British family leaves UK for Thailand for lower costs of living

[webfact]

 

A determined British mother has relocated her family to Thailand to escape the worsening cost of living crisis in Britain. Jessica Ward, originally from Congleton in Cheshire, took the bold step with her partner and young daughter, Cece, seeking a more affordable and stress-free life abroad.

 

Jessica, her partner, and Cece moved to Thailand in January 2024, captivated by the country's warm climate and lower living costs. The move was driven by a combination of soaring energy bills, heightened inflation, and a surge in mental health issues linked to the UK government's controversial 'net-zero' climate policies.

 

These policies, amidst the backdrop of geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions, contributed significantly to the financial strain felt by many UK households.

 

The family quickly adapted to their new life in Thailand, where Cece is now enrolled in preschool, and they reside comfortably in a sun-drenched villa. Jessica has applied for a visa with the Thai Immigration Bureau, signalling their intent to make this a long-term move.

 

 

Jessica told GB News that the decision to relocate was spurred by the alarming cost of living back home. She noted that their energy bills had become untenable, driven up by stringent government policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

 

Despite widespread public backlash, these measures had been pushed through by the UK's two-party political system, leaving many families like Jessica's grappling with financial hardship.

 

The move to Thailand has provided the Ward family with a fresh start, free from the economic pressures weighing heavily on many Britons. Jessica mentioned that other UK families are also considering similar relocations, as the appeal of a more affordable and relaxed lifestyle becomes increasingly attractive in light of ongoing financial challenges at home.

 

In summary, Jessica Ward's relocation to Thailand - amidst Britain's economic turmoil - exemplifies a growing trend among UK families seeking refuge from the harsh realities of the current cost of living crisis.

 

-- 2024-05-20

 

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[thaibeachlovers]

26 minutes ago, webfact said:

they reside comfortably in a sun-drenched villa.

Given they are not receiving a pension, and sun drenched villas are not cheap, one wonders how they are financing their "new life". One hope that he has a work permit for whatever it is.

 

PS, have they taken the cost of health care insurance into consideration? No NHS in LOS.

[theblether]

Here we go again. Another chance for the nutter brigade who haven't lived in the UK for decades to start ranting. Let me annoy you - 

 

20% of British pensioners are millionaires. NHS free, education, free, university - free in Scotland, limited fees in England. Prescriptions, free in Scotland, Bus passes, free. 

 

8.5% increase in the UK pension. Re NHS - contrary to the drivel you read - I was referred to the hospital for an ECG a week past Thursday and had the scan on Monday - two business days. 

 

My gas and electric bill for the last quarter - £330. The most expensive in my family was a millionaires seven-bedroom house, £1100. Supermarkets are cheaper than Thailand. Fruit is bizarrely cheaper. Meat is higher quality and cheap 200 baht a kilo for chicken breast. 

 

£2.10 a pint in my local bar. 

 

Where are we more expensive? Rent and petrol mainly. Rent isn't an issue if you own your house, just as we have been encouraged to do for the past 50 years. Street food us cheaper, but every UK town has an all you can eat buffet these days for a tenner. 

 

Have at it with your growling. And this family is in for a shock when they see the reality of school fees etc in Thailand. 

 

[ezzra]

To relocate is easy, to make it work, live in the manar, comfort and style they're hoping to is another story...

[Jingthing]

What visa?

What work? 

Yeah Thailand is cheaper if you're making more money than the average Thai.

Otherwise, not so much. 

At least they didn't move to Russia.

[SAFETY FIRST]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A determined British mother has relocated her family to Thailand to escape the worsening cost of living

Oh great, more moaners arriving. 

 

Every swinging dick wants to live in Thailand.

When they arrive they never stop complaining about this and that.

These people typically dislike some of Thailand's unique, challenging infrastructure and safety issues, then start whinging and whining, demanding things change. 

 

I like Thailand and all its quirks and features. 

 

Anyhow, I reckon they'll be back in the UK in a year or so. 

Edited May 19 by SAFETY FIRST

[KhunLA]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

and a surge in mental health issues linked to the UK government's controversial 'net-zero' climate policies.

 

 

33 minutes ago, theblether said:

Meat is higher quality and cheap 200 baht a kilo for chicken breast. 

 

Where are we more expensive? Rent and petrol mainly. Rent isn't an issue if you own your house, just as we have been encouraged to do for the past 50 years.

 

Paid ฿84 for kg of chicken breast the past week.

IF you own your own home ... 

Edited May 19 by KhunLA

[MangoKorat]

Unless one of them is an IT professional, they'll be back home within a year.

 

I kid you not, I once sat talking to a guy in his 40's in the bar at the old Abu Dhabi (flying saucer) airport.  He'd been to Thailand for the first time for a holiday a couple of months before - gone back to the UK, sold up and was 'moving' to Thailand. He 'said' there was no woman involved 😁.

