Alternatives to Thailand. Cambodia ? Philippines ?

[anotheruser]

What invaluable insights there Willy!

Well, he's got a point. People moving to phillipinz because the beer is cheaper? Shockingly pathetic .

But is the beer over the better or cheaper? Is it worth moving for? Edited May 15, 2016 by anotheruser

[TheSiemReaper]

I've lived in Cambodia, Vietnam and China as well as Thailand.

1. Cambodia - easiest visas in the region, beer and smokes cheapest in region, availability of Western products is good, electronics are cheapest in the region. The downsides are that good quality accommodation is expensive and electricity is hellishly expensive. English is spoken in most big cities and usually of a higher standard than in Thailand but out in the sticks... not a word of English to be found most of the time. The people are friendly but petty crime is the national sport and both street theft and burglary are as common as muck. Violent crime is comparatively rare though. No 90 day reporting or indeed any kind of reporting. Can start a business easily. Overstay is no big deal.

2. Vietnam - visas are a bit of a pain. Book business visa through company online for 3 months but arrive by air, renew twice (progressively more expensive) and then leave and fly back and start again. Friendly, honest people outside of tourist hotspots where they are vultures. Beer and smokers are cheaper than Thailand. Girly bars, for those who care, are very different to the rest of the region - you cannot take a girl out of the bar except at closing time (2 a.m. ish) and in most cases you will need to book her for another day and pay through the nose for her company in a short-time hotel. Having said that, Vietnamese girls like foreigners and there is zero shame in being with one - it's the only place in the region where girls regularly bought me drinks rather than the other way round. However... most tried to close getting married in the first week of dating. Accommodation is on a par with Thailand in terms of cost, electricity is also about the same. Street crime in tourist areas is rife. Violent crime is rare. 90 day reporting is required but often can managed by your landlord if you live in a decent building. Overstay will get you in a ton of trouble and banned from the country.

3. China - visas are easy but expensive (find a local broker). It is much more expensive than SE Asia for most things though beer and smokes are still cheaper than Thailand. Accommodation is cramped and often roach infested for much more money than here. Expat areas are few and far between. Women are the best on earth but there is a small but significant segment of the local population which is rude, dirty and generally unpleasant. English is rarely spoken anywhere. (Despite 400 million people learning English at the moment). Electricity is cheap. Internet is cheap and excellent. Petty crime is common and crimes often turn violent. Must report to police within 24 hours of entering the country, or if you check into any accommodation which is not a hotel. Overstay is expensive and will get you in a ton of trouble.

[Tony125]

13 Indonesian sailors abducted by suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists

MANILA: -- Thirteen Indonesian sailors have been abducted by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants from their tugboat off the southern Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi two weeks after four Malaysian hostages were released for ransom, The Manila Times Onlinereported on Thursday.

Indonesia media reported that the boat captain of the tugboat Charles 00 phoned his wife and told her that gunmen who introduced themselves as Abu Sayyaf intercepted them at sea on Wednesday then demanded 20 million ringgits for their safe release.

Both the abductors and their hostages were last seen heading toward Tawi-Tawi, one of the five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

The tugboat was on its way to Samarinda in East Kalimantan following a trip from the Philippines when it was intercepted.

A Philippine envoy reportedly said that the militants have been carrying on its kidnapping activity because both the Indonesian and Malaysian governments are willing to pay the ransom.

Source: http://englishnews.t...yaf-terrorists/

[MyFrenU]

Dont like Philipines personally , but many farang i know do , They go for 1 reason.

Try Vietnam very nice

The most pristine beaches on Planet Earth?

[Tomtomtom69]

Dont like Philipines personally , but many farang i know do , They go for 1 reason.

Try Vietnam very nice

I've looked at the property prices there but it looks pricey. Nothing under $200 a month in HCMC?? I'm comfortable with about $100/month for a room rental. My income is not huge. I'm just a digital nomad, so I need a decent apartment that is priced right but has a good internet connection. For me, Thailand has ticked all the boxes so far. Although, I would choose Cambodia today if only I could find an apartment there for around $60 a month with wifi(still looking).

$200 per month is Pricey?

I assume you are talking USD.

