Central America is always on my mind. Costa Rica, the traditional expat escape for Americans, I hear, is becoming little more than a Little America. Ecuador seems to be the new hotspot in S. America. I really would like to see an opportunity open up in Cuba. Who knows what will follow the Castros.

I once worked in Colombia a few years ago in a little town called bueneventura dredging works in the port ,very dangerous country but the woman there where a smokin hot......and also a very beautifull country .

there is no doubt that tourism in Thailand is going the way of Chinese and other Asian tourists. after all the Chinese are the ones with money now. just look at the published numbers. the USA and Europe are still recovering from the worst economic crisis in 100 years. they just don't have the money to spend on vacation anymore. from my experience, most of the Thais i know are better off financially than most of the Western ex-pats i know here. Thailand has been experiencing a booming economy. of course many Thais are living on credit and it will catch up with them like it caught up with the west. indeed prices have skyrocketed here. many things are cheaper in America and Europe. but to me, the Thais are just as friendly as they were when i first came here more than 25 years ago - with the exception of those in Bangkok who are less patient than they were at one time.

no comment on the Russians which mostly visit Phuket, Pattaya and some are going to Koh Chang now. i hope they never come to the North!

Interesting as I visited Koh Chang and was shocked it was like a 24 hour drunken scooter race.

Really?

I think that's a bit of an exaggeration.

Me too. I really like Koh Chang because it is so laid back. I've never stayed in Had Sai Khao as it is too crowded and too many Russians. But most of the other beaches are quite laid back.