My online income has made me more critical of Thailand

[simon43]

you pay about 33% of your freelance income in social charges 

 

True, if you have a freelance business registered in France.  But I would not and would continue my online teaching into China, getting paid into my Thai Paypal account.  A quick online check suggests that if I declared this offshore income to the French tax authorities,  then I would have to pay about 1,700 GBP per year on my 30,000 GBP income.

 

Sounds reasonable.

 

 

[GarryP]

5 minutes ago, simon43 said:

 

 

 

True, if you have a freelance business registered in France.  But I would not and would continue my online teaching into China, getting paid into my Thai Paypal account.  A quick online check suggests that if I declared this offshore income to the French tax authorities,  then I would have to pay about 1,700 GBP per year on my 30,000 GBP income.

 

Sounds reasonable.

 

 

Wouldn't the time difference have an impact on the hours you could actually teach, unless you are willing to work into the night? I assume you are teaching live. 

[simon43]

1 minute ago, GarryP said:

Wouldn't the time difference have an impact on the hours you could actually teach, unless you are willing to work into the night? I assume you are teaching live. 

Yep - that is the only (small) issue.  I would be teaching from about midnight until 3 am, then again at more reasonable hours during the daytime.  I used to work 'nights' before, so it's not a showstopper....

[LivinLOS]

4 hours ago, simon43 said:

Now I teach online ==> English, Science, Thai language, French language, Maths and History.  (The legality of teaching online from Thailand is still a grey area - this thread is not about whether it's legal or not).

No it isnt.. But never mind.. Appreciate thats not the point, I just think it does a dissservice to continue the pretense, people have been deported for it. 

[LivinLOS]

4 hours ago, simon43 said:

Forum members might cite the higher cost of living in France. I've done a Numeo comparison and the items that cost more in France are things that I don't really use anyway.  In any case, many items in the Pyrenees are much cheaper than the cities.

I have a bunch of places I live and work from.. Ireland, UK, Netherlands, and my home in N Thailand. The constant travelling gives me a lot to contrast and compare. 

Thailand is not cheaper for me than UK, it hasnt been for a long time. I find some things in Netherlands / Europe expensive (but dont get the benefits the real residents get in paid time off work, etc etc so I am sort of paying consumption taxes that I dont get benefits of) and I find some things in ireland harder to obtain cheaply as it can be a little backward. The UK occupies a kind of pricing sweet spot of cheap quality goods, easy and fast online ordering and availability, etc etc.. 

I dont base my location on cost of living, and still enjoy my life in N Thailand a lot, but find the lack of anything of quality, at less than eye watering pricing, a source of frustration. The constant reminder I am buying cheap low quality things is a annoyance. 

[Brunolem]

22 minutes ago, simon43 said:

 

 

 

See what I mean?  Cheap as chips!!  You can own barn and land 100% in your name ????  Some may look in horror at the pictures of that barn, but to be honest, it's very easy to convert them and this particular property will no doubt already have planning conversion permission (to change from agricultural to residential use).  Nice little garden too.

 

 

The problem is that we tend to focus on the "in your face" inconvenients, while ignoring the less visible advantages. 

 

Yes, visas are an issue in Thailand, which doesn't exist in France, if you have an EU passport. 

 

But, there are other things to consider. 

 

France is a socialist country to its core, and who says socialism says taxes, and France is probably the world champion in this domain (I am French by the way). 

 

While in Thailand, you exist only if you have money in your bank account, in France you exist only if you pay taxes! 

 

Last year, I was denied the possibility to open a bank account, in my own country(!), because I couldn't provide a tax receipt (avis d'imposition) for the previous year. 

 

Yet, here in Thailand, I was offered to open a bank account at the local branch not far from my village, because they suggested it would be more convenient than using my account in Bangkok. 

 

Regarding the medical system (social security), don't dream, you are not entitled to it... I am not... 

 

The only thing you are entitled to in France is to pay taxes, and especially the most vicious of them all (although it is not officially a tax), the CSG (contribution sociale generale) which will hammer you in anything you will do. 

 

Finally, France is not exactly stable these days... the French tend to wake up after most, but once they do they become Gaulois again and it's not pretty. 

 

Portugal, as suggested by others, is a much better option... my brother, after a life of work in Paris can't wait to retire there... 

