Countries Similar Or Better Than Thailand

[infinity11]

Criteria mainly concerned with exchange rate
but ease of living and lifestyle also important.

What countries have similar exchange rate to the dollar or better
and what countries offer a good semi-retirement environment?

Apologies if this have been covered.

Other criteria considered is ok too.

[Khun Watchaporn]

Any country in SEA.

[FunFon]

What does that even mean for another country to have similar exchange rate?

Don't have to worry about that at all with Cambodia, the dollar's the de-facto currency anyway.

But why even keep your wealth in USD if you know it's going to keep heading south anyway, what currencies you're holding doesn't have to have anythign to do with where you choose to hang your hat. . .

And "good semi-retirement environment" is another how long is a piece of string question - what are your specific criteria for that?

For example, do you value physical safety, lack of violent crime against foreigners higher or lower than the availability of beautiful women at a reasonable price? Are you a 1,000 a month or a 3,000 a month spender?

Best plan IMO is to check out a few different countries for say six months at a time, when you find a place that suits you stick around until it doesn't anymore then move on. Try not to get stuck to the extent it's difficult to move on.

[rgs2001uk]

Any country in SEA.

Oh yeah sure, last time I was at the airport I couldnt help but notice all the CC farang kee nok heading off to pastures new, destinations such as, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea all spring to mind.

Lets be honest here, Phillpines springs to mind failing that Bangladesh is nice this time of year so I hear.

[Gweiloman]

Any country in SEA.

Oh yeah sure, last time I was at the airport I couldnt help but notice all the CC farang kee nok heading off to pastures new, destinations such as, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea all spring to mind.

Lets be honest here, Phillpines springs to mind failing that Bangladesh is nice this time of year so I hear.

What's a CC farang?

[FunFon]

cheap charlie - farang kee nok in BG-speak.

[krisb]

Laos.

[krisb]

cheap charlie - farang kee nok in BG-speak.

you have to explain to him better. He's not as experienced as some Funfon.

[FunFon]

Someone who either has or is willing to spend less money to spend than the speaker thinks is "right"

The person using such terms is often either someone who stands to gain from the spending, or an observer with a need to boost their own ego by feeling having/spending more money than the object of their contempt gives them bigger face.

Edited April 19, 2013 by FunFon

[mickjn]

Laos.

I think so

[Hedghog]

Panama

[londoedan]

Indonesia is nicer than Thailand IMO. Puchasing power is a bit better than here, but visa's are a real pain.

Still I plan to re-locate there in a couple of months and would like to spend a year or so there, perhaps flying in and out every 2 months.

Malaysia was also very nice when I lived there.

[JaiLai]

Nowhere is similar to Thailand, for good OR bad it's truly unique!!

[RefinedGentleman]

Indonesia is nicer than Thailand IMO. Puchasing power is a bit better than here, but visa's are a real pain.

Still I plan to re-locate there in a couple of months and would like to spend a year or so there, perhaps flying in and out every 2 months.

Malaysia was also very nice when I lived there.

How do you deal with the Islamic culture there? Seems like that would be a big turn off for me.

[mickjn]

Indonesia is nicer than Thailand IMO. Puchasing power is a bit better than here, but visa's are a real pain.

Still I plan to re-locate there in a couple of months and would like to spend a year or so there, perhaps flying in and out every 2 months.

Malaysia was also very nice when I lived there.

How do you deal with the Islamic culture there? Seems like that would be a big turn off for me.

Bali is good but getting expensive now.I have a friend and she is Hindu,a beautiful woman.The Hindus in Bali are great people.The others are not so good IMO

[londoedan]

Indonesia is nicer than Thailand IMO. Puchasing power is a bit better than here, but visa's are a real pain.

Still I plan to re-locate there in a couple of months and would like to spend a year or so there, perhaps flying in and out every 2 months.

Malaysia was also very nice when I lived there.

How do you deal with the Islamic culture there? Seems like that would be a big turn off for me.

True, RI is the world's largest Islamic population but unless you're in Aceh at the top of Sumatra, its never really an issue. The vast majority of the locals are relaxed and friendly and provided one doesn't go mad during the month of Ramadhan and is sensible about what one does for the rest of the time, its a great place to live and visit.

Its a vast place and would take a long, long time to get around. I was reading the LP guide recently and some of the bus journeys on Sumatra alone take 25 - 30 hours. I imagine it would take even longer to get around Kalimantan.

[londoedan]

Indonesia is nicer than Thailand IMO. Puchasing power is a bit better than here, but visa's are a real pain.

Still I plan to re-locate there in a couple of months and would like to spend a year or so there, perhaps flying in and out every 2 months.

Malaysia was also very nice when I lived there.

How do you deal with the Islamic culture there? Seems like that would be a big turn off for me.

Bali is good but getting expensive now.I have a friend and she is Hindu,a beautiful woman.The Hindus in Bali are great people.The others are not so good IMO

My own personal opinion is that Bali is a lovely place to spend a few weeks on holiday, but I wouldn't want to live there.

