Prev Page 2 of 2 1 2 Please log in to reply 41 replies to this topic

[technocracy]

All is fine here .. .. thanks for asking though!

[stevehaigh]

if things stay pretty much the same as they are now, i could live out the rest of my days in LOS.

if things go down hill big time and farangs are all but kicked out, Lao would probably be my next stop. why? because its close to Thailand to visit the wife's kids often and the wife and I speak the language over there, in the wife's case. like a native because she's from Phetchboon.

[sabaijai]

Interesting blog by an American living in HCM City, Vietnam.

The View From 608

[anotheruser]

stevehaigh, on 2009-07-08 09:06:20, said:

if things stay pretty much the same as they are now, i could live out the rest of my days in LOS.

if things go down hill big time and farangs are all but kicked out, Lao would probably be my next stop. why? because its close to Thailand to visit the wife's kids often and the wife and I speak the language over there, in the wife's case. like a native because she's from Phetchboon.

I am currently based in Laos and really have no complaint. I still think Thailand is okay but too developed. On the other hand Laos is okay but underdeveloped. I like the peaceful setting and knowing I can go to Bangkok to party or procure some goods when I need to is great. If you are used to Thai as spoken in Isan it is really no problem language wise. One thing I observed though as I learned Thai in Bangkok and the south is that it is so confusing when I have to change languages the first few days. I end up speaking Lao but put krub on the end of everything. At other times I am not even sure if the word I am trying to say is Thai or Lao (or the same in both) as I am not fluent in either.

As far as life goes in Laos I am loving it and don't regret my decision to escape Thailand at all. The people in Laos are in my opinion much friendlier and a lot less greedy. At times they may not swarm you with smiles like Thailand but that is usually because they are not trying to get something out of you. Limited english is perhaps another reason but anybody you engage will generally be helpful and genuine.

The government unfortunately is a bit too controlling. However this isn't always a bad thing. They don't allow a Pattaya type place to sprout up. Okay people could point at Vang Vieng but even that is very controlled. Casual visitors aren't going to notice the corruption with a smile aspect of Laos that much but it can be frustrating if you are trying to live and do business there. The corruption is not very well hidden and this is because you would be insane to openly speak up about it to anybody important.  Most the locals don't like the government either but it is what it is.

The good thing about the strangle hold of control that the government has is that it makes it a rather unappealing place for sex tourists. Sure there are a few, but over all they stay away. Drug tourism is an increasing problem though.

If shopping malls and partying aren't your main criteria in a place then indeed Laos is a good alternative. I tried out Cambodia at one point and that just wasn't for me. Laos is gentle, Cambodia isn't. A place that I really wish would open up is Burma but that isn't likely to happen obviously. I hope that Laos continues to go with the influence of the Thai culture as opposed to the Viet Namese/Chinese way.

One thing I have enjoyed about living in Laos in a rapidly developing area is that I have been able to influence to a certain extent through my financing of some businesses which way the development goes. For instance, I chose to develop quiet accommodation rather than sell out to making a 'Bob Marley' bar. I don't feel my taste is better than anybody else's but it is my preference. Moonlight raves aren't my thing and if they are yours perhaps Thailand is more suitable. I was also able to work with some of the neighboring guesthouses and when they saw what I am doing agreed.

They are also at least in my experience ambitous people that do not really want to live in poverty anymore. Some people would love them to stay in some sort of weird 'cultural museum' for them to go see once a year on holiday. When I tried to make a new project and funded it, it got done. I tried to help a bit in Thailand before and found when I came back things were rotting in the ground. It makes me happy to live in a place that people have such pride in themselves and are willing to grasp the opportunity if it presents itself. They seem to have a balance... they don't want to live in chicken shacks forever but are also able to accept what they have in Laos.

It is becoming a bit more like Thailand as far as the scams and the 'money is everything' mentality, but over all it is still nice and relaxing. You do have to barter but the starting price of a pair of flip flops is maybe 50 baht and the real price is 40. In Thailand in many places they see that sun burnt farang skin and the bargaining begins at 1,200 baht (think Phuket here) for the same thing in some cases. Sometimes I just pay the extra 0.20 cents extra and don't bother. It is definitely very small and not for everybody and that is sort of a good thing or it would be like anywhere else.

Chok dee krub oops I mean sok dee krub oops I mean simply sok dee.

[PattayaParent]

Viet Nam comes in 5th in the Good Life Survey of the best places in the world to live and is the No. 1 Asian country.
http://www.ft.com/cm...;nclick_check=1

[JR Texas]

[quote name='PattayaParent' date='2009-07-10 09:40:09' post='2861168']
Viet Nam comes in 5th in the Good Life Survey of the best places in the world to live and is the No. 1 Asian country.
[url="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e2d20da2-682f-11de-848a-00144feabdc0.html?ftcamp=rss&nclick_check=1"]http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e2d20da2-682f-11...;nclick_ch

It would be nice if some person less lazy than I am would post the results here..........when I go to the website it asks me to register and that is something I am not going to do.  Thanks in advance.........how does Thailand and surrounding countries rank?

[PattayaParent]

No registration is required???

14 Philippines
16 Indonesia
19 Laos
20 China
33 Malaysia
39 Burma
41 Thailand
49 Singapore
80 Cambodia

[Soulwy]

tuky, on 2009-06-20 09:11:43, said:

I live in Indonesia, I quite like it here.

