will welcome westerners from all industries to build the country, properly, the first time.

You may be satisfied having an unqualified builder construct a house for you in Thailand, because you have no other choice, but Myanmar may prefer to have their locals trained up, on the job, by foreign tradesman and therefore, the quality of the construction will be to western standards, rather than the poor workmanship you get here. A "win win" situation for all. The locals a taught a trade, to western standards, and the home owner gets a properly constructed house, build to western standards, and built to last. Gee, the shower water may actually run into the drain because it's been tiled properly.

If the Thai Government has the Thai people's interest at heart, why do we have such a great divide between the rich and the poor here???? The wealthy Thai elite have been exploiting poorer Thai's, and farang, for years. Why do you think about 95% of the "working girls" in Thailand come from Issan????

You say a developing country that allows expats to come in and work needs their head read. That's a strange comment when it was Thailand that allowed America to build bombing base runways, to run sorties out of, and slaughter millions of Vietnamese people, in U-tapao, Ubon and Udon - then, welcomes all the American GI's to Pattaya for alcohol and sex. The Vietnam war started tourism in Thailand. Myanmar might be able to start their tourism by allowing foreign workers in, rather than foreign soldiers.

The one thing I really don't get about your post is that Thailand allows thousands of Burmese workers into Thailand, but only to do the minimum wage jobs, and hard labour jobs that the lazy Thai's refuse to do. These Burmese workers are exploited as well. Thailand only let in workers that they can make money out of, not workers that can make any money from working in Thailand.

Your comment that if you are married to a Thai you can own as much land as you want is simply an untruth. At Thai Law, even when married, a foreigner can not own land. It has nothing to do with "trust" and everything to do with where a foreigner stands within Thai Law, as to foreign ownership of land here, which is nowhere. Myanmar may offer a better deal to foreigners for land ownership and the security that goes with it.

Andre, you seem like quite a "Savvy" guy. I think we have met before in "Hong Kong" and "Bang Tao."

It's clear to all that your praising of Myanmar is nothing but a backhanded way of criticizing Phuket. There is more chance I will be crowned King of Thailand than there is of you ever going to live in Myanmar.

You are a talker not a doer. You will be living in Phuket for years to come but will continue trying to convince others that there is better places out there without ever having the balls to go and live in them yourself.

[LivinginKata]

off topic posts removed.

[Somtamnication]

Still waiting on those awesome pics, Simon.

[simon43]

I haven't forgotten the photos My photo upload is difficult because my laptop runs on Linux and it is easier for me to upload from work using a windows OS machine..

My relocation to work in Myanmar is no criticism of Phuket. I still have 2 very busy little hotel businesses in Phuket, and I am able to manage the on-line aspects of these from Yangon, despite the atrocious internet reliability and speed...

My reasons for being in Yangon relate primarily to my hobby - amateur radio, and for altruistic reasons - my volunteer work. In order to support myself whilst here, I work as an English teacher. I'm happy to say that I'm making good progress in the pursuit of both hobby and volunteer work.

Simon

[Livinginexile]

I haven't forgotten the photos My photo upload is difficult because my laptop runs on Linux and it is easier for me to upload from work using a windows OS machine..

My relocation to work in Myanmar is no criticism of Phuket. I still have 2 very busy little hotel businesses in Phuket, and I am able to manage the on-line aspects of these from Yangon, despite the atrocious internet reliability and speed...

My reasons for being in Yangon relate primarily to my hobby - amateur radio, and for altruistic reasons - my volunteer work. In order to support myself whilst here, I work as an English teacher. I'm happy to say that I'm making good progress in the pursuit of both hobby and volunteer work.

Simon

Been following your posts for many years now Simon.

English teacher in Burma now?

I guess there really is such a thing as Karma after all

[Somtamnication]

See how that distance will work or fail the marriage thingy, as well. Kudos for the move. Now some freegin´ pics. Please, no plump girls.

[KarenBravo]

Wonkeydonkey. At least BTB is coming up with better names.

[simon43]

English teacher in Burma now?

I guess there really is such a thing as Karma after all

Not sure which way to take your comment

I have moved to Myanmar with 2 goals: One is purely selfish and relates to my radio hobby, the second goal is totally unselfish and relates to helping others. If the route to achieving those goals is by teaching English, then I'm very happy to do that and will apply myself to this task with all effort. (BTW, teaching in Myanmar pays much better than teaching in Thailand - I also turned down a $6500/month firm offer of employment in Saudi for the opportunity to pursue my goals in Myanmar)

I've sorted out my photo upload, but cannot upload from home cos the internet is too slow... I'll add some photos soon.