$200 per month is about 10% of rent of where in the US I come from ( San Francisco area)

Where did life go wrong for you?

Maybe a "Digital Nomad" is not such a good job choice for you?

$60 per month would not pay your water bill in the US!

LOL. Some good points you raised here.

Yes, a US$60 a month pad can probably be found in Phnom Penh (and certainly in the countryside). However, what will you get for your money? A dingy dive, about the size of a shoebox where you'll probably want to spend as much time as possible outside, either at a co-working space or a coffee shop such as Starbucks or Gloria Jeans.

Seriously for US$300-400 a month you can live in relative luxury, for US$500 or so actual luxury. Even in Thailand you won't find any decent apartment for less than around 4000-5000 Baht a month (before utilities) meaning 6000-8000 depending on how much air-con you use once the bill arrives and that means a room with a small bathroom, no kitchen. A minimum of 10,000-12,000 is needed (at least in Bangkok) for an apartment with kitchen.

[genobkk]

(Mods - this should have been a sticky years ago ..)

OP, this issue has been discussed at great length on several occasions in the SEA forum:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/123-southeast-asia-forum/

It was also very popular when the British pound dropped to record lows a year or so back - not sure if *anyone* actually went anywhere other than the UK, but here's my two cents worth:

1. For every country in the region, most of us can list positives and negatives, but a single negative experience (particularly assault/robbery) in a given country really drags any further discussion of said country into a downward spiral. I'm not sure how many TVers have actually been robbed in KL, but those motorbike bandits must ride straight past me at 3am - God favors fools and drunks, apparently

2. If all you want is cheap beer and company, I'm not aware of a better option than Cambodia and the corruption reportedly makes it very easy to get a 12-month business visa. Personally, I want more than the above, and I just know that said corruption would come back to haunt me eventually. If you can find any two people who agree on S'ville or Siem Reap as viable alternatives to PP, please let me know - to date, those threads seem to go nowhere.

3. If this thread is accurate, you may have problems leaving the PI with a new girlfriend:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711084-filipinos-required-proof-of-financial-capability-to-travel/

4. Anyone who considers Thailand a corrupt country may not enjoy life in neighbouring countries, With the exception of Singapore and possibly Brunei, I doubt that any of them are immune to this cancer - by the time you get to Indonesia, its simply the way things are done on a daily basis. I'm hoping I can play 'see no evil' in Malaysia - time will tell.

If all of the above sounds a bit academic, 35 days from now I climb on a plane out of Sydney and expect to be a resident of Penang just as soon as I settle a 12-month lease on a condo. Till then, soihok and one or two others here can give you more info on Malaysia - just be aware that the overall cost of living (particularly nightlife) is generally more expensive than Thailand. My only experience of Malaysia to date is as a tourist, but the only way to find out if it's for me is to get my feet wet - I suspect that you will eventually come to the same realisation. Good luck.

I am interested in Malaysia also but do not qualify for second home and read visa runs are not allowed. I do not have any first had knowledge but I do love Penang and even KL. the people are way more educated then Thailand. If you want real friends with locals it is best choice Edited July 9, 2016 by genobkk

[McMacao]

On 3/21/2014 at 2:00 PM, MrWorldwide said:

(Mods - this should have been a sticky years ago ..)

OP, this issue has been discussed at great length on several occasions in the SEA forum:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/123-southeast-asia-forum/

It was also very popular when the British pound dropped to record lows a year or so back - not sure if *anyone* actually went anywhere other than the UK, but here's my two cents worth:

1. For every country in the region, most of us can list positives and negatives, but a single negative experience (particularly assault/robbery) in a given country really drags any further discussion of said country into a downward spiral. I'm not sure how many TVers have actually been robbed in KL, but those motorbike bandits must ride straight past me at 3am - God favors fools and drunks, apparently

2. If all you want is cheap beer and company, I'm not aware of a better option than Cambodia and the corruption reportedly makes it very easy to get a 12-month business visa. Personally, I want more than the above, and I just know that said corruption would come back to haunt me eventually. If you can find any two people who agree on S'ville or Siem Reap as viable alternatives to PP, please let me know - to date, those threads seem to go nowhere.

