British family leaves UK for Thailand for lower costs of living

[Neeranam]

1 hour ago, fulhamster said:

And the pension is frozen from day 1 if you are in Thailand

Not a problem, I only worked in the UK for 5 years and will get a full pension for only paying 150 GBP a year in voluntary class 2 contributions. 

They will give me 220 GBP a week 🙂

Only a problem if you live to 90, and the odds are well against most from doing that, and if you do, it's a bonus, and you'll have grandkids/great grandkids to look after you. 

Edited May 20 by Neeranam

[retarius]

Food seems very cheap in the UK. We need Aldi and Lidl over here. But what you don't have here are huge property taxes like the US and to a certain extent the UK. If you own a home here you might have to pay a little tax when you buy, but then it is pretty much no bills. I have one monthly bill, electric. Water is from a well. Of course I have diesel and petrol to buy for the cars, and we have a small staff of 3 to pay each month....but I am miles ahead of the UK or US......plus my house cost a fraction of what it would have cost overseas....and its custom built.

What I feel is missing in Thailand is any sort of price competition and/or discounters like TKMaxx, Marshalls and the like. Every shop sells the same <deleted> for the same price and is located next door. My heart sinks as I see the aim in business here is to be the same as the guy next door and not to differentiate your brand/product. I also realise that if you do discount here, you might get your shop burned down by the competition. 

I find car insurance quite expensive here now when it was very cheap when I first came over. I self insure for health....I had 14 years of no medical expenses then about 1 million baht last year so it has annualised out so far at about 70,000 a year fully paid up....no deductibles, exclusions or other insurance crap and small print. I figure I am ahead. Of course, I might have a heart attack or stroke tomorrow and spend 2 or 3 million....who knows?

[digger70]

British family leaves UK for Thailand for lower costs of living.

 

Okay,  They better get good jobs or have some real savings otherwise they will go Backwards on a Low paid Thai job. 

Cheap living isn't everything if one doesn't have a job that can pay for ones living costs.

[MarkyM3]

4 hours ago, Graham8888 said:

I agree with most of the above - but if you are young and ready to take the plunge- why not?? Not everyone wants to live paying a mortgage for 25 years saving for a pension they might never see - if it doesn’t work out at least you have done it

i live partly in Thailand and only return when i have to for business.

my son is 19 and living in Thailand and works online - yes legally. It is cheaper here - £2.10 a pint - that is not the average price which is what is quoted for other bills / costs in the uk

next time you’re staring into your pint down the “club”’ think of the excitement of travel and taking calculated risks 

 

As per my posting, I live in Surrey and frequent visitor to Bangkok and elsewhere. I'm there all of next month. I first visited Thailand as a backpacker in 2005 and have been a regular visitor twice a year since. Also spent 3 * 6 month periods living there, most recently 2 years ago, and other times doing some remote work around vacation while retaining my highly paid job in the UK. I've also travelled around the world since my late 20s so your last point is somewhat misdirected if it was aimed towards me. Can't tell from your style of writing....

 

Not sure what the point is about beer costs either. We know what it costs in Thailand. All I said was the £2.10 cost theBlether mentioned was way out of line of most of the UK. That's a positive point for Thailand if you're into beer, despite Thai beer not being up to much.  

 

Your points about mortgage and pension are fair but most people do live until their 70s and 80s and beyond as medical advances occur. What do you do then if you're potless with no property equity, state or private pension contributions - start a GoFundMe? Your son is still a teenager, no worries, this couple aren't and have a kid.

 

I know for a fact I couldn't have earned a decent living in IT in Thailand so my career was better done in the UK. All power to those who can make a career as real entrepreneurs elsewhere - I've seen people on here who say they have or been in niche areas like Oil & Gas and more power to their elbow. But for the vast majority, the prospects are better back home. I'm in a position to contemplate semi or full retirement at age 53. Very unlikely that would the case in Thailand for me, for better or worse.

 

I took a look at the couple's linkedin page - she is a freelance "general PR" and wanting to set up some kind of online giftshop. That's not a long term wealth plan so I don't think they will find they can stick at it long-term unless they have a proper plan or are independently wealthy (which they clearly aren't). By all means have an overseas adventure for a few years though. 

