Countries Similar Or Better Than Thailand

[NeverSure]

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?

With all due respect, I don't find Cambodia to be cheaper than Thailand. First there's housing. Rent isn't cheap, I think because there hasn't been the building boom. What is newer is expensive compared to Thailand.

I'll talk in USD if you don't mind because Cambodia accepts that anywhere, and most can do a quick mental conversion at roughly 30 to one (I wish.)

I didn't see anything nice to rent for less than $600 (and up). Something older and decent, minimum $300. This was PP and SR. These were flats, apartments, studios, if lucky 1 br studios - nothing fancy.

Internet and cell phone services are less performance for a lot more money in Cambo. Minimum $100 pm for barely acceptable internet for instance.

Booze of any kind, and smokes and p4p is cheaper in Cambo and some might benefit from that.

Clothes, shoes, etc. are cheaper in Cambo.

The annual visa costs are less and no cash requirements, no age restrictions. Figure $300 a year for the visa and be safe.

Other than that, most things are about the same, but many would prefer Thai food by a long stretch. I found myself paying more for food to get decent food. The street food and local restaurant food isn't much.

The people are typical poor with about 20% the annual income of a Thai. At first blush that sounds like an advantage, but they live in a different world than a Westerner would accept. Therefore a Westerner will be "forced" to pay up, especially for rent, cell, cable and internet, and none is as good as Thai.

Don't misunderstand. I like Cambodia. I could live there. I'm just giving my cost experience. As a matter of fact, I found the people to be more genuinely nice, and to speak more English and better English.

Your mileage may vary, but that's what I see.

Edited April 22, 2013 by NeverSure

[MrWorldwide]

I look forward to seeing PP again in 2014, but I don't go with any particular confidence that adding more Barang to the permanent population of the city is a good thing for either the Cambodian people, the price of food and drink or anything else your average foreigner needs - happy to be proved wrong.

neversure, at roughly 28baht to the USD, I know where I'd rather be waking up each morning if I was paying 600 a month in rent, and it isn't Pnomh Penh. I don't smoke, and Angkor is a nice drop, but I'm not going to plan my retirement around the price of beer and fags

[geriatrickid]

Laos.

aka Issan on the cheap.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

patongphil, on 21 Apr 2013 - 11:14, said:

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

They use US dollars (really grubby old notes for the smaller denominations;) ) and South African Rand for small change.

It's also not particularly cheap at the middle class level. Oh wait, they don't have a middle class to speak of, so you're paying even more.

Infrastructure and roads are rough, and so are the women. The latter however may not be Mugabe's fault.

If you compare their government at any level to that of Thailand, then Thailand is so far ahead in terms of competence, sanity and care for the population that it starts to resemble Sweden.

Beautiful country though, and one of the best climates in the world.

( In summary though, yes you get a decent amount of dollars for your AUD, given that they're US dollars. )

Edited April 22, 2013 by WinnieTheKhwai

[infinity11]

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?

Good question.

Wonder why you ask.

Considering the baht was 40 plus before and now is hovering around 28, this is a big difference.

Add inflation too (rising prices.)

However, I can live with that and all the other crap here because it is hard to imagine a much better life.

Edited April 22, 2013 by infinity11

[infinity11]

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?

With all due respect, I don't find Cambodia to be cheaper than Thailand. First there's housing. Rent isn't cheap, I think because there hasn't been the building boom. What is newer is expensive compared to Thailand.

I'll talk in USD if you don't mind because Cambodia accepts that anywhere, and most can do a quick mental conversion at roughly 30 to one (I wish.)

I didn't see anything nice to rent for less than $600 (and up). Something older and decent, minimum $300. This was PP and SR. These were flats, apartments, studios, if lucky 1 br studios - nothing fancy.

Internet and cell phone services are less performance for a lot more money in Cambo. Minimum $100 pm for barely acceptable internet for instance.

Booze of any kind, and smokes and p4p is cheaper in Cambo and some might benefit from that.

Clothes, shoes, etc. are cheaper in Cambo.

The annual visa costs are less and no cash requirements, no age restrictions. Figure $300 a year for the visa and be safe.

Other than that, most things are about the same, but many would prefer Thai food by a long stretch. I found myself paying more for food to get decent food. The street food and local restaurant food isn't much.

The people are typical poor with about 20% the annual income of a Thai. At first blush that sounds like an advantage, but they live in a different world than a Westerner would accept. Therefore a Westerner will be "forced" to pay up, especially for rent, cell, cable and internet, and none is as good as Thai.

Don't misunderstand. I like Cambodia. I could live there. I'm just giving my cost experience. As a matter of fact, I found the people to be more genuinely nice, and to speak more English and better English.

Your mileage may vary, but that's what I see.

p4p?

pound for pound?

[MrWorldwide]

Pay 4 Play, although in certain parts of Pattaya it *could* be 'pound for pound'. It's ironic that the very same country which sees absolutely no problem in an ad asking for an attractive blonde under the age of 25 to teach English, Pattaya bar owners seem content to hire grandmothers to entertain their clientele. I wonder if those Thai kiddies appreciate the lengths their Principals go to in ensuring that their teachers look good in a low-cut top ?

As always, TiT. Or norks - I always get those two confused.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

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?

Good question.

Wonder why you ask.

Considering the baht was 40 plus before and now is hovering around 28, this is a big difference.

And before that it was 25.

Always in motion, exchange rates are.

[NanLaew]

For quality of life....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-22221860

[bangkokburning]

Can we have a rule please?

Only TV members 1yr+ and +500 posts can start these theads? PLEASE.

OP why dont you strap a pack on your back and take your lazy ass out for a walk.

Im really starting to loathe these threads.