Phillipines in general ...

[linex]

I dont really know a lot about Thailand other than what i read here or from my fiancee who is based in BKK or when i visit which is always a delight but i do know a bit of the Philippines having been there 8 times since 2004.
I have property in Cebu and Dalingding/Daanbantayan ( which are approx 135 kms from Cebu ) .... but nothing ( yet ) in Bkk,where i would now eventually like to settle.
I am of course reviewing these options.
I am finding its perhaps easier to stay in the Phillippines for a longer period of time without having to leave which is not the case in Thailand ( for xpats anyway ),but no doubt someone here can enlighten me on how to stay without it costing me heaps pf dollars in fees to do so.
The Philippines i thought were always going to be my early retirement option and had geared it up that way and have basically already established my self there,that was until i meet my Thai sweetheart and it all changed from that time forward.
The Philippines i have traveled extensivly in and enjoyed everything about it .. especially the weather ( no earthquakes there like here in Christchurch,New Zealand where they are very frequent of late ).
The people of course ( in general ) are very friendly and welcoming.
There is much to see in cultural and buildings over the past 600 years plus and much has survived from that time ( if u know where to look .... and i am still looking ),but the fixing up of or rebuilding of is not the same as in Thailand where they appreciate their national treasures more.
History,architecture and religion ( to a degree ) all play an important part in any countries attributes and i go out of my way in search of there backgrounds which make exploration of the respective countrysides very interesting .. having a local female companion makes it even more so.
I guess i am kind of rambling here but i am in a way starting a thread ...
Its nice to see/read where others have been and where ( perhaps they intend to go ) and what they do so i guess its only fair that i too post something every now and again ....

[ceburat]

I lived in Cebu for nine years and have been in Thailand for seven years now. As immigration goes they are near about the same, with different rules, if you get married. In Thailand, once you get a marriage visa, non immg O, you only have to show joint income of B40000 per month and do 90 day address reporting which takes five minutes. For a retirement visa you must be 55 or older and have a monthly income of B60,000 per month. For a retirement visa as well as a marriage visa you no longer have to leave the country each year. Just do an annual renewal which takes less then an hour and the 90 day address reporting. IMO Thailand is best all around except for the language - it is a hard one. Unless you just want to live in Bangkok or have too, there are many nicer places to live all over Thailand.

[harrybarracuda]

no earthquakes there

Just cyclones, floods and the odd volcano.

[S Landreth]

For a retirement visa you must be 55 or older,.....

Think it’s 50. I have been getting my Non-Immigrant O-A Multiple entry Thai visa for a few years now and I am not 55.

[Calgary]

Just have a Plan, if relocating to Thailand.

If u dont, the Thai lady plan will fill the vacuum.

Your plan?.......Back-end load everything financial. Avoid the "transfer of wealth" trap". (moving money and stuff from your name to hers)..Buying or building houses.....she owns it, so she gets a mortgage..she should own both. If she doesn't qualify for a mortgage.....rent.

Never, never buy land from mama/papa... your lady already owns it via family connections, but they will deny that in order to get both money and a new house built for them.

I could go on and on, but that is the main one.

[Bangyai]

For a retirement visa you must be 55 or older,.....

Think it’s 50. I have been getting my Non-Immigrant O-A Multiple entry Thai visa for a few years now and I am not 55.

Dito for me. Unfortunately , in the U.K. they are tightening up on issuing these and are now applying the letter of law to applications. Will be applying for my multiple entry non imm next week and am hoping my finances pass muster. If not, might have to get married to my long term partner in order to get things back on track.

[S Landreth]

Unfortunately , in the U.K. they are tightening up on issuing these and are now applying the letter of law to applications.

I just received my Visa a few weeks ago.

We (in the US,.I think all of us now, if you want an O-A visa) have to apply (or send our documents) to Washington now (Thai Embassy in Washington), to get our Visa’s. It cannot be done at the local Thai consulate. Pain in the butt, having to send the passport away in the mail and wonder if you’ll ever get it back.