3. If this thread is accurate, you may have problems leaving the PI with a new girlfriend:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711084-filipinos-required-proof-of-financial-capability-to-travel/

4. Anyone who considers Thailand a corrupt country may not enjoy life in neighbouring countries, With the exception of Singapore and possibly Brunei, I doubt that any of them are immune to this cancer - by the time you get to Indonesia, its simply the way things are done on a daily basis. I'm hoping I can play 'see no evil' in Malaysia - time will tell.

If all of the above sounds a bit academic, 35 days from now I climb on a plane out of Sydney and expect to be a resident of Penang just as soon as I settle a 12-month lease on a condo. Till then, soihok and one or two others here can give you more info on Malaysia - just be aware that the overall cost of living (particularly nightlife) is generally more expensive than Thailand. My only experience of Malaysia to date is as a tourist, but the only way to find out if it's for me is to get my feet wet - I suspect that you will eventually come to the same realisation. Good luck.

I hope to hear about how that is going for you..being that was 2014.  I'm interested in Penang myself...as well as Bangkok, KL, Malaka, Kuching, Phuket, Hanoi, Saigon, Danang, Bali, and a few other places. :)

[McMacao]

On 3/21/2014 at 5:02 PM, slipperylobster said:

Incorrect. I know many who have married friends...and myself 30 years ago...and lived in the states. They all want to go back to PI..... with money of course.

same idea as the Isaan gal returning with the fat farang wallet and making her mark.

In the Philippines, it is very tribal... People in a Barrio are like a big family. It is the social interaction that is missing completely where I live in Udon, now. The Filipinos are all out in the streets mingling with neighbors, singing, drinking outside and kind of hanging out. Thai people stay indoors when at home. Filipinos stay outdoors....and group up. It is kind of festive. They organize into Barkadas (packs of close friends) and roam around... They miss that alot

If you ever really talk to a Filipina/Filipino in the USA ....they will seem happy, but you can see they miss their Barrio and Barkada of friends... and will get misty eyed.... You need to see how happy they are when they get back herE..

But, I find that Filipinas/Filipinos always create that same thing everywhere they go - in every country, everywhere.

 

You place a Filipina anywhere in the world, and shortly she'll have an entire horde of other Filipinas she feels obligated to (and wants to) spend as much time as possible with.

[McMacao]

On 3/21/2014 at 9:34 PM, weegee said:

As I have stated before on a simular post to this one...

Filos invented Scams

Thais bettered it

Vietnamese perfected it.....

BUT

By far the Vietnamese women are much prettier than a Thai or Filo....

Good rule of thumb is the further you move away from the equator, the prettier the women.....

China is to die for, if your young and got sense enough to choose right.....

I've always felt the opposite.  I have no interest in Chinese at all.  The more I get into the Southeast Asia, the better it gets....anything south of China is great.  

[McMacao]

On 3/22/2014 at 12:02 PM, rockdog said:

Recently spent a year in the PI... northern Luzon. Around Baguio is fine, nice mountain climate, cold in winter, a few typhoons, otherwise pleasantly hot,

People were congenial, like to socialise, party, sing a song. Property-rich, cash-poor for the most part.

Quality of life OK. Scenic roads up to the rice terraces or down across to beaches on the west coast in a day. Outside city centres it feels quite healthy. Laid-back lifestyle, the few westerners there seem content. For us Joes it's probably more 'comfortable' culturally than the rest of east Asia, similar to Malaysia in a way except church bells instead of muezzins..

Been a few times in Boracay, Cebu and such islands...good for a holiday. Angeles city just on the way to Clark airport, nightlife fairly low-key, a good laugh all round. Try a Red Horse beer before you leave Thailand and find out why the food doesn't need to be on a par with Thai or whatever...chicken, pork, potato 'adobo', usual noodles, rice, fish and veg dishes...plenty of devil sauce if it's too bland.

Definitely worth a visit as it's so near; you won't regret it...better to have seen it even if you come back, than not to have seen it at all.

I'm going back eventually, want to visit Mindanao and the southeast next time.

Happy trails.

I've spent a lot of time in the Phillippines.  Baguio is one I haven't been to in a long time, and I didn't do much when I was there - just walked around Sessions Road and such.  I really wish I would have gotten up into the hills and tourist areas - which is more what Baguio is good to see and do.

