Why I had to leave the UK for Thailand

[rooster59]

Why I had to leave the UK for Thailand

By Dan Cheeseman

 

 

If anyone has done the daily commute into London at 630am in winter then you will know it can be very hard work. For me it was one such morning that proved the tipping point, I needed to get out of the UK and change my life.

 

I never disliked living and working in the UK by the way, in fact it was tremendously rewarding and challenging. I just wanted something different and did not fancy another 30 years of a fairly predictable, mapped out life that I felt living in the UK would have given me.

 

Many people fail to grasp just how short our lives are and kind of just coast by and let life control them. I wanted to control my life in a more significant way. Leaving the UK and relocating to Thailand was the kind of big life changing move I wanted to make.

 

 

Full story: https://danaboutthailand.com/2018/06/15/why-i-had-to-leave-the-uk-for-thailand/

 

DAN ABOUT THAILAND

Weekly Vlogs and Blogs from in and around Thailand

[BobBKK]

I also left the UK for Thailand after years of coming here and deciding this has the best infrastructure in SEA (if the Philippines had the same infrastructure I'd be there not here). But the one thing I'm VERY grateful I did do is retire at 50 when I could get the visa and I would strongl;y recommend that, if you are not wealthy, do your 'time' in your chosen career first. I see far too many under-50 foreigners on hard times and living on low incomes (which the Thais do not like).

 

I fully understand the need to 'break-free' but do it with proper research @ 50+.

[simoh1490]

In fact Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia have the best infrastructure although I agree that Thailand's is the most affordable. That said I moved here because I was already living in Hong Kong and had been in the region for several years and I couldn't stand the thought of going back to what Dan has described, at least not on a full time and permanent basis. I'm getting ready to embark on a 50/50 split of my year, after 16 years here full time I'm now going to summer in the UK and winter in Thailand, hopefully, the best of both worlds.

[Peasandmash]

Great observation Bob; Thai's don't like foreigners on hard times and living on low incomes.

[Peasandmash]

God bless you. I'd shoot myself if I had to teach english period, let alone, here. I can't even imagine what it must be like for someone from a developed country coming here to work. Like you keep saying life is short, it's way too short... Cheers!

[lazygourmet]

I've never dreamt of spending my last years in Thailand, opposite... If I am residing in South-East Asia, for the last thirty years, this is only for a well planned South of Europe retirement. 

[flyingtlger]

42 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Many people fail to grasp just how short our lives are and kind of just coast by and let life control them

Ain't that the TRUTH!

[DoctorG]

23 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

I'm now going to summer in the UK

Cannot get much done in 7 days though.

 

Hehe, just an Aussie dig ? and no, you are not allowed to mention cricket.

[KiChakayan]

37 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

In fact Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia have the best infrastructure although I agree that Thailand's is the most affordable. That said I moved here because I was already living in Hong Kong and had been in the region for several years and I couldn't stand the thought of going back to what Dan has described, at least not on a full time and permanent basis. I'm getting ready to embark on a 50/50 split of my year, after 16 years here full time I'm now going to summer in the UK and winter in Thailand, hopefully, the best of both worlds.

Was about to say the same. However I disagree somewhat as I reckon that Malaysia isn't more expensive than Thailand, when it come to housing, motoring, non street food, etc.. What keeps me way is the cost of education.

[dutchinlondon]

59 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

I also left the UK for Thailand after years of coming here and deciding this has the best infrastructure in SEA (if the Philippines had the same infrastructure I'd be there not here). But the one thing I'm VERY grateful I did do is retire at 50 when I could get the visa and I would strongl;y recommend that, if you are not wealthy, do your 'time' in your chosen career first. I see far too many under-50 foreigners on hard times and living on low incomes (which the Thais do not like).

 

I fully understand the need to 'break-free' but do it with proper research @ 50+.

If the thai like it or not.  Seems of no concern   they hate us as much as each other.  Once they know you it doesn't matter if you rich or poor.  To be honest if you poor and they like you they will help you a lot.  

