Reading this thread makes me really want to try living in Manila. It sounds exciting.

I just came back from spending two weeks in Manila and kind of went based on others recomendations. I was disappointed because they palce is dirty and the beggers are pushy ( which they a alot of). I judge a place based on my gag reflix and I had a lot of those while there. It wasn't the food stalls or markets but the smell of human waste, urine and rotting trash left on the streets. I'd pick Bangkok anytime.

They are both sex tourist places, but the Phillipines is a little more western accepted. Thailand is a more stable and safe.

How does it compare to Jakarta? Ive lived in Jakarta and I loved it, despite the grinding poverty and filth.

If grinding poverty and filth are no problem, you should feel very much at home in Manila. Filipinos are also a Malay race of people like Indonesians - so they look like and speak English with a similar accent - so you should feel right at home.

here in Pattaya they get more crowded with Russians.
To each country its own scourge, I guess

Just my thoughts.

I live now for more than 1 year in Cambodia where i run a business.
I travelled athe recent years a lot in south east asia and visitid phills and thailand about 7 times

Thailand is called the LOS but now i only notice fake smiles. Its all about money money and their best case scenario is that you send your wallet by post.

Phills is a wonderfull country if you go to the provinces. People in Manilla are not nice, they try to ripp you, its poluted and stinks.
In the provinces you will meet the nice and friendly filipinos. Good cities with a good mix of having enough entertainment and still laid back are Cebu and Davao.
I have been to Dumaguette as well but that was too boring.

Dont need to say that my favorite country is Cambodia

if comparing by their movie or drama, Thailand is more interesting.... their culture, their folks and hygiene...

but i think maybe Philippines has own exquisite...

BTW... i love both of that country

My opinion on the matter is short and simple. Thailand is much easier and the Philippines has much more beautiful places.

Less GOOD GOOD

Malls - Advantage Philippines
Natural Parks - Advantage Philippines
National Parks - Advantage Philippines
Beaches - Advantage Philippines
Mountain Climbing - Advantage Philippines
Island Hopping - Advantage Philippines
Cheap tour around the country - Advantage Thailand (Philippines is an archipelago state)

--
For the information of everybody Philippines is NOT JUST manila. There are more than 7000 islands in the Philippines.
If you don't like dirt, pollution, flood, poor people, crime try, typhoon, calamity, earth quake, visiting Davao City.
If you like to party, enjoy safe red light districts try Cebu.
If you want surfing try Surigao.

There's a lot of places in the Philippines that you might not know.


--
As for thailand, I was only there for 7 days. Been to phuket, bangkok, crocodile park,. Thailand is only good when you really want to travel by land and visit many places.
As for the Philippines, there are so many places to visit and to choose from...

hahahaha... and where's that? in Cebu beaches? You can't just say Philippines as there's tons of beaches in the Philippines, and tons of cities with beaches

how can you say safe when there's so much AIDS in thailand??? although this time they are very much aware

the most interesting story is why Philippines has to be hated by sExpats... even the far away country like Thailand hates us Y_Y

udonthani
lolo
solero
mr. whippy
farrang prince

did I miss someone?

Thailand is a more stable and safe.
have you checked the murder rate data recently? google it and then you will see RP is much more safer than your beloved Thailand

This post has been edited by socafever: 2009-10-14 14:47:31

^maybe.... the members here cant google certain topics at the internet due to extensive campain of thai govt. to shield their kingdom from further humiliation?
as for the haters I think they have been trained by the kingdom of LOS that there is no flaw in their system. flaws and mistakes only applies to neighbors... I dont know

Absolute crap, spend some time in Thailand and get to know it and you find your post is pointless.

Dont't get me wrong. Phils is nice place and so is Thailand. Have been living and working couple of years in Phils and several in Thailand.

The biggest difference is that Thailand is so easy to move around, even Bangkok when comparing to Manila. Both have beatiful beaches and provinces but to get there in Phils requires some effort. This naturally is partly a good thing as Phils is not that much over developed tourist trap than Thailand is in some places.

In safety Thailand wins clearly, try walking around in downtown Manila middle of the night... For those who have been moaning about police checks in Thailand lately, go to downtown manila or chat up couple of MAPSA guys while driving and report back...

can't help but sigh...all of your observations about the Philippines are true ( almost )...I really appreciate those who like the country for its people,places and culture. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. For those who hate the country, maybe due to bad experiences, I can't blame you but I think it's better for you to keep out of Philippine soil (or water).

I'm a Filipina working in Thailand. Unlike most of you, I didn't come here to see the sites and scenes of Thailand. I'm one of those people who seek greener pastures outside of my country. I can't wait for the time to go back and be with my family.

Just wish my country was as rich as your countries so that we will not have any beggars on the streets or so that the security officers in our malls, banks, and hotels wont have to bring big guns or so we don't have to work overseas and be separated from our families or so that we can prepare a beautiful and lovely place for you to visit...

Just wish my country has a government that is as blemished-free as your governments so that we can live in a corrupt-less society or so that we can have better infrastructures or so that we can have better hospital care etc so that on your next visit..you'd feel comfortable...

Sorry for the inconvenience and discomfort that you felt when you visited my country..It's really sad that my country was not able to satisfy your craving for clean, fun and exciting vacation...maybe we were just busy working so we can eat, we can have roof over our heads and we can have clothes on our body.... I think you really ought to stay in Thailand or some other countries in SE Asia.... We don't really need additional mouths to tell us how ugly and worst our country is....the People of the Philippines is already a handful....

I like Thailand but will not write about it anymore....you have stated how amazing Thailand is over and over and I will not write about the Philippines coz I'd be bias....

I like Thailand but I love the Philippines ( obviously !)