[McMacao]

On 4/24/2015 at 9:22 PM, questionsreplies said:

Hello,

Where to find in philippines an island where i can be almost alone on a 2 kms beach as on Koh Phangan during low season ?

And how much for a frontbeach bungalow ?

Thanxxxx

7000 islands in the Philippines.

 

Only a few like Boracay and Alona Beach (Bohol) are crowded with tourists and such.  The mass majority of Phils beaches are quite tourist free, or very limited...mostly the foreigners you see on most islands are solely there for the Diving.

 

That being said, the beaches are amazing, and it is quite common to be on a boat going to one island that you've read about in the Lonely Planet, only to bypass other gorgeously beautiful beaches, that have no Lonely Planet reference about whatsoever....

 

In other words, there are tons of them....tons and tons and tons.  Throw the Philippines map on the wall, throw a dart, and whatever island you hit, look it up in the Lonely Planet, and they'll tell you several white-sand beaches..and go there.

 

As an aside...renting bungalows is usually a tourist thing. Not that they don't have them, but looking for bungalows implies you are looking for a tourist beach with other foreigners on them, the type that would occupy bungalows on a beach.

Edited January 3, 2018 by McMacao

[McMacao]

On 4/25/2015 at 7:16 AM, MrWorldwide said:

(FWIW, it didnt take long for me to realise I may as well have stayed in Oz as live on Penang, but others love the place - its all about finding the right fit)

3

Ah, I guess that means Penang was a bit sterile...I mean, I think that is what the 'may as well have stayed in Oz' reference means...?

[McMacao]

On 4/25/2015 at 11:18 AM, siam2007 said:

BANTAYAN ( check wowbantayan.com )

very little tourism and the tourism that is there is low-profile, has been devastatetd by the Typhoon 2 years ago but recovered reasonably. Just make sure you can entertain yourself as it can get very boring with no nightlife whatsoever (the streets - or rather small lanes - are completely dark after 8 pm but unlike in cebu or manila, they are safe). The clearest water and the most beautiful deserted beaches of the PH.....

I was going to recommend Bantayan myself.  Gorgeous place! I've been to about 15 beaches or so in the Philippines, maybe a bit more.  

 

Bantayan was one of my favorites, that I'd like to return to - as well as the usual suspects - Boracay and Palawan (in case someone asks).

[questionsreplies]

On 1/3/2018 at 10:49 PM, McMacao said:

7000 islands in the Philippines.

 

Only a few like Boracay and Alona Beach (Bohol) are crowded with tourists and such.  The mass majority of Phils beaches are quite tourist free, or very limited...mostly the foreigners you see on most islands are solely there for the Diving.

 

That being said, the beaches are amazing, and it is quite common to be on a boat going to one island that you've read about in the Lonely Planet, only to bypass other gorgeously beautiful beaches, that have no Lonely Planet reference about whatsoever....

 

In other words, there are tons of them....tons and tons and tons.  Throw the Philippines map on the wall, throw a dart, and whatever island you hit, look it up in the Lonely Planet, and they'll tell you several white-sand beaches..and go there.

 

As an aside...renting bungalows is usually a tourist thing. Not that they don't have them, but looking for bungalows implies you are looking for a tourist beach with other foreigners on them, the type that would occupy bungalows on a beach.

 

 

Yes, hard to find bungalow on uncrowded islands, and anyway most of the time there is no 24h electricity, water and Internet. This is why PI s u c k s !

[McMacao]

On 1/15/2018 at 9:42 AM, questionsreplies said:

 

 

Yes, hard to find bungalow on uncrowded islands, and anyway most of the time there is no 24h electricity, water and Internet. This is why PI s u c k s !

Yep!  That's the catch!

 

If you want tourist infrastructure, you are going to have other tourists!  No way to avoid that.

