Cambodian 3 year visa: Are you tempted?

[Jip99]

7 hours ago, swissie said:

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.

 

 

Come on Swissie, keep up .

 

At least Google Cambodian 3 year visa if you are going to comment on it.

[Scouse123]

The 3 year visa ' supposedly ' getting rolled out in September 2016 but don't hold your breath unless you are of Chinese / Japanese origin. There will be one or two more in there but of Asian origin.

 

The Western governments have not even seen or agreed to the terms of it and what it entails. Cambodia is always doing headline grabbing, attention seeking press releases but it usually fizzles away,. Guys, believe it when you see it. They started a knee jerk reaction to foreigners using the one year visa, which they now say is for foreigners ' working ' and must be accompanied by a work permit, only then to realize they have thousands of foreigners who are in the country living independently who neither work nor need to, and they have not yet come up with a visa to satisfy this need.

 

As a regular to Siem Reap and Cambodia in general, it has a heck of a long way to go to catch up with Thailand. A good few of the  Pattaya T shirts and tattoo brigade are now making their way their with their usual behavior as they no longer have funds for Thailand or the bank balances required for extension of stays. They will not find what they are looking for in Cambodia. A few sleaze pits in Phnom Penn and that's your lot apart from massage parlours in Siem reap which front for whore houses.

 

However, Cambodia is not geared or set up for the Pattaya brigade and I feel ( hope ) they will drift to Sihanoukville or try their best to get back into Thailand. The lawlessness is getting worse in Cambodia due to poor living standards and little or no education on the part of those drifting into cities from the rural areas looking for an easy buck; or forced there by the poor harvests of late and in debt due to borrowing money, that they simply cannot afford to pay back.

 

Vietnam, to answer a posters question has ways to stay in the country by ' invitation ' from Vietnamese business people. The rules are pretty fixed on 90 days for others and it means border runs. There are plans to change this but it is a Communist country and red tape takes time.There are no retirement visas, to my knowledge at this time. It is a country I intend to spend far more time in exploring.

 

The difference I have found between these very different peoples are the Thais are ruthless (by and large) and will con you out of anything they can whilst smiling at you. The Cambodians are naturally friendlier and simpler people, many desperate to get on and eager to learn and embrace new ideas. The kids run to school to learn English and French if they can and  even use their own money from part time jobs for evening study. Those in charge in Cambodia and occupying Police, Army or Government positions are <deleted> as they are in Thailand. The Vietnamese, I have found, have a distrust of foreigners after their experiences of the French and then the Americans. They can be friendly but come across as ' cold ' one thing for sure, if they don't like you they have an ability to make it glaringly obvious.

[smotherb]

16 hours ago, Deli said:

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

Yes, I would, but I am not married to a Thai and own no business or property here.

[muzmurray]

22 hours ago, ozzieovaseas said:

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

 

Can you explain or give examples?

[Gary A]

I really like Sihanoukville despite the poor infrastructure. At one time I was seriously considering retiring there. I like to think I am pretty cautious. I visited a medical clinic and was appalled at how dirty it was and the lack of equipment. I decided that I didn't want to die lying on a plank bench in one of those places.

 

As a very true and sad note, I had four friends retire there. One moved from there to the PI's and the other three died in Cambodia. The one who moved to the PI's died there. Getting old is a scary thing especially knowing that medical care is so poor.

[Rod Gold]

16 hours ago, Phatbeets said:

 

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

 

Try Nha Trang for starters.

[freebyrd]

On 29/08/2016 at 4:18 PM, mcfish said:

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!

 

Hell hole? Have you ever been to Nepal, Bangladesh, Mumbai? I have, quite by chance, met a few acquanitances from my TL days who are living in Cambodia now. I had a business meeting with I must say, a very pleasant Thai lady yesterday and she asked me for an honest opinion of TL. I told her that 30, 20 years ago I couldn't get enough of the place. Now it's all about money, cars, mobile phones and Facebook. She actually agreed and said that Cambodia isn't like that. Not yet I told her, but it will come, fortunately I will be a pile of ash by the time it does. In fairness, IMHO the whole world is a shadow of what it was 20 years ago.

 

All that said., as always, one man's meat.......

[freebyrd]

On 29/08/2016 at 5:27 PM, 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. 

 

10 years in Cambodia and i DO NOT miss Thailand or the shabby way foreigners were/are treated.

Edited September 2, 2016 by freebyrd
mispelling

[freebyrd]

On 30/08/2016 at 0:38 AM, balo said:

 

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

 

Saying he loves Cambodia is bashing Thailand?! Too many on this forum bash Cambodia and must be spoiled rotten. I've been to FAR worse places than Cambodia. For thos of us that live here and previously spent long spells in Thailand it is indeed preferable.

[freebyrd]

On 29/08/2016 at 9:15 PM, 4737 Carlin said:

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.  

 

I've been here 10 years, guess it must be a different PP to yours? Rent, electric, supermarkets expensive compared to the LOSilliness? - totally disagree.

 

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

[freebyrd]

On 30/08/2016 at 2:04 AM, mrfaroukh said:

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.

 

Sounds like you need one of the free PP guides that are everywhere. Nowhere to eat - , if anything there are TOO MANY places to eat......

Edited September 2, 2016 by freebyrd
mispelling and unfinished

[siam2007]

On 30/08/2016 at 8:34 PM, Rod Gold said:

Try Nha Trang for starters.

 

 

Nha Trang ? You must be kidding..... if you like Nha Trang beach, then probably you think of Pattaya as a great beach area too.....