 

I asked him if he had a work permit and visa sorted and what sort of work he aimed to do. "Whatever's available" he said, "I know I won't get paid the same but its much cheaper to live there isn't it". He worked in a car factory near Sunderland UK (Nissan I presume) and told me he was aware that Thailand had a lot of car factories so he expected to find work pretty soon. He didn't of course, have a work permit but was sure it wouldn't be difficult to get one.

 

The man was preparing to enter Thailand on a 30 day exempt. Someone had told him he could get a visa in country - he said. He clearly knew next to nothing about what was involved and I didn't have the heart to tell him.

 

I often wonder how long he lasted.

 

[MangoKorat]

19 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

These people typically dislike some of Thailand's unique, challenging infrastructure and safety issues, then start whinging and whining, demanding things change. 

Yes, I want Thailand to be safer but not just for me, for my Thai friends and family too. Especially when some of those safety issues are simply a matter of the police doing what they are paid to do! 

 

You might be surprised to learn that my Thai friends don't find Thailand's safety issues to be 'unique' - they find them downright dangerous and also want change.

[ChasingTheSun]

White flight. Expect much more of it going forward.
 

USA, Canada, UK, EU, ANZ fast becoming no-go zones for the working class natives.

 

 

 

 

.

Edited May 19 by ChasingTheSun

[KhunLA]

17 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

Yes, I want Thailand to be safer but not just for me, for my Thai friends and family too. Especially when some of those safety issues are simply a matter of the police doing what they are paid to do! 

 

You might be surprised to learn that my Thai friends don't find Thailand's safety issues to be 'unique' - they find them downright dangerous and also want change.

IMHO ... they are paid to do the same, worldwide, and take the report after the fact.  If lucky, if actually get help from any locals, or if  CCTV available, maybe make an arrest....maybe.   

 

Good luck if it makes it trial, get convicted, and probably sent to one of those revolving door prisons.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, theblether said:

And this family is in for a shock when they see the reality of school fees etc in Thailand. 

I pay 8kbht/term for my son to attend English/Chinese class in a government school (24 kids).

Can't beat that!

[blazes]

7 minutes ago, ChasingTheSun said:

White flight. Expect allot more of it going forward.
 

USA, UK, EU, ANZ fast becoming no-go zones for the working class natives.

 

Don't forget Canada....1 million immigrants last year.....only 220,000 new houses built....queue for a doctor up to a year, depending on problem...

[MrJ2U]

They'// be shocked once they realize how expensive it actually is,especially if you have young children.

 

However, it's still a great place even if you struggle to make ends meet.

 

 

[bluejets]

I can understand the frustration of cost of living spiralling higher and higher, same here in Aus.

Government is hell-bent on bullshit 100% renewables without any real understanding of reality.

Only this week NSW decided it would start charging people for any feedback into the grid from rooftop solar.

Our old apprentice works on some of these "solar farms" and if the farm is close to the East coast, i.e. first to get the sun, they sell their power to the grid, all at a momentary value applied.

If further inland, nope, turn them off, don't need them, most people had their breakfast now.

 

Then there is the ever increasing cost of food, fuel, insurances, services (which have to keep up) interest rates etc. etc.

One can tell an election is coming, they are starting to throw money around again like it is going out of fashion (apparently it is)

 

Those that start to think moving to Thailand will be a good idea though, have definitely not thought through everything, that's for sure.

Friend of mine has relatives in their 40's who thought the same, made the move to Chiang Mai last October and have spent more time coming back to Aus. 

So much for saving money.

[MrJ2U]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

government's controversial 'net-zero' climate policies.

They'll love Chang Mai's zero policy on burning and pollution.

[MrJ2U]

2 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

Yes, the cost of lovers is cheaper here.

That's important,especially for a couple raising a family!

[MarkyM3]

1 hour ago, theblether said:

Here we go again. Another chance for the nutter brigade who haven't lived in the UK for decades to start ranting. Let me annoy you - 

 

20% of British pensioners are millionaires. NHS free, education, free, university - free in Scotland, limited fees in England. Prescriptions, free in Scotland, Bus passes, free. 

 

8.5% increase in the UK pension. Re NHS - contrary to the drivel you read - I was referred to the hospital for an ECG a week past Thursday and had the scan on Monday - two business days. 

 

My gas and electric bill for the last quarter - £330. The most expensive in my family was a millionaires seven-bedroom house, £1100. Supermarkets are cheaper than Thailand. Fruit is bizarrely cheaper. Meat is higher quality and cheap 200 baht a kilo for chicken breast. 

 

£2.10 a pint in my local bar. 

 

Where are we more expensive? Rent and petrol mainly. Rent isn't an issue if you own your house, just as we have been encouraged to do for the past 50 years. Street food us cheaper, but every UK town has an all you can eat buffet these days for a tenner. 

 

Have at it with your growling. And this family is in for a shock when they see the reality of school fees etc in Thailand. 

 

While I agree with the sentiment of your post regarding this family, got to say you obviously live in a different part of the UK to I (I live in Surrey and part year in Bangkok). Sounds like you are in Scotland judging by the persistent references to it?

