Well personally I really don't think this is a bad idea. Thailand and Philippines is easier for western guys because people there can understand and talk English very well.
People speak English well... but at the same time, the expats must be cautious. There are quite a few guys out there, who would attempt to trick the expats with various ponzi schemes and offers.
You better believe it. If you decide to buy land in Central or South America, you need to find a lawyer. There isn't any Title Agency, in any of these lands. It is very difficult to determine who really owns a chunk of land being sold.

I don't have much knowledge about the Philippine laws, but in India foreigners can't purchase land. If you want to buy land, then either you must take the Indian citizenship (which require 12 years of residency, plus a fluency in one of the local languages), or you should create a private company and register it with the authorities.
What intelligent person wants to go from America to the Philippines? This is a poor country with a primitive way of life. In addition now the President of the Philippines is trying to be friends with Russia. This means that the President of the Philippines start to get out of the crisis.