 

[JAFO]

30 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I thought everyone, like me, was looking for cheap pussy, and that's pretty sparse anywhere in the western world.

Now I've filled my boots and have reached an age where it isn't so important.

So looking around to see what I can see.

Well I didn't come here for that. I came over on an assignment and work here. 

[simon43]

@Brunolem, the plus point about living in the Pyrenees is that I can choose the country where I want to live, be it France, Spain or Andorra.  I previously lived in the French Pyrenees and in Andorra, but spain is just a short tunnel drive from St Lary.

[Bullie]

33 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I thought everyone, like me, was looking for cheap pussy, and that's pretty sparse anywhere in the western world.

Now I've filled my boots and have reached an age where it isn't so important.

So looking around to see what I can see.

Just to enlighten you: In Northern Europe pussy is for free, and bountiful, especially nowadays with Tinder.

I found - to my detriment- that the Thai "cheap pussy" tends to add up, usually to the point where you are left skint.

[Internatltraveler]

As several posters here, I have lived here for a few years now, but never intended to stay here for the rest of my life. I have a tendency to stay put for a few years and then move on since I am free also to go wherever the wind drives me. I'm originally from the USA and have been moving around for many years now, being the 8th country I have lived in thus far. As I check places out, I have recently read that Costa Rica have moved back to the number one destination for retirees in the world. Having lived there for ten years in the past I became a citizen there some time ago so the move back there is very easy. As others have stated the things that are more expensive there I have no need for anyway so cost of living there is no more than living here in Hua Hin.

The cost of a visa is affordable, and insurance for us older people can be as low as $15-$20 per month that is social and all inclusive including meds, dental and all else. It is a medical tourist destination and has hospitals approved by the American Hospital Association. I use the public medical system which is comparable to Thailand and better in some areas than here.

 

The people are open to foreigners living there, there is no army, and generally the people are well educated throughout the metro areas. You can get using English but Spanish of course helps us out there. It is the world of Pura Vida, (Pure life) easy going, smiling, much like Thailand climate with mountains and beaches with a great biodiversity. There are two international airports and around 5 million residents total. I love the street markets there, the friendly women are lovely Latinas and there are many things comparable to Thailand..

 

It is regarded as an expensive place to live due to the low income margin of the citizens, but for foreigners living there it is still very cheap unless you want to purchase beach property. You have total right to property ownership, no problems with banking, cell phone coverage throughout the country and major carriers to choose from. So it has everything that Thailand has and more.

 

With the immigration issues here constantly under revision, the instability of the government that is not strongly oriented toward the value of having retirees in their economy, and growing crime rates and so many issues that we read about here, well this may be my last year here also. I live one day at a time and who knows that the world may change for me or for Thailand and I decide another direction in the coming year. I do not care to ever live back in the USA for one point and there are so many great areas to live in Central and South America regardless of what one poster wrote about "instability etc" in that part of the world, there is much more stability there than many other parts of the world as far as I know from living there and being a joint citizen there.

 

And No, I don't work for the Chamber of Commerce. Just sayin' that we all have other options to consider and so if you are not happy here, rather than sit around and bitch and complain, pick up your toys and move on. I bet that most of the complainers here would never be happy though wherever they go. It's better to complain than to do anything about it for them I guess...just not my way of thinking. Happiness is mostly about your attitude anyway I have been told.

[marcusarelus]

I was running away from a failed relationship with a young go go dancer in Tampa.  I could have gone anywhere there were thousands of go go dancers with long black hair and perky ---- well you know.  I was trying to forget her by finding thousands of women who looked like her but were nice to me and available for short periods of time.  After 70 years of age the black hair became less important.  I guess France, Italy or Spain would have been decent choices.    

[rwill]

I read TV forums and get all depressed about being in Thailand.  Then I go out and interact with people here and love it.

[gunderhill]

4 hours ago, ThaiPauly said:

I go to bed at 9pm

I  cant last that  long I'd  be gone by 8.30 max  but up at 5am.

[Bullie]

9 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

The problem is that we tend to focus on the "in your face" inconvenients, while ignoring the less visible advantages. 

 

Yes, visas are an issue in Thailand, which doesn't exist in France, if you have an EU passport. 

 

But, there are other things to consider. 

 

France is a socialist country to its core, and who says socialism says taxes, and France is probably the world champion in this domain (I am French by the way). 