Its not representative, at all, of the the rest of the country. I've found people in Java and elsewhere to be friendlier and less mercenary than the Balinese and I've found the island to be rather similar to Phuket (which I'm also not that keen on) but I guess we all have different opinions of different provinces in such a huge and diverse country. I've been going to Bali fairly regularly for the last 15 - 18 years and the pace of change there is frightening, and not always for the better. One example, that huge hotel, golf course and villa complex that was put up near Tanah Lot a few years ago - I thought that was a mistake.

[somtampet]

Panama

Didnt know Panama is in SEA,wow u learn something everyday from these amazing board members

[HeijoshinCool]

Panama

Didnt know Panama is in SEA,wow u learn something everyday from these amazing board members

The OP didn't specify SEA.

Mexico's ER flucuates, but is often good. Visa on demand for Americans and a number of other nationalities. 180 days at land border or airport. No limit, they don't care how many times you arrive. Foreigners can own land and businesses, without a hassle. Corruption is alive, but not the 100 baht kind of crap with cops and foreigners. Girls are cute. Men are men.

[londoedan]

Panama

Didnt know Panama is in SEA,wow u learn something everyday from these amazing board members

The OP didn't specify SEA.

Mexico's ER flucuates, but is often good. Visa on demand for Americans and a number of other nationalities. 180 days at land border or airport. No limit, they don't care how many times you arrive. Foreigners can own land and businesses, without a hassle. Corruption is alive, but not the 100 baht kind of crap with cops and foreigners. Girls are cute. Men are men.

Isn't the crime rate pretty scary ? I seem to re-collect there was a ranking published recently on the most violent cities and all of the top 10 were in S. America. To be fair, I've never been, but I'm also not in a hurry to look at flights / visa's for anywhere in that continent (N or S).

[HeijoshinCool]

Panama

Didnt know Panama is in SEA,wow u learn something everyday from these amazing board members

The OP didn't specify SEA.

Mexico's ER flucuates, but is often good. Visa on demand for Americans and a number of other nationalities. 180 days at land border or airport. No limit, they don't care how many times you arrive. Foreigners can own land and businesses, without a hassle. Corruption is alive, but not the 100 baht kind of crap with cops and foreigners. Girls are cute. Men are men.

Isn't the crime rate pretty scary ? I seem to re-collect there was a ranking published recently on the most violent cities and all of the top 10 were in S. America. To be fair, I've never been, but I'm also not in a hurry to look at flights / visa's for anywhere in that continent (N or S).

The crime rate against foreigners is not much different than here. EXCEPT in certain areas, particularly near the border with the States. Check out the US State Dept travel warnings. Yes, the border is dangerous. But Puerto Vallarta and Guanajuato are fine. And Mexico isn't in S. America. It's in North America. The Mexicans call themesleves Norte Americanos.

BTW, no minimum age for the 6 month visa.

Their are some spectacular beaches on both coasts. Guanajuato City, and San Miguel de Allende, are college towns, and quite safe and the architecture is beautiful and rent is cheap. I have a lot of friends who've lived there for years.

Like anyplace, there is a learning curve, including personal safety.

[londoedan]

The crime rate against foreigners is not much different than here. EXCEPT in certain areas, particularly near the border with the States. Check out the US State Dept travel warnings. Yes, the border is dangerous. But Puerto Vallarta and Guanajuato are fine. And Mexico isn't in S. America. It's in North America. The Mexicans call themesleves Norte Americanos.

BTW, no minimum age for the 6 month visa.

Their are some spectacular beaches on both coasts. Guanajuato City, and San Miguel de Allende, are college towns, and quite safe and the architecture is beautiful and rent is cheap. I have a lot of friends who've lived there for years.

Like anyplace, there is a learning curve, including personal safety.

CNN's coverage of the report is here: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/27/world/americas/honduras-murder-capital

And I was incorrect in mentioning to S America, the report refers to the preponderence of Latin American cities in the list - Mexico has 3 places in the top 10.

Its only a personal, subjective, impression, but I've always felt very safe living in Asia, including megacities such as Mumbai, KL, Jakarta and some of the big Chinese cities. I've never fancied visiting Manila though.

If I was ranking ASEAN nations, thenThailand is possibly not the safest place I've lived: road safety and levels of gun ownership seem rather high to me here.

[HeijoshinCool]

The crime rate against foreigners is not much different than here. EXCEPT in certain areas, particularly near the border with the States. Check out the US State Dept travel warnings. Yes, the border is dangerous. But Puerto Vallarta and Guanajuato are fine. And Mexico isn't in S. America. It's in North America. The Mexicans call themesleves Norte Americanos.

BTW, no minimum age for the 6 month visa.

