Living in Southeast Asia

[kngdady]

I have been to Thailand about a dozen times in the last 10 years seeing about everything there is to see. I have neglected the other countries in the region and would like to know how they compare with living in Thailand.

[sulasno]

if you got the bucks, take a trip to Singapore
you will love it

[potato05]

Sngapore's nice but takes getting used to and you need money, Indonesia is beautiful, spectacular and full of surprises. I like Malaysia though a beautiful country where things work, nice food with nice people to boot!

[stilljustbrowsing]

Indonesia sure contains a world of differences, for example, the difference between Balikpapan and Bali.

[Eric]

Having live in Singapore, Malaysia and now Thailand and also visited at length Indonesia and Philipines; each of the countries have its charms & delights.

Singapore is a modern developed nation state. Small and concise with modern amenties. Tourist areas are never more than 3 hours away from your hotel. It's safe to wander around past midnight and very little corruption from uniform personel. Good transport connectability and wonderful hawker food . Next year, the intergrated and casino resorts and the Universal Theme Park at the Marina Bay will add to its list of tourist sites. Drawbacks is actually its size. By the 3rd day, there is really not many places you have not visited and of course, its high living standard.

Malaysia has wonderful and clean beaches and also its rain forests. Great for hiking, rafting etc and spending time in one of the many national parks. Good clubs in KL and the local food is a must eat. Drawbacks is its limited variety in terms of entertainment due to its religion. Traffic can be a problem and watch out for the corrupted policemen.

When we talk Indonesia, surely we talk about Bali (beach and surf), Jogjarkata (ancient city), Borobodur (hindu temple) and Bandung (hill side charm). Very friendly people and helpful. Do visit the old cities like Samarinda or Balikpapan and you find old charms. Conversation can be a problem as most don't speak English and traffic is horendous.

Philippines is something like Indonesia. Bagui which is a hilly city is beautiful and has pleasant climate. Spend time in Cebu with its white sand and first class hotels. The clubs are really alive and most will have a top class band. Philippinos are god gifted to be entertainers and wonderful singers. Local food is yummy especially pork and squids. Most speak English so no problem conversing. Getting around can be a problem as the roads are choked and connectability is quite poor. Don't try driving as it is very dangerous due to the road conditions.

And Thailand which I now stay. Has the most varied entertainment. Interesting provinces like Bai, Kong Kern, Chiang Rai, Chaing Mai, Kantaburi, Hua Hin etc. Beautiful beaches in Ko Kud, Ko Chang, Samed and the heavily trodden and equally entertaining Samui, Pattaya and Phuket. People are so polite and friendly and the food is so so yummy. Conversing in English can be tricky. What I dislike is the traffic, double standard for tickets, police and the worst spoiler; the politicians. But I still love every minute here and will stay for some time.

Cheers and have a wonderful holiday wherever in SEA.

[sfrents]

Indonesia is great. The people are very nice......but then again I have never had to deal with them on a business level. I am often puzzled when people say how nice Thai people are...I should say that I am married to a Thai and spend half the year there... they are nice as long as you don't do business with them. If your just looking for fun, Thailand is it...Indonesia is second, Vietnam and Cambodia are great as well. Austrailia is great (best diving and good night life)

[punter]

I agree with Eric on many points but with some exceptions. Bali has become a toilet and very little of it's natural beuty remain. I just got back from there in December 2008. The sewage problems is gross. Swimming in the ocean is a big no no as the overdeveloped beachfronts pour raw sewage into the water without restriction. i saw many young surfer types with festering sores from infected cuts. Java and Sumatra which have had fewer tourist traps developed are a better bet. Value is also better away from Bali. Quality of accomodation and service is just not there given the asking prices. The local food in Bali has also become quite scarce and it is quite crappy compared to years ago. Even the village towns like UBUD reek of sewage and the streets are filled with smoky tour busses. It's a shithole to be avoided.

I have been living and visiting in Asia since the early 70's , so I've witnessed all the changes. It's sad to see the way things have gone. The last time my wife and I were there we agreed that it's over, it's all gone to \\ ////.

Thailand has also become expensive and crappy. The beaches are the same \\ //// covered mess as Bali. I will not go to any of these beach spots in Thailand again. The \\\ ///// bars and general low life life style is also a big factor in not going back to Phuket, Pattaya, Ko Samui etc. Thailand is finished as a destination. It's not even a great place to shop anymore. Hong Kong and China are much cheaper, easier and better quality. Also hotel rooms in Thailand are way overpriced for what you get. I found that HK has really become competative again and the old days od small expensive room are over.

Singapore is fantastic, I can't say enough good things about it. They really have it together. Go to Singapore for sure.

Outside of Penang, the malaysians don't seem to understand western standards. Overpriced and crappy quality. Penang though is excellent.

Thailands recent anti-farang campaign that the government is promoting to hide the desperate state of affairs in Thailand is pretty despicable.

Hope that helps.

[eff_ewe]

Don't bother with Singa-bore. It is a nice and clean modern city (expensive), but why travel to SE Asia to see that? Spend time in Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos. Bypass Singa-bore.

Regards

[Eric]

As far as chosing a holiday destination, it is very much to each its own. What are you looking forward to, your expectation and your budget. You cater your destination according to your likes and dislikes. You can be the outdoor but not a beach bum, adventurous, tight or large budget, simply sick of the same old concrete city or like to visit some off beaten tracks, prefer a safe and clean accomodation, shop or not bother etc etc The beautiful thing about SEA is that there is always a country or place that will fit any of your choice categories. SEA is a study of extremes in terms of living standard, modernity, security, history, culture and religion.

[stilljustbrowsing]

Try Brunei. It is a "city country" similar to Singapore.
No alcohol, extremly safe and the people are great!
Food is also very good.
Hire a car, not expensive. Then you can drive into Sarawak or go south into other parts of Malaisia depending on your budget and what you want to see.
Kota Kinabalu is also beatiful.
Labuwan is also different, just don't take the family!