Next week, I start some other teaching work, and if I have the chance, I'll upload photos which I promise you will find interesting.

Simon

Edited July 30, 2012 by simon43

[NamKangMan]

English teacher in Burma now?

I guess there really is such a thing as Karma after all

Not sure which way to take your comment

I have moved to Myanmar with 2 goals: One is purely selfish and relates to my radio hobby, the second goal is totally unselfish and relates to helping others. If the route to achieving those goals is by teaching English, then I'm very happy to do that and will apply myself to this task with all effort. (BTW, teaching in Myanmar pays much better than teaching in Thailand - I also turned down a $6500/month firm offer of employment in Saudi for the opportunity to pursue my goals in Myanmar)

I've sorted out my photo upload, but cannot upload from home cos the internet is too slow... I'll add some photos soon.

Next week, I start some other teaching work, and if I have the chance, I'll upload photos which I promise you will find interesting.

Simon

For some on this forum, if you are not 100% pro-Thailand/Phuket, then you must be 100% anti-Thailand/Phuket.

It's simply not true.

Thailand/Phuket has mas many faults/dangers for farang. Some chose to deny they exist (many of these people have business interests here and therefore, in my opinion, have a conflict and interest, and this shows in their lack objectivity) and some chose to recognise they exist, and to discuss them, and maybe learn of other people's "work arounds."

Nothing wrong with teaching english, anywhere. I'm sure you'll enjoy the experience there and find it very satisfying. I look forward to your photos and further updates.

[NBD]

how's the law can buy land, house, condo, start company? and have thais any advantage in these areas or the same as us?

have a look at any South East, North, Central Asian or mainly muslim country and the answer is NO. from Japan to the sands of the kalahari westerners cannot own land in a foreign country......its a western tradition to let foreigners take your sovereignty

As far as I know, Japan and Hong Kong have no restrictions on foreign property ownership. Korea allows it in most circumstances. Singapore and Malaysia allow it subject to certain conditions.

It's nothing to do with sovereignty, it's to do with ownership. If I own my land I can sell it to whoever I please, whatever their nationality so long as they offer the best price.

[snamos]

how's the law can buy land, house, condo, start company? and have thais any advantage in these areas or the same as us?

have a look at any South East, North, Central Asian or mainly muslim country and the answer is NO. from Japan to the sands of the kalahari westerners cannot own land in a foreign country......its a western tradition to let foreigners take your sovereignty

As far as I know, Japan and Hong Kong have no restrictions on foreign property ownership. Korea allows it in most circumstances. Singapore and Malaysia allow it subject to certain conditions.

It's nothing to do with sovereignty, it's to do with ownership. If I own my land I can sell it to whoever I please, whatever their nationality so long as they offer the best price.

If you consider owning land in government designed, gated ghettos a privelage then go right ahead....you cant just go and buy up some land in those countries and start building

[hagler]

how's the law can buy land, house, condo, start company? and have thais any advantage in these areas or the same as us?

have a look at any South East, North, Central Asian or mainly muslim country and the answer is NO. from Japan to the sands of the kalahari westerners cannot own land in a foreign country......its a western tradition to let foreigners take your sovereignty

As far as I know, Japan and Hong Kong have no restrictions on foreign property ownership. Korea allows it in most circumstances. Singapore and Malaysia allow it subject to certain conditions.

It's nothing to do with sovereignty, it's to do with ownership. If I own my land I can sell it to whoever I please, whatever their nationality so long as they offer the best price.

If you consider owning land in government designed, gated ghettos a privelage then go right ahead....you cant just go and buy up some land in those countries and start building

Can you expand on your statement a little please. I have 2 properties in Japan and 2 in Malaysia and none of them are in "government designed, gated ghettos". But then again I have owned them for a few years now so perhaps the rules have changed for new purchases recently. Would be interested in hearing about your hands on experience.

[snamos]

No experiences in owning land in either country, just what I hear or read on the net,Is it apartments or houses you own in Japan?

How do you come to own them? Just rock in on a tourist visa or did you marry locals in both countries?

[NBD]

Most developed countries have no restrictions based on nationality regarding property ownership - you can buy investment property through agents without even going there if you want. Still need visas to go there and visit it of course.

I guess the thinking in Thailand is that allowing foreign ownership would price Thais out of the market in prime spots, but the reality is it just deters investment and leads to complex and convoluted arrangements to achieve near ownership.

[Garlic Breath]

I guess the thinking in Thailand is that allowing foreign ownership would price Thais out of the market in prime spots, but the reality is it just deters investment and leads to complex and convoluted arrangements to achieve near ownership.

