I am a UK National living in Thailand.  Last year I paid over £10K tax on my UK income.  In return I get not a sausage from the UK Government.  I can just about understand the argument which says that when we decided to live outside of our own countries that we knew what the deal was.  However, when our lives are threatened by a pandemic I would have thought that that was a game changer.  

 

I understand that all of those who work in the UK Embassy in Bangkok have been vaccinated as well as the employees of the British Council.  I hope this is true as I would have expected no less from my Government.  What is beyond me is why they did not expand there vaccination plans to include all vulnerable UK Citizens living in Thailand.  The UK Ambassador recently said in a podcast - that it was not the UK Governments policy to provide health services outside of the UK.   I would respond to that by saying- "why on earth not change your policy when your Citizens lives are in danger and you have the means to help them".  Like many others I would have been more than willing to pay for any help regardless of the tax I have already paid.  In my opinion those of us who are living abroad are being abandoned by our Government and it is simply shameful.  

I have said this many times on here and elsewhere, they are a disgrace, full of platitudes and old news and  of no real benefit to British Citizens abroad. In the face of a world wide pandemic, once you are clear of UK shores, you are a none person.  I was told  at one point that they are only here to facilitate trade, but I know from bitter experience of dealing with them here and elsewhere, that they dont do that either. Oh, I guess that they give you a toothbrush and toothpaste if you are a criminal in a Thai jail.  What a waste of time they are. They are the last place that I would go to if I had a problem and the very last place I would look to for help or advice. . 

Adelphi, when you say that all of those who work in the UK Embassy in Bangkok have been vaccinated as well as the employees of the British Council, do you mean UK-based staff only (those sent out from UK to work) or do you mean all staff including locally - employed Thai staff ? 

Why the hell should the UK Government bail you out when you live here....you want the vaccine so go home and get it free or pay for it here.....????

So many people are of the assumption that the overseas missions of any country are to support the people of that country. This is not true, ensuring the wellbeing of its citizens is not the primary mission of overseas Embassies. Consular services are offered as a supplementary service. 

 

How would the British Embassy get 200,000 does of vaccine into Thailand? (for expats and their children who are also British Citizens)

 

How many British Citizens would then complain that their Wives cannot get the vaccine because they are not British. 

 

I have been offered the vaccine in my home country. It is my choice to remain in Thailand. I could go back to the UK and get the Vaccine (The UK is now vaccinating people in the the 40-50 age bracket).

 

Some people believe they should be spoon-fed by their Embassy then get upset when they don’t receive the ’service’ they mistakenly believe they should. 

 

 

Embassy Staffers and Employee’s of the British Council and their family have received the vaccine - this is because they work for the British Government overseas, i.e. were ’sent’ overseas by the British Government, they still pay British Taxes. 

 

 

I have no complaints that ‘others’ can get their vaccine while I can’t - someone has to be at the front of the queue. I also recognise the horrific optics of the British Embassy bringing in 200,000 doses of vaccine.

 

Which one? how many will start complaining that they wanted Pfiezer not AZ or Moderna etc

 

What of the Optic inside Thailand that the British are looking after their own while not assisting the Thai’s?

 

 

It's far better for the British Embassy officers to work with the Thai Government and ensure that all its citizens will have equal access to the vaccines alongside their Thai neighbours. 

 

 

 

I have registered for the vaccine alongside my wife - when she can take the vaccine so can I. 

Alternatively I can travel to the UK, stay there for a month and have the vaccine there.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28 minutes ago, petermik said:

Why the hell should the UK Government bail you out when you live here....you want the vaccine so go home and get it free or pay for it here.....????

An equal and opposite reaction is why should the UK government collect tax from us yet give us nothing in return, but a freeze on our state pension, which is a RIGHT and NOT a benefit.

7 hours ago, billd766 said:

An equal and opposite reaction is why should the UK government collect tax from us yet give us nothing in return, but a freeze on our state pension, which is a RIGHT and NOT a benefit.

We do not live in the UK anymore....we chose to live here and accept the consequences...we knew all this before we left.......

3 hours ago, Tony M said:

Adelphi, when you say that all of those who work in the UK Embassy in Bangkok have been vaccinated as well as the employees of the British Council, do you mean UK-based staff only (those sent out from UK to work) or do you mean all staff including locally - employed Thai staff ? 

Sorry Tony I don't know if Thai staff have also been vaccinated.  I would guess yes as they would have a rather grumpy and resentful Thai staff group if they were excluded.   

2 minutes ago, Adelphi said:

Sorry Tony I don't know if Thai staff have also been vaccinated.  I would guess yes as they would have a rather grumpy and resentful Thai staff group if they were excluded.   