 

While in Thailand, you exist only if you have money in your bank account, in France you exist only if you pay taxes! 

 

Last year, I was denied the possibility to open a bank account, in my own country(!), because I couldn't provide a tax receipt (avis d'imposition) for the previous year. 

 

Yet, here in Thailand, I was offered to open a bank account at the local branch not far from my village, because they suggested it would be more convenient than using my account in Bangkok. 

 

Regarding the medical system (social security), don't dream, you are not entitled to it... I am not... 

 

The only thing you are entitled to in France is to pay taxes, and especially the most vicious of them all (although it is not officially a tax), the CSG (contribution sociale generale) which will hammer you in anything you will do. 

 

Finally, France is not exactly stable these days... the French tend to wake up after most, but once they do they become Gaulois again and it's not pretty. 

 

Portugal, as suggested by others, is a much better option... my brother, after a life of work in Paris can't wait to retire there... 

 

Well, France would NEVER be my first option because, basically, the French live there. Wonderful food and drink, but expensive.

Me and my Thai family made the choice 3 months ago to move to Europe after spending 12 years in Thailand. We now divide our time between Amsterdam and Coimbra (North of Portugal). Life is infinitely more pleasurable than in Thailand in every way. It's cheaper (about 20 %), perfect healthcare, beautiful temperatures, and much, much better quality of food. The only downside is that Thai herbs, although available, are quite expensive (10 times Thailand), but we are now growing our own successfully.

I can recommend this to any European!!

 

[gunderhill]

13 minutes ago, simon43 said:

@Brunolem, the plus point about living in the Pyrenees is that I can choose the country where I want to live, be it France, Spain or Andorra.  I previously lived in the French Pyrenees and in Andorra, but spain is just a short tunnel drive from St Lary.

Sounds  idyllic and youve sure  been thru the  mill in Thailand from reading over the years your trials and tribulations.

[BritManToo]

19 minutes ago, Bullie said:

Just to enlighten you: In Northern Europe pussy is for free, and bountiful, especially nowadays with Tinder.

I doubt I'd want to sleep with anyone that would sleep with me for free.

[Brunolem]

13 minutes ago, simon43 said:

@Brunolem, the plus point about living in the Pyrenees is that I can choose the country where I want to live, be it France, Spain or Andorra.  I previously lived in the French Pyrenees and in Andorra, but spain is just a short tunnel drive from St Lary.

If you live on the French side, the first thing you will get in your mailbox will be a letter from the local tax office... 

 

I prefer running once a year after a visa, than having the taxman running after me constantly. 

 

One great thing with Portugal is that they offer 10 years of tax exemption for EU retirees. 

 

Once this taken into account, together with the lower cost of living, one can say that the purchasing power of a retiree is easily double in Portugal... something well worth considering, unless one is a millionaire, or deeply in love with the French Pyrenees (and maybe the Tour de France)... 

[Nanaplaza666]

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Indeed, but in my situation- no ties at "home", cost of living unaffordable, rent-barking ( loads of people living in vans and cars ), Drs cost large ( no recognition that pensioners need Drs more and don't have the money to go several times as they kick one out after 10 or 15 minutes regardless ).etc etc etc-I had a hugely better life style in Chiang Mai.

I lived in a wonderful hotel, Drs are cheap, don't need a car, movies way cheaper than at home, DVDs from the market at 60 baht compared to over 400 baht here. Food is really cheap if not eating at restaurants. I no longer went, or wanted to visit bars- that part of my life was in the past, so not forking out thousands of baht for "fun".

Comparing the two places, Thailand was far, far better for me.

You still use dvd's ?? ???????????? all movies and series are free online and quality is as good as the cheap dvd's maybe even better . Or did you send your post by fax 13 years ago and it just arrived online ? Don't get mad i'm just joking , but dvd's really ??? 

[Tony125]

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

Lots of useful comments here.

 

 

ThaiPauly, I'm in exactly the same boat as you.  When I moved to Thailand in 2002, everything was easygoing, everyone was friendly.  Sadly, I can't say it's the same now.  I have a decent income (for a single guy who drinks little, doesn't eat western food, doesn't waste money on women anymore).  I have a cheap car and a very cheap house (3,000 baht/month) in half a rai of garden that's 200 metres from the Mekong river. I have medical insurance and my health is good.

