British family leaves UK for Thailand for lower costs of living

[Neeranam]

21 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

One wonders if they are aware of the new tax regulations.

I doubt it, many long term expats are not aware of it.

[scottiejohn]

34 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

One wonders if they are aware of the new tax regulations.

Which new tax regulations?

[Sheryl]

5 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I doubt it, many long term expats are not aware of it.

As she is working (remotely) it is quite relevant. All the income she brings into Thailand will be taxable, and the tax threshold here is a  lot lower than in the UK. 

 

and then there are the health care costs....

 

Most long term expats are either retired or working here. 

 

The tax situation for retirees is complicated depending on pension source and country, and whether or not they are living on savings. Many retirees will legitimately owe no taxes in Thailand and others will owe only very  small amounts. There is a special deduction available for pension income (if assessable) over and above the other deductions. 

 

The situation of  a young working  person bringing in invome from abroad is quite different. 

[Neeranam]

2 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

As she is working (remotely) it is quite relevant. All the income she brings into Thailand will be taxable, and the tax threshold here is a  lot lower than in the UK. 

 

and then there are the health care costs....

 

Most long term expats are either retired or working here. 

 

The tax situation for retirees is complicated depending on pension source and country, and whether or not they are living on savings. Many retirees will legitimately owe no taxes in Thailand and others will owe only very  small amounts. There is a special deduction available for pension income (if assessable) over and above the other deductions. 

 

The situation of  a young working  person bringing in invome from abroad is quite different. 

I see, thanks.

Could they not continue to pay tax in the UK if it is a UK company, or even another country? 

[vangrop]

Based on the picture I bet that Jessica is a Thai. Probably she gets a divorce alimony from the local John and byebye. This would explain everything.

[gearbox]

10 hours ago, Andrew65 said:

You're right there. I lived in Bangkok for 20 years, lower-Sukhumvit area. I've now been living back in the UK for almost 6 years, and my living expenses are similar to what they were in Thailand. I now pay £550 per month rent (all inclusive). When I last lived in Bangkok my rent was 24,000 Baht. I don't have to pay for healthcare in the UK

Lower Sukhumvit is fairly expensive place, I doubt you can even rent  a garage for £550 in central London. My nephew was renting 2 bedroom apartment near Victoria station for £2500 per month, and that was a few years ago. Now he lives in his own house but his childcare is £2500 per month for only one child.

[theblether]

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

No, labor. Anything labor related is downright stupid. 

 

When was the last time you had a car repair and what did it cost? When was the last time you had a plumber to your house and what did that cost? What about the electrician, what did he charge? 

 

 

I get the impression you think I'm stupid. 

 

I have carpet fitters that earn £90,000 a year. Do you think we care about £100 for a plumber once in a blue moon? 

[still kicking]

I moved back to OZ living on just the pension paying rent and still can afford a holiday or 2 in Thailand every year.

[Nick Carter icp]

18 hours ago, theblether said:

 

 

£2.10 a pint in my local bar. 

 

 

 

   Are you sure about that ?

 

 

"A PUB is selling the "cheapest pints" in the UK for as little as £2.30 - almost half the average cost.

The Waggon and Horses in Oldbury, West Midlands, is flogging all beers, ciders and ales for £2.90 and under to encourage punters to drink in traditional local boozers."

 

 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/25825766/pub-sells-cheapest-pints-uk-half-average-cost/

 

[rocketboy2]

25 minutes ago, theblether said:

 

I get the impression you think I'm stupid. 

 

I have carpet fitters that earn £90,000 a year. Do you think we care about £100 for a plumber once in a blue moon? 

 

People can say what they like on forums.

But it's up to people what they believe, 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

33 minutes ago, theblether said:

 

I get the impression you think I'm stupid. 

 

I have carpet fitters that earn £90,000 a year. Do you think we care about £100 for a plumber once in a blue moon? 

 

    Although that carpet fitter salary would be before expenses and the take home pay would be about £ 40 000

[theblether]

24 minutes ago, rocketboy2 said:

 

People can say what they like on forums.

But it's up to people what they believe, 

 

 

Pathetic

 

I've operated a flooring business for decades. I know what people earn. 

 

By the way, fitters down south earn even more. 

 

 

 

 

[theblether]

24 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

    Although that carpet fitter salary would be before expenses and the take home pay would be about £ 40 000

 

Nonsense. Closer to £65,000. 

 

By the way, you didn't seriously google "cheap pints of beer in the UK" did you? 

 

That's on par with the guy who just indicated he moved to Thailand because the plumbers were cheap. 

 

The standard of trolling on this forum has collapsed. 

[Nick Carter icp]

3 minutes ago, theblether said:

 

Nonsense. Closer to £65,000. 

 

By the way, you didn't seriously google "cheap pints of beer in the UK" did you? 

 

That's on par with the guy who just indicated he moved to Thailand because the plumbers were cheap. 

 

The standard of trolling on this forum has collapsed. 