 

Understood. But, if Thai Embassy staff have been vaccinated at British taxpayers expense, then surely we British taxpayers (and some of us being Thailand taxpayers also) shouldn't have to pay for vaccinations in Thailand. My opinion only.

3 hours ago, petermik said:

Why the hell should the UK Government bail you out when you live here....you want the vaccine so go home and get it free or pay for it here.....????

I say yet again, for the benefit of those who are deluding themselves.  I am here, as most of us are,  on a temporary basis,  for a maximum of 12 months for any one extension.  I am neither a permanent resident in LOS, nor the responsibility in any sense whatsoever of the Thai government. I do not expect my Embassy  to 'bail me out' as you put it.  I expect them to treat a UK tax payer as they would anyone in the UK and in the face of the worst global pandemic in over 100 years, carry out their duty of protection and assistance. If you don't see that as the only valid argument then I pity and all who think as you do, a very small minority I expect. 

2 hours ago, petermik said:

We do not live in the UK anymore....we chose to live here and accept the consequences...we knew all this before we left.......

utter nonsense, as my post following says. I am only here for another 6 weeks, unless the Thai immigration grant me a further 12 months, at their discretion. 

5 hours ago, petermik said:

We do not live in the UK anymore....we chose to live here and accept the consequences...we knew all this before we left.......

Blah, blah, blah.

 

Of course we knew that. We also knew that if we live in the Philippines we would get the annual increments. If you live on the US side of the Niagara Falls you get the increment, but not if you live on the Canadian side.

 

The problem is that no government of the UK since 1947 understands the morals of equal rights. It matters not if it is Conservative, Liberal or Labour. Even Labour under Tony Blair had undertaken to rescind the policy if he won the 1997 election.

 

And did he?

 

Not a chance. Just another professional lying politician.

 

2 links for you to read.

 

https://www.otherbb.com/2007/08/frozen-british-pensions-still-on-their.html

 

Unfortunately one unfinished piece of business that Tony Blair could not handle before resigning was the inequitable treatment for half of the UK pensioners who have chosen to live outside the UK. Since he was on record as a staunch proponent of the need to be “even-handed, fair and just in our application of our values to the world“, it was somewhat surprising that those affected are still forced to seek equity via the European Court Of Human Rights.

 

https://www.smh.com.au/national/frozen-pensions-campaigner-refused-to-give-up-the-fight-20150611-ghl9vc.html

 

At the time, Prance was aware of Britain's long-standing policy of not granting its annual age pension increase to Britons who retired to Australia (and more than 100 other, mostly Commonwealth, nations), but he was also aware that Tony Blair, then leader of the opposition, had undertaken to rescind the policy if he won the 1997 election.

Although Blair did win, no more was heard on the subject. Furthermore, soon after Prance settled in Western Australia, he discovered that not only his basic British age pension would be frozen at the 1997 rate, but also his two British government "optional extra" pensions.

He joined the Australia-based British Aged Pensioner Alliance and began lobbying to get the frozen pension policy scrapped. He was soon appointed to the organisation's committee.

20 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

So many people are of the assumption that the overseas missions of any country are to support the people of that country. This is not true, ensuring the wellbeing of its citizens is not the primary mission of overseas Embassies. Consular services are offered as a supplementary service. 

 

How would the British Embassy get 200,000 does of vaccine into Thailand? (for expats and their children who are also British Citizens)

 

How many British Citizens would then complain that their Wives cannot get the vaccine because they are not British. 

 

I have been offered the vaccine in my home country. It is my choice to remain in Thailand. I could go back to the UK and get the Vaccine (The UK is now vaccinating people in the the 40-50 age bracket).

 

Some people believe they should be spoon-fed by their Embassy then get upset when they don’t receive the ’service’ they mistakenly believe they should. 

 

 

Embassy Staffers and Employee’s of the British Council and their family have received the vaccine - this is because they work for the British Government overseas, i.e. were ’sent’ overseas by the British Government, they still pay British Taxes. 

 

 

I have no complaints that ‘others’ can get their vaccine while I can’t - someone has to be at the front of the queue. I also recognise the horrific optics of the British Embassy bringing in 200,000 doses of vaccine.

 

Which one? how many will start complaining that they wanted Pfiezer not AZ or Moderna etc

 

What of the Optic inside Thailand that the British are looking after their own while not assisting the Thai’s?

 

 

It's far better for the British Embassy officers to work with the Thai Government and ensure that all its citizens will have equal access to the vaccines alongside their Thai neighbours. 

 

 

 

I have registered for the vaccine alongside my wife - when she can take the vaccine so can I. 

