seasia

Hi kellers

If you have not seen this TVF topic you may well find it interesting. Started some time ago with Latin America as a possible alternative for expats.

Plenty of useful info on it.

Just now, lkv said:

Coincidentally, threads from months ago are being revived, all about denials. By "new members". So when anybody looks at the main page, sees denial, denial, denial.

 

Yes, it has all the elements of a TV drama. I am scared. What can I do. Will they abuse me in here....etc.

 

Nevertheless, I think we answered the abuse thing. The OP posted further, which proves that no abuse took place.

 

I wish the OP good luck and maybe time to close the thread?

Why close the thread?  Outcome is not yet known.

Hopefully OP on a plane to KL and maybe will update us.

If I understand correctly it is the poster Duck J Butters who was claiming to own property in Phuket as well as other areas and talking it up.

I have no opinion on that.

It was Stevie Aus who made the comment that Duck sounded like a travel agent,Steve has not made property ownership claims that I have seen, just he made what I and a few others thought was a witty response.

Yet 2 posters are suggesting Stevie making Duck s claim, not so the way I read it.

Perhaps some confusion in quotes.

Quite an interesting thread.

Hi

I think that even after being ex UK for many years , you can get back in to the NHS system very quickly on stating you intend to stay in the UK.

What you do after that is entirely your choice.

Emergency/urgent treatment cannot be denied you.

As far as I know.

It is something I sometimes think about.

Good Luck

The Sun

The gutter press of the UK.  Yes I am British born.

How many tourists killed ?

Probably none or extremely few.

How many killed everyday on Thailand s roads.

Officially  66 or so, real figure more likely 100.

Sun newspaper, they pay for sensation.They pay for their stories.

It appeals to Brit readers with extremely low IQ levels.

Good business model unfortunately.

Hi Kenny

My honest opinion is that if on your last visit to pattaya you found the girls unenthusiastic and with their eyes and heads glued to their phone, you will find it worse now.

I have more or less given up on the bar scene but that is much to do with me changing.

I have made many friends over the 20 years total I have been coming here, initially for tourist visits then to live.

Some of those friends in to having fun, with ladies, which seems to be what you are asking about and what I was in to but some time ago.

Some of the prices I  am hearing for "entertainment " seem very high to me.

Those of my friends who seem to do the best usually find a companion on line.

In bars it appears you might struggle somewhat.

As said that is on hearing "war stories " from my friends.

Good Luck whatever you decide.

7 hours ago, JamJar said:

 

So because you paid more, you imagine that mine isn't of a good quality. ????

LIDL discounts selected products on weekends.

First on the list is 500ml of Greek Extra Virgin olive oil. 77 baht

Second is Italian. Same 77 baht.

Not the cheaper ubiquitous Spanish olive oil you will find everywhere in Thailand or fake olive oil imported via the USA.

 

I don't think you can favourably compare the quality of the grapes you buy in Thailand with the grapes you buy in Europe. When was the last time you saw a Muscat variety in Thailand?

 

Salt your own crisps, 25 baht for 6 packs

 

Antipasti 120 grs of Proscuitto Crudo, Coppa and Milano salami. The cost in Thailand is 420 baht. I paid 40 baht.

 

200 gr of Smoked Salmon. 147 baht

 

200 grs of mixed unsalted nuts 50 baht

 

Stone baked sourdough roll with olives 11 baht

 

I'm sure that my diet is more healthy than yours and likely my weight. Did 50 km of hill training on my bike this morning.

I don't need to eat out often, as the foodstuffs available in the shops here far surpasses the quality of food in Thailand.

Do you love the chlorinated smell of the chicken there?

Even when I do eat out, I choose carefully. 

I haven't stepped into a Greggs since I was at school.

 

In conclusion, I'm happy spending my summers in the UK and my winters in Thailand. But only because of the weather. My quality of life is relatively good in both places.

It's not just about what is the cheapest.

You are treated much as a second class citizen in Thailand. You cannot own land and can be blocked almost arbitrarily.

 

So no, I'm not burning my bridges or slagging off the U.K from afar. For all of it's fault, it is ours. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi JamJar

I like your shopping list, especially the antipasti. Yes you are right, many food items in the UK are of higher quality and cheaper than Thailand.

Good price on the EV Olive oil.

I am currently in Italy and the price of it here is only fractionally cheaper, so the hard discounters in the UK are using their bulk buying power to obtain good prices then working on tight margin.