 

   Well, you did make a claim that your pub has pints costing £2.10 and I thought that was extremely cheap , and yes I did google the cheapest pint in the UK which turned out to be £2.90.

   That isn't "trolling" at all , that's using google to find out whether people are being truthful or not .

   I also looked up carpet fitters salary and the salary was £60 000 with a take home pay of £40 000

https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/trade/grow-business/how-much-do-carpet-fitters-earn/

 

   

[geisha]

17 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

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?

 

I live in the South’of France so have good weather nearly all the year round.

I love Thailand , when I was young believed I would retire here. Being a snowbird suits me fine, I could never live here all the year round. Even after 4 months I get bored, I miss my friends, good conversation, evenings out with great food , the best hospitals and specialists which are practically free with our system of government and work benefits paying. This is important to me . Wherever you live, if you have a good job you can live well. Too many people think they can get it all with no graft ! All my family live in the UK, have lovely homes and go abroad for holidays often. We all have choice. Too many move here and then scrape by in a small condo, hopefully they have health insurance, that’s all ok if you accept it. From what I’ve seen of Phuket lately, there seem to be dozens of young families moving there or are planning to. 

[MangoKorat]

18 hours ago, KhunLA said:

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.   

I can't speak from a 'worldwide' perspective but not so in my home country.  We of course have our share of bad/illegal driving for example but it doesn't even 'scratch the surface' compared to the driving/legality standards in Thailand. Why? Because most people in the UK are in fear of the law and losing your licence here actually means that you cannot drive.

 

Left to their own devices, the standards practiced by many UK drivers would no doubt fall over time and unlicenced/uninsured/untaxed/speeding drivers would become common place.  The UK police may not patrol so much these days but ANPR and Speed Cameras mean that such offences are difficult to 'get away with'.

[theblether]

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Well, you did make a claim that your pub has pints costing £2.10 and I thought that was extremely cheap , and yes I did google the cheapest pint in the UK which turned out to be £2.90.

   That isn't "trolling" at all , that's using google to find out whether people are being truthful or not .

   I also looked up carpet fitters salary and the salary was £60 000 with a take home pay of £40 000

https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/trade/grow-business/how-much-do-carpet-fitters-earn/

 

   

 

🤣🤣🤣 10/10 for entertainment value - is that the same checkatrade that says it takes two days to carpet a three-bedroom house? Man, that's hilarious.  Anyway, the good news is we've established you're not a troll.  You'll just believe anything you see on Google and will argue with guys with decades of experience. 

 

Nice to make your acquaintance, sir. 

 

And I can't wait for the guy who moved to Thailand for its cheap plumbers to reply. 

[kwilco]

This all seems a non-event.

 

Presumably they are sorting out their work permits and visas - are they wealthy? tht makes it easier - especially for special visas.

 

In the end I'm not sure what the article is trying to imply.

 

I t will interesting to see where they are in 10 years....

[Nick Carter icp]

1 hour ago, theblether said:

 

🤣🤣🤣 10/10 for entertainment value - is that the same checkatrade that says it takes two days to carpet a three-bedroom house? Man, that's hilarious.  Anyway, the good news is we've established you're not a troll.  You'll just believe anything you see on Google and will argue with guys with decades of experience. 

 

Nice to make your acquaintance, sir. 

 

And I can't wait for the guy who moved to Thailand for its cheap plumbers to reply. 

 

   The time taken to re-carpet a three bedroom house depends on whether they need to remove the old carpets first as well and also what furniture is there .

   A carpet less three bedroom house can be done in one day , but would take longer if the old carpets need to be removed and lots of furniture needs to be moved from room to room .

   I have actually had carpets re-laid in a 3 bedroom house in the UK

[Puccini]

On 5/19/2024 at 10:22 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

...Given they are not receiving a pension, and sun drenched villas are not cheap, one wonders how they are financing their "new life"...

 

UK social benefits, perhaps.

[Puccini]

On 5/19/2024 at 10:22 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

...Given they are not receiving a pension, and sun drenched villas are not cheap, one wonders how they are financing their "new life"...

 

Apparently, Jessica Ward is now a digital nomad:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jessica-ward-41a25761_so-linkedin-its-been-over-two-years-activity-7178979264321482753-hxsj

 

Best wishes to her and her family!

[bkk_mike]

On 5/20/2024 at 3:51 AM, webfact said:

 

 

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.

 

 I realise I'm preaching here but.

 

Until I saw it said GB News... - I thought it had to be the Daily Fail.

 

The "net-zero" climate policies, if actually followed, rather than curtailed by the government back when Cameron was in charge, would have had more wind farms (where the price of electricity did not shoot up because of a war in Ukraine), and less gas-fired power station when the gas price shot up two years ago.

The cost of electricity and gas is higher in the UK because of the cost of gas being higher - nothing to do with net zero.