 

 

Edited May 20 by MarkyM3

[Liverpool Lou]

5 hours ago, John Drake said:

5 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

No need for you to wonder about something that is their business, and their business alone.   Have you made public the specifics of how you finance your existence here?

 

If they want this story to be "their business alone," then maybe they shouldn't have gone to the press to publicize it.

B0llocks, publishing their story doesn't mean that they want the forensics of how they're financing their move (that they made no reference to) examined by those who have no business knowing it!

[MarkyM3]

So, Liverpool Lou, why bother touting the story around if they wouldn't want any forensics. The whole point of it is they are saying they can have a much better life in Thailand due to cost of living crunch in UK. But as we know, the realities of working there in your 20s and with a young child is a bit different. How it's going to be financed is totally relevant if this is being portrayed as a realistic long-term option... 

Edited May 20 by MarkyM3

[Liverpool Lou]

2 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

How it's going to be financed is totally relevant if this is being portrayed as a realistic long-term option... 

To them, totally irrelevant to the rest of the world!

[peter48]

13 hours ago, theblether said:

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. 

20% of Pensioners are not millionnaires, UK state pension below £1000 per mth is one of lowest in Europe ( Spain is 3 times higher)  the NHS has longest waits in Europe especially a) Cancer diagnosis b) then wait more for Cancer treatment, massive shortages of nurses,GPs & Specialists because of underfunding/low pay, medics leaving in droves to Aus/NZ & Canada & Middle East, one of worst housing shortages, homelessness in Europe, massive rents and high mortages in London/SE/big cities, each medicine is nearly £10, energy costs/transport one of most expensive in Europe, high child poverty especially in N/NE, food banks...Brexit effect on food prices etc 

 

There's a reason the Conservatives have had their lowest polling ever this Spring. Britain is broken after the last 14yrs of hitting the average people

[beautifulthailand99]

14 hours 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. 

 

Well said my totally free London freedom pass , getting 6% interest on 6 month fixed rates , true competition in supermarkets whilst the costs have risen they are nothing like the eye watering prices in Thai ones. Safe roads and cars and well lit motorways without u-turns and considerate drivers. Clean air and amazing weather from spring to autumn (usually). English language spoken everywhere (a big one that) , a vibrant and uniqe live music scene and festivals. World class, theatre, arenas and orchestras. World class football loved by the world.  Friendly and considerate neighbours, the rule of law , democratic elections and fredom of assembly and speech. And that's just off the top of my head. Skint ageing moaners will always have a jaundiced view of the world where they feel hard done by. It was ever thus !

[RobU]

10 hours ago, RobU said:

https://thepattayanews.com/2024/05/19/nida-poll-majority-of-thais-support-reclassifying-cannabis-as-narcotic-public-backs-medical-use-over-recreational/

She runs the above website

Whoops I posted the wrong link sorry chaps correct link is below

https://dearcece.com/

Edited May 20 by RobU

[peter48]

Do not forget clown Boris Johnson took UK out of the 500M Single Market not just affecting trade, costs of imports, costs of exports, companies not coming to UK, shares down relative to EU/US so smaller pension pots, pound down after Johnson came in,lower economic growth  but we lost ,freedom of movement' to live, love,retire,study etc in the 30 mainly better off countries of most of Europe. Spain and Portugal are options but you need to sort a lot more out now than before Brexit. Brexit was the greatest economic self harm ever done by any modern economy. 

[beautifulthailand99]

5 minutes ago, peter48 said:

Do not forget clown Boris Johnson took UK out of the 500M Single Market not just affecting trade, costs of imports, costs of exports, companies not coming to UK, shares down relative to EU/US so smaller pension pots, pound down after Johnson came in,lower economic growth  but we lost ,freedom of movement' to live, love,retire,study etc in the 30 mainly better off countries of most of Europe. Spain and Portugal are options but you need to sort a lot more out now than before Brexit. Brexit was the greatest economic self harm ever done by any modern economy. 

Aye it certainly was.

