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Has anyone been to both Thailand and the Philippines?

Guernsey, United...
21 posts
3 helpful votes
Has anyone been to both Thailand and the Philippines?

Hi, We have 7 days to fill in between Hong Kong and Perth, can't decide whether to go to Thailand or Philippines, haven't been to either.I'm sure there are for and against both but can anyone help to the balance please? We have been to Bangkok so no need to include that in the itinerery.

Also which airline to use? Would want to fly Business Class on the long haul to Australia.

Thanks so much

Palawan Island...
16,361 posts
470 helpful votes
1. Re: Has anyone been to both Thailand and the Philippines?

I have lived 25 years in the Philippines and 3 years in Thailand. In Thailand it is easier to get around as Philippines has many islands so you have to fly or get a ferry.

English is an official language in the Philippines but in Thailand not so many people speak English.

The food is much better in Thailand. In the Philippines they tend to overcook everything and don't use very many spices.

Philippines suffers from many electrical cuts whereas Thailand does not.

Hotels and GH's in Thailand offer better value than Philippines.There are great beaches in both countries.

Melbourne, Australia
Destination Expert
for Philippines, Kuala Lumpur
34,752 posts
4,742 helpful votes
2. Re: Has anyone been to both Thailand and the Philippines?

I agree with Dave.

An old thread but confirms the above:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294245-i3256-k5963099-My_compound_Thailand_Philippines_report-Philippines.html

Merseyside
6 posts
3. Re: Has anyone been to both Thailand and the Philippines?

Thanks si much for your help, not sure it’s tipped the scales for me though!

Merseyside
6 posts
4. Re: Has anyone been to both Thailand and the Philippines?

Thanks for your help & link. Wow what a traveler!

1 post
54 helpful votes
5. Re: Has anyone been to both Thailand and the Philippines?

Hi, I can give you my opinion as a fellow Englishman who has been to both. Please note I am not interested in diving.

I have traveled Thailand twice now. Philippines is completely overrated. The power cuts are unbearable, air con in hotels and hostels is the 1980’s sort which needs a huge hole knocked through the walls and is very expensive to get a room compared to Thailand. You have to fly everywhere and the tickets go up drastically unless you book I advance. The flights to and from Bangkok are cheaper and from then on it’s pennies. Thailand you can go via land etc. Thailand’s beaches and islands are as good if not better than any in the Philippines. The food in Philippines is vile and is pretty much all meat. The SIM card signal barely works. Both countries have ATM’s which charge a fee. The cities are much more undeveloped due to poverty. The feeling is quite unsafe compared to Thailand and the biggest of all..

Manila = worst city in Asia

Bangkok = one of the best

Philippines there is English but only in the younger generation and higher class it seems. The barrier in Thailand is worth it. There are real shops in Thailand like 7/11 with doors and prices on the shelves. Thailand is safer, cheaper, friendlier and more with the times. I would go to Thailand and gain experience and then maybe trying the Philippines as it is a lot harder to travel there! Go to Koh Phangan and you won’t want to leave.

Greater Perth...
2,060 posts
6. Re: Has anyone been to both Thailand and the Philippines?

The provinces in the Philippines are much safer than the larger cities, and Bangkok is generally considered a more safe destination than Manila.

I would tend to agree that the continual "brown outs" ( power interruptions ) in the Philippines are a most annoying factor. A home use gen set is a most useful procurement.

However I do note that Globe's newly introduced Prepaid WIFI router is a considerable improvement than the pocket WIFI and Post- paid routers previously offered. The newer router is much larger and stronger than the previous models and speed is comparable to that in Singapore.

7. Re: Has anyone been to both Thailand and the Philippines?

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