China Vs Thailand For Expats part 2 – Part one is here.
Overview of the Pros and Cons of Living in Thailand
Thailand is filled with opportunities as well as obstacles. There are several pros and cons to living there, which can be a great deal or a not-so-great deal depending on the person. Some people choose to live in Thailand because many items such as electronics and clothes are much cheaper. Well, let’s quickly take a look at the advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
The Food
There are so many different types of food in Thailand. For someone who enjoys trying new things, this is a great place to live. There are the usual dishes that much of the world loves, such as Pad Thai and Kung Pao Chicken, but there are also more unusual delicacies such as insects and bugs.
The People
Thai people are some of the friendliest and most hospitable in the world. They will go out of their way to help you, even if they do not know you that well. Much Thai culture revolves around “Jai Yen,” which means roughly “cool heart.” It is seen as a positive trait to be friendly and helpful without expecting anything in return.
The Weather
The weather in Thailand is perfect for most of the year, with hot and sunny days and cool evenings at night. It only rains a few times per month, typically in the late afternoon or evening, so it will not interfere with your daily activities. Rains often last for a day or two, and they clear up quickly to sunny skies.
The Dining Options
With so many people coming from different parts of the world to live in Thailand, there are many options for dining out with friends and family. You can find almost any type of food you want, from traditional Thai dishes to different types of ethnic cuisine.
The Activities
Active people will be happy living in Thailand. There are many activities throughout the country to keep you busy and entertained. You can go walking, hiking, or biking through national parks and wildlife preservation areas. There is also lots of live entertainment and movies to see at night and sports events.
Cons
Cost of Living
Not only is the cost of living much higher in Thailand than in your home country, but it also changes. When I moved to Thailand for an extended stay about 3 years ago, 1,000 baht per day was considered a good budget. Nowadays, that amount wouldn’t even cover my hostel room for one night. Luckily, the cost of living in Thailand is still much lower than most European and US countries.
Expensive Public Transportation
The public transportation is good, but it’s expensive compared to taking a motorcycle or even a tuk-tuk. When you go on a trip outside the city using public transport, be prepared to spend a lot of money.
Tuk-tuks
Tuk-tuks are similar to motorcycle taxis, but they charge more and often drive like madmen/women (they’re the same thing, really). If you can get away with taking a motorcycle taxi instead of a tuk-tuk, do it. The only exception is having tons of luggage or a big group of people.
The Weather
The weather isn’t too bad in Thailand, but the humidity gets to everyone eventually. In addition, it’s difficult to escape from the heat and sweat while waiting for a bus, going on a hike, etc. Basically, wherever there is no air conditioning, it will be a hot and sticky situation.
The Monsoon Season
The monsoon season lasts from approximately July to October each year. During this time, the rain comes down non-stop every day, flooding happens quite often, and those who don’t have air conditioning can expect their electricity to go out daily.
Which One Is The Best, Thailand Or China?
Are you planning to travel to Asia? But do not know which country you should choose China or Thailand? This has been one of the most common dilemmas among travelers. They often ask whether it is better to visit China or Thailand first before they embark on their Asia tour. Well, this might be quite a difficult decision to make.
In reality, China and Thailand are both worth the visit. The truth is that there are a lot of similarities between these two countries. They have a rich culture and history which tourists from all over the world go gaga about. But at the same time, there are quite a fair number of differences.
So before you make your decision, here are some facts that might help answer which one is the best. First of all, it is very important to understand that China and Thailand are two different countries. Although they both share the same part of the world, each has its own culture, tradition, and language. So be open-minded.
Thailand’s culture is mostly influenced by India, while the West greatly influenced China. This means that Chinese people are well-known for having big eyes and yellowish skin, which Asians call ‘slanted.’ They also like to drink tea. On the other hand, Thais have dark brown skin with a perfect, blemish-free complexion. They also love to eat spicy food, just like Indonesians.
Chinese people are more reserved than Thais when interacting with strangers. This is especially true with the women since they are very conservative with their modesty and etiquette. But Chinese men are known to be friendly and open once you get to know them better.
On the other hand, Thais are very friendly and approachable people. They are known to smile easily and laugh even at the smallest things. Nonetheless, we will tell you to consider China if you’re coming to the country for the first.
Interesting Facts about Living in China
China is well-known for its rich history, customs, and culture. Many interesting facts about China sometimes don’t make it to the history books or make headline news. You can learn about living in China by reading through some interesting facts about Chinese life. Well, let’s quickly take a look at the interesting facts about living in China.
Chinese New Year
While many countries have a New Year’s holiday, China has two: Spring Festival and Chinese New Year. While Spring Festival is technically the first day of the lunar calendar, it is celebrated as a week-long festival from January 31 to February 5. During that week, you can expect fireworks at midnight most nights, family dinners with a lot of meat, and a public holiday from work.
Chinese New Year is celebrated in China at the turn of the lunar calendar. Called ‘Gong Xi Fa Cai,’ it begins on January 23 and ends on February 19. This period includes a week-long vacation from work, fireworks every night for at least two weeks, and eating a ‘reunion dinner’ with family twice a day. For an insight into the food consumed during this period, check out last year’s article on Chinese New Year Food.
The Great Firewall of China
The internet is not particularly free in China; the Great Firewall blocks many websites. For example, any news article about North Korea is blocked in China for fear of ‘bad’ ties. The list of blocked websites is long, but you can find an up-to-date list here.
The United Front Work Department
China has a department dedicated to spreading the Party’s influence to all levels of Chinese society. This group, called the United Front Work Department, has a long history and is used to extend the Communist Party outside of mainland China.
The goals of this department are to maintain control and extend their power into many aspects of life: media, businesses, etc. To accomplish this, United Front infiltrates these organizations and spreads the Party’s values until it is indistinguishable from the original.
Chinese Democracy
Though China has elections at many levels of government, they are not democratic in the western sense. Even though there are multiple parties to choose from, candidates have already been picked by the Party’s internal process. For instance, in local elections, I can choose between five candidates, but four of the five are running unopposed.
The only party not associated with the Communist Party is called ‘the China Democratic League’: a group of intellectuals and professionals formed in 1941 by Chinese emigrants (mostly businessmen) in the US. Though this party seems to be independent, it has never won a local election outright and has always been under Party control by either direct membership or indirect infiltration.
Eating Dog
Not everyone in China eats dogs, but many do. There are three theories as to why people eat dog meat: first, it was an easy protein source before the domestication of cows; second, they ate the meat to ward off summer heat; third, the dog is a delicacy reserved for special occasions. Whatever the reason, dog-eating is a common practice in China and other countries that have been influenced by Chinese culture.
Is China Better Than Thailand For Expat?
In the past decade, there have been a massive amount of people from countries all around the world moving to China in hopes of achieving their goals. Is China more suitable than Thailand for expats? Of course, China has more opportunities, but it’s good to weigh your options before choosing.
Conclusion
Which country is better to go to, Thailand or China? This question depends on what you are looking for in your vacation. Well, if you take a look at the benefits above, you can choose the one suitable for your need. Nonetheless, China has some excellent ancient history and culture that goes back thousands of years, and it is also the world’s superpower.