[beautifulthailand99]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I know with the EU is was all much easier.

 

But I guess it should still be possible from someone in the UK to live i.e. in Spain.

I guess (just a guess) that this is easier than living in Thailand. 

Not really unless in most places where you go for residence which has a lot of finacial hoops and language to go through then you can only spend 180 days out of a year before you are out of options. A lot of Spanish Brit expat voters voted for Brexit and found themeslves having to sell up and go home.

[peter48]

10 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Well said my totally free London freedom pass , getting 6% interest on 6 month fixed rates , true competition in supermarkets whilst the costs have risen they are nothing like the eye watering prices in Thai ones. Safe roads and cars and well lit motorways without u-turns and considerate drivers. Clean air and amazing weather from spring to autumn (usually). English language spoken everywhere (a big one that) , a vibrant and uniqe live music scene and festivals. World class, theatre, arenas and orchestras. World class football loved by the world.  Friendly and considerate neighbours, the rule of law , democratic elections and fredom of assembly and speech. And that's just off the top of my head. Skint ageing moaners will always have a jaundiced view of the world where they feel hard done by. It was ever thus !

Yes for some living in parts of London or wealthy commuter towns close by, owner occupiers, good high job pensions, good transport/roads into well governed London led by Labour Mayor. ( thanks Sadiq for Elizabeth Line to airport,for free transport pass & cleaner air)

Yes some seniors are lucky but now affected by rising crime, social care cuts, longest healthcare waits in western EU etc)  ( Covid deaths twice were highest in Europe)  But the rest of the population is suffering and inequality is one of highest in Europe bar Bulgaria and child poverty one of worst too. Our kids face highest university fees in Europe, highest rents especiallky in cities, many staying home and quite frankly compared to Finland, Norway,Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Belguim, France, Austria and Switzerland our well being and happiness has seriously dropped. Thats why UK Tories scoring lowest polling in modern age. 

[Keep Right]

15 hours ago, 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". 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.

No NHS is an issue that could be a high priority for them. Here in Thailand they will not have to wait more than a year for treatment as in the UK.

[MarkyM3]

20 minutes ago, peter48 said:

Do not forget clown Boris Johnson took UK out of the 500M Single Market not just affecting trade, costs of imports, costs of exports, companies not coming to UK, shares down relative to EU/US so smaller pension pots, pound down after Johnson came in,lower economic growth  but we lost ,freedom of movement' to live, love,retire,study etc in the 30 mainly better off countries of most of Europe. Spain and Portugal are options but you need to sort a lot more out now than before Brexit. Brexit was the greatest economic self harm ever done by any modern economy. 

Well, David Cameron offered the referendum. And it was voted for by the British people, not Boris...

 

Whether it's a mistake or not long-term remains to be seen but if the EU had offered any concessions on migration that Cameron asked for (remember, he was laughed at when he came back empty-handed), it very likely wouldn't have happened.

 

As for the EU, it's hardly an economic powerhouse either., though they didn't waste as much on C19 as the UK did. Germany is struggling big-time and they are the largest net contributor to the budget. Norway and Switzerland are outside the EU, they seem to be doing just fine. So I'm reserving judgement on that. Also, anyone with pensions spread across the world hasn't got an issue, the weaker pound makes overseas investments worth more ££££. 

 

I voted for Brexit for the immigration reasons but got some regrets because we've seen no impact on numbers due to Conservative incompetence on stopping the flow from elsewhere, bogus colleges and so forth. Not that I think Labour will be any better at all. No-one should forget Bliar's incompetence in skipping transitional arrangement veto in 2004 and seeing a mass influx from Eastern Europe/

 

The loss of free movement has been a price to pay for sure. 

 

 

[MarkyM3]

12 minutes ago, Keep Right said:

No NHS is an issue that could be a high priority for them. Here in Thailand they will not have to wait more than a year for treatment as in the UK.

So...how do they qualify for the social health system in Thailand then without proper residency? They can pay privately for sure (I'm getting a load of dental work done in Bangkok next month) but you're being economical with the truth. Also, never waited a year in the UK for treatment, though it can be slow for non-urgent stuff, as per my comments earlier in thread. I was treated for brain surgery in UK by a top neurologist within a month of needing it, also had a similar serious surgery in quick time as well. 

