Ive been living in Thailand for 4 years now and am thinking about a move to Cambodia. I have just returned from 10 days in Siem Reap,PP and Sihanoukville.1) I find the Khmers much more friendlier than the Thais.Here in Thailand farang are barely tolerated.2) Cheaper cost of living .3)Better visa options.4) Not as much traffic.5)Better selection of restaurants. Of course Thailand has lots of pros compared to Cambodia but with the current political situation here a move I think would be for the better.

you will find if ur living there ( i did for 10 months)

• it is not cheaper to live
• the selection of places to live is very limited compared to Thailand
• the local/street food is not nearly as good,
• electric, internet more expensive
• not as varid choices in the supermarkets for western food
• Medical care far below Thailand
• Traffic in PP on main roads is same as Bangkok
• the politcial sitiuation is very bad right now in PP since last elections an even getting worse now with the Garment worker strike

Yes visas are easier if ur under 50 and are not working legally

yes, drinking and smoking cigs is cheaper

I've never got so sick as I did in Cambodia.

Yet, in Thailand ... almost never.

Them bugs there must be super strong!

PP/Cambodia is OK .. Thailand is much better !!

If you combine posts #1 and #2 you have a pretty accurate representation of my view of Cambodia.

farang are barely tolerated [in Thailand]

Nonsense. If you're barely tolerated in Thailand, you're not going to be transformed into a real charmer by moving to another location and you probably weren't all that well-loved wherever you were before coming to Thailand.

Many pros and cons above.

I love Cambodia

The girls are much nicer!

I believe that it's generally true that Kmers a more foreigner friendly than Thais and more sincere with its too probably because they were colonised. I've always had a great time in The capital. However, good accommodation seems to be more expensive than in Bangkok and getting around on those tuk tuks can be annoying and overpriced. Wonder why they don't have taxis yet? Pollution is also bad and many of the middle aged are illiterate and really don't know where places are.

went to siem reap for a couple of days about a year ago

it was interesting (and sad) see how people live there

can't understand anyone choosing to live there unless they want to help the locals

went to siem reap for a couple of days about a year ago

it was interesting (and sad) see how people live there

can't understand anyone choosing to live there unless they want to help the locals

Where did the sad part come in ?

I like Cambodians, I guess, but always a bit sad when I visit there. I'm an older guy, and tend to be around older people for the most part. When around older Cambodians -- women, taxi drivers, whomever -- I always find myself wondering at what their role may have been when the Khmer Rouge were in power. I know... My problem, and not theirs. Still...

I recently return to Thailand from Cambodia and to say its cheaper, Not in my opinion and that's not my first trip to Cambodia either.

"Thailand has lots of pros compared to Cambodia but with the current political situation here a move I think would be for the better." Ummm... did you not hear about the political situation in Cambodia... they seem to be gearing up for something similar to Thailand.

Yes, you should go for a while. Have fun and I will see you when you get back. Happy New Year!

Take off the rose colored glasses, the grass isnt greener on the otherside of the fence, you are deluding yourself if you think it is.

Making such a decision based on a 10 day trip is ludicrous.

See post #2

I love Cambodia, its the only place i use to get a Visa for Thailand

you will find if ur living there ( i did for 10 months)

• it is not cheaper to live
• the selection of places to live is very limited compared to Thailand
• the local/street food is not nearly as good,
• electric, internet more expensive
• not as varid choices in the supermarkets for western food
• Medical care far below Thailand
• Traffic in PP on main roads is same as Bangkok
• the politcial sitiuation is very bad right now in PP since last elections an even getting worse now with the Garment worker strike

Yes visas are easier if ur under 50 and are not working legally

yes, drinking and smoking cigs is cheaper

You are so kind to even take time to explain him anything...

I have lived here a lifetime but if I was a young man for adventure, bye bye Chiang Mai. If your young go for it,, if your in your 60'stay near a hospital you'll need one.

Careful, the grass is always greener as they say. That said if you are only renting in both places it is

easy to move back and forth as the pendulum swings. Variety is the spice of life.

cambodia is good for a visa run or a few days site seeing.

really nothing else.

the difference between thailand and cambodia is night and day

Thailand, for all it's quirks, is a step up. Cambodia reminds me of the Philippines...as far as the poverty. I always had an uneasy feeling walking around in Cambodia....and those little communist clubs on almost every street corner, full of guys with dubious histories. Might make a visa run, but only for a few days. I like the shopping, beaches, girls, and variety of Thailand. If Burma opens up, I might try that.

Yeah..I know Burma is open..I meant..if it opens up for expats to live there....perhaps a residency/retirement visa opportunity.

Bear in mind you've only spent 10 days in Cambodia. How appealing was Thailand after 10 days?

Still, experience is always good, you can always come back once the novelty has worn off.

Cambodia is a trashy place...garbage everywhere...

I did not find the Cambodians more accepting of foreigners than the Thais

Try Vietnam also...has everything plus the people are nicer than either Cambodia or Thailand...and cheap

Girls are friendly...and not nearly so overt in trying to separate you from your money...

Lived in Thailand for 2 years...was glad to leave...have no plans to return...

I know...all you Thai apologist...take your best shot...

Take more time to take the final move, do a bit more research if you must.

At the end of the day it's your call.

farang are barely tolerated [in Thailand]

Nonsense. If you're barely tolerated in Thailand, you're not going to be transformed into a real charmer by moving to another location and you probably weren't all that well-loved wherever you were before coming to Thailand.

Time to take off the rose colored specs grampa

went to siem reap for a couple of days about a year ago

it was interesting (and sad) see how people live there

can't understand anyone choosing to live there unless they want to help the locals

Where did the sad part come in ?

it is like going back in time to the middle ages when most people were peasants with very basic lives comparable to modern house pets (except with less food and worse medical care)... to see fellow human beings lacking many of the basic human rights, security, comforts and pleasures most of us take for granted is really very sad

^ there are obviously very poor people in Thailand as well but it's easy to lose sight of them with all the bright lights and flashy cars

in Cambodia, your mind is forced to think about the harsh reality of poverty, which for me was painful but maybe i'm just fickle

Why don't you try a longer trip next time see if you feel the same way.

I also tend to prefer Cambodia to Thailand but have only ever spent a few weeks at a time over there so can't say if I would recommend it as a full time place to live.

How about a pros and cons list for both places?

Thailand, for all it's quirks, is a step up. Cambodia reminds me of the Philippines...as far as the poverty. I always had an uneasy feeling walking around in Cambodia....and those little communist clubs on almost every street corner, full of guys with dubious histories. Might make a visa run, but only for a few days. I like the shopping, beaches, girls, and variety of Thailand. If Burma opens up, I might try that.

Been to both.

Poverty about the same.

Cambodians happy looking lot.

Burmese sad looking lot

Got to admit I was not in the down town metropolises of Burma. Kind of wierd to see a Buramese in the middle of nowhere walking down the street with a rifle at least a foot longer than he was high. Saw that twice no other vehicles in sight just the one soldier.

But I do believe Burma was more was beautiful.l Not that I did that much traveling in Cambodia by land. PP to Siem Reap and then to the border. all in a comfortable car.