When you are a poor country sometimes the only thing you have is the dirt beneath your feet. You sell that and you've sold your soul to the devil. The fact that Thailand is a beautiful country that millions of people want to visit is its greatest asset. Why on earth would they want to hand that to other countries on a silver platter?

We're a poor country but I'll tell you what, why don't we let everybody else come and cream all the profits. Great Idea!!

[snamos]

I guess the thinking in Thailand is that allowing foreign ownership would price Thais out of the market in prime spots, but the reality is it just deters investment and leads to complex and convoluted arrangements to achieve near ownership.

When you are a poor country sometimes the only thing you have is the dirt beneath your feet. You sell that and you've sold your soul to the devil. The fact that Thailand is a beautiful country that millions of people want to visit is its greatest asset. Why on earth would they want to hand that to other countries on a silver platter?

We're a poor country but I'll tell you what, why don't we let everybody else come and cream all the profits. Great Idea!!

Its the distribution of wealth that is poor, plenty of oil, the worlds biggest rice exporter, one of the biggest tourist hubs in the world and a country that has more foreign investment than most....there is more mercedes benzes in Thailand than Germany. Plenty of money here...is it getting divvied up fairly is the question

[Garlic Breath]

I guess the thinking in Thailand is that allowing foreign ownership would price Thais out of the market in prime spots, but the reality is it just deters investment and leads to complex and convoluted arrangements to achieve near ownership.

When you are a poor country sometimes the only thing you have is the dirt beneath your feet. You sell that and you've sold your soul to the devil. The fact that Thailand is a beautiful country that millions of people want to visit is its greatest asset. Why on earth would they want to hand that to other countries on a silver platter?

We're a poor country but I'll tell you what, why don't we let everybody else come and cream all the profits. Great Idea!!

Its the distribution of wealth that is poor, plenty of oil, the worlds biggest rice exporter, one of the biggest tourist hubs in the world and a country that has more foreign investment than most....there is more mercedes benzes in Thailand than Germany. Plenty of money here...is it getting divvied up fairly is the question

How would the selling of land to Farang aid in the distribution of wealth exactly?

[Guest]

How would the selling of land to Farang aid in the distribution of wealth exactly?

When you have an promising startup company which lacks certain skills, it's good for the company to hire external experts to work as board member and give them part of the shares. They will do the work to make the company more profitable and therefore also gain more money to themselves.

When there is more money on the company, it's more easy to also share this money to the workers.

This works on country level as well. Country can invite people with skills and resources to make it better. This does not mean that let these people to take over the control, but it means that these people and companies are willing to invest. When people or companies own something, they are likely to preserve their environment as long as they are not doing one season harvesting.

[snamos]

I guess the thinking in Thailand is that allowing foreign ownership would price Thais out of the market in prime spots, but the reality is it just deters investment and leads to complex and convoluted arrangements to achieve near ownership.

When you are a poor country sometimes the only thing you have is the dirt beneath your feet. You sell that and you've sold your soul to the devil. The fact that Thailand is a beautiful country that millions of people want to visit is its greatest asset. Why on earth would they want to hand that to other countries on a silver platter?

We're a poor country but I'll tell you what, why don't we let everybody else come and cream all the profits. Great Idea!!

Its the distribution of wealth that is poor, plenty of oil, the worlds biggest rice exporter, one of the biggest tourist hubs in the world and a country that has more foreign investment than most....there is more mercedes benzes in Thailand than Germany. Plenty of money here...is it getting divvied up fairly is the question

How would the selling of land to Farang aid in the distribution of wealth exactly?

It might be hard for you to understand...but I'll cut it short. Farmer owns land, then sells to Falang who brings his money from Falangland.....if he hasnt any money then falangs will bring him money through falang based ideas that earn him/her money in Thailand (its called a business), Falang builds house, then burmese labourers build the house and Thai immigration and Thai foreman benefit along with the Thai owned brick factories, glass factories, and cement companies. Falang needs furniture and household goods. Thai wholesalers, retailers and importers benefit. Falang needs internet, TOT and TTT benefit, Falang needs electricity, the money goes to the government again. Falang needs car, wholesalers and retailers benefit (I dont see any service staff owning BMW in the land of smiles) falang needs petrol in car, PTT the government oil company benefit. Falang might want to buy a boat, falang might want to employ maids etc. Falang might want to make business and pay tax and spear money up the food chain....Now with all this money coming in, who is benefiting? The big business owners like Tescos, 7-11s. PTT. Mercedes Benz. and the government employees are getting rich

Edited August 3, 2012 by snamos