Is Asia now unaffordable?
Oct 3rd 2009, 6:30 am
#107
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 6,775
Re: Is Asia now unaffordable?
I went to the " 5 star" Bangkok hospital in Phuket where my hemorraging from dengue fever was misdiagnosed as cancer. 
I went home, called my sister, a gynecological nurse practioner and she diagnosed me correctly right then and there over the phone.
There were some issues about stem cell treatments too.
I would surmise as with anything in Thailand, the " western" medical standards is a load of BS hype.
Allow me to warn you ; the oft touted Thai Visa forum is renowned for presenting highly edited/ censored opinions and some of the sponsors offer legal advice that isn't the best, (such as pushing those bogus 30 year + 30 year " renewal" leases on land) - but forum rules forbid criticism of sponsors .
It also partners with newspapers Phuket Gazette and The Nation and all three conspire, in my view -to provide nothing but sunny sky reports for ex- pats.
Try Teakdoor.com for different, uncensored opinions than the TV Sex- Pats endless quest for " girls" (...If you get my drift..)
I would NOT recommend relying on visa runs , rules change constantly.
You'll need to open a business, risky seeing as how you have to have give a Thai partner majority share, or-
Marry a Thai, even this seems to be complicated ( and RISKY !!)
If you have 10 million baht in a FD certificate , an Investor visa can be had ( I think, this may have been changed )
or be 50 for retirement visa.
If you, as you say- are not interested in the sex industry, I think you would do well to pick another destination.
Thailand is just tooooo....Thai. I find the people are lazy, ill educated and hate foreigners in the most two- faced way possible.
Yes they are polite but it's the kind of politeness that behooves them , like politely not telling the truth because it's too stressful- for them..
If you're relatively wealthy and can hire Thais to clean your house ,
( " other services..? ) etc, then maybe you'll see the good face, but my experience having them work in a business situation is a constant nightmare.
I rue the day I moved here and would warn off anyone who asks for opinions.
I went home, called my sister, a gynecological nurse practioner and she diagnosed me correctly right then and there over the phone.
There were some issues about stem cell treatments too.
I would surmise as with anything in Thailand, the " western" medical standards is a load of BS hype.
Allow me to warn you ; the oft touted Thai Visa forum is renowned for presenting highly edited/ censored opinions and some of the sponsors offer legal advice that isn't the best, (such as pushing those bogus 30 year + 30 year " renewal" leases on land) - but forum rules forbid criticism of sponsors .
It also partners with newspapers Phuket Gazette and The Nation and all three conspire, in my view -to provide nothing but sunny sky reports for ex- pats.
Try Teakdoor.com for different, uncensored opinions than the TV Sex- Pats endless quest for " girls" (...If you get my drift..)
I would NOT recommend relying on visa runs , rules change constantly.
You'll need to open a business, risky seeing as how you have to have give a Thai partner majority share, or-
Marry a Thai, even this seems to be complicated ( and RISKY !!)
If you have 10 million baht in a FD certificate , an Investor visa can be had ( I think, this may have been changed )
or be 50 for retirement visa.
If you, as you say- are not interested in the sex industry, I think you would do well to pick another destination.
Thailand is just tooooo....Thai. I find the people are lazy, ill educated and hate foreigners in the most two- faced way possible.
Yes they are polite but it's the kind of politeness that behooves them , like politely not telling the truth because it's too stressful- for them..
If you're relatively wealthy and can hire Thais to clean your house ,
( " other services..? ) etc, then maybe you'll see the good face, but my experience having them work in a business situation is a constant nightmare.
I rue the day I moved here and would warn off anyone who asks for opinions.
along with. Although a number will equally disagree.
I have come across some rather sorry tales with regards to expats in Thailand and often at the centre of the problem involves a woman.
Oct 4th 2009, 1:35 am
#108
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Phuket, Thailand
Posts: 9
Re: Is Asia now unaffordable?
Where I live (near Wat Chalong) is convenient for the major stores, easy enough to get in and out of Phuket town, still surrounded by pleasant countryside and handy for the run up the island to the airport or off-island.
Oct 4th 2009, 7:25 am
#109
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 30
Re: Is Asia now unaffordable?
I have lived in Phuket for the last 11 years, and there is absolutely no reason to be anywhere near the sleaze, which is essentially restricted to the couple of west coast resorts, particularly Patong, which is not a place any reasonable person would like to live.
Where I live (near Wat Chalong) is convenient for the major stores, easy enough to get in and out of Phuket town, still surrounded by pleasant countryside and handy for the run up the island to the airport or off-island.
Where I live (near Wat Chalong) is convenient for the major stores, easy enough to get in and out of Phuket town, still surrounded by pleasant countryside and handy for the run up the island to the airport or off-island.
Agree, Patong is not fit for human habitation.
Traffic is awful around Phuket town, Chalong, and I believe a disproportionate amount of the petty crime happens in this area as the Kathu area police are understaffed or other for other reasons
do not protect the area adequately.I suggest the central to north part of the island , much less crowded, less crime.
Oct 4th 2009, 8:12 am
#110
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 30
Re: Is Asia now unaffordable?
What I really need , like everyone else is a Thai wife to protect and serve me but alas I'm female
Oct 5th 2009, 10:19 am
#111
Banned
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 183
Re: Is Asia now unaffordable?
If you hate it that much why do you still live there!
Oct 6th 2009, 8:13 am
#112
...............
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Far North Queensland
Posts: 17,625
Re: Is Asia now unaffordable?
expats love a good moan
Nov 8th 2009, 10:35 pm
#113
Banned
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 183
Re: Is Asia now unaffordable?
some sad people in thailand, i feel sorry for them
Nov 8th 2009, 10:53 pm
#114
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Epsom
Posts: 1,705
Re: Is Asia now unaffordable?
I work for one of the worlds largest companies and the amount of staff an operations that we have moved to Singapore in the last 12 months is phenomenal.
I also read that due the the GFC, people were flocking East from Dubai, London etc as Singapore is seen as a major financial hub in the future (it is now, but obviously positioned very well for India & China going forward).
I also read that due the the GFC, people were flocking East from Dubai, London etc as Singapore is seen as a major financial hub in the future (it is now, but obviously positioned very well for India & China going forward).
Dec 14th 2009, 7:09 am
#115
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3
Re: Is Asia now unaffordable?
Well, I would say that with the yen the way it is at the moment, Japan is definitely out.
