Popping back in here to say that I'm most likely going to Thailand and set up a base there.
It will be much more convenient as I can get a multiple entry Thai visa right here where I live. Literally 3 blocks from where I currently work, as opposed to mailing in my passport to a Philippines embassy in Los Angeles and waiting for it to come back. I can always get a visa in the Philippines embassy in Bangkok. Same for traveling to Indonesia, Vietnam, etc etc...
It will be much more convenient as I can get a multiple entry Thai visa right here where I live. Literally 3 blocks from where I currently work, as opposed to mailing in my passport to a Philippines embassy in Los Angeles and waiting for it to come back. I can always get a visa in the Philippines embassy in Bangkok. Same for traveling to Indonesia, Vietnam, etc etc...