I am in Hong Kong for a few days to attend a fair and something strikes me one early morning when taking the metro to go to work : Hong Kong expats are generally younger, fitter, dress better and look much more professional than the average Bangkok expat. And when people in this forum complain that the new visa restriction will be the ruin of Thailand, it is actually much more difficult to obtain a long term visa in Hong Kong than in Thailand.

So why Thailand which on many aspects has much more to offer to would be expats than Hong Kong is failing to attract theses "quality" expats ?

PS : Pls note that I'm not talking about tourists but about professionals, people who come here to work.

Darwinian comment of the day.

I'm waiting for the photos...

That's because I am not a expat in Thailand yet, sadly barely a pat but as soon as I become an ex-pat the beauty index in Thailand will skyrocket .

Until then you all will have to be content with looking at each other

Why do you claim Thailand has more to attrack professional expats than H.K.? Would think the reverse is more accurate

Edited October 18, 201411 yr by simple1

No1 Most young "ex-pats" in Thailand can't afford a weekend in HK.

No2 No baggy pants and rasta hairdos allowed.

No3 You will find Thai Style scruffy beer swilling expats around The Old China Hand. You've just been hanging in the wrong places.

Why do you claim Thailand has more to attrack professional expats than H.K.? Would think the reverse is more accurate

A lot of HK expats envy Thailand's (perceived) better quality of life.

On the other hand, at a professional level, Thailand is seen by many as a dumping ground for washed-up expats and those who couldn't make it in more competitive places like Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul or Singapore.

Actually it's probably a chicken/egg problem. There is not world class expat because there is no world class employers who are not here because they can't find world class expats who are not here because there is no world class employers who are not here ....

Why do you claim Thailand has more to attrack professional expats than H.K.? Would think the reverse is more accurate

A lot of HK expats envy Thailand's (perceived) better quality of life.

On the other hand, at a professional level, Thailand is seen by many as a dumping ground for washed-up expats and those who couldn't make it in more competitive places like Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul or Singapore.

Actually it's probably a chicken/egg problem. There is not world class expat because there is no world class employers who are not here because they can't find world class expats who are not here because there is no world class employers who are not here ....

And maybe - just maybe - Thailand (and other places) offer lifestyle options that a great many people much prefer over what is offered by HK.......

Maybe Bangkok expats don't look nearly as good, but have you been to Chiang Mai?

Here in CM you find expats dressed to the nines, working out in their spare time, and it shows. Go down Soi 2 by the City View condo to see what I mean.

I'll spare my followers my usual wife-beater shirt comment.

Edited October 18, 201411 yr by mesquite

Darn it. I retired in the wrong place. I always felt that crowded streets, expensive housing and a good foundation of communist government would be the way to go. How is JacKie Chan getting along?

You already answered yourself. Because Hong Kong is an actual international, working 'country' (territory) and end destination, whereas Thailand is more of a tourist haven and a place certain types escape to. Professionally, your typical expat here might be an English teacher or oily worker, whereas all types of English-speaking white collar opportunities are available in HK.

This is how I remember Hong Kong.

Edited October 18, 201411 yr by thailiketoo

Compared to expats that you have seen where in Thailand? On the skytrain? BTS?

Nonsense topic of the day. I'd like to know how the OP can detect who is an 'expat' on sight alone.....do they wear badges now?

OP, the expats that you have seen must have been in the business district.

Try going to Silvermine Bay on Lantau island or Llama Island, where a lot of the long term ex-pats live and you will see a totally different picture.

Or if that doesn't open your eyes, book to stay in Chungking Mansions for a couple of nights.

Hong Kong expats are more beautiful?

No they're not... they just think they are.

Nonsense. HK expats think they're better. BKK expats are all verrrrrry handsome.

Are you talking about the men or the women as ex-pats in Hong Kong?

The answer to that may shed a different light or agenda to the OP.

Never heard of anyone comparing ex-pats from different countries before as being prettier than another location.............

OP, the expats that you have seen must have been in the business district.

Try going to Silvermine Bay on Lantau island or Llama Island, where a lot of the long term ex-pats live and you will see a totally different picture.

Or if that doesn't open your eyes, book to stay in Chungking Mansions for a couple of nights.

It's the lap of luxury that Chungking Mansions place.

As a professional who has done quite a bit of business in Thailand and in HK over the years, I can't see a single reason I would want to relocate to either place. Visit yes but live, no way. Even my wife who is Thai has no desire to live in Thailand anymore after a few years in the US.

As a professional who has done quite a bit of business in Thailand and in HK over the years, I can't see a single reason I would want to relocate to either place. Visit yes but live, no way. Even my wife who is Thai has no desire to live in Thailand anymore after a few years in the US.

So tie that statement into the topic. You don't want to move to Thailand or Hong Kong because Hong Kong expats are more beautiful?

As a professional who has done quite a bit of business in Thailand and in HK over the years, I can't see a single reason I would want to relocate to either place. Visit yes but live, no way. Even my wife who is Thai has no desire to live in Thailand anymore after a few years in the US.

So tie that statement into the topic. You don't want to move to Thailand or Hong Kong because Hong Kong expats are more beautiful?

Well, I like Hong Kong, not sure if I'd want to live there. Worked in Singapore, like it, and would do it again; Bangkok is fine, but irrespective all three places has it share of expat idiots.

What's the ratio of sexpat to expat in hk? I suspect it isn't as high as it is in Thailand.

Another reason is weather. Hot humid all year here but there is a winter in hk so people can dress up a bit.

What's the ratio of sexpat to expat in hk? I suspect it isn't as high as it is in Thailand.

Another reason is weather. Hot humid all year here but there is a winter in hk so people can dress up a bit.

Go to Wanchai and Lan Kwai Fong and report back

OP, the expats that you have seen must have been in the business district.

Try going to Silvermine Bay on Lantau island or Llama Island, where a lot of the long term ex-pats live and you will see a totally different picture.

Or if that doesn't open your eyes, book to stay in Chungking Mansions for a couple of nights.

It's the lap of luxury that Chungking Mansions place.

Ah the deluxe suite (seriously).

Do the DPs hangout in Chungking Mansion??

What's the ratio of sexpat to expat in hk? I suspect it isn't as high as it is in Thailand.

Another reason is weather. Hot humid all year here but there is a winter in hk so people can dress up a bit.

Go to Wanchai and Lan Kwai Fong and report back

Maybe the OP spent his time in Joe Bananas, the place is full of suits and not a shared brain between them.

What's the ratio of sexpat to expat in hk? I suspect it isn't as high as it is in Thailand.

Another reason is weather. Hot humid all year here but there is a winter in hk so people can dress up a bit.

Go to Wanchai and Lan Kwai Fong and report back

Maybe the OP spent his time in Joe Bananas, the place is full of suits and not a shared brain between them.

A case in point. I think though it has now closed??

 

As a professional who has done quite a bit of business in Thailand and in HK over the years, I can't see a single reason I would want to relocate to either place. Visit yes but live, no way. Even my wife who is Thai has no desire to live in Thailand anymore after a few years in the US.

 

Maybe you should just cut & paste that into every post you make