Admittedly part of the price hike is actually Brexit - but god forbid somebody pointed that out... - Because not being in the EU, we couldn't join the scheme where countries without their own massive gas storage facilities got allocated facilities in countries which did have storage. Admittedly we used to have storage facilities ourselves back when British Gas was a public company and security of supply was a factor in how they operated, but all our facilities had been closed, because for the privatised British Gas, it wasnt a problem to just buy gas at the spot price when they needed it - because British Gas gets to pass that price on to the electricity generating companies, so they didn't save any money by having any storage facilities. - There were of course mass bankrupcies in some of the electricity generating companies because they had to pay the spot price for Gas, but had already agreed electricity prices with their customers - based on far lower gas prices.

So how has the government dealt with this... - by subsidising the remaining electricity companies, but in such a way that customers get screwed over. - Prices are all a lot higher (at certain points the UK had the highest electricity prices in the world), Standing charges are a lot higher, but at least the electricity companies are now raking in the money, rather than continuing to go bust. - But it's all because of the jump in gas prices, and the lack of storage facilities meaning the UK didn't have the option to not pay for gas when it was literally the worst time to be buying gas. All of this is nothing to do with net zero.

 

Hence the assumption it was the Daily Fail, and their usual what shall we make up this week bull<deleted>. But instead it's GB News, living down to the fact that they are not classified as a news service - because they simply aren't one.

[Nick Carter icp]

57 minutes ago, Puccini said:

 

UK social benefits, perhaps.

 

   Cannot get UK benefits whilst living abroad 

[thaibeachlovers]

22 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

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.

 

 

It's certainly a better place to live than the UK, and I have lived in both. I have no regrets not living in the UK, not being a gazzilionaire and able to afford a decent place to live. A council flat among the criminals is not my idea of paradise.

[Nick Carter icp]

7 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

It's certainly a better place to live than the UK, and I have lived in both. I have no regrets not living in the UK, not being a gazzilionaire and able to afford a decent place to live. A council flat among the criminals is not my idea of paradise.

 

   You wouldn't be eligible for council accommodation anyway , council accommodation  is much sought after these days and is only given to young families , and that's only when it becomes available .

   Families in emergency accommodation are crying out for council accommodation 

[thaibeachlovers]

4 hours ago, geisha said:

From what I’ve seen of Phuket lately, there seem to be dozens of young families moving there or are planning to. 

There goes the neighbourhood!

How long before the new immigrants start whining about the night life and trying to get it banned- for the sake of their sprogs, of course?

[SAFETY FIRST]

9 hours ago, Sheryl said:

One wonders if they are aware of the new tax regulations.

This is one of the many problems that foreigners face when moving to Thailand. I reckon it's why some foreigners regularly complain about Thailand, they don't do their Du diligence, then they become bitter, start blaming Thailand for their miserable life. We have serial moaners here on AN, never posting knowledge or quality information only posting unpleasant or meaningless messages. 

 

Some of these foreigners only look at the many different vlogs etc, Dan About Thailand and others. These YouTubeers only point out the positives, rarely do they talk negatively or explain the extra living costs. 

Lots of extra out of pocket expenses here in Thailand for foreigners.

 

It's expensive for children's quality schooling, family health and medical, child birth, it goes on and on.

Not that affordable for some, especially families. 

 

Edited May 20 by SAFETY FIRST

[jacko45k]

21 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Please name that bar.

Ardwick in Blackpool..... but don't venture out-doors.

[SAFETY FIRST]

23 hours ago, MarkyM3 said:

Moaning about moaners. Ironic eh....

If you think me addressing the problems with people coming to Thailand is moaning you have serious issues. 

I hope you get well soon. 

 

I often find it ironic that despite the wonders of being alive, many people who relocate here refuse to be happy.

 

Edited May 20 by SAFETY FIRST

[Andrew65]

9 hours ago, gearbox said:

Lower Sukhumvit is fairly expensive place, I doubt you can even rent  a garage for £550 in central London. My nephew was renting 2 bedroom apartment near Victoria station for £2500 per month, and that was a few years ago. Now he lives in his own house but his childcare is £2500 per month for only one child.

London's the most expensive part of Britain. This subject of this post is about whether Thailand is necessarily cheaper than Britain as a whole, and not just London.

I sometimes look at the question and answer site Quora and see questions like "How much do I need for a 2 week stay in Thailand?"
They don't provide any more information Like:

Do they have a very epensive drug habit?
Do they usually stop in 5 star hotels or dormitory accommodation for 5 bucks a night?
Will they be stopping in Bangkok, Phuket, or Nakhon Nowhere?
Will they be spending 5k to 10k Baht per night on hookers/partying etc?

Do they dine in Michelin starred restaurants every night, or pay 50 Baht for street food?
Do they realise that they will probably have to pay a lot of money for things that they get for free back home? (Like healthcare and sending their kids to school, if living there).

Many people assume that Thailand is super cheap, when it isn't necessarily so.

And that's just for starters.

Like many other places, Thailand can be as cheap or as expensive as we want it to be. Some people assume that it's still a cheap & cheerful place.

Edited May 21 by Andrew65