I am contemplating moving to another S.E. Asian country and would be grateful for any help or advise as reguards ease of setting up companies, work permits,purchasing property and visa rules etc in the above named countries?

Extensively covered in the SE Asia forum, but I doubt that you will find everything you are looking for in a single thread (or even a single country). Long story short, each of your alternatives has its swings and roundabouts, and you will find brickbats and bouquets for each of them. Only real way to know if a country is right for you is to get on a plane - even then, it will take more than a week or two in holiday mode.

On the plus side, we seem to have a few regulars who spend a large part of their year in Pnomh Penh and quite a few who live in Myanmar - beats getting everything third-hand.

As MrWorldwide say or I understand: your question is very simple and there are thousands of answer. I live 8 year in Thailand a member country of ASEAN Member and I have been in most countries you mention: Laos, Cambidia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia. Mostly I was 70% of time abroad. We can't decide after even 2-3 weeks holidays because all questions are very complexe but basicly what count first are the visa conditions and facilities. There are not only this on the paper written conditions, there are many legal tricks around the law. And also how stricte the country handle all. Very large and flexible is to name Cambodia. I evaluated last years Indonesia, Philippines and was 30 times in Vietnam only by this I can decide now to move to Vietnam.

To your basic question: More or less all mentioned countries are "Farang friendly" it depend first on yourself how you act and do not forget to and adapt to the country you go, remember "you are a guest." If I would give you all my experiences I would need write one or two books so place your very exact questions! Good luck, special for business and buy land which you can't in any countries ... without a middle man or middle woman than mostly you lost before you buy! Many country don't accept anymore as Thailand that you own a company at max 49% with only target buy land!

While the OP didnt mention Malaysia, it's worth noting that its one of very few countries where foreigners can own landed property, albeit within limits.

http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Asia/malaysia/Buying-Guide

Foreigners can purchase any kind of property with a minimum value of MYR250,000 (US$80,802). They are allowed to purchase up to two residential properties – two condominiums (max. 50% foreign ownership within a block) OR one condominium and one of the following:

• Terrace or linked houses above two storeys, but limited to 10% of the total number of units built of this type
• Lands/bungalows and semi-detached houses, but limited to 10% of units built of these types

While the OP didnt mention Malaysia, it's worth noting that its one of very few countries where foreigners can own landed property, albeit within limits.

http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Asia/malaysia/Buying-Guide

Foreigners can purchase any kind of property with a minimum value of MYR250,000 (US$80,802). They are allowed to purchase up to two residential properties – two condominiums (max. 50% foreign ownership within a block) OR one condominium and one of the following:

• Terrace or linked houses above two storeys, but limited to 10% of the total number of units built of this type
• Lands/bungalows and semi-detached houses, but limited to 10% of units built of these types

I am sorry but as I said I can't write a book and a time ago also in malaysia you could only rent land. Buildings as houses and Condominium you can buy in most countries.

Last year I spoke with a few people in different situations, 2-3 from Laos and two from Malaysia, all of whom stated that Laos is about to loosen their grip on foreign ownership of land and buildings.

Is this something in the pipeline, or is it just wishful thinking?

BTW

The Thai connection is if things start moving in a certain direction in one ASEAN country, it will have an effect on the other participants – I think, ((therefore I am - in SE-ASIA)).

BS