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[pmarlin]

OxfordWill, on 2009-06-16 18:32:42, said:

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.

[britainmal]

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

[OxfordWill]

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

[MeetJohnDoe]

OxfordWill, on 2009-06-17 15:05:19, said:

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.

[wefearourdespot]

yabs, on 2009-04-25 22:41:36, said:

Philippines just gets worse and worse
.....
and the beaches get more crowded with koreans

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

[Meander]

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

[monoli87]

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

[anotheruser]

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

[westbounder]

Less GOOD GOOD

phibunmike, on 2007-02-06 13:18:28, said:

Quote

in the Phillipines there is / are:

more poverty
more guns
more Americans
More Catholics
more islands
more Jeepneys
more English speakers

more crime

edit> still like it though...

[syntaxtimawa]

Ricohoc, on 2007-02-07 01:55:51, said:

For those of you who have spent time in both places, how would you compare and contrast them?

Do you find more advantages/disadvantages in one over the other?

Thanks, guys!  

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...

[syntaxtimawa]

wefearourdespot, on 2009-06-21 14:44:42, said:

yabs, on 2009-04-25 22:41:36, said:

Philippines just gets worse and worse
.....
and the beaches get more crowded with koreans

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

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

[syntaxtimawa]

britainmal, on 2009-06-17 01:53:47, said:

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

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

[socafever]

the most interesting story is why Philippines has to be hated by

Spoiler

s

Expats... 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

Edited by socafever, 2009-10-14 14:47:31.

[suiton]

^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

[MJo]

syntaxtimawa, on 2009-10-14 13:44:56, said:

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...

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...

[sweetprof24]

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 !)

[Nerone]

Thailand.... wasting my timr dince 1999

[AdoboLove]

syntaxtimawa, on 2009-10-14 13:44:56, said:

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)

Well here is my unbiased rating. I traveled around Thailand for 2 months and lived and traveled in the Philippines most of my life

Natural Parks - Advantage Philippines

National Parks - Advantage Thailand - We don't have that many public parks for people. Infact, I only know one in Manila, which is Luneta

Beaches - Advantage Philippines

Mountain Climbing - Advantage Philippines

Island Hopping - Advantage Philippines

Cheap tour around the country - Advantage Thailand and it will stay that way

Road infrastructure - Advantage Thailand

Shopping/Malls - Advantage Thailand - Shopping is definitely cheaper in Thailand. As for malls, I find the malls in Thailand are concentrated in the Siam area but there's a variety of brands and choices. I find the malls in the Philippines convenient as there is always an SM near where you live - but its only good for running errands and grocery shopping. But shopping is still better in Thailand! Hehe.

I've traveled all over Thailand for 2 months, there are nice beaches, mountains etc. But I still would say more beautiful & unexplored places in the Philippines. Philippines is one of the most biodiverse rich countries in the world. For the person who said brown sand beaches only - you're kidding right? Obviously you haven't traveled much outside of Manila. Remember it's 7,107 islands. Diving is also one of the best in the world - Apo Islands, Tubattha Reef, Ship Wreck diving in Palawan.  The only catch is you have to pay more as Philippines is not as touristy as Thailand (maybe I prefer it that way) and some places you can only reach by plane or boat, well boat is unsafe.

When my friends ask where to go in the Philippines, I usually advice to skip Manila. I also had to laugh when I was in Siam, one of my Swiss friend asked me to stop so she could take a picture of the "traffic" in Bangkok, I told her, that congestion is only moderate traffic in Manila.

As far as religion is concerned, I like that Thailand has less organized religion. I was raised a Catholic but just ended up an agnostic. The  church meddles too much with the affairs of the state.

As far as Sex Tourism is concerned, no thanks. I'd rather keep them away from country.

Well maybe is the situation is bad now. Everyone is trying to leave, well most  are overseas workers, who at the end of their diaspora, goes always back to the Philippines to retire. Maybe 50 years from now, we don't have to send our best professionals outside our country. Most overseas Filipino workers send money so they can send their children to school hoping that their kids wouldn't have to leave their families behind just to get a decent paying job.

Lucky you people, you only have to worry about what is the better food, which is the better beer, which has the better women  

P.S. We don't have elephants in the Philippines, to this day I remain envious of my South East Asian neighbors   . I like elephants

Edited by AdoboLove, 2010-03-23 04:02:25.

[phetchmeporn]

sweetprof24, on 2009-11-14 18:14:52, said:

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 !)

