English speaking Southeast Asia - particularly Malaysia - is a rather good choice, assuming ability to get a job or start a business.
Compare the cost of living with your stalag at Oz:
Discussion
I encounter rather many middle class kiwi and oz escapees in Vietnam, particularly around Vung Tau. It's close enough to Saigon, but still rather provincial living.
Language is a problem there though, and starting a business more trouble than worth.
Indonesia seems a practical choice for middle class kiwi and oz refugees. Rather close, and relatively inexpensive to reach by plane or even a sailing yacht.
Significant living costs savings🤑
Yeah Malaysia is def cool. Been there a long while ago but loved it.
And avoiding Thailand pretty much.
Yes, Thailand is certainly better than staying in Australia or NZ, but for expats - other than USD multimillionaires - to base there, I think these days it's rather overrated and oversubscribed: