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Answered5 years ago

What are the pros and cons of retiring in Cambodia versus Thailand according to expats?

Bert *********
asked Aug 14, 2021
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Im debating to retire in Cambodia or Thailand. can i get some Pros and Cons from you expats in Thailand
Answer summary
Expats discuss the pros and cons of retiring in Cambodia compared to Thailand. Most favor Thailand for its better healthcare, infrastructure, and safety, although some mention that Cambodia might be less expensive and easier for land ownership. Concerns about health facilities in Cambodia are prominent, with tales of medical emergencies requiring travel to Thailand. Ultimately, experiences vary widely, with suggestions to visit both countries before deciding.
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Bert *********
Bert *********
OP
Thank you all for your great comments. I have one last question. In thailand i feel safe anywhere i travel, I do not feel the same about philippines. how does cambodia campare to thailand or philippines ?
Werner *******
Werner *******
@Bert ********
There are still millions of land mines all over Cambodia, so you can go exploring in the cities and in certain areas, but if you want to go camping or hiking or get away from the cities, that'll be an issue.
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
@Bert ********
I only been to Poi Pet, Cambodia (a border city with Thailand). The place was sketchy, and I just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. I'd like to visit Cambodia someday in the future, but not there.
Phill ******
Phill ******
allways try before you buy .
Peter *******
Peter *******
By the way once you have settled here and fancy a short break, then you could fly BKK/Phnom penh in under an hour and stay

at the Rambutan resort, as I did a few years ago. Can’t wait to get back there post

Covid. Highly recommended.
Laurent *********
Laurent *********
Pas la peine
Klaus ***********
Klaus ***********
Don’t- visit yes don’t settle - if u still feel the urge, stay first a year at your desired country before you finalize your plans.
Peter ************
Peter ************
Thailand without a doubt,better infrastructure,hospitals,airports,shopping centres etc…..and if you obey the rules,stay away from politics etc then you will find a piece of paradise to enjoy!
Peter *******
Peter *******
Agree with all the previous comments, Thailand is far more developed than Cambodia and has all the facilities and infrastructure required

for urban living.
Chris ****
Chris ****
Things change. Retired at 46 and move to better places…Thailand now - Colombia this winter. Don’t fixate on a permanent retirement…you’re giving up the best part.
Oliver ********
Oliver ********
Thailand is better but more expensive than Cambodia. If you could afford to retire comfortably in the West today, you will be able to afford to retire well in Thailand. If not, and assuming you plan to live for another 20+ years, you might get caught in the trap that many retirees to developing countries fall into of not accounting for income and price convergence over time - Cambodia will be relatively poorer, and therefore cheaper, for longer, so if you are relying on some kind of affordability arbitrage to make your pension go further than it would back home, Cambodia might be a better option.
Scott *******
Scott *******
Cambodia is nice for a week or two, but I genuinely can't imagine retiring there or trying to stay long term. Between Thailand and Cambodia, Thailand wins hands down. I'd consider trying out Malaysia and Vietnam once the covid restrictions are lifted assuming you don't find what you're looking for in Thailand.
Rob ***********
Rob ***********
@Scott ******
vn 2 years after Thai 2 years not sure about staying
James *******
James *******
surely you know them already , why else are you debating it?
Douglas *******
Douglas *******
Just retire and worry where you end up later.
Hovvard ******
Hovvard ******
Cambodia is much easier for ownership of land, businesses, and long term visas.
Corey *******
Corey *******
Camb is good if you like dirt roads, dr*gs, th*ives and ho*kers. And table tissue scented with chemical fragrances. What else.... Hmm
Michelangelo **********
Michelangelo **********
THAILAND is easier to live and more multi cultural and has better food and better entertainment options. In fact Thailand has way more options, you can always visit cambodia as and when you like if you reside in thailand 😁
Michelangelo **********
Michelangelo **********
THAILND
George ********
George ********
Thailand has better health care facilities, roads and infrastructure, it is much larger and diverse and more developed. But other than health care what is a pro to one man is a con to another
Peter ********
Peter ********
i have been to both, laos looking really good now….

i would say thailand if

you want to take advantage of new exchange rate over next 6-12 mos…if u dont care about money, then u could stay in both places…
Stephenie **********
Stephenie **********
The infrastructure in Thailand is better than Cambodia and its safer however the hookers tend to speak better English in Cambodia
Andy ********
Andy ********
@Stephenie *********
being able to converse with hookers, is that a good or bad thing? 😂
Ian *******
Ian *******
@Andy *******
it's good, very Very good
Stephenie **********
Stephenie **********
@Andy *******
yes, very true Thailand wins there too
Michael ********
Michael ********
The big one to consider is health care, lack of decent hospitals in cambodia
Hovvard ******
Hovvard ******
@Michael *******
just go to Bangkok for health care.
Greg ********
Greg ********
@Hovvard *****
That is fine for anything you can plan. Emergency etc you might just be fecked. You might die in Cambodia for what would be a simple procedure elsewhere after a bike accident etc.
Michael ********
Michael ********
@Hovvard *****
yes dumb answer he asking about differences between the two , i had friend had serious heart condition and unable to fly had to do cross country to Bangkok from cambodia in crappy minibus ambulances, not recomended
Greg ********
Greg ********
@Michael *******
I had considered Cambodia for long term but the healthcare system is just not there. My pal was a senior diplomat there. His son fractured his arm at school - simple break. He was medevacked to Thailand - not even considered being treated in Cambodia.
Frédéric ******************
Frédéric ******************
@Greg *******
Diplomats are often over protected and out of the real world. I know one evacuated to Bangkok for kidney stones although there was a 5-star hospital in southern Thailand where he was working.
Frédéric ******************
Frédéric ******************
@Greg *******
Bangkok Hospital is one of the best too, and it was available in the city where the guy was living.
Greg ********
Greg ********
@Frédéric ****************
I should not laugh. I am not a diplomat but I use Bumrungrad as my GP - not far from home and i have good insurance from company.
Paul *****************
Paul *****************
In Future you need many big Money for Stay at Thailand.

Cambodia or Vietnam same nice for half Price.

Make first some Month Holiday and cheek all Places then you know where to go and Stay Life long.
Stéfan ********
Stéfan ********
@Paul ****************
Both Cambodia and Vietnam are more expensive than Thailand
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
@Pa**
What's your idea of "big money"?
Ray *****
Ray *****
Both countries are amazing, both are great to live in. You have to try both to decide. I jump between the two 😊
Albert ********
Albert ********
Wait another year.
David **********
David **********
Thailand for sure! Cambodia is ok for a visit.
Andy *********
Andy *********
there are (were?) a couple good cambo forums, khmer440 and cambodianexpatsonline. Maybe some good info there. I've only been once, and was about 15 yrs ago. Didn't really care for it. Besides, my wife is Viet, was there in the Army. She don't like it... lol. (she did save me from getting robbed, cause she speaks Khmer). Us? Can't wait to get back to Thailand...
Garrett ***********
Garrett ***********
I've never been to cambodia, 0 interest in going there. Thailands nice though.
Manuel ********
Manuel ********
Manuel ********
Manuel ********
Cambodia ? Dunno… never been… not interested either
Manuel ********
Manuel ********
Iceland ? Cold
Manuel ********
Manuel ********
Thailand is nice though
Oor ********
Oor ********
@Manuel *******
,
@Garrett **********
was more helpful than you .

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