Edited May 20 by MarkyM3

[MarkyM3]

19 minutes ago, peter48 said:

Yes for some living in parts of London or wealthy commuter towns close by, owner occupiers, good high job pensions, good transport/roads into well governed London led by Labour Mayor. ( thanks Sadiq for Elizabeth Line to airport,for free transport pass & cleaner air)

Yes some seniors are lucky but now affected by rising crime, social care cuts, longest healthcare waits in western EU etc)  ( Covid deaths twice were highest in Europe)  But the rest of the population is suffering and inequality is one of highest in Europe bar Bulgaria and child poverty one of worst too. Our kids face highest university fees in Europe, highest rents especiallky in cities, many staying home and quite frankly compared to Finland, Norway,Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Belguim, France, Austria and Switzerland our well being and happiness has seriously dropped. Thats why UK Tories scoring lowest polling in modern age. 

Come off it. Record levels of knife crime, Jews harassed on the streets of London by mobs, a ULEZ scheme no-one supports. London is near enough minority native British so Labour shoe-in. 

 

Pensioners have just had 2 consecutive triple lock increases, despite the country being saddled with C19 debt. As for rents, perhaps if the population hadn't increased by 10 million since the millenium we'd not be so short of space. 

Edited May 20 by MarkyM3

[StayinThailand2much]

4 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

is why ive been living here PT since 2008     a 3rd of the cost

 

go home and work for 6 mo...then come here and chill for the other 6

 

my apt back home was 1K....here its 100usd.....my 6 months rent here is still cheaper then 1 months rent back home

 

access to heath care--affordable housing and healthy food option here in a "3rd world" country.....who wouldve thought (...)

 

So, you're renting a new apartment back home (for only 6 months) every time, or are you paying for two apartments while in Thailand?

 

Would never work in my home country, as it is close to impossible nowadays to find apartments for rent in the big cities.

Edited May 20 by StayinThailand2much

[MarkyM3]

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

To them, totally irrelevant to the rest of the world!

Well it is to most of us, clearly. If they don't want to be scrutinised about their means or motives when promoting a major move to the other side of the world via social media then it's a non-story and they should keep their affairs to themselves instead of touting for clicks 😄

Edited May 20 by MarkyM3

[peter48]

5 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

Well, David Cameron offered the referendum. And it was voted for by the British people, not Boris...

 

Whether it's a mistake or not long-term remains to be seen but if the EU had offered any concessions on migration that Cameron asked for (remember, he was laughed at when he came back empty-handed), it very likely wouldn't have happened.

 

As for the EU, it's hardly an economic powerhouse either., though they didn't waste as much on C19 as the UK did. Germany is struggling big-time and they are the largest net contributor to the budget. Norway and Switzerland are outside the EU, they seem to be doing just fine. So I'm reserving judgement on that. Also, anyone with pensions spread across the world hasn't got an issue, the weaker pound makes overseas investments worth more ££££. 

 

I voted for Brexit for the immigration reasons but got some regrets because we've seen no impact on numbers due to Conservative incompetence on stopping the flow from elsewhere, bogus colleges and so forth. Not that I think Labour will be any better at all. No-one should forget Bliar's incompetence in skipping transitional arrangement veto in 2004 and seeing a mass influx from Eastern Europe/

 

The loss of free movement has been a price to pay for sure. 

 

 

True Brexit horror was voted through by a small majority 52% to 48%. Cameron should have gone for a higher majority in his plans. That was 8yrs ago and most ppl now with exception of non college older males would vote to Remain especially under 45s. 

but 1) Johnson, Farage lied about the Brexit effects especially the obvious economic ones that has reduced UK living Standards since. 

2) The press owners were pro-Brexit and led their newspapers as such especially Murdoch's Sun and Rothermere's Daily Mail. 

3) Take Johnson's dad lives in France , his brother, his sister and his ex-Wife were against Brexit.

