I've been in Thailand for two months since coming from the Philippines, and there are some truths about Thailand that I must speak out. I've found that some things are not as previously portrayed online.

1️⃣ Are the prices cheap and the cost of living low?

I have lived in both Bangkok and Pattaya, and I really didn't find the prices to be that cheap. Let's start with renting: a 30 square meter studio generally costs over 15,000 Thai Baht. The seafood sold at the seafood markets isn't cheap either, even slightly more expensive than in the Philippines. The price of Chinese takeout is also about the same as in the Philippines. Additionally, cigarettes sold at 7-Eleven in Thailand are particularly expensive.

2️⃣ Is Thai food delicious?

I admit that there are indeed more choices in Thai cuisine compared to Filipino cuisine, but it's not exactly delicious and doesn't quite suit the Chinese palate. It's okay for the first few meals, but not after that. A common characteristic of Thai food is its sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, and the portions are very small. I ate three servings of Pad Thai and still wasn't full.

3️⃣ Are Thai women beautiful and the price low?

I've been to Nana Plaza in Bangkok several times, and the standard price is 6,000 Thai Baht, with the lowest bargain price being 5,000 Thai Baht 😂 How much is 5,000 Thai Baht? It's equivalent to over 1,000 Chinese Yuan or 8,000 PHP.

4️⃣ Is the safety good in Thailand?

It's indeed better compared to the Philippines, at least you don't have to worry about being kidnapped by sea lions when walking at night. However, there are still issues like motorcycle gangs and scams (one of my colleagues was a victim; they agreed on a price of 5,000 Thai Baht, but after the service, they demanded 10,000 Thai Baht or they would call the police).

Summary: Comparing Thailand and the Philippines overall, Thailand is somewhat better, but it's not as extraordinary as some might say on the plane. Working and living in Thailand, one cannot completely let down their guard, especially with so many dubious characters arriving in recent months.