 

 

[gerryBScot]

Just returned from two week family holiday in Philippines. Mrs Portnoy is a Filipino so that helps. Been a fair few times before. I really rate Cebu City very highly despite a worsening traffic situation. Excellent shopping malls - SM Seaside and City, Ayala; reasonably priced food and lots of options in the mall. Filipino food is far from my favourite but I have to say I ate some delicious local food during this trip. Try the House of Lechon in Cebu, where we had a really pleasant feed on local food including blood soup. We spent a few days on Bohol which were disappointing - very touristy and commercial; Alona beach is cool but quite crowded. Then to Dumaguete in Visayas, a very popular destination for Americans and onwards to Bacolod City, which appears to be on an upward curve. One thing that made a huge difference was being able to use the Grab taxi app - only once did a driver up the price and my complaint to the company produced an immediate response. Yes it is dirty and can be dangerous but a lot of the risks can be minimised by not putting yourself on offer. I think next time we're going to tour, fly into Cebu and see where we end up - hopefully on some glorious white sand beach and clear blue ocean! Mabuhay!

[gamesgplayemail]

1 hour ago, gerryBScot said:

Just returned from two week family holiday in Philippines. Mrs Portnoy is a Filipino so that helps. Been a fair few times before. I really rate Cebu City very highly despite a worsening traffic situation. Excellent shopping malls - SM Seaside and City, Ayala; reasonably priced food and lots of options in the mall. Filipino food is far from my favourite but I have to say I ate some delicious local food during this trip. Try the House of Lechon in Cebu, where we had a really pleasant feed on local food including blood soup. We spent a few days on Bohol which were disappointing - very touristy and commercial; Alona beach is cool but quite crowded. Then to Dumaguete in Visayas, a very popular destination for Americans and onwards to Bacolod City, which appears to be on an upward curve. One thing that made a huge difference was being able to use the Grab taxi app - only once did a driver up the price and my complaint to the company produced an immediate response. Yes it is dirty and can be dangerous but a lot of the risks can be minimised by not putting yourself on offer. I think next time we're going to tour, fly into Cebu and see where we end up - hopefully on some glorious white sand beach and clear blue ocean! Mabuhay!

 

 

Thank you for your confirmation, thanks to you I am so sure to never travel there.

Funny that you can call somewhere pleasant where the food s_u_c_k_s, the beaches are not so nice, and only malls are interesting.

But maybe you are Thai and travel to visit new malls :-) Also I notice that you travel there because you have no choice as you live with a Filipina.

 

 

 

 

[lopburi3]

On 2/26/2018 at 1:41 PM, gamesgplayemail said:

 

 

Thank you for your confirmation, thanks to you I am so sure to never travel there.

Funny that you can call somewhere pleasant where the food s_u_c_k_s, the beaches are not so nice, and only malls are interesting.

But maybe you are Thai and travel to visit new malls :-) Also I notice that you travel there because you have no choice as you live with a Filipina.

 

 

 

 

Not what I read but then I have lived in the Philippines and would not hesitate to live there again in another life.  I have also lived in Bangladesh and Guinea but probably would not want to live their again.  That he may not adore local foods is not all that unusual for many countries - the question is if there are alternatives - and there are.  The Philippines is full of scenic beauty - from volcanic mountains to thousands of beaches on over 7,000 islands.  Very few locations are overdeveloped but one he visited indeed is and serious consideration is being given to shutting down tourist assess for six months to help rebuild.  The fact that English is known by almost everyone and most people are generally friendly might account for his feeling it was a pleasant experience regardless of negatives. 

[Gruff]

On 3/21/2014 at 6:53 AM, Splint10155 said:

G'Day Mate,

I lived in the Philippines (Bacolod) for 12 months, never saw so many guns (every shop has an Armed Guard) or armoured cars in my life, same same in Manila, I found the people were fine but the food left a lot to be desired, ask yourself this, have you ever seen a Phillipino Restrauant anywhere in the world other than the Philippines?

Cost of living I found better than Thailand and workmanship on anything was probably on a par with Thailand "close enough is good enough", apart from Makati I found the rest of the country to be rather dirty actually.

If I left Thailand I would be more inclined to move to Vietnam, probably around the Vung Tau area, yes you have the normal expat issues but the beaches are great, countryside is lovley and the food is just behing Thai for me.

Cheers and good luck.

