How safe is it right now?

HELP...would someone PLEASE help me decide between Bangkok and Angeles City. I will be traveling solo, for 10-14 days. I love Thai woman, never had one but there so exotic, so i hear. filipino woman...hmmmm...what can i say, sweet, fun, playful, taannn, small, tight, bouncy, atleast i have meet a few of them over the years, very good GFE material. Every week i change my mind of where I'm going, BKK no AC...no BKK no AC....my head is spinning..haha. AHhh, but it is a fun dilema. I might consider bringing a Filipino girl home, so this makes that destination very special, but Thailand...shit..those babes are so HOT, and i know i score big time.
Where to go.......
Guys, most of you have alot more experience than me when it comes to this type of traveling, your expertise would be most appreciated. I need to get a plan going, every day that goes by is a dream of the some day going the Paciifc Rim and find my own "Pearl of the Orient".
SB

Thailand

Check out my El Gato on the Prowl post in the Costa Rica section, in the conclusion I compare Costa Rica, Thailand, Phillipines, and Tijuana. Besides preferring Thailand, it's probably safer to be there anyways.

Salsa Boy,
I vote for the Philippines. If your intent is to bring a girl back. That's the country to do it in. Most of those gals are looking for a nice guy to give them a better life. Plus, in the Philippines the gals speak better English than most Thai girls. As far as a good time, I think you'll have a good time regardless of which place you go.

In TJ, most of the girls are there to make money. In AC, many of the girls are there to meet some nice foreign guy that will take them out of their terrible situation. Make sure you don't fall in love too easily because there are some rotten apples in the bunch also (not often but it does happen, for an example of a nasty bargirl in AC see this link: www.filipina-scam-con-artist.com)

My first time in AC, I fell in love w/ a bargirl. I'm also am planning on bringing her to the states. I've never met girls that were as genuinely friendly, affectionate, and caring as the Filipina's. If only it weren't a 14 hour plane ride away, I'd be there every other week.

Happy hunting!

N8guy when are you heading back to Philippines?
What do you think about me traveling solo to AC??? would i be safe????
SB

SB,
I'm trying to go w/in the next few months. I haven't been w/ my gal since last September. It's been tough.

I traveled to AC all by myself the first time. It was a blast. I think you'll be safe. In fact, I feel safer in the PI than I do in TJ.

Feel free to email me if you have specific questions and I can hook you up w/ many resources on the web to help you and your travels.

n8guy@excite.com

Thanks for the info N8guy. Travel to PI is cheaper than BKK, but man, i know AC is were i'll be happiest.
Will e-mail you soon for more information...thanks man!
SB

Salsa Boy,
Here's a link for a message board devoted to AC. Many of the posters are ex-pats that live in AC or many veterans of the AC scene. Very helpful info just like this board. Just to prepare you for AC though, it is a third world country. It makes the Zona look like Beverly Hills. Just FYI. But, I wouldn't give it up for the world.

N8guy,

I'd like to see that link as well but I don't see it in your post. Did it get removed by the board moderators? If so, could you send me this link as well? Thanks! ... (prog)

lazonama@yahoo.com

Yeah no link.

Let's try it again. Here's the link: www.angeles2.com. Then, just go to the message board.

Salsa,
My call would be Angeles , don't get me wrong Thailand is great (I'm in Pattaya right now traveling with some Angeles locals). Both places have allot to offer but if you are looking for real attachment the PI is the place to go. As far as safety goes I felt real comforatable in Angeles, other areas of the PI are a no no. It was kind of amusing to read the headline "AMERICAN BEHEADED" as I was leaving the airport in Manilla on the way to Bangkok.

Scooter

The Philippines is not safe. Consider everyplace
the worst crime-ridden neighborhood in the nearest big city. That means don't wear jewelry
like gold chains or even fake rolex watches. Don't walk around drunk. Back off from any challenge to fight. Too many people pack guns. Avoid all areas like Zamboanga in Southern Mindinao. If you see armed soldiers in groups of
six or more, you are in an area that the military
considers hot. No tourist district is hot. Tourists are at risk if they act rich. Don't charter a yacht to go fishing for marlin. Go in a small boat with three or four Filipino fishermen.
Kidnappings happen regularly. Mostly rich Chinese
guys are the victims. The U.S.State Dept. website
www.travel.state.gov has a detailed advisory. Read it and read the papers everyday when you arrive. There is an ongoing guerilla war that has killed over 100,000 people in the past 30 years.
Still bombings are relatively rare. Shopping centers are targeted to maximize casualties. I have spent six weeks here since September 2001 and had no problems at all. Every hotel you stay at will have armed security guards with shotguns, so you are safe sleeping.

