U.K. Citizen stuck in Thailand.

[londongeorge]

 I'm not sure if this is the correct forum.

 

Friend of mine living on Samui called me a couple of days ago with a problem and I was wondering if anyone can help. After having a business in Samui for over 10 years he decided to sell and have a few years just relaxing. He was planning to return to England about 6 months ago but due to COVID he has been unable to leave. His is now stuck in Thailand with his savings all but depleted and no idea when he will be able to leave. He is 63 years old with no living family and does not want to start borrowing money. Does anyone know if the UK Government has any way of helping people in this situation.  Any info and/or contact details would be appreciated.

[orchis]

there are flights to his country, as there have been for the last year.

[blackcab]

Nothing and nobody has stopped UK citizens leaving Thailand to go to the UK. There have been direct flights available at least on a weekly basis, every single week (or more frequently) during the past year.

 

EVA, as an example, were charging a little over 400 GBP for a one way direct flight to London from Bangkok.

 

Your friend could have taken any of these flights, but instead chose not to.

 

It is only in the last few days that everyone travelling to the UK is required to show a negative Covid 19 test in order to board their flight to the UK.

 

The British Embassy can help arrange a loan to cover the cost of a one way flight, but your friend's passport will be cancelled on arrival in the UK and a new passport will not be issued until the loan is repaid.

 

To qualify for an emergency loan of this kind your friend would have to be destitute and have no family, friends or charities that would support him.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-assistance-abroad/financial-assistance-abroad#returning-to-the-uk-emergency-loans-for-repatriation

[FritsSikkink]

Could have gone to England all the time, nonsense story. Selling his business, spending the lot and having nothing at the age of 63 isn't very smart. Now begging for free money from the government where he didn't live for at least 10 years is a bit of a joke. Try Go Fund me.

[Susco]

4 hours ago, londongeorge said:

 I'm not sure if this is the correct forum.

 

Friend of mine living on Samui called me a couple of days ago with a problem and I was wondering if anyone can help. After having a business in Samui for over 10 years he decided to sell and have a few years just relaxing. He was planning to return to England about 6 months ago but due to COVID he has been unable to leave. His is now stuck in Thailand with his savings all but depleted and no idea when he will be able to leave. He is 63 years old with no living family and does not want to start borrowing money. Does anyone know if the UK Government has any way of helping people in this situation.  Any info and/or contact details would be appreciated.

 

So glad you found this forum, just to post this heartbreaking story of your "friend".

 

What you said was actually your real username on this forum?

[theoldgit]

Sadly there are a lot of people homeless at or near Heathrow, some even sleeping rough at the airport.

 

I suspect your friend doesn't want to intentionally put himself in that position, even though he could return to the UK if he so wished, I suspect things aren't as bad here as he thinks.

 

He may find this helpful. https://www.wearetrinity.org.uk/homeless-now/

[rott]

A very helpful, informative and practical post from blackcab got 6 likes. Strangely no response from the OP.