Cambodian 3 year visa: Are you tempted?

[ozzieovaseas]

Sorry if this has been done in  a previous thread (couldn't find anything via search).

 

I was recently reading about the new 3 year visa Cambodia is soon to offer. In one way, it seems to good to be true, but then again what is the place

actually like to live in compared to Thailand?

More specifically, do you think one could easily adapt to Cambodian lifestyle after being in Thailand a decade or so?

 

Considering the negative proposals/announcements from Thai immigration that keep coming with regularity, and with the hurdles forever getting higher

would you be tempted to make the move? Or maybe even consider a six month (or so) change of scenery. 

 

Any feedback or thoughts?

[Huk]

Having spent half a decade in Thailand my wife and I moved to PP three years ago. We will be first in line for the 3 year visa when we return on Sept 2nd.

 

Living in Cambodia is actually an improvement on Thailand in many ways. Different frustrations but many of the same positives. We actually have less hassles with language barriers but medical services are basic and many western staples we take for granted in Bangkok supermarkets are missing. Having tried both Cambodia comes out on top for us.

[Wallich]

If you are old (like me) I would look closely at Hospital and other medical services. Infrastructure and performance of mobile and internet services. To me, Thailand comes out on top. Regards

[freebyrd]

I became totally fed up with TL 10 years ago. Been living and working in PP since then. It isn't paradise but it isn't hell either. No grief with WP or visa. People don't resent you the way Thais do, I much prefer it to TL.

 

That said, as always, one man's meat.....

[Caca4u]

I got fed up with the way the thai goverment treats foreigner and decided to move to ho chi minh recently.

Let me tell you it is a wonderful feeling when I read dozens of ads on the internet inviting foreigners to apply for job positions as engineers, teachers, office workers and etc.. where in thailand I would see "thai only".

Living here now I have the feeling I was living in segregation in thailand. 

I am enjoying the fact if I decide to open a business and can just do it on my own.

 

Before coming here I stopped in PP, while there I had sand in my eyes all day, there is contruction going on every where you look. Property ownership for foreigners is more relaxed than thailand.

In a few years it will be a good alternative for the arrogant thailand.

Vietnam right now is the place to be.

[themerg]

Man was made to live anywhere.

Adapting is Up 2 U.

Cambodia is in the same , humid ,hot South East Asia as Thailand.

Customs, prices, food and dos and don'ts will be different.

Edited August 29, 2016 by themerg

[mcfish]

Cambodia needed to do something to try and get some interest in that very real 3rd world hell hole.

Even instant citizenship wouldn't interest 99% of Thai expats except the few paranoids who believe the regime is out to get them!

[Kabula]

No, I like to move forward, not backward...

 

Cambodia is a big disappointment for most and I don't see it getting any better in the future.

 

However, some do love it for awhile, until they miss what Thailand offered them. 

[Rod Gold]

Sent ample time in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.  Vietnam suited me so much better than the other two.  People are extremely smart, helpful, and accepting of foreigners without the false smiles. 

 

Infrastructure, malls, food vendors, beautiful country, easy access to ladies, and plenty of places to live make Vietnam a great place to either visit or live.

 

Some of their beaches are the best in the world IMHO.

[Bender]

I love Cambodia! Give it a try, life is better there.

[smotherb]

As I see it, many of the die-hard Thai-o-files have buried themselves here--wives who cannot speak any other language and refuse to leave; property bought which is not really owned, but still cannot be sold for what you have into it; and those too old or too poor to set up elsewhere again. They will say anything to rationalize their stay here and influence you how good it is. Those who are actually content here have found a niche--love-life, children, friends, home, business or simply bars and sex.

 

I see few things getting better here and many things getting worse. Of course, that is my opinion, but it's the only opinion I can have.

 

 

 

[BaiLao]

Too many variables without knowing your specific circumstances. Certainly "... maybe even consider a six month (or so) change of scenery..." would be a good idea, without question - suck it and see.

[Deli]

Would go there today if could could get the same position as I have now in TL

[AsianExport]

Cambodia is like Thailand 20 years ago but with more crimes, especially robbery, but western food is cheaper and more people seem to understand what you tell them and try to improve. They are not like most Thai who think that they are the best even if they have never read a single book their whole life...

 

 

[Clamhua]

Get a 3 year Cambodia visa and a retirement extension in Thailand..best of both worlds

[Thaidream]

As much as I love Thailand and its people- if I was a single person- I would go and try either Cambodia or Vietnam. Thailand is intent on becoming a newly industrialised country and it has serious growing pains. Cambodia and Vietnam are the New Frontier- where everything goes and there is both fun and money to be made. For the life of me, I do not understand why a single person, not of retirement age or married to a Thai stays in Thailand with all the hassles and harassment.  I learned Thai and I am sure I could learn Cambodian or Vietnamese and so can you. If  I wasn't married and bought  in Thailand- off I would be. The Thai bureaucracy needs to wake up- it's not the only game going.