Yes there are Filipino restaurants in London there is one in Pattaya one in Chang Mai that i know of as well

 

[lopburi3]

Food I believe most of us will admit is not a strong point, especially so if you are not partial to adobo - but just about any type of food can be found in major cities where most expats will settle.  One strong point that I have not seen mentioned is vocal entertainment - a much better experience than just about anywhere else.

[sekmet]

The challenge, I suppose, is to find the balance between pristine (undeveloped), and comfortable (possibly overdeveloped) Were I 25 year old backpacker looking for a rustic beachfront bungalow, Cambodia and Vietnam would likely win out. Were I 55 year old portly traveler, Philippines and Thailand might be better choices. And to be sure, there is a little of both in all four places.

While per capita GDP in Thailand is twice that of the Philippines, you wouldn’t know it once you got out of the big cities. Infrastructure is sorely lacking in both countries, be it roads, power generation, waste water treatment or pollution.

 

Most crime in the Philippines are perpetrated by other Filipinos and while you might get your head cut off in the lower reaches of Mindanao, one also might get shanked by riled up tuk-tuk driver practically anywhere in Thailand. And, as a point of comparison for you Americans, it is not uncommon for an unarmed person to get shot in the back by the POLICE in the US.

 

Phuket is over developed and the beaches are in poor shape. Boracay is over developed, but eh government has taken the extreme measure of losing down the island to fix it. Bohol, Samui, Palawan, Koh Tao, Puerto Galara, Krabi, Bantanyan, etc. all have beautiful beaches and infrastructure development challenges.

 

The Philippines have an easier long term visa program and practically everybody speaks English. Thailand has better health care and food. For my money, I would rent somewhere near CRK, maybe San Fernando, and take low cost flights to popular beaches whenever. CRK also has international flights, just to avoid the mess that is NAIA.

[lopburi3]

8 hours ago, sekmet said:

And, as a point of comparison for you Americans, it is not uncommon for an unarmed person to get shot in the back by the POLICE in the US.

I understand your point but that statement is totally ludicrous - it would be very, very uncommon for someone not involved in illegal activities to have any negative involvement with police, much less being shot.  That any such situation, even when involving crimes, is headline news would seem to point to the fact it is not common.  

Although in agreement with most of your post would say that Thailand has much better road network (not being islands it makes sense) and power system (when was power off for months here?).  

[spidermike007]

Spend some time in the PI first. I have a good friend who lived there, and he got incredibly sick from the pollution. Apparently they use a very heavy form of diesel, that creates a tremendous amount of soot. Especially from the trikes and tuk tuks. Really awful. He ended up spitting up blood, spent some time in a marginal hospital, and as soon as he returned to Thailand his condition improved. The PI is seriously third world. Crazy poor. And alot of crime.

 

I knew a guy years ago, who did personal security. He was fluent in about six martial arts, and was a big guy, about 6'4" and broad. He told me that he could handle three of four assailants without much of a problem, as long as they did not have guns. I asked him if there were any countries he would not accept an assignment. He told me the PI was the only place. He said the locals had alot of fighting skill, and liked to use it randomly for fun, or to rob you. He said that was the only place, where he could not guarantee the safety of his client. I don't know about you, but looking over my shoulders all the time, and always having to think about where I am walking, gets old very quickly for me.

 

And the food really, really sucks. In the PI, they do not have the culinary gene, like the Thais do. Even the fruit and vegetables are poor, and the meat and fish? Forget about it. There are some pretty spots, but they are fairly hard to get to, and the infrastructure is really weak. Plus the weather is harsh. They get some major storms, alot of flooding, typhoons, etc. Transportation is not as good as in Thailand, and basic infrastructure is not either. The 100 MB download speeds I get on my fiber optic would be a dream over there. Lastly, it is hard to find a nice place to live. The apartments and homes my friends live in over there are horrendous. Ugly. No landscaping. Nasty. And they are not cheap. 

 

There are basically three reasons to live there. The first one being the top reason.

1. The women are incredible. They speak far better english, many gorgeous younger gals seem to like older men, and their demands are far, far lower than the average Thai woman. And most are far more passionate than most Thai women. 

2. The english skills. They speak really good english. The lack of skills in Thailand can get really tiresome! Even at the five stars. Feels like they are barely making any effort to learn.