Anyway,…they (people at the Thai embassy in Washington) seem to be friendly enough,.called me on the phone, e-mails back and forth. All very pleasant.

And about your “letter of the law” comment,………

They did question me about my criminal history. Operating a boat without the proper licensing and disorderly conduct when I was about 20.

[Lorenzo]

Generally speaking more people I are thinking to leave Thailand going in the other direction. Bangkok is much more expensive than Cebu. Word to the wise, Rent for 5 years before you buy.

[ceburat]

For a retirement visa you must be 55 or older,.....

Think it’s 50. I have been getting my Non-Immigrant O-A Multiple entry Thai visa for a few years now and I am not 55.

Sorry, my mistake.

[Calgary]

A question I have always wondered about. For those in the know.......what are some essential differences between Thai and Philipine ladies, other than the language thing? Or can this not be generalized about.

[Calgary]

Generally speaking more people I are thinking to leave Thailand going in the other direction. Bangkok is much more expensive than Cebu. Word to the wise, Rent for 5 years before you buy.

2nd. word to the wise.......if you buy property or build a house and have no choice but to have it in the ladies name.........she gets a mortgage. That way she both owns the house but also the mortgage....with the farang making the payments.

If she doesn't qualify for a mortgage, continue renting.

That is what is meant by back-end loading finances.

Keeps everyone behaving themselves

[Lorenzo]

A question I have always wondered about. For those in the know.......what are some essential differences between Thai and Philipine ladies, other than the language thing? Or can this not be generalized about.

Ladies in Thailand are all to some degree working girls or have working girl mentality .... money #1 is Thai culture

Philippines has whores also and they are similar to Thais. The difference is there are many Filipina who are not working girls, with many Filipina making you happy is #1. Also, Filipina will fcuk you to death.

You will never be #1 or even #2 in anything in Thailand, at least as long as her dog has fleas.

[Takeovers]

Welcome on TeakDoor even if it is not the Newbies Forum.

I had to smile about "no earthquakes" though. The hotel I stayed at in Baguio was later totally flattened by an earthquake, many dead there. I saw it years later on TV.
A church in Bohol, where I attended a wedding, was at least damaged by a minor earthquake years later, too.

[rickschoppers]

There is a wealth of information on this forum, but things are not as bad as it appears. You do need to be careful, as in any relationship in any country. Protect yourself financially when you can and DO NOT transfer your entire wealth here as previously stated. If you have been with your lady less than 5 years, be sure to meet her family to see where they live and what their overall expectations are. Take things slow and keep your money in your pocket when it comes to showering your girlfriend with gifts.
I have worked with many Phillipinas overseas and they do not seem to be that much different from all other females in the world, including Thailand. Thai women will take good care of you and make you feel great, but keep your mind on the future and have a plan. This again is no different than having a relationship anywhere, but in Thailand the female is pressured heavily by peers, family and the assumption that all westerners are rich. I am not trying to paint a bleak picture since I personally feel Thai women are the best in the world to have a relationship with. I was lucky enough to find a good one and life is wonderful. You just need to think things through before leaping and weigh both sides.

[Lorenzo]

I personally feel Thai women are the best in the world to have a relationship with.

Quite a different take than I have, nevertheless I have a long relationship with a Thai girl, just been too lazy to end it. For sure she always makes a stink when I go to The Phills. Suppose it can be good as long as you do not marry either a Thai or Filipina or make an investment out of it.

Rent and keep an overnight bag packed. I rent an extra room in a friends house for 95% of my possessions. Fail to plan plan to fail as they say.

[rickschoppers]

I personally feel Thai women are the best in the world to have a relationship with.

Quite a different take than I have, nevertheless I have a long relationship with a Thai girl, just been too lazy to end it. For sure she always makes a stink when I go to The Phills. Suppose it can be good as long as you do not marry either a Thai or Filipina or make an investment out of it.