[Get Real]

Thanks! Dan. This time you actually had something interesting to talk about. I would guess many people dragging their butt to work in any country just to meet the same people, sitting by the same desk and doing the same things everyday would fit in here. I felt like I fitted right into your vlog this time, and it was reallt inspiring lifting up that ass at approx. the same age you are talking about. Have been living in thailand since I was 30, which is now 18 years ago. That was the most refresing and interesting thing I´ve ever done in my life, and I don´t regret one single minute of it.

[AlexRich]

I understand the sentiment, Thailand can be a great place to stay in your later years if you have sufficient funds to live a comfortable life and can cover any and all possible medical needs. If you don't have the funds to live here then best stay at home, I can't think of a worst place to be poor and elderly. 

 

And if you want to live here until the end of your days learn the language, it will make your life here much easier.

[Jimbo53]

2 hours ago, simoh1490 said:

In fact Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia have the best infrastructure although I agree that Thailand's is the most affordable. That said I moved here because I was already living in Hong Kong and had been in the region for several years and I couldn't stand the thought of going back to what Dan has described, at least not on a full time and permanent basis. I'm getting ready to embark on a 50/50 split of my year, after 16 years here full time I'm now going to summer in the UK and winter in Thailand, hopefully, the best of both worlds.

Good Idea..and good luck.

I done it last year,after 14 years in Thailand,and don't regret it.

[connda]

2 hours ago, Peasandmash said:

Great observation Bob; Thai's don't like foreigners on hard times and living on low incomes.

Foreigners living on 'low incomes' generally are making significantly more than a middle class Thai, so it's economically relative.  You could be scraping by in you own country but living a good life here.
What I find to be more the case is when other foreigners who believe themselves to be 'well-to-do' enjoy playing "If You Can't Keep Up With The Jones (i.e., me) Then Why Are You Here" as they compare their own income to some other foreigner living in Thailand who is living just fine on their nominal income, but like a Thai, 'Mr Jones' needs to flaunt what he has and make himself out as having higher status and wealth.
So the reality is, most Thais won't know that a foreigner has a 'low income' in their own country because here they are living relatively well compared to the average Thai.  And Thais don't like anyone on 'hard times' whether foreigner or Thai.  Dancing on the heads of the less fortunate is baked into this culture.  Thais revel when someone who used to be "Above Them" in status is suddenly through misfortune "Below Them."  I've seen it, even with my own Thai family and I consider it an ugly cultural trait in this supposedly 'compassionate Buddhist' country. 

Edited June 17, 2018 by connda

[jak2002003]

1 hour ago, dutchinlondon said:

If the thai like it or not.  Seems of no concern   they hate us as much as each other.  Once they know you it doesn't matter if you rich or poor.  To be honest if you poor and they like you they will help you a lot.  

Correct. 

 

I am not rich... but have many good, close and kind Thai friends.  People are people... despite what some Farangs think.. Thais are not that different from us.. only some parts of their culture.. and if farangs take time to understand that then they will be much happier here and get real friends.

 

If you are a nice person, respectful and 'normal' then the average Thai person will like you no problem and they won't care if you are rich or poor.  However,  If you are a show off, arrogant, angry, and a snob, then they won't like you.. you will only think that the other 'high so' Thais respect and like you.. when in fact they are selfish and will stab you in the back and gossip about you first chance they get.

 

 

 

 

[dotpoom]

I came here for a convention in the year 2000 at the age of 50,..never been here before, loved the place....went back home, sold my house gave up my job and am here ever since.

   I debated with myself for about 1 day if I should move here or not.....what made me make up my.mind was remembering what an old lady had said to me one time when I was doing a job for her....."Son" she asked me..."Do you know what you will never hear a person say on their death bed if asked, looking back over your life do they have any regrets....you will never hear them say.. Yes....I regret not having spent more time in the office".     True story.

[InMyShadow]

2 hours ago, Peasandmash said:

God bless you. I'd shoot myself if I had to teach english period, let alone, here. I can't even imagine what it must be like for someone from a developed country coming here to work. Like you keep saying life is short, it's way too short... Cheers!

Life is the longest thing you can do 

[sawadee1947]

3 hours ago, BobBKK said:

which the Thais do not like).