However, I can't see many differences to Thailand except for the religion, the food and the language.

My ex-wife isn't here so that is a big plus. (Although she does keep threatening to come )

Hahaha...

PS where in Indonesia?
____________
"No registration is required???

14 Philippines
16 Indonesia
19 Laos
20 China
33 Malaysia
39 Burma
41 Thailand
49 Singapore
80 Cambodia"

Euhm...well...this list make things a lot easier...

Starting from Thailand, I went to the Philippines. I lóved its people and joyeus mentality. Looking for my future home, my next move is to Indonesia (Lombok) and Malaysia. After reading this topic Laos has also my interest. And probably go back to the Philis. to get this happy boost again.

[stevehaigh]

PattayaParent, on 2009-07-10 13:51:30, said:

No registration is required???

14 Philippines
16 Indonesia
19 Laos
20 China
33 Malaysia
39 Burma
41 Thailand
49 Singapore
80 Cambodia

this is surprising, i thought Singapore usually tops the SEAsia list. personally i don't like Singapore much and i really don't like Costa Rica which is no1 on their list. Thanks for the info about Lao.

[JR Texas]

stevehaigh, on 2009-07-11 01:03:26, said:

PattayaParent, on 2009-07-10 13:51:30, said:

No registration is required???

14 Philippines
16 Indonesia
19 Laos
20 China
33 Malaysia
39 Burma
41 Thailand
49 Singapore
80 Cambodia

this is surprising, i thought Singapore usually tops the SEAsia list. personally i don't like Singapore much and i really don't like Costa Rica which is no1 on their list. Thanks for the info about Lao.

Thaiand has gone downhill fast, but I am shocked at the results posted above.  Thanks for the clarification.......not sure how accurate the assessment is though.

[tuky]

Soulwy, on 2009-07-10 23:03:38, said:

tuky, on 2009-06-20 09:11:43, said:

I live in Indonesia, I quite like it here.

However, I can't see many differences to Thailand except for the religion, the food and the language.

My ex-wife isn't here so that is a big plus. (Although she does keep threatening to come )

Hahaha...

PS where in Indonesia?
____________

I am between Malang (East Java, near the mud volcano), Palembang, Batam and current in Natuna.

I have found it much easier to get things done here (via a facilitator), EG I have both car and bike license which I never had in Thailand. I can own my own home. I am currently a resident (not Perm. Resident) so I only need to renew my KITAS yearly without leaving the country at all.

I have two nice bikes. One i entered into a show and received 2nd place. My other bike ( Yamaha V-Ixion) is at the shop getting customised as we speak.

Maybe I like it here so much because I am free of my ex-wife and her controlling family. All I ever owned in Thailand was a set of golf clubs. Everything else belonged to the family. Now it is all MINE, all MINE I tell you.

    

ps, you should see my new girlfriend


What I have learnt recently is that no matter what country you are in, it is only going to be as good as you make it. It is up to ourselves.

Edited by tuky, 2009-07-14 21:05:20.

[sabaijai]

Nice post, Tuky.

[dastott]

Can foreigners really own land in Indonesia? Wasn't aware of that.

[tuky]

dastott, on 2009-07-15 12:40:26, said:

Can foreigners really own land in Indonesia? Wasn't aware of that.

It really does depend where.

Decree number 068/KPTS/KA/III/1999 This regulation states that foreign nationals or companies are permitted to 100% own residential or commercial property in the Barelang area.

I know it is not Bali, or on the beach in Lampung, but Barelang holds it's own perks and is very central with regards to my occupation, lots of golf courses and depending on the location great beach and views. Plus 45 minutes on a ferry to Singapore.

sabaijai it is great to be in control of my own destiny again.

[tuky]

polljimmy, on 2009-07-16 14:05:57, said:

Other Se Asian countries life is really very bed and its too much poor.

You are correct.

To summarise this thread now that we have such deciding input, one can only say that life is very bad in all other SEA countries as opposed to Thailand where life is so very good because Thailand is so much richer than the rest.

Now can we put this to bed? or is that bad? I don't know I am so confused.

[torrenova]

Smee, on 2009-07-04 11:03:08, said:

..............Pretty much every Thai I have ever dealt with in any capacity will ask you to repeat what it is you are trying to say, or repeat what it is they are trying to communicate, until they are sure both parties understand clearly what is required - if you can be bothered to go through the process with them. If your impatience level is such that you can't or won't allow this process to run its course, then yes, you will become terminally frustrated at your inability to be understood or to understand. ......................

Don't agree at all. The loss of face in having to admit that they don't understand means they pretend they do understand or simply give the impression that they understand by not stating they do not.

One frustrating example of many !

Boss: Do you understand what I have said ?
Employee: Yes
Boss: So please tell me what I said
Employee: Not understand.

An extra level for sure and downright lies in any normal country but it crops up all over from Taxi drivers who haven't a clue as they have been in Bangkok lor only 5 minutes to a pizza order where they just make what they think you ordered. I don't find your regular Thai very open about their lack of understanding at all. The receptionist in the Marriott perhaps.

[technocracy]

torrenova, on 2009-07-17 17:56:13, said:

Boss: Do you understand what I have said ?
Employee: Yes
Boss: So please tell me what I said
Employee: Not understand.

How many times have I heard that!