 

But most of my friends have died!  (many younger than me).  I could stay in Thailand for many more years.  But a concern is that the visa rules will not get any easier, and I am simply not interested in doing 90 day reports, TM30s and international money transfers etc in my old age when I might not be so mobile etc etc.

 

I used to live just outside St. Lary, a small ski village just a few km from Spain (via a small tunnel under the mountain).  My stone barn house cost 15,000 euro to buy outright (1 rai of garden).  I checked recently and similar stone barns for DIY conversation are still available at the same price.... (Note - this is a very basic barn to convert with strong DIY skills [which I have from building my little hotels in Phuket] - but being built of stone, it will outlast my lifetime).

 

 

I don't feel homesick for the UK - it's too 'grey'.  But I do miss living in the Pyrenees and I want to climb many more peaks before I leave this world ????

 

I'm under no illusions about the extra cost of living in rural France.  But based on my lifestyle and eating habits, I can't see any major expenses....  I will also be able to use the French health service etc and not worry at all about visas (I have UK and soon Irish citizenship, so Brexit doesn't cause me any headaches.).

 

Anyway, I have plenty of time to decide if this is the best decision for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are very adept with a computer so your complaint about 90 day reporting is ridiculous, you know you can do them online or mail them in and never have to see an IO for that. If you transfer 65,000 baht into a Thai bank every month and you know how to do online banking (you would never have to go to a bank so no mobility issue) and just do your extension once a year.  If  too much and your tired of Thailand  then by all means you need no excuse go wherever you feel will make you happy. Seems like EU to me.

[dotpoom]

I often ponder on these type of posts. Every individual Foreigner in Thailand has their own set of circumstances to deal with...including myself. I'm glad they all don't sit down at the computer to enlighten us all as to what those circumstances are. I from time to time have to  call myself into the office to evaluate my situation and decide what path to take next on my life's journey....The last thing that would pop into my brain would be ..now that I'v looked at my situation I better let all the guys and gals know about it....Really?

  Am really sorry, but I honestly don't think there is anybody out there who would give "two hoots" either way.

[Thingamabob]

First here in late 60s, worked here from '83 to '87, retired here permanently in '93. The only thing that rankles is the change over the years of the type of westerner which now predominates. This has lost us the respect of the Thais. However I've been happily married to my Thai wife for 30 years, and I have no reason to want to leave. Still happy here at 77 years old.

[Lacessit]

2 hours ago, madmen said:

I retired here 12 years ago when I was 45 and bought a large Condo lower Sukhumvit straight away. No way I would stay in Bangkok if I had to pay rent these days , its just to expensive in The Asoke area and forget buying anything the prices are approaching 1st world numbers

 

With rent out of the way BKK is not that expensive for a large city. T21 food court for example does 40-60 baht for most Thai meals , soups etc , Thats only $1.60c! and the same price for a smoothie...What can you buy for that money in the west? a bag of lollies perhaps

 

Happy hours in pubs around the area run up until 8pm for 100 baht a pint which is very reasonable for the location and by 8pm Im ready to go home

 

The only thing that would send me home is if the OZ dollar drops well below 20 baht in which case I would sell my condo for the exchange rate gain and head back to oz and become a tourist until the OZ $ gets back into the high 20's thb but that could take many many years

 

The girls in the pubs and bars are still smiling and having a ball and lots of laughter but thats because its an expat area and everything is still upbeat. I dont see the bleakness that many describe but that could be just my mindset

 

 

Is this the same poster that was extolling the cheap food in Australia? Advising people to rent in provincial

Australia? What has brought about the 180 degree turn?

[Lacessit]

23 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I doubt I'd want to sleep with anyone that would sleep with me for free.

I doubt there's any such thing as free sex. There's always a price to pay somewhere down the line.

[Mavideol]

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Speaking of Europe, Portugal looks pretty good and yes I've been there. Their financial levels for retirement residence eligibility are significantly LESS than for Thailand! 

one of my friends moved to Portugal recently, his biggest regret was not have moved long ago.... I am going to check it out end of the month before the tourists arrive, it appears July August it's overcrowded in the big cities, he lives in the country side 1 hour from beach, him & wife spend average 800-900 Euros month even going out to resto once a week, sounds pretty good

[LivinLOS]

54 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

Last year, I was denied the possibility to open a bank account, in my own country(!), because I couldn't provide a tax receipt (avis d'imposition) for the previous year. 