I don't like either 

[delphioracle]

Sadly there are a number of folks here who had to leave the U K as  they were  being pursued by the authorities and employers with regards to certain activities, actions etc.

 

Over the years  a number of English citizens have apperaed at our legal practice offices both here in Thailamd and the U K  requesting  legal advice and help regarding their rapid departures to pastures new from the U K. as well as their about to be  rapid departure from Thailand to pastures new to  evade or avoid contact with the authorites  here in Thailand and subsquently the U K authorities too.

Edited June 17, 2018 by delphioracle

[brewsterbudgen]

2 hours ago, Peasandmash said:

God bless you. I'd shoot myself if I had to teach english period, let alone, here. I can't even imagine what it must be like for someone from a developed country coming here to work. Like you keep saying life is short, it's way too short... Cheers!

It's OK if you're good at it.  I left the UK aged 45 having never taught before, and have been doing TEFL here (in Bangkok) ever since.  It was badly paid at first and I survived on my savings, but now I just teach exam preparation (mainly IELTS and IGCSE) and corporate work and make around 90,000 a month, for only around 25 hours a week.

[NoshowJones]

3 hours ago, Peasandmash said:

Great observation Bob; Thai's don't like foreigners on hard times and living on low incomes.

Of course they don't, all they want is our money. I am mainly referring to the authorities here, not the biggest majority of the ordinary Thai people.

Edited June 17, 2018 by possum1931

[Dario]

2 hours ago, lazygourmet said:

I've never dreamt of spending my last years in Thailand, opposite... If I am residing in South-East Asia, for the last thirty years, this is only for a well planned South of Europe retirement. 

lazygourmet, you wanna say  ...  Spain? That is my target.

Edited June 17, 2018 by Dario

[marko kok prong]

Having moved from the uk to Australia in 1996,then to Thailand in 2012,i was contemplating a move to the Philippines a couple of years back after divorce from my Thai wife. I then met a wonderful non bar girl in the town i live in i also have many expat and some Thai friends.

  Eventually though the main reason was i could just not go through all the rigmarole of moving countries again,one thing Dan fails to mention in his vlog,it is a big upheaval,and to be honest i surprised myself i actually managed leaving Aus to come here. I certainley do not miss the buisiness i had in Australia,when it got close to christmas i was physically and mentally shot.

[LivinLOS]

3 hours ago, BobBKK said:

I also left the UK for Thailand after years of coming here and deciding this has the best infrastructure in SEA (if the Philippines had the same infrastructure I'd be there not here). But the one thing I'm VERY grateful I did do is retire at 50 when I could get the visa and I would strongl;y recommend that, if you are not wealthy, do your 'time' in your chosen career first. I see far too many under-50 foreigners on hard times and living on low incomes (which the Thais do not like).

 

I fully understand the need to 'break-free' but do it with proper research @ 50+.

I waited all the way until I was 28..

 

 

[BritManToo]

50 minutes ago, Dario said:

lazygourmet, you wanna say  ...  Spain? That is my target.

I'm thinking you haven't been to Spain recently.

It's changed since the 1980s, and not for the better.

[LivinLOS]

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

I'm thinking you haven't been to Spain recently.

It's changed since the 1980s, and not for the better.

agreed.. Went and had a solid look last year, and portugal.. Spain was a no go (barcelona and some of the area to valencia perhaps) I kind of liked the areas to  the west of Lisbon.. However ultimately I was disappointed with the potential, sort of expected more from spain. 

Going to go have a look around the adriatic next time, Croatia, Montenegro, etc.. See if any of that appeals.. I am looking to split my time part of each year, too much asia and I get burnout. I like some European / old world cultural vibes. 

[Justfine]

Most countries are better than the UK.

[transam]

1 minute ago, Justfine said:

Most countries are better than the UK.

In what way...?

[Kinnock]

2 hours ago, InMyShadow said:

Life is the longest thing you can do 

I can't decide if that's really deep and profound, or meaningless.?

[Justfine]

2 hours ago, InMyShadow said:

Life is the longest thing you can do 

It also ends in dust. Might as well enjoy the time before dust takes over.