1 litre EV  Olive Oil is roughly around the 4 Euro mark ( 140 baht ), sometimes a bit more sometimes a bit less.

Pasta is incredibly cheap. 1 kg on promo is 61 Euro cents, about 21 baht.

That is at a hypermarket though with heavy discounting.

Usual price more like 50/60 cents for 500gm.

You seem to have found a good balance, spend some of your time in the UK, some of your time in Thailand.

All the Best

On 6/29/2019 at 11:30 AM, garyk said:

The locals here say it is crime ridden, I haven't seen any yet.

Haven't had issues with breathing, or health issues. 

The only serious issues I have had with breathing is when I was in Asia. That is the reason I left. Since I left Thailand my coughing and breathing issues have cleared up thank goodness. It was killing me. 

 

Hi garyk

Firstly thanks for your interesting posts and the pics. Yes does sound quite cheap there. I have been to Mexico once but so many years ago I have almost forgotten what it was like. Colombia I have never been to, it started to take my interest as a result of this thread and JT s posts.

As to the coughing and sneezing I noticed that since early this year and perhaps even from last year I was coughing and sneezing excessively ( living in naklua/pattaya)

I am just about 3 weeks  into  a 4 month stay away from Thailand in what is a clean air town.( European rather than LATAM though)

My coughing and sneezing has stopped, with very rare exceptions.

So I have to conclude that the air quality in naklua/pattaya as well as many other parts of Thailand is indeed very poor.

On a long term basis that must be bad for one s health.

All the Best.

Hi

I came across a website giving guidance to rentals in Pereira ( Colombia ), prices and areas.

The article is about 3 years old. Total inflation in the last 3 years appears to be about 12 % ( total, not annual ) so add that to prices.

They seem somewhat cheaper than I would have expected.

Pereira to Salento, a very pretty small town is 1 hour away by bus.

http://www.pereiracityguide.com/cost-rent-pereira-colombia/

Here is a youtube walking tour of Pereira, quality not too good, whoever did the video must have been shaking a lot.

2 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

There are many places in Pattaya for less then 15 bucks a night.

 

So you rented a cheap condo ( let's see some photos) and took the bus ( probably no air con). Hardly accurate examples of price comparisons....

 

I reckon Britman has found a good deal.

Pattaya is a big place but really, the statement of many places under 15 US $ a night, which implies 14 $ as the next lowest step, 430 baht?

With a kitchenette and terrace and sea view.

Could possibly be done in pattaya but you would have to do some serious leg work.

So as you say there are " many" matching BM s description it should not be difficult for you to rattle off a few.

The majority of places would be higher priced.

I have 20 years experience of the place and have helped friends that want to go budget find somewhere decent at around 500/600 baht a night ( daily rates)

Monthly somewhat easier to match the place BM has described, although many of the budget places do not have a kitchenette.

Why is it that the same old gang criticise anyone that dares suggesting an alternative to Pattaya.

Britman is only going for a visa run, I and others will be interested to hear of his thoughts.

At least he is making constructive posts.

I know quite a few people that have left Thailand over the last few years, not just recently.

In the majority of cases not for financial reasons.

One very good friend of mine left after 23 years in Thailand, been away about 5 years now.

No money issues involved at all ( that I know as fact ) Just tired of Thailand.

Another one left 6 years ago, seems he does not plan to return. No money issues, also took his Thai wife, she does not want to return to Thailand.

I know of one Brit ( thru another friend of mine) who has returned stating financial issues.

I know of several people who used to visit Thailand regularly, some " snow birds ", reducing their Thailand time.

3 of those were actually heading to South America locations.

Myself I am already in the process of reducing  time in Thailand, after 20 years exposure to the country, initially on tourist visits then 10 years of living there. No current visa issue, have  permission extension through to next year.

I am undecided whether I will bother to apply for another.

Hi

In the middle of a mini heatwave here.

Hot outside during the main part of the day, cooler mornings and evenings.

The house must have been well designed/built as it generally stays reasonably cool inside, just have to time the opening and closing of the windows and shutters correctly.

I came across this walking tour video of Bellagio, near to me, have been several times.

No commentary just some background music and nice views.

13 hours ago, JimmyTheMook said:

 

And where to find a decent room for $25 bucks a night like you can find in most of Thailand?

 

 

Very easy as it goes, if you know what you are doing.