[mcfish]

1 hour ago, Bender said:

I love Cambodia! Give it a try, life is better there.

So your saying your still here right?

[Inyourendo]

Will never return to the shithole Los to live ... Bali is awesome ... more expensive, but awesome.

[mcfish]

15 minutes ago, Inyourendo said:

Will never return to the shithole Los to live ... Bali is awesome ... more expensive, but awesome.

Sure if you like being surround by 1 million Australians at any one time...or did you go to the jungle?

Its just an extension of Australia really 

 

 

Edited August 29, 2016 by mcfish

[4737 Carlin]

Been living in Phnom Penh for nearly 3 years - and can't wait to leave. Its an awful place to live. Its also a myth that's its cheaper than Thailand - the important stuff like rent, electric, and supermarket shopping is more expensive and of lower quality.  

[louse1953]

2 hours ago, mcfish said:

Sure if you like being surround by 1 million Australians at any one time...or did you go to the jungle?

Its just an extension of Australia really 

 

 

I left Oz to get away from them.Bali is just a concentrated form of Oz.Going there for the 1st time in 16 years next year.

[bristolgeoff]

visa,s are easier in Cambodia,alittle different from Thailand.overall I think Cambodia will come out in front because of the visas instead of Thailand which is always changing their visa and cost.if you need medical then Thailand is better food about the same

[Ronuk]

8 hours ago, Caca4u said:

I got fed up with the way the thai goverment treats foreigner and decided to move to ho chi minh recently.

Let me tell you it is a wonderful feeling when I read dozens of ads on the internet inviting foreigners to apply for job positions as engineers, teachers, office workers and etc.. where in thailand I would see "thai only".

Living here now I have the feeling I was living in segregation in thailand. 

I am enjoying the fact if I decide to open a business and can just do it on my own.

 

Before coming here I stopped in PP, while there I had sand in my eyes all day, there is contruction going on every where you look. Property ownership for foreigners is more relaxed than thailand.

In a few years it will be a good alternative for the arrogant thailand.

Vietnam right now is the place to be.

The majority of people came to Thailand not to work. If you need to work, you may as well work in the west and earn proper money. I am not saying there aren't some high paid jobs in a specialized field, but they are few and far between. 

[swissie]

There is a "Cambodia" and a "Cambodia Visa" sub forum. Never seen anything like a 3 year visa there. I must have missed something. Cheers.

[balo]

6 hours ago, Bender said:

I love Cambodia! Give it a try, life is better there.

 

Haha you love to bash Thailand don't you ? Must be a paradise for you. 

[mrfaroukh]

I had been in the capital once for 7 days. Got really bored. The only nice and clean area is the area River Side where there are some nice restaurant, hotels and Casino. That whole area is nice but the moment you step into side roads all are old and dirty. I was also having huge problem finding good food. After almost 9 PM very difficult to find something to eat. Prices were also more expensive for almost everything except cigerates and drinks.

[Phatbeets]

9 hours ago, Rod Gold said:

Sent ample time in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.  Vietnam suited me so much better than the other two.  People are extremely smart, helpful, and accepting of foreigners without the false smiles. 

 

Infrastructure, malls, food vendors, beautiful country, easy access to ladies, and plenty of places to live make Vietnam a great place to either visit or live.

 

Some of their beaches are the best in the world IMHO.

 

Aside from phu quoc - which for sure has tarnished in the last 5 years - can I ask to what beaches are you referring?

 

[bkkrooftop]

13 hours ago, Wallich said:

If you are old (like me) I would look closely at Hospital and other medical services. Infrastructure and performance of mobile and internet services. To me, Thailand comes out on top. Regards

Ive been staying in siem reap for close to a year and like it a lot better than thai. It def has its downfalls but every place does.  I find internet (fiber) a lot better than thai.  Just not many people using it so not much bottleneck i assume.  Power can be a problem so stay somewhere with a generator.  I find cambodians a lot nicer and more welcoming than thais.  The last 3 years i just really feel thai people dont care for farangs to be around.  Little crime in siem reap but if u dont go out drinking late and hang with good people , there are no worries.  

 

 I just feel life is easier here.  I do go to thai to get dental and health done . Which breaks up the monotony here.  Plus the police are pretty laid back and if there is any extortion its just a couple thousand riel. I didnt care for pp but Battambang was pretty cool upon visiting.    

[Inyourendo]

11 hours ago, mcfish said:

Sure if you like being surround by 1 million Australians at any one time...or did you go to the jungle?

Its just an extension of Australia really 

 

 

 

Depends where you go ... nothing like that where we live, but love it .... people way more genuine here than the shallow arsed money hungry, thais. .... 

[Jip99]

14 hours ago, Kabula said:

No, I like to move forward, not backward...

 

Cambodia is a big disappointment for most and I don't see it getting any better in the future.

 

However, some do love it for awhile, until they miss what Thailand offered them. 

 

 

"Cambodia is a big disappointment for most..."

 

Based on your survey of how many people exactly ?