 

Beer is £6.50 - £7.80 a pint in central London. In Surrey, it's around £5.50 for a pint of Peroni. I can't recall anywhere I've paid £2.10 for a beer in the UK in many years. I've previously live in northern England btw (York and Newcastle). Perhaps you might pay £2.10 in a WMC or similar..... 

 

Hospital - referred for cortisone injection in mid April, was told last week I would have to wait another 2 months potentially. Managed to secure a cancellation for next week by ringing every day. Meanwhile, still waiting for an appt for xray/MRI for keyhole surgery. My experience of the NHS as far as hospital treatment goes is non-urgent stuff can take ages. All depends on where you live.

 

Uni fees are minimum £9k per year in England, not exactly cheap. No free prescriptions in England. 

 

Your comments about the cost of rent and home ownership are a bit blase as well. Not everyone is a retired pensioner - like this couple. 

 

Agree on supermarkets 100%. Quality and choice is notably better in UK and if you want to eat cheese, decent meat etc. more expensive in Thailand as well.  

 

Living costs in Bangkok aren't that cheap for decent condos these days but better value than UK. Bear in mind a room in a shared house in SE England would set you back minimum £750/month in my area (as relayed to me direct). In London it could be approaching £1k and you'd be interviewed for it.....

 

As for this family....their long-term economic, schooling and home ownership options are limited unless they have skillsets that can land a work permit for decent-paying work. Or they need to buy an Elite visa for long-term stay. More likely, they are operating as digital nomads, online teachers, bloggers or whatever. I suspect the story is mainly hype and they'll move on soon enough. 

Edited May 19 by MarkyM3

[gravity101]

Another one of these Daily Hail articles. I can see them now, sitting in their sun drenched villa sipping coconuts and eating lobster on £4.50 a day! If you want like for like living, it's more expensive here. They'll find out.

[Dont confuse me]

The most noticeable thing I found was not only the cost of education but the standard of the teachers. 

Western food is imported so obviously its more expensive than its country of origin.

Working legally is going to be challenging, as is learning the language.

Quality employment vacancies will be difficult for the child.

Buying/renting and running a property will be cheaper.

Expecting to be treated the same as locals will be an eye opener.

Having said all this the way your feeling ypu should try relocating to LOS rather than thinking 'what if we had gone to Thaila' further down the line.

Good luck.

 

[rocketboy2]

Good luck to them.

But will they still be here in 5 years time. doubtful.

can't see any mention of how they will fund there new life. 

 

[MangoKorat]

8 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

No free prescriptions in England. 

Prescriptions are free for all over 60.

[OneMoreFarang]

I understand that Jessica wanted to leave the UK to be somewhere warmer. But Thailand?

Isn't there any place in Europe with better climate and cheaper living than the UK?

 

[spermwhale]

The grass is always greener. They'll soon find out that they can't send their kids to local schools if they want them to get a proper education and once you factor in international school fees and the cost of buying western food and needing to buy health insurance for the family.. all those cost advantages are gone. Add a car that costs about twice as much as you'd pay in the UK, then you're looking at even greater cash outlays. Add to that the annual hassle and abuse they have to take when renewing their visas. 

 

The'll be back soon. 

[MarkyM3]

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Oh great, more moaners arriving. 

 

Every swinging dick wants to live in Thailand.

When they arrive they never stop complaining about this and that.

These people typically dislike some of Thailand's unique, challenging infrastructure and safety issues, then start whinging and whining, demanding things change. 

 

I like Thailand and all its quirks and features. 

 

Anyhow, I reckon they'll be back in the UK in a year or so. 

Moaning about moaners. Ironic eh....

[spermwhale]

34 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I pay 8kbht/term for my son to attend English/Chinese class in a government school (24 kids).

Can't beat that!

You get what you pay for. Is it worth short-changing your kids? 

[MarkyM3]

3 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

Prescriptions are free for all over 60.

OK but the people in question aren't 60 though are they.....I know there's a lot of pensioners on the forum but most people living in the UK aren't.....

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Jessica has applied for a visa with the Thai Immigration Bureau, signalling their intent to make this a long-term move.

Hope they enjoy a life time of Immigration extensions.

[MangoKorat]

2 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

OK but the people in question aren't 60 though are they.....I know there's a lot of pensioners on the forum but most people living in the UK aren't.....

Correct, they're not but your information is still wrong. Nobody get's their state pension at 60 either - not now.

Edited May 19 by MangoKorat

[spermwhale]

I'll say this too: This is shoddy reporting. This is written by Asean Now and the writers there should know the reality of life in Thailand. This line really stood out at me: 

" Jessica has applied for a visa with the Thai Immigration Bureau, signalling their intent to make this a long-term move."

 

REALLY? You don't just apply for a visa to "signal intent to make this a long term move." There is no such visa for foreigners. There is a visa for work in their case. And they are too young to qualify for a retirement visa. And she is not married to a a Thai so no spousal visa. 

 

If she wanted to get a longer-term type visa. she has to put in many years until she can do that. 

 

You'd think the reporters in Thailand would know this.