Reasons Why Expats In Thailand Are Happier Than Expats In China

I live in Beijing, China, and recently spent a couple weeks traveling in Thailand. While I'm no expert at expat life in Thailand, what I did see made it clear to me which country must have happier expats! Typically expats come to China to tough it out for a few years and earn some cash; while a very strong few make it their new home country. But apparently, Thailand is the favorite of Asian countries for expats to retire to, so that must say something about which expats are happier.

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Thailand - empty beaches

Personal photo

The beaches are clean and uncrowded

Koh Samet, Thailand

Thailand - clean beaches

Personal photo

Koh Samet, Thailand

In contrast...

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Qingdao, China

China

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Dameisha Beach Park in Shenzhen, China after Dragon Boat Festival

Thailand - trains

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Train stations are a place to rest before travel

Hualamphong train station, Bangkok, Thailand

China - trains

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New Year in Hefei, Anhui, China

Thailand - traffic

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Bangkok has its fair share of traffic jams, but at least they're colorful!

China - traffic

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...but traffic jams in China can last for days!

Thailand - hospitals

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Medical care in Thailand is so great, they've created the term "medical tourism" to call the tourists who arrival specifically to have procedures done at these fabulous hospitals.

China - hospitals

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Medical care in China has so many problems these days. Doctors and nurses have had to take self defense courses to protect themselves from angry patients.

Thailand - massages

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Thai massages are plentiful and cheap, approximately $6 an hour! They also make the experience a relaxing, happy one.

China - massages

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Massages in China are becoming more and more expensive. At the cheapest, for an hour, now you can expect about $17. Unless you pay extra for "VIP" service, you're placed in a room with several other clients, who at any point may be snoring, burping, or outright whining.

Thailand - English

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Thailand sees a lot of tourism so it's very easy to get by speaking only English. Sure, some of their signs are a little off...

China - English

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But Chinese mis-translations can be so bad, they make you blush

Thailand - nobody cares you're foreign

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In Thailand, nobody cares if you're a foreigner. Sure, in some major tourist areas they'll try to sell you something, but nobody stops and stares, or points, or gawks.

China - EVERYONE is interested that you're a foreigner

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In China, you'll probably get asked to take a picture with somebody. I've had college aged students ask to take a photo with me, moms and grandmas ask me to pose with their child, I've even had people sneak photos of me with my boyfriend on the subway. I'm thinking about investing in one of these shirts to avoid answering the same questions over and over again. Translation goes:

1. Canada (Where are you from?)

2. 3 years (How long have you been in China?)

3. Work (Are you studying or working?)

4. 27 years old (How old are you?)

5. I'm used to it (Do you like China?)

6. I'm not telling you (How much money do you make?)

7. Of course it's Chinese (?)