Rapidly changing.. Go to N26 website, open a pan european bank account in minutes.. Debit card, etc etc.. opened to any european address, even temporary ones. 

I am invested and involved with some fintech operations.. they are going to eat up the old legacy banks and services which are no longer user friendly. 

[Letseng]

I agree with you about Pyrenees and cost of living in Thailand. 

We spend summers in Austria and find cost of food we buy no more expensive than Thailand but of much better quality. Eating out is much cheaper here than in Bkk although we stay in one of the most expensive cities in Austria. 

If it wasn't for the long and cold winters I we would be happy to leave Thailand. 

[GinBoy2]

1 hour ago, Thaidream said:

It is amazing that so many people, who would have never thought about leaving Thailand, are actually planning to do it.

 

I would be one of them except for marriage and family responsibilities. I first started coming to Thailand in 1971 and  after 3 Thai wives (not at the same time!)  the purchase of houses, condo,s and  so many trips to Immigration I would need a computer program to track-  the delight of Thailand has worn off.

 

It's not just the cost which has gone up with the lessening of value of major currencies- it is the combination of just so many things that have become less tolerable- traffic is bad and never getting better and the constant Kabuki dance at Immigration is so irritating.  Throw in the pollution and the bad weather (horrid heat) and  the fact that there is really not much real 'fun' in the country and one has to wonder why we still put up with it all.

 

If someone would have told  me even 10 years ago that I might consider leaving Thailand, I would have thought them  insane.

 

In my case- I will stick it out to the end as it would be impossible to take everyone I care about with me but I can dream along with the rest.

 

Southern France along the Spanish border sounds great.  I have often thought about Belize; Mongolia and even Cuba  Oh well, the next life maybe!!

 

Cheers to all.

 

 

 

 

 

Thats the point that a lot of the newbies and the apologists don't get.

 

Places change, people change.

 

What I thought was great 10, 20 years ago, maybe not so much now.

 

Thailand is one of those bright shiny things. And with all bright shiny things, for some, after time that shine wears off.

 

It's also a case of 'creep'. You come here 10, 20 years ago and everything is dirt cheap. But over time you just don't see the gradual erosion of that value for money versus country xyz, year after year.

 

Now obviously there is a fairly large section of the older expat community who reside in Thailand for easy cheap sex. If that's your deal, well Thailand is hard to beat.

 

If you are in Thailand for a cheap 'easy' retirement, well that becomes a little more iffy a calculation these days

[Letseng]

4 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

Rapidly changing.. Go to N26 website, open a pan european bank account in minutes.. Debit card, etc etc.. opened to any european address, even temporary ones. 

I am invested and involved with some fintech operations.. they are going to eat up the old legacy banks and services which are no longer user friendly. 

Good luck with N26. They had some bad press recently. And giving a non permanent address is called cheating. Wait for the request of tax no. All European banks want it. Thai tax no. does suffice.

[Naam]

2 hours ago, mike787 said:

Additionally, laundering money (800/400K) as a deposit for the coveted Thai Visa access to a country that considers itself a kingdom while I lose a potential loss of 11%-20% ROI (return on. investment) of a mutual fund or equity position is financial stupidity/suicide.  Plus, jumping through all the immigration hoops, threats, pollution of CM, road kill, etc, and BS is simply not what I signed up for.  If I were a criminal I would expect that kind of treatment. 

please tell us more about "losing a potential loss" and then bore us to death with fairy tales about "11-20% yield" 

[Lacessit]

The only deal-breaker for me is if compulsory health insurance for retirees comes into play. We will all find out after July 1. In that event, plan B comes into operation.

Portugal or South America are not really options for older Australians. Too far from free medical care in Australia. 8 hours flying to Melbourne is now my limit.

I haven't reached the stage of being disenchanted with Thailand. I have friends here, plus my various recreations. I eat perhaps too well. I have a great Thai GF who thinks the sun shines out of my fundament. She takes care of me very well, as I do her.

I can understand why some people get disillusioned with the incompetence, corruption and sheer bloody-mindedness of the Thai authorities. I'm just letting it go through to the wicketkeeper.