Have my own property here so not an issue but if you look some fairly cheap places to grab a night s sleep.

Almost always of a higher standard than Thailand. That does not say a lot though.

Just now, yogi100 said:

How many Latin Americans read this forum.

 

Most English speaking falang visitors to the LOS and who read TV are British and Australian. 

 

Most other posters quote in baht out of courtesy to those who may be unfamiliar with the GBP or Australian Dollar. When do you see a condo advertised for rent in the LOS, or a house or car for sale in US $s

I think it might be British followed by Americans but could be wrong. A lot of Aussies here.

The topic is about Latin America as opposed to Thailand so it would seem fairly reasonable to mention prices in US $.

Like it or not the US $ is the number 1 currency in the world.

I use it for price comparisons/trades.

Sorry I am off topic here really.

20 hours ago, snowballthecat said:

Hi Seasia!

 

I have been in your area a few years back....got married in Cernobbio,  Como back in 2004, and stayed in Bellagio, Cavallasca, Drezzo, Santo Stefano, etc.

 

My concern is about the winter....Como lake is not only freezing cold in winter, it may be also dark, depending which side of the lake you are in....

 

Are you registered with AIRE? (sort of electoral roll of Italians living abroad). I am, for many years now,  and heard that coming back to Italy wouldn't be entitled to GP doctor and so on. Is that true?

 

Have you tried to open a bank account in Italy recently?. I don't have one. 

What about the tax for property? Foreing pensions are taxed?........

 

Hi snowballthecat.

Thanks for your post, have been to a fair few of the places you mention, liked Cernobbio & Bellagio very much.

I am the same as you re winter, I would not want to be here in that time so for me the north only a 6 month per year option.

That could work out OK.

I am not registered with AIRE but simply because I am not an Italian national.My mother was Italian but I never took on dual nationality so for now I am a Brit . I am considering applying for Italian nationality. Could be useful

My brother is dual national ( Brit/Italian ), has lived in Switzerland for several years but did say he is moving back to Italy this year.

I asked about healthcare issues, he seems to be of the thought that once he is living here again, no issue.He will be entitled to the Italian national health service.

On opening a bank account, he stated that is indeed difficult.

As to tax I think one is taxed on worldwide income,I need to find out more on that although if I stick to just under 6 months a year,seems to be OK.

3 hours ago, Apache704 said:

Sir, I am 73 years old and I also have to leave Thailand due to the ever increasing changes with Immigration and with no health insurance which I did have before the Army took over. Ecuador is my next destination with a minimal amount of money per month($800) US and for each dependent $100 more plus they have health care for less than $100 per month for a couple and a Senior have discounts on everything. The rents are cheap, also the food, the climate is better. Also you can own land there as a foreigner but they are a lot more expensive than Thailand. Cuenco has the largest expat population (up to 8000) with English being spoken almost everywhere compared to none elsewhere. There are plenty of restaurants that can cater to whomever. I'll be going there from Canada in November and staying 60 days in Cuenca. I'm sure that I can pick up Spanish a lot easier than Thai. Take a good look at getting a Pension Visa from Ecuador you won't have to go back to England for Health care. If you would like to e-mail me for more information I will gladly send it to you.

Hello

Interesting post, thanks.

Are you aware there is a topic on this forum re. considering moving to Latin America, including Ecuador?

I wish you well with the move.

Here is the link to the topic.Might be of interest and I am sure the topic starter there would be interested in your planned move.

On 6/24/2019 at 8:59 AM, petermik said:

https://caddyshack-pattaya.com/

The pies are baked and frozen so will need re-heating....I prefer pork pies cold however so I just let it de-frost

Thanks for the link, I was unsure of the location, not all that convenient for me from naklua but I could send the GF out there to buy a few. She rides a motorbike, I do not, do not even like getting on one.

Do they do pork pies and sausages rolls as well ?

Thanks

Flown with all of them.

BA generally OK, although last flight with them which was BKK to LON did not impress.

Delayed departure and they were a cabin crew member short.

Full flight. Service sub par. Other flights have been OK/good.

Then flew inter inter Europe, far better,

Both flights within the last 10 days.

EVA, never had a bad flight, just have not been able to get a decent price quote for the last few times I have tried.

Thai, my last flight with them was my last flight with them.

BA or EVA if you want direct.

I think that average Thai food is amongst the worst in the world.

Rules and standards are overlooked.

All about money, as with everything.