Alternatively I can travel to the UK, stay there for a month and have the vaccine there.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am quite happy to be included in the Thailand vaccine rollout program, but when I contacted my local government hospital I was told, as a foreigner, I cannot register. How did you manage to register for the vaccine program?

On 4/29/2021 at 9:19 AM, Pilotman said:

utter nonsense, as my post following says. I am only here for another 6 weeks, unless the Thai immigration grant me a further 12 months, at their discretion. 

And how long have you been doing these "12 month extensions"....when was the last time you were in the UK for an extended stay and do you have a property there paying council tax on it.....we knew what we signed up for when we moved here...right or wrong the UK Governments ruling on Thailand as opposed to how they have agreements with other countries,if it bothers you so much move to one of these countries.

Saying the UK should pay for our Covid jabs when we are effectively living here is absolute rubbish and if your having difficulty stumping up the cost for the jab I,ll start a Go Fund Me for all the disgruntled UK expats here.

1 hour ago, petermik said:

And how long have you been doing these "12 month extensions"....when was the last time you were in the UK for an extended stay and do you have a property there paying council tax on it.....we knew what we signed up for when we moved here...right or wrong the UK Governments ruling on Thailand as opposed to how they have agreements with other countries,if it bothers you so much move to one of these countries.

Saying the UK should pay for our Covid jabs when we are effectively living here is absolute rubbish and if your having difficulty stumping up the cost for the jab I,ll start a Go Fund Me for all the disgruntled UK expats here.

I actually wrote a reply answering your biased and ignorant attitude, but to be honest, I just couldn't  be bothered to post it.  

On 4/29/2021 at 11:55 AM, Tony M said:

Adelphi, when you say that all of those who work in the UK Embassy in Bangkok have been vaccinated as well as the employees of the British Council, do you mean UK-based staff only (those sent out from UK to work) or do you mean all staff including locally - employed Thai staff ? 

Yes, Thai staff working for the British Council (in Bangkok, anyway) have had a first AZ shot and will get their 2nd soon.  Courtesy of the UK tax payers.

4 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Yes, Thai staff working for the British Council (in Bangkok, anyway) have had a first AZ shot and will get their 2nd soon.  Courtesy of the UK tax payers.

Well that certainly highlights what they think of UK nationals in Thailand doesn't it ? I wonder, have the Thais working in the Thai Embassy in London been vaccinated courtesy of the British Government ?

9 hours ago, petermik said:

And how long have you been doing these "12 month extensions"....when was the last time you were in the UK for an extended stay and do you have a property there paying council tax on it.....we knew what we signed up for when we moved here...right or wrong the UK Governments ruling on Thailand as opposed to how they have agreements with other countries,if it bothers you so much move to one of these countries.

Saying the UK should pay for our Covid jabs when we are effectively living here is absolute rubbish and if your having difficulty stumping up the cost for the jab I,ll start a Go Fund Me for all the disgruntled UK expats here.

 

8 hours ago, Pilotman said:

I actually wrote a reply answering your biased and ignorant attitude, but to be honest, I just couldn't  be bothered to post it.  

I expect it`s because you don`t have a logical comment to dispute my reply.....I repeat again....WE are living HERE and it,s our own personal well being to look after ourselves....not the UK Government....next thing folk will be asking for is their prescriptions to be free also as per the UK.

Get over it....if you cannot afford the jabs you should not be living here.

3 minutes ago, petermik said:

 

I expect it`s because you don`t have a logical comment to dispute my reply.....I repeat again....WE are living HERE and it,s our own personal well being to look after ourselves....not the UK Government....next thing folk will be asking for is their prescriptions to be free also as per the UK.

Get over it....if you cannot afford the jabs you should not be living here.

How do you pay for something you can't access here? . My last comment to you; I actually said that we UK expats would pay for it, if the Embassy arranged to get supplies to us.  It would be very helpful if you actually read other people's posts before you sounded off.  

7 hours ago, Excel said:

Well that certainly highlights what they think of UK nationals in Thailand doesn't it ? I wonder, have the Thais working in the Thai Embassy in London been vaccinated courtesy of the British Government ?

I don`t give a monkeys about what the UK Government thinks about me living here...it was my choice...what they do with folk living and working in the UK does not concern me...good luck to them for whatever they get....anyone not satisfied here and feel they will be better off back home fine....book you flight tickets.

Just now, petermik said:

I don`t give a monkeys about what the UK Government thinks about me living here...it was my choice...what they do with folk living and working in the UK does not concern me...good luck to them for whatever they get....anyone not satisfied here and feel they will be better off back home fine....book you flight tickets.

Actually we were not asking you nor  requesting such inane comments, but anyway take care of yourself, stay safe.