Doug,

Very good information - you've apparently done you're research. The Balibago district in Angeles City is relatively safe - probably no more dangerous than cruising the alley in La Zona Norte. If you're staying in a hotel that's more than a 10-minute walk from the bars you should take a trike or a jeep. Don't walk down dark streets alone - too many guys out there looking for an easy mark... (prog)

Prog,

But what you forget to mention is that to get to and from the airport it is a 2 to 3 hour taxi ride where anything can happen. There's not a hellva a lot to do in AC outside of mongering so there's another side trip where you can fall victim to crime. Not to mention down south. Safety so not be down played.

That last sentence should say "Safety should not be down played."

Harold_Johnson,

Yes, the ride up to AC can take several hours. I've never taken a cab, however. I always arrange a private driver (same guy BTW) with the hotel. I guess something could happen on the ride there but I think it's no more dangerous than taking a cab from the border to Adelitas. Also, I don't believe I was down playing the seriousness of crime in the Philippines but the fact remains that the Balibago district is relatively safe. It's when you venture away from there where things can happen. That's why you take a trike. Lastly, I'm not sure what your point is when you said the only thing to do in AC is mongering.... That's why I'm there! ... (prog)

Yes, danger exists everywhere you go. But, it appears that the Philippines is no more dangerous than parts of Los Angeles (which is where I dwell). Southern Philippines is considered a hostile environment right now, but you've got to put it into perspective, probably less than 100 people have been held captive by the Abu Sayef in the last year or so. And remember we just lost 3000+ people in Manhattan of all places. Which goes to show you that even areas we consider safe is just as likely to turn dangerous.

Just keep your wits about you and avoid the typical scams and pickpockets in the Philippines (of which there appear to be more of than in the states)and everything should be cool.

Just my two cents.

When I first got to PI before meeting Progman at Angeles City, I stayed a couple days in Manila, in the older Ermita district.
Certainly not a crime problem during the day for me, but then I'm 6"/185, and I try not to look like a potential crime victiim.
Still I almost had a sorta-serious problem with a couple of street touts. They each wanted to show me some places, then one belted the other.
The loser followed me down the street. He kept refering to a knife. I was a little concerned.
But I found the Fields Avenue area of AC very safe.

Our country recently committing to the Phillipines president to help wipe out terrorism there might make Americans more likely to have problems if they happen upon some of Abu Sayef's boys.
Be careful

I want to put this safety issue in perspective. The biggest danger everywhere, including war zones, is motor vehicle accidents and pedestrian accidents. Buses are safer vehicles than taxis. Neither have passenger seatbelts. Probably the biggest danger anybody faces in the Philippines is tripping on badly broken sidewalks at night or
being struck by a vehicle. Never resist a robbery
and you'll survive 99.9% of the time. It's true the New People's Army killed a cop in Angeles City
about a week ago in a raid on a police station, but it was not the little police storefront on Fields Avenue. Do not stand near police. They are targets, not you.

I will be in Makati in March to visit a girl I know there. From what I hear it is one of the safer places in Manila. Anyone know a good hotel in the area for around $50 to $60 a night?

I was in Makati for 10 days in March and I never once felt that it was unsafe. In fact the security procedures over there were alot better than I see over here. Almost all the buildings have security at the doors. Just to get into the malls and stores you must pass a security point where your bags are checked before entry. The people are extremely courteous and you didn't get the feeling that they hate Americans.
Maybe since Makati is the main business center of the Philippines made a difference. I have no first hand information on the southern provinces so I can't tell you how it is there.
I have friends who make frequent trips to Angeles City and they say that all is well there. That doesn't mean that one doesn't have to take the normal precautions to stay out of trouble. Yu should still try to keep yourself from being a target such as by not getting drunk as a skunk and walking around bad areas alone. If you are making yourself easy pickings you only have yourself to blame.

Hi, Prog,

Can you please shed light on the following. I am planning my FIRST visit to AC:

1) How do I make taxi/travel arragements from Manila airport to AC? Should I just get into a public taxi? How do I arrange a private TAXI/Driver?

2) Any recommendations on which Bars are a MUST visit? Are there any In-room Massage services available in AC (just like BKK)?

Bkkguru,

There's a few ways to get a ride up to AC. First of all a private driver, hired in AC, will be more comfortable and cheaper than a taxi from the airport. Some of the guys have taken buses and changed several times. I always hire a driver. If you already have reservations with a hotel in AC have them make arrangements for you. You can also make reservations through the Margarita Station web site (see the Links pages). The average cost is 1600p plus a typical tip of 100p.

There are different bars for different tastes so your second question is a tough one to answer. Take some time to read our reviews on the various bar in the AC destination section. My personal favorites right now are: Volcano, Champagne, Nero's, Misty's, and Brown Sugar.

...(prog)