Thailand vs Cambodia 2025: Facts Without Manipulation

In recent months, I've been reading more and more articles online promoting Cambodia as a "better alternative" to Thailand. There are many alarmist claims about how Thailand "systematically screws over expats" and has become "the most unstable destination in the region."

As CEO of a fintech company operating in the region and someone living between Poland and Thailand, I decided to write an honest, factual article based on facts and personal experience.

1. HEALTHCARE AND MEDICAL CARE

What I heard and verified: Insurance companies operating in Cambodia routinely send patients to Thailand for serious medical conditions. This isn't a rumor – it's standard procedure written into policies.

THAILAND:
✅ Bumrungrad Hospital (Bangkok) – JCI accreditation (Joint Commission International)
✅ Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej, BNH – world-class standards
✅ Specializations: cardiac surgery, oncology, neurosurgery, transplantology
✅ 2.5 million foreign patients annually
✅ English-speaking doctors in every major hospital
✅ Da Vinci surgical robots, latest generation PET-CT, MRI
✅ Specialist visit: 1,500-3,000 THB (€40-80)

CAMBODIA:
⚠️ Few decent hospitals only in Phnom Penh
⚠️ Outside the capital – dramatically poor
⚠️ No advanced specializations
❌ Evacuation to Thailand for serious cases

VERDICT: THAILAND wins by knockout

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2. LAW, REGULATIONS, AND PROPERTY

Online I read that Thailand "attacks property ownership" and "there's no such thing as ownership." Let's check the facts.

THAILAND:
✅ Legal system based on civil law (like Europe)
✅ SEC regulates crypto/fintech – clear licensing procedures
✅ FATF compliant, pursuing OECD membership
✅ Preparing for MiCA compliance (EU)
✅ Condos – you can buy IN YOUR OWN NAME (100% freehold)
✅ Up to 49% of building can be foreign-owned
✅ Chanote title – full legal protection
✅ Contract enforcement through courts works

Yes, the Supreme Court invalidated leasehold 30+30+30 structures in March 2025 – but this concerned ILLEGAL legal workarounds. Legal condo ownership remains fully protected.

CAMBODIA:
⚠️ Crypto/fintech – gray area, zero regulation
⚠️ Endemic corruption (Transparency International: 157/180)
❌ Foreigners cannot own land
❌ Condos theoretically possible, but property titles problematic
❌ No clear licensing procedures

VERDICT: THAILAND – for serious businesses, no alternative

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3. BANKING – "MASS ACCOUNT CLOSURES"?

Online I read about "mass blockades without explanation." What's the truth?

THAILAND:
✅ Bangkok Bank and others tightened rules from January 2025
✅ This is a response to an epidemic of crypto fraud and international scams
✅ In 2025, massive abuse of accounts for money laundering was detected

WHO HAS NO PROBLEM:
✅ People with legal long-term visas (Non-B, Non-O, retirement, Elite)
✅ Those running legal businesses with work permits
✅ Spouses of Thai citizens
✅ Property owners

The problem affects visa-runners and people involved in criminal activity.

CAMBODIA:
❌ Weak local banks
❌ USD de facto currency (no stable national currency)
❌ Zero financial transparency

VERDICT: Thailand fights crime – that's good

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4. TAXES – "BRUTAL TAX LAW"?

Online I read about "25-35% taxes on all foreign income."

TRUTH:
✅ From January 2024, rules changed for tax residents (180+ days)
✅ BUT Thailand is preparing a 2-YEAR EXEMPTION WINDOW
✅ Transfers in the same year or next year – NO TAX
✅ Treaties with 60+ countries (Poland too!) – avoiding double taxation
✅ Progressive tax: up to 150k THB (€4k) annually = 0% TAX
✅ Can deduct taxes paid abroad

CAMBODIA:
⚠️ "Low taxes" officially
❌ Bribes at every step unofficially
❌ Zero transparency

VERDICT: Thailand – transparent legal framework

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5. VISAS – "HUNTING EXPATS"?

Online I read about "aggressive visa changes."

FACTS:
✅ From November 2025, visa run checks were tightened
✅ In 2025, 2,900 people abusing the system were denied entry
✅ Scam centers were using visa runs for criminal activity

FOR NORMAL PEOPLE:
✅ 60 days visa-free + 30 extension = 90 DAYS
✅ DTV (5 years for digital nomads) – unchanged
✅ Elite Visa – unchanged
✅ Non-B, Non-O, retirement – NO PROBLEM

CAMBODIA:
❌ Scam centers operate freely
❌ Human trafficking – international problem
❌ Thousands held in captivity

VERDICT: Thailand protects itself from crime

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6. ALCOHOL – "CHAOTIC DECISIONS"?