If you had said MUI NE, I would have agreed though

[kekalot]

I am semi tempted by this 3 year visa or even the 1 year "business one".

I am 34 years old and now lived 3 years traveled all around Thailand by motorcycle but lived mostly around Phetchaburi.

 

juggling 3 triple entry tourist visa and now on ED, I seem to think that sooner or later I might be forced to leave.

I don't drink, I don't party, no smoking, no drugs.. no interest in any of that stuff..

 

all I want is just simple life, safe location, maybe beach if possible, good internet (Cha-am fits that for now)

 

now, I have about 6-9 months left on this visa and not being of retirement age, my options at the moment are the following:

 

Thailand:

Get married and use Non-Immigrant "marriage" visas.. meh.

I could move to Chiang Mai on some different ED visa for hand to hand combat and whatnot.. which is quite a temporary thing but apparently might be renewable for 2+ years

I can fly home to Canada every ±9 months which costs me about ±50,000 baht and apply for METVs with the possibility of being declined for doing that too much (that would suck)

I can go back home and freeze up in Canada.. of I can go somewhere else

 

Vietnam:  I could move to Vietnam given proper chance on visas (I read a bit about the invitation thing, some company sell that apparently.. shady deal i'm sure)

Cambodia: maybe easier visas

Philippines: straightforward enough visas, I would have to look more into it but kind of gave up after visiting for 3 weeks.. however by now I know that I should have chosen my location better

 

- let me tell you one thing about the Philippines that I liked, the girls spoke English, they understood English humor, sarcasm and all that.. 90% of the English jokes in movies goes over the head of the girls I met in Thailand -not that many mind you but it includes a nurse with a Masters Degree that even after being "explained" the jokes she would fake laugh even if she obviously still didn't get em.

 

my question is: are any of you guys in this position (not retirement age) or can propose something? I am not looking for farang life/food and all amneties, just cheap apartment, a fan, access to internet +(that isn't down all the time), proper mobile data packages (backup internet mostly) and that's all I need.. not a big city, not too small, close to the beach if possible (I live 30 meters from the beach now)

 

I feel that at some point in the next future this Thai immigration thing is going to drive me annoyed or they will end up refusing me entry and would like to get out before that happens..

who knows, maybe after a year or two in a different country I'll know better and return..

[Penefattore]

On 9/2/2016 at 11:21 AM, freebyrd said:

 

I've been here 10 years, guess it must be a different PP to yours? Rent, electric, supermarkets expensive compared to the LOSilliness? - totally disagree.

 

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

I am in Phnom Pehn right now and went to have a look at Lucky Supermarket in Sorya shopping mall ... everything is more expensive than in a Pattaya supermarket except booze. I even bought 3 oranges lured by a 1.1 $ price tag only to learn at cashier desk that wasn't a price for 1 Kg but for 1 piece ! 

i just bought a 2lt water bottle at the supermarket in front of my hotel (Silver River) and got charged 2$ ! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Penefattore]

On 8/29/2016 at 4:18 PM, mcfish said:

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!

well they'd better reopening Sophie Bar rather than offering new visas if they want to get some results...

[freebyrd]

9 hours ago, Penefattore said:

I am in Phnom Pehn right now and went to have a look at Lucky Supermarket in Sorya shopping mall ... everything is more expensive than in a Pattaya supermarket except booze. I even bought 3 oranges lured by a 1.1 $ price tag only to learn at cashier desk that wasn't a price for 1 Kg but for 1 piece ! 

i just bought a 2lt water bottle at the supermarket in front of my hotel (Silver River) and got charged 2$ ! 

 

 

 

 

 

I would offer that anyone who has been in PP more than a month gives Lucky as wide berth as possible as they are expensive. Try Bayon, Thai Huot, Supa Dupa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[freebyrd]

9 hours ago, Penefattore said:

well they'd better reopening Sophie Bar rather than offering new visas if they want to get some results...

 

For many the appeal of young totty on tap waned long ago. Everyone must get bored of it eventually?

[freebyrd]

9 hours ago, Penefattore said:

Cambodia: "your piece of Africa in South East Asia"

 

Thailand, your basket case that punishes Farangs in SE Asia.

[freebyrd]

9 hours ago, Penefattore said:

which is a serious drawback....

 

Get a life man.

[freebyrd]

On 29/08/2016 at 5:27 PM, 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. 

 

10 years in Cambodia and I haven't missed anything in TL.

[Penefattore]

14 hours ago, freebyrd said:

 

For many the appeal of young totty on tap waned long ago. Everyone must get bored of it eventually?

not all of us have reached andropause yet ....

 

[Penefattore]

14 hours ago, freebyrd said:

 

I would offer that anyone who has been in PP more than a month gives Lucky as wide berth as possible as they are expensive. Try Bayon, Thai Huot, Supa Dupa.

some are at a reasonable distance from my hotel, will do, thanks

 

[freebyrd]

9 hours ago, Penefattore said:

not all of us have reached andropause yet ....

 

 

I guess some are quicker than others. I had SIDITIO - seen it, done it and ticked it off by age 35.

[Penefattore]

On 9/13/2016 at 8:34 AM, freebyrd said:

 

I guess some are quicker than others. I had SIDITIO - seen it, done it and ticked it off by age 35.

my deepest condolences

[theoldgit]

A number of off topic posts removed along with some just bickering.

[jethro69]

On Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 8:34 AM, freebyrd said:

 

I guess some are quicker than others. I had SIDITIO - seen it, done it and ticked it off by age 35.

Didn't tick it off b4 I had 'm all but the mamasan ?