It must be tough for the Koreans to be so rich
Where would Koreans go though if they're being specifically targeted in the Phips? It's got to be Thailand then. I keep telling people that Thailand is it. It's not complicated, but people be trying the DR, Costa Rica, the Phips, Cambodia, etc, on and on. But for some real value for money hobbying, and guaranteed safety, it's always Thailand, all the time. I can't think of one time a Korean was murdered in Thailand. Ok, maybe that one time with the whole barrel thing. But it was literally one time. And even then it was committed by a fellow Korean. Like a K drama type deal.
Tens of millions of Koreans visit Thailand every year, and literally only 1 dude has been murdered, that's good stats. While 1 out of every 3 Korean gets killed in the Phips, those are pretty bad numbers if you ask me. I'm sure our fellow Korean hobbyists don't read this forum, but best to tell them to stay away from the Phips. I personally would want to try the Phips one day, I hear good things, but I very rarely ever get the chance to fly to South East Asia, so when I do, I got to be going to Thailand. Can't waste the precious trip on Manila or Angeles City, when Bangkok beckons.
Bangkok beckons!
Quality tourists have moved to the Phips. Abandons Thailand.
I think it's becoming obvious that Koreans are targeted in the Phips. I feel sympathy for our fellow hobbyists from the land of Joseon. As I always say, best to just go to Thailand. You don't get murdered or kidnapped there.
[URL]https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-05-05/national/socialAffairs/Korean-kidnapped-in-Philippines-released-three-days-later-in-stable-condition/2300165[/URL]
Although, you do get the terrible tourists from a particular middle east country that I shall not name, where she claims 'her money built Thailand'. IYKYK. Weirdly, anytime anyone brings her up on any social media like facebook or instagram, etc. That feed gets deleted. Why is everyone trying to protect her, instead of Thailand? Nuff said.
I don't know, I've seen hotter chicks. She's just kinda meh:
[URL]https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/10-photos-israeli-tourist-who-said-my-money-built-your-country-thailand-meet-kesem-cohen-1733568[/URL]
Are we saying that the 'quality' tourists have gone to the Phips and Thailand gets garbage people instead? Well, that's sad. *sigh*.
The brother of your cousin-in-law
[QUOTE=OldAndUgly;3003024]My GF is in the province right now, and she showed me 2 envelopes with money, one with 1500, and the other with 1800, from the 2 main candidates in the upcoming elections.
Every person in the neighborhood got the same, not the household, but the individuals, that's a lot of money being thrown around to buy votes, probably high interests at stake there behind the scenes.
That's election fraud in your face, with no attempt to hide it, and she says it's always been like that, and of course nobody thinks that's something illegal. I wonder where the hundreds of millions of peso are coming from.
Wow![/QUOTE]Its always been this way. When I first started coming to Mindanao more than a decade ago, it was in the p300-p500 range from politicians. You often have to go sit thru a multi-hour lecture from the politicians campaign staff (explaining what he / she will do if elected), with hundreds of others in order to get the cash (hence, they run home to their province). The current range in our province is p1000+, and can be different for different positions (governor, mayor, brgy officials, etc). A typical conversation from my girls the week prior to election:
Your cousin cancelled for Thursday. Can you come Thursday? "Not. Going with family to the Jinky". To the Jinky? What's a Jinky? "Candidate running for Xxxxxx (office). He is give 500". OK, then can you come Friday? "Not. Going for RJ". I see, and RJ would be another candidate? "Yes its give 700. But I will not go in Jun-Jun". Why not Jun-Jun? Who is Jun-Jun? "The other guy. He giving 150 only. Not going of that". I see. Well, speaking of Jinky, can you come after Jinky's presentation? "Not. Starts 10 am". Well, you can come at noon, or 1 pm? "Hahaha. Obvious your not pinoy. It will be many hours. Like a rally. Everyone will stay until the last is finished. To get the money". And will you vote for the one who gives the most? "Not so. I hate that Jinky. I like RJ or Jun-Jun". You would not bother going to collect Jun's small p150, but you might vote for him? "Yes because he is the brother of my cousin-in-law". Your cousin-in-law? "Yes. You remember him. Henry. You played basketball with Henry". I did? "Yes on the basketball court. You don't remember?" No. "Jun is the brother of Henry". Not sure what a cousin-in-law is, but doesn't that make Jun your cousin-in-law also? "Maybe".
Wait. You will take the money of Jinky and RJ and then not vote for them? "They will give. I will take". So most folk have already made up their mind prior to accepting the bribe? "Yes. The politicians know it". And where do the candidates get this money to give away? "They have a sponsors". And the sponsors are aware of the corruption, yes? "Of course". So the entire system if corrupt, as the sponsors are hoping to get legislation the will favor or like? "Yes as the politician will want to re-elect".
Another girl, another election, having a similar conversation after the ditty one day, she said this: "You think your country don't have a corrupt politician? What about that Xxx Xxxxxxxx guy last week? Convicted of taking money from some other country's government? In court? Its on the Internet news?" SLAP DOWN TIME!
Another girl: "Also my parents. They getting this money since before I'm born. My grandparents. All voters can get". A straight-up confession: Its what we [B]dooooooooooooo[/B].
These conversations can be so telling into the cultural mindset of the people. ME makes a great point about the open-ness (in your face!) differences between countries. Probably it exists everywhere.