TRUTH (not manipulation):
✅ Drinking hours EXTENDED to 1:00 AM (was 24:00)
✅ In restaurants, the 14-17 ban PILOTED FOR REMOVAL
✅ Hotels, airports, licensed bars – 24/7
✅ First year = "education," not automatic fines

VERDICT: Thailand introduces civilized regulations

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7. MARIJUANA – "INSTABILITY"?

FACTS:
✅ In June 2025, restricted to medical use with prescription
⚠️ 2022 liberalization was chaos – kids buying at 7-Eleven
⚠️ Zero age control, massive smuggling
⚠️ Thai society was against it

NOW:
✅ Medical with prescription – like in civilized countries
✅ Control, safety

VERDICT: This is RESPONSIBILITY, not instability

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8. INFRASTRUCTURE

THAILAND:
✅ 6 international airports (BKK: 65M passengers/year)
✅ BTS/MRT metro in Bangkok
✅ Fiber optic 1Gbps: ~€16/month
✅ 5G in major cities
✅ 99.9% of country electrified

CAMBODIA:
⚠️ 1 international airport
❌ No metro
❌ Regular blackouts

VERDICT: THAILAND light years ahead

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9. EDUCATION

THAILAND:
✅ 180+ international schools
✅ British, IB, American curriculum
✅ Top Asia universities

CAMBODIA:
⚠️ ~20 schools, mainly Phnom Penh
⚠️ Diplomas not recognized in Europe

VERDICT: THAILAND – for families with children

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10. FINTECH, CRYPTO, AND BUSINESS

THAILAND:
✅ SEC License for crypto exchanges
✅ Digital Asset License – clear requirements
✅ Regulatory sandbox
✅ Preparing for MiCA (EU compliance)

That's why Wanda Exchange operates in Thailand.

CAMBODIA:
❌ Zero regulation
❌ Complete gray area
❌ Cooperation with EU/US? Impossible

VERDICT: THAILAND – only option for legal business

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SUMMARY

| Category | Thailand | Cambodia | Winner |
|----------|----------|----------|--------|
| Healthcare | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆. | THAILAND |
| Law/Business | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | THAILAND |
| Infrastructure | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | THAILAND |
| Education | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | THAILAND |
| Safety | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆. | THAILAND |
| Fintech/Crypto | ★★★★★ | ★☆☆☆☆ | THAILAND |
| Banking | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆. | THAILAND |
| Quality of Life | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | THAILAND |
| Costs | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | I TIE |
| Future | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆. | THAILAND |

RESULT: 9-0-1 for THAILAND

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COST OF LIVING

THAILAND (Bangkok):

  • Condo rent: €400
  • Food: €400
  • Transport: €80
  • Internet: €40
  • TOTAL: ~€1,000/month for comfort

CAMBODIA (Phnom Penh):

  • TOTAL: ~€900/month for basic

Minimal difference, but quality of life in Thailand is SIGNIFICANTLY higher.

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WHAT THEY DON'T MENTION ABOUT CAMBODIA

❌ SCAM CENTERS – thousands held in captivity
❌ CORRUPTION 157/180 (Transparency International)
❌ HEALTHCARE – send patients to Thailand
❌ HUMAN TRAFFICKING – international problem
❌ NO RULE OF LAW
❌ BORDER CONFLICTS with Thailand
❌ ZERO REGULATION for fintech/crypto
❌ POLITICAL AUTOCRACY

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HOW CAN WANDA EXCHANGE HELP?

If you're considering moving to Thailand:

✅ Opening a bank account (legally, with proper visa)
✅ Buying property (in your own name!) – contacts to lawyers
✅ Setting up a company – Thai Ltd, BOI, structures
✅ Crypto → fiat payments – legal, compliant
✅ WandaPay – payment gateway for HoReCa
✅ Virtual Visa cards – crypto-funded
✅ Legal and tax consulting

MY PERSONAL DECISION

I live between Poland and Thailand.
✅ I run Wanda Exchange – licensed business
✅ I pay taxes – honestly in Poland and Thailand
✅ Family

Did I go to Cambodia? YES
Did I choose it? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

And I advise every serious entrepreneur the same.

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CONCLUSION

Online I read many alarmist articles about Thailand. Most are manipulation by companies wanting to profit from scaring people and redirecting them to countries with SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE conditions.

TRUTH:
✅ Thailand is professionalizing and fighting crime
✅ Has clear legal framework for business
✅ Pursuing OECD and MiCA standards
✅ Offers quality of life, infrastructure, future
✅ You can buy property IN YOUR OWN NAME

For living: THAILAND
For family: THAILAND
For business: THAILAND
For future: THAILAND

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🇹🇭 Welcome to Thailand – The Land of Opportunities

CONTACT:
admin@wanda.exchange