7 hours ago, Pilotman said:

How do you pay for something you can't access here? . My last comment to you; I actually said that we UK expats would pay for it, if the Embassy arranged to get supplies to us.  It would be very helpful if you actually read other people's posts before you sounded off.  

Why should the Embassy be bailing us out....if you want the jab get it as soon as it becomes available...don,t rely on anyone else....if we fall ill here do you contact the Embassy or go see a doctor yourself.....Gordon bloody Bennett do we need wet nursing now.

7 hours ago, Excel said:

Actually we were not asking you nor  requesting such inane comments, but anyway take care of yourself, stay safe.

Thank you...it beggars belief with me folk knocking what the UK Government should be doing when we are not living there...WE are in Thailand,for better or worse.

Have a nice and safe day yourself young man.

 

1 hour ago, Excel said:

Well that certainly highlights what they think of UK nationals in Thailand doesn't it ? I wonder, have the Thais working in the Thai Embassy in London been vaccinated courtesy of the British Government ?

If they live in the UK, then yes of course, as they can use the NHS (and pay a surcharge to do so, unless they are already UK citizens).

6 hours ago, petermik said:

 

I expect it`s because you don`t have a logical comment to dispute my reply.....I repeat again....WE are living HERE and it,s our own personal well being to look after ourselves....not the UK Government....next thing folk will be asking for is their prescriptions to be free also as per the UK.

Get over it....if you cannot afford the jabs you should not be living here.

Well done. I was waiting for that comment.

 

OK, I will return to the UK, where the government will increase my pension.

 

It will also cost them when I start to use the NHS, when they have to pay for my accommodation  as I have no house there, I shall also expect free or subsidised spectacles, a free bus pass and all the other things that the government and local government provide.

 

I shall screw them for every penny I can get from them including free covid inoculations.

 

Just think how much extra it will cost the UK government if I do that.

 

Far more than simply upgrading my state pension.

 

Of course this is dependent upon you personally supporting my Thai family to the same standard that I support them.

 

Is that a fair deal or not?

 

Of course I could take my wife and dual nationality son with me but that would cost the UK government even more money.

9 hours ago, billd766 said:

Well done. I was waiting for that comment.

 

OK, I will return to the UK, where the government will increase my pension.

 

It will also cost them when I start to use the NHS, when they have to pay for my accommodation  as I have no house there, I shall also expect free or subsidised spectacles, a free bus pass and all the other things that the government and local government provide.

 

I shall screw them for every penny I can get from them including free covid inoculations.

 

Just think how much extra it will cost the UK government if I do that.

 

Far more than simply upgrading my state pension.

 

Of course this is dependent upon you personally supporting my Thai family to the same standard that I support them.

 

Is that a fair deal or not?

 

Of course I could take my wife and dual nationality son with me but that would cost the UK government even more money.

If you feel you will be better off back in the UK by all means return,do not worry about the cost to the economy you are a Brit and entitled to it and if you take your family also good luck to them I hope they can adapt to the climate.

I,ve lived here 7 years and apart from my pension each month I expect nothing more from the government..they did not deport me I came of my own free will and I have no intentions of moaning or complaining about what they should or should not be doing for me while living here as I,m man enough to stand on my own two feet.

If you do decide to return and fancy living in the Greater Manchester area I have a nice 3 bed semi detached house there and could offer it to you for rental at a very favourable price.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

11 hours ago, petermik said:

If you feel you will be better off back in the UK by all means return,do not worry about the cost to the economy you are a Brit and entitled to it and if you take your family also good luck to them I hope they can adapt to the climate.

I,ve lived here 7 years and apart from my pension each month I expect nothing more from the government..they did not deport me I came of my own free will and I have no intentions of moaning or complaining about what they should or should not be doing for me while living here as I,m man enough to stand on my own two feet.

If you do decide to return and fancy living in the Greater Manchester area I have a nice 3 bed semi detached house there and could offer it to you for rental at a very favourable price.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

From Manchester eh, well that explains a lot of things. 

 

p.s. that's not meant to be amusing. 

On 4/29/2021 at 12:09 PM, petermik said:

Why the hell should the UK Government bail you out when you live here....you want the vaccine so go home and get it free or pay for it here.....????

Very happy to pay, where do I get it from?

On 4/29/2021 at 12:41 PM, billd766 said:

An equal and opposite reaction is why should the UK government collect tax from us yet give us nothing in return, but a freeze on our state pension, which is a RIGHT and NOT a benefit.

Sure..I paid national insurance for 44 years..i have no children and my pension has been frozen at the sum I first received...I also pay 'income tax'.yet I live here.

 

It seems to me that if the UK can donate surplus vaccines abroad then why not include British tax payers who live abroad.