3. The PI is far more westernized than Thailand. You do not feel like you are on another planet.

 

Also, the PI men are pretty cool. It seems like some are genuinely interested in getting to know us. In Thailand that is rare. In all the years I have lived here, it is astonishing how few Thai male friends I have made.

 

But beyond that? I prefer Thailand hands down. But, I have a really good woman. If I did not? 

Edited April 18, 2018 by spidermike007

[GeKoSc]

On 3/21/2014 at 10:32 AM, ggt said:

Take time to visit Vietnam...you may be pleasantly surprised...as I was...

Nice country....unfortunately Vietnam does not offer long term stay for retired people...unless you get contracted by a company or government office there...or you will set up a business...  

Edited April 18, 2019 by GeKoSc

[KhunFred]

On 3/21/2014 at 9:46 AM, crazykopite said:

It would be a good idea to go onto an expat phillopino site and ask the question or better still take a trip for a month or two and see for yourself !

FACT: You can live permanently in the Philippines on a tourist visa. You only need to leave the country briefly every three years. No insane financial requirements.

[Dingo1170]

On 3/21/2014 at 10:32 AM, ggt said:

Take time to visit Vietnam...you may be pleasantly surprised...as I was...

Hi, I went to Da Nang, Hoi An and Saigon, I am a hard arse and as I was sick to death of Thai drivers, women and attitudes, I found the Vietnamese so much more amenable, actually beautiful people, I was totally surprised. Whilst Saigon is way to big and noisy for me, Da Nang and Hoi An were sensational. Laos also had gorgeous people etc , Cambodia I would be dead in week, it’s definitely the Wild West.

[Jingthing]

On ‎3‎/‎29‎/‎2018 at 8:38 PM, Gruff said:

Yes there are Filipino restaurants in London there is one in Pattaya one in Chang Mai that i know of as well

 

Where is the current one Pattaya?

[taiwanatoa]

I am interested in Malaysia also but do not qualify for second home and read visa runs are not allowed. I do not have any first had knowledge but I do love Penang and even KL. the people are way more educated then Thailand. If you want real friends with locals it is best choice

That is good to hear. So you like Penang? That is where I am considering going. But I am not clear about the visa situation. I read where someone said it is possible to renew a 90 day tourist visa once or even twice. Do you have any other information? Do they also have cheap decent rooms with private bathrooms like Bangkok? Here my rent is 5,500 baht for a decent place.


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[spidermike007]

Spend some time there first. Having been there a few times, I feel like the entire country is one big Tijuana. Filthy, polluted, lots of slums, even the nice areas are ugly, and some of the worst food on the planet, perhaps second only to Cuba. The security situation there is really bad too. However, the people are cool, and the women can be amazing.

[ExpatPH]

Philippines:

 

Yes the food sucks imo, but so much western food are available here in restaurants, and supermarkets in major cities.

 

Some Thaivisa members also posted in other threads that they enjoyed the local food, so keep an open mind at least.

 

As another member said, Philippines is best for those over 50 years, and those who don't need a 'Walking Street' and openly prostitution. Although that can also be found here, in Angeles.

 

If i was younger than 50, I would seriously test out Vietnam.

Over 50 but in good health, Philippines is a alternative.

 

Wonderfull women.

Easy visa, no stress!

English.

No tm-30, No tm-28.

No 800k or 400k.

And the exchange rate!

 

USD = 51

GBP = 63

EUR = 56

AUD = 34

CAD = 37

 

Now compare to Thailands poor exchange rates.

Philippines still a bad option?

 

In other thread I posted according to survey, Philippines is overall 8% cheaper than Thailand.

 

If Cambodia is a option, so should Philippines be. I find them both to be similar in many ways = both less frills and comfort than in Thailand, and both half GDP compared to Thailand.  Many times, a country's GDP can be a indicator for what to expect, when it comes to western comfort and quality.

 

While a few remaining defenders of LOS still bash some other countries in the region, I have a question:

if your next visa extension was denied, and countries nearby isn't good enough, are you heading to your home country?

I expect so, since you already told us that other countries are only shit.

 

Food for thoughts.

 

ExpatPH

 

Edited June 22, 2019 by ExpatPH