I was a first time visitor to Philippines in 2008. I was expecting Philippines to be fairly similar to Thailand infrastructure wise. I may have made observations similar to those which are critical of the country, however it's not because I 'hate' the country or felt that it spoiled my vacation. My feelings were more of sympathy in alot of ways in seeing the conditions you described. I wish the same thing for the Philippines as you do. It has alot of potential, wonderful people and they all deserve better. Although at times I found it difficult to cope while in the country, I hope and pray one day soon that your vision of the Philippines will come true. The people truly deserve it. God bless.

[grumpyoldman]

sweetprof24, on 2009-11-14 18:14:52, said:

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 !)

sweetprof24, I first traveled to the Philippines 3 years ago, had been travelling to Thailand since 1990, I have lived here in Thailand for the last 5 years.

I am with you, I like the Philippines. Very exciting country, lots to see and do. I was there just last week, was diving in Subic looking at WWII wrecks, on my next trip I want to dive with the whale sharks at Sorsogon. I look forward to a surf trip there.

In reading your post I felt badly, as yes, it hurts when people bad mouth your country ( I am American), but here on the Forum, people are allowed to state their opinions, so let the bad things people say bounce off of you because you and I both know, the Philippines is a great place.

All the best to you and all the Filipino people here in Thailand that might see this thread. "Sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me".

[wheatbreadeater]

wow reading these comments have definitely added fuel to my paranoia.

im kind of surprised.. i was hoping that my country was a tad bit better than thailand..i mean its because of all the horror stories i heard about thailand (the prostitution etc)..i dont live in the main city (manila), i live in another city in the southern part of the phils..where there is hardly any form of entertainment aka hookers or the hanky panky stuff.

my boyfriend of 2 years is visiting me in a few weeks and ive decided to choose manila as our venue for the vacation, since its boring in my city. last time i was there, i was also badgered by a lot of cab drivers who ask me for so much even though i was a "local". cause they know i wasnt from the main city and such (they can tell by my accent )

i kind of feel a little bit stressed cause i dont want my bf to be turned off by it all. so im thinking of spending just 2 weeks there and bring him to my boring (yet safer) city.

9 years ago my family and i went to Indonesia, where my dad works in the phil. consulate..i loved the culture and how i did not see a lot of beggars. menado wasnt such a well developed city but it was clean and the food was good.
i went to australia alone to visit my friend in adelaide and it was very safe and very clean, but then again, that is australia.

ive also been to a lot of countries with a great deal of corruption and poverty, but this doesnt make me hate the country.. if anything it increases my admiration for the amazingly strong people who have to navigate that shit everyday of their lives just to survive. also, visiting some areas of the world.. has reminded me of how Western countries have really fuc_ked a lot of other countries over, and their responsibility to do more than look with disdain at the mess they created and distance ourselves from it as quickly as possible.

well i jsut wanna say, not everyone here in the phils. is a gun toting war freak, a hooker, a beggar, or an opportunistic heartless thief..it just varies. manila is a big city..where there are lots of things..its also more expensive there (the cost of living), thus it attracts a lot of criminals.

i am only hoping that the government fix the country soon, doubtful but it wouldnt hurt to hope.

despite all the bad things that other people can say about us..(being hookers or being cheap or dirty), at least more people are hospitable than other countries. if you go to the hospital bleeding they wont wait till u fill up a form or shell off cash.

a mature, developed country isn’t defined only by wealth and education; it is also about humanity and concern for others.

Edited by wheatbreadeater, 2010-04-30 17:35:38.

[vinniekintana]

sweetprof24, on 2009-11-14 18:14:52, said:

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 !)

So ..what exactly are you tryin to say?

[grumpyoldman]

vinniekintana, on 2010-05-07 11:02:07, said:

sweetprof24, on 2009-11-14 18:14:52, said:

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 !)

So ..what exactly are you tryin to say?

That she's tired as hel_l of hearing people bad mouth her country, especially those that come to conclusions after only spending time in Manila.

[BillieSioco]

To people who does not know the real essence of being a Filipino, pls. dont jump into conclusions.. though its true that corruption is prevalent in Manila (not in the provinces) and bad elements abound in the city (again not in the provinces)I could assure you that there are far more better people than the bad ones.  Filipinos are more educated more caring and less pretentious than others.  Food depends on where you eat, you just have to go to the right places, Thailand is a nice place I also love the foods but people there scares me a lot.
You just have to look beyond the superficial, I been to a lot of places around the globe I can tell you that they too have their own flaws sometimes even worst. so lets stop concluding

Edited by BillieSioco, 2011-03-25 09:04:35.

[jackers]

Tough one, Thailand is cheaper but in Philippines English is more widely spoken, Thailand is more tourist friendly. When going to Philippines it's best to go to the provinces, Manila is crap really and expensive to stay compared to the rest of the country.