Rent and keep an overnight bag packed. I rent an extra room in a friends house for 95% of my possessions. Fail to plan plan to fail as they say.

I did forget to add one important fact. The relationship is best only if you find a good one. Looks like Lorenzo has not and I understand his perspective if he has had a few bad ones here in Thailand. I was coming from an aspect of being positive and your relationship turns out to be a good one.

[Lorenzo]

^ Actually she is about as good as Thais get so it is pointless to trade her in. I agree Thai girls can be fun but I do not think Thai women are the best in the world to have a serious relationship with primarily due to a culture of lies and overly focused on money. I would never get more serious with or married to a Thai, makes no sense. Rent and spend winter in SEA is best option for most.

[rickschoppers]

^^
So in what nationality do you think woman do not think about money? I have not found such an animal yet that is female.

[Calgary]

^^
So in what nationality do you think woman do not think about money? I have not found such an animal yet that is female.

You are correct about that rickschoppers, however it could be argued that the Thai's have a better developed and more effective plan to "Transfer Wealth".

All the Thai women know the program.

And that is no problem as long as Farangs are aware, and can counter it with a plan that protects their interests. The basic element of that plan is to avoid anything of significance that transfers wealth from the Farang name to that of the Thai lady. As long as the money is in the Farang pocket and/or bank, it is of no value to the Thai lady....so what to do?.....buy stuff that is in her name.....this effectively transfers the wealth.

So buy houses/property in her name, but also the mortgage in her name. Lacking that, rent. Rentals keeps the wealth from being transferred.

In the face of strenuous objections to this approach from both the lady and her family, just blame the Thai Government. They are the culprits, not you. They don't allow you to own land and houses. Simple as that.

[rickschoppers]

I know I have said this on other threads, but there is always a plan to relieve a man from his wealth in one way or another. I do not see that Thai woman are any different but they do have a plan and it is out in the open. You are right that as long as we understand that plan, it can be defended against. This game is played in every country in the world and I just as soon play it here as anywhere. The women are prettier and take better care of you than in most countries and the cost of living is reasonable, which is what this thread was about to begin with. This was the logic I used for my statement that if you are going to have a relationship, Thai women are one of the best to have it with.

[Lorenzo]

but there is always a plan to relieve a man from his wealth in one way or another.

a fool and his money .....

[ossie]

Retirement income is 65,000 Thai Baht per month if not married to a Thai or 800,000 in the bank at least 3 months before visa application or you can have a combination of both you need proof via embassy letter of income

[Lancelot]

Ladies in Thailand are all to some degree working girls or have working girl mentality .... money #1 is Thai culture

Money is a big deal in the PI as well.

With respect to Filipinas, the big difference is see is most Filipinas want the Hell out of the Philippines whereas most Thai girls prefer to remain in country...

The visas are becomming more expensive in the Phils, but you don't have to leave the country every time to renew. Eventually you must exit the country but it is every 12 (24?) months.

[Pol the Pot]

...
Ladies in Thailand are all to some degree working girls or have working girl mentality .... money #1 is Thai culture

Philippines has whores also and they are similar to Thais. The difference is there are many Filipina who are not working girls, with many Filipina making you happy is #1. Also, Filipina will fcuk you to death.

You will never be #1 or even #2 in anything in Thailand, at least as long as her dog has fleas.

LOL!

You only know hookers obviously.

I suggest you open your eyes a bit.

How long did you say you've been in Thailand?

Or the Phills for that matter...

Also, Filipina will fcuk you to death.

Only you or all men?

[ossie]

Thailand is a wonderful place however having lived here for over 6 years I am always amazed at the amount of farangs in their late 50's and upwards pushing a buggy with a 2 year old toddler in it even a very good friend of mine who is 66 has a 4 year old if that was me I would stick my head in a microwave keep your dick in your pants and your credit card hidden in a safe place and you wont go wrong