How does living in Thailand compare to living in the Philippines in terms of cost, safety, and overall experience?

I have a condo in isaan 400 baht a month

I lived in both countries and as many people say it a slight language problem in the land of smiles. And much safer. But I love both countries. So it's a toss up. But for this time I have a beautiful thai lady who I can converse with. And this is where I will stay.

Lived on Bohol/Panglao AND Chiang Mai. My brief conclusion (personal perspective): Pro PHI: Friendly and more open people mostly; most people speak basic or good English, one can easily stay up to 3 years and much longer on (tourist) visa, Dating life is great (I am mid thirty. Oh I miss the Pinays haha) Con PHI: I personally do not like the food at all (Lots of meat and fast food, vegetables are not part of daily Filippino meals in my experience; so hard to get a fresh and cold coconut...), life is more expensive -paid 2-3 times higher prices for same accommodation standard in Bohol and Cebu compared to Chiang Mai; traffic is wilder; infrastructure and service are often bad; many islands are prone to natural disasters. PRO TH: Value for money in Chiang Mai is really great; you have almost everything you need in this city; Thai food is the best in Asia, good infrastructe in Chiang Mai; also friendly but mostly more reserved people. CON TH: Can be hard to stay for many years- esp. when under 50 or not rich; many locals speak no or only basic English (there are exceptions of course); many farrangs and tourists (also depends on your area and if you want to avoid them or not) - As I said it is also my personal experience. Also depends on budget, place of living, preferences... Bangkok and islands are more expensive in general (accomodation...)

I need to read the comment section when I am sober…. In Thailand now, thinking about PH….

imho outside BGC is uninhabitable longterm... And BGC gets old after a year

Lived in BGC for 6 years, Pattaya 1yr. PH sucks for living, maybe good for biz and hiring employees and finding a wife. Wish I moved to Thailand 6 years ago.. So much time wasted in PH on stupidness.

I lived in Davao ph for 3yrs and Thailand for 2.

Thailands infrastructure is better, also cost for quality.

Thai food is better, and cheaper for what it is.

Downsides are the visa.

I have lived there and don't like the food and also the fact that it is a very poor country .

Numbeo is a great comparative site between cities and countries. I use it a lot for years. Takes a bit to navigate but very useful...

Lastly, people always reference language as an issue. In my 10 years experience in Thailand, English is never an issue in primary tourist and international locations. Only when visiting small villages are small local beach towns, is language a minor issue.

I've lived and visited both. In short in Thailand you get better infrastructure, housing, food, medical; for a fraction of the costs in the Philippines. Also, as someone else mentioned, weather, the Philippines is directly hit by several typhoons every single year. Thailand typhoons are not a major concern. Crime in the Philippines is significantly higher than Thailand. Lastly, compare Bangkok to Manila. No comparison Bangkok is a far better city. Yes, Philippines have some great islands and beaches to visit and vacation on, but the main population areas have many issues.

personal experience.

tldr; Both countries and cultures are just the best. I would say of the two countries, they are my favorite in the world. You can't go wrong with these choices. I've spent a few months in Pang Lao, Bohol, and will now go every year, and like 15 winters in Thailand. You can't go wrong. Why not live in both 🙂

People: In Philippines the people were actually quite a bit friendlier on average, you would never be a "dumb farang" there, there seemed to be more cultural inclusion there instead of a a foreigner for life. Of course Thai people are amazing as well by any standard, so you can't go wrong. Safety was the same, although Philippines has a bad reputation, I never saw a reason for it, I presume the cities must have a high crime rate because the islands are as safe as it gets.

Infrastructure: Thailand is a pretty modern county with modern infrastructure. You can't beat the roads, public transportation, private transportation, hospitals etc. Philippines doesn't even come close to that. Even the city hospitals (around Cebu) have the feel of a rural public hospital in Thailand.

Food: Thailand has the best food in the world. My least favorite thing in Philippines was the food. If you can't relate, you will once you move to Thailand 🙂

cost of living: Philippines is a bit cheaper than Thailand, but i would have them on the same scale

Visas: Philippines is extremely easy to go and stay forever. You don't even need to do visa runs. You can extend your visa at the mall in the city and you can do it like 10 times. Getting a residency visa is just as simple. They actually want you to stay. Unless you are over 50, Thailand is a pain for long stay. Consider this if you plan on moving, you will need a plan if you aren't on a retirement visa. It's not simple

Ownership: Ownership laws are about the same, Foreigners cannot own property ever. Like Thailand you can own condos, or do like 30 year temporary ownership leases on land. There are plenty of loopholes like in both countries.

Tourism: Thailand is the #1 tourist destination in Asia. It's a mess. You can't go anywhere without a full bus, boat or beach. Coming from Bohol, I'm sure you've seen how easy it is to find a quiet paradise beach, or to be the only person at the most beautiful waterfall location. I suppose it depends where you go, but I found Philippines to be a lot slower paced and easier to get away from crowds

Easy inter structure or roosters and cinder blocks

Everything in Thailand is better than Philippines except 1) beer, whiskey, wine selection quality and price 2) ladies....end of list

As others have said there are pros and cons to both.

The main pro for Philippines is the language, but depending on where you live in Thailand many people speak English and there's always translation apps!

Pretty much everything else is much better in Thailand; infrastructure, healthcare, safety (unless you want to ride a motorbike at night drunk and with no helmet!), food, they drive on the left, so that's easier for you I think. Renting a decent condo is also cheaper in Thailand. It might be cheaper to buy terrible food in the Philippines, but if you eat Thai food it is fabulous and not expensive here.

For me Thailand is an easy winner, I always feel completely safe here in Thailand. I cannot say I felt the same in the Philippines.

I moved to Thailand from Japan five years ago. Apart from Japan and Singapore, I believe Thailand’s public security is very good.

Was there January and it was the worst trip ever since 1982

There are pros and cons. I used to live in Philippines for 12 years at Makati, Manila. The only advantage I saw was everyone speaks english well. Take note that Philippines have natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcano eruptions and typhoons. I had experienced all these in 12 years. The rest, Thailand is much better. I moved to Thailand 4 years ago and it was right decision for me. Everything is much easier in Thailand. Better health care system. The only minor thing is language barrier but thats not really concern.

If you like to eat Pag Pag then don’t come here.

Ever given thought to Indonesia just saying

There is no comparison really. Thailands infrastructure is way ahead if you are comparing to other aseans except Singapore.

Lived in Bohol. (Tagbi area) and Phuket (Rawai). In one place I was hit by other bikes and could never leave my helmet when parked. I made the country where I did not get hit or worry about helmet my main base. And visit the other.

I don't even see a comparison.

Thailand is always the answer.

I lived in Cebu city and now in Bangkok. No experience with life outside the cities.

I love PH, but there are a lot of downsides. Thailand has a better value. Infrastructure is way better, the government and privates business operate far more effectively. No more "out of stock" and horrible customer service.

I think overall, for the money Thailand has more to offer and less frustrating, and no on asks to barrow money. PH is more fun and a bit more foreigner friendly though.

Definitely agree with Alex, safety is also a big difference.

I live in Makati and Angeles city, I moved to Pattaya because Angeles is dead, and Makati is a traffic hell hole and not really an expat town! It's cheaper overall to live in Philippines!

The biggest problem of the Philippines is that it is much more dangerous than Thailand. The biggest advantage that people generally speak English.

I visited Phills and stay Thailand for long periods at one place. My thoughts... food is much better in Thailand. Language can be difficult but I learned Thai. Still have the level of a little kid 😆 but it helps much especially in parts like isaan. Renting in Thailand is cheap and everywhere available.