Their are some spectacular beaches on both coasts. Guanajuato City, and San Miguel de Allende, are college towns, and quite safe and the architecture is beautiful and rent is cheap. I have a lot of friends who've lived there for years.

Like anyplace, there is a learning curve, including personal safety.

CNN's coverage of the report is here: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/27/world/americas/honduras-murder-capital

And I was incorrect in mentioning to S America, the report refers to the preponderence of Latin American cities in the list - Mexico has 3 places in the top 10.

Its only a personal, subjective, impression, but I've always felt very safe living in Asia, including megacities such as Mumbai, KL, Jakarta and some of the big Chinese cities. I've never fancied visiting Manila though.

If I was ranking ASEAN nations, thenThailand is possibly not the safest place I've lived: road safety and levels of gun ownership seem rather high to me here.

Well, hell yeah, Honduras (CNN) is very dangerous. Wouldn't catch me there on a bet. But so is South Central L.A., and a host of other cities in America, Europe, and other countries. But there are also some very safe cities in the States and Europe. Yes?

[londoedan]

The crime rate against foreigners is not much different than here. EXCEPT in certain areas, particularly near the border with the States. Check out the US State Dept travel warnings. Yes, the border is dangerous. But Puerto Vallarta and Guanajuato are fine. And Mexico isn't in S. America. It's in North America. The Mexicans call themesleves Norte Americanos.

BTW, no minimum age for the 6 month visa.

Their are some spectacular beaches on both coasts. Guanajuato City, and San Miguel de Allende, are college towns, and quite safe and the architecture is beautiful and rent is cheap. I have a lot of friends who've lived there for years.

Like anyplace, there is a learning curve, including personal safety.

CNN's coverage of the report is here: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/27/world/americas/honduras-murder-capital

And I was incorrect in mentioning to S America, the report refers to the preponderence of Latin American cities in the list - Mexico has 3 places in the top 10.

Its only a personal, subjective, impression, but I've always felt very safe living in Asia, including megacities such as Mumbai, KL, Jakarta and some of the big Chinese cities. I've never fancied visiting Manila though.

If I was ranking ASEAN nations, thenThailand is possibly not the safest place I've lived: road safety and levels of gun ownership seem rather high to me here.

Well, hell yeah, Honduras (CNN) is very dangerous. Wouldn't catch me there on a bet. But so is South Central L.A., and a host of other cities in America, Europe, and other countries. But there are also some very safe cities in the States and Europe. Yes?

Europe - Oui - US - Non.

I reckon the OP was thinking about countries in this neck of the woods, with currencies that aren't quite as strong as the THB at the mo, and are worth considering as a place to live and visit.

My 2 would be Indonesia and Vietnam. I'd quite like to include Singapore but that's well out of my price range these days - shame as its a lovely place to live. If I won the lottery I'd move there.

[patongphil]

I'm off to Zimbabwe - get lots of local dollars for my AUD!!

[rubberduck]

Laos.

Please stay out of here, too many farangs already spoiled Thailand in many ways. Already too much Chinese and Viet influence here !!! Edited April 21, 2013 by rubberduck

[londoedan]

Laos.

Please stay out of here, too many farangs already spoiled Thailand in many ways. Already too much Chinese and Viet influence here !!!

I guess there are good reasons why the DPRL are looking to China and Vietnam for help.

I didn't realise that the population of Laos was so small - just over 6 million - that's tiny.

For myself a land-locked country doesn't appeal - I'd like to spend my twilight years within 5 - 10 mins of the sea.

[jackr]

Any country in SEA.

Oh yeah sure, last time I was at the airport I couldnt help but notice all the CC farang kee nok heading off to pastures new, destinations such as, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea all spring to mind.

That's funny as only one of those springs to mind as being in Southeast Asia.

The most similar in this region, op, is likely Cam, which, like Laos, has a small population (for obvious reasons) and is cheaper than both Thai and Laos. Khmer culture is largely the Thai precursor, mostly Buddhist also, many speak English and the business visa (which you can work on) is easy and on-demand. They also use dollars.

Anyway, what happened, have the 'smiles' worn thin?

[ABCer]

Laos.

I think so

CRISB and MICKJN could you explain/elaborate on why you think so? Thanks.

[ABCer]

Any country in SEA.

Oh yeah sure, last time I was at the airport I couldnt help but notice all the CC farang kee nok heading off to pastures new, destinations such as, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea all spring to mind.

That's funny as only one of those springs to mind as being in Southeast Asia.

The most similar in this region, op, is likely Cam, which, like Laos, has a small population (for obvious reasons) and is cheaper than both Thai and Laos. Khmer culture is largely the Thai precursor, mostly Buddhist also, many speak English and the business visa (which you can work on) is easy and on-demand. They also use dollars.

Anyway, what happened, have the 'smiles' worn thin?

KW, sea is a must for me. This rules Laos out. When you say 'Cam has a small population' do you mean they stopped killing each other? And dug-up all the mines? I'm not being sarcastic but serious.