4) Many countries have high standards of living and then that included all Scandanavia, France, Germany etc with high immigrastion. It was a right wing distraction to kid the low income groups their problems were due to migration. They know that now & are not voting Tory again. 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

3 minutes ago, peter48 said:

True Brexit horror was voted through by a small majority 52% to 48%. Cameron should have gone for a higher majority in his plans. That was 8yrs ago and most ppl now with exception of non college older males would vote to Remain especially under 45s. 

but 1) Johnson, Farage lied about the Brexit effects especially the obvious economic ones that has reduced UK living Standards since. 

2) The press owners were pro-Brexit and led their newspapers as such especially Murdoch's Sun and Rothermere's Daily Mail. 

3) Take Johnson's dad lives in France , his brother, his sister and his ex-Wife were against Brexit.

4) Many countries have high standards of living and then that included all Scandanavia, France, Germany etc with high immigrastion. It was a right wing distraction to kid the low income groups their problems were due to migration. They know that now & are not voting Tory again. 

 

 

   We did get out Blue passports back though , now immigration  realise that we aren't foreigners when we go abroad 

[Paris333]

Migrants have come to EU -US /States to destroy our privelege social system and Thailand is not an exclusion.

Very nice decision for Britain couple but what about of health manadatory isnurance and private shcools for baby?

Its very difficult to find a job in Britain although I have two of women cousin to Essex but they both migrate to Britain since 2008 year and both have dual citizenship.(they are lecture in University of Essex and Architect)

We suffer in European States from influx of migrants Ukraines -Bangladeshians -Pakistanis -Indians - Chinese and.....half Africa brotherhood who move out to Queen V.D.L (von der Leyen) Europe "free meals" social system and local population pay higher taxes for them.

Horrible terryfic situation and European States are in debt trap.

[MarkyM3]

11 minutes ago, peter48 said:

True Brexit horror was voted through by a small majority 52% to 48%. Cameron should have gone for a higher majority in his plans. That was 8yrs ago and most ppl now with exception of non college older males would vote to Remain especially under 45s. 

but 1) Johnson, Farage lied about the Brexit effects especially the obvious economic ones that has reduced UK living Standards since. 

2) The press owners were pro-Brexit and led their newspapers as such especially Murdoch's Sun and Rothermere's Daily Mail. 

3) Take Johnson's dad lives in France , his brother, his sister and his ex-Wife were against Brexit.

4) Many countries have high standards of living and then that included all Scandanavia, France, Germany etc with high immigrastion. It was a right wing distraction to kid the low income groups their problems were due to migration. They know that now & are not voting Tory again. 

 

Should they have done the Lisbon treaty and kept voting until the "right" decision was reached? 

You're obviously a card-carrying Labour party member and I'm not here to debate endlessly about the finer minutae of the UK, we're going off track. But I would say one thing - I wouldn't be quoting Scandinvia too much around the positive benefits of mass immigraition. I'm a regular visitor to the region. Sweden is a mess, the highest gun crime rate in Europe and places like Malmo are infested with gang acitivity. Speak to a few people on the ground in the region and hear what they have to. Germany also has issues, my friend went back to Stuttgart recently having worked there 20 years ago. Said he'd never go back again, the place was a carphole. Like significant parts of London these days. 

 

I'm 53 and can say London is unrecognisable even from the mid 90s. And not for the better imo. You have your own views obviously.  

Edited May 20 by MarkyM3

[Sheryl]

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

[theblether]

14 hours ago, MarkyM3 said:

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. 

 

I'll accept your comments and I understand the geographical differences - however - there's more than one bar in my town with beer that price and that's before you go to Wetherspoons. 

 

And I'm aware that housing prices down south are wild. However, again - that's what has set up many English for life. They rode the housing boom and cashed out a fortune. We Scots have done fine but we didn't see anything like the values in places such as Surrey. 

[scottiejohn]

1 hour ago, peter48 said:

They know that now & are not voting Tory again. 

According to you after your unfounded rant!

[theblether]

1 hour ago, peter48 said:

20% of Pensioners are not millionnaires, UK state pension below £1000 per mth is one of lowest in Europe ( Spain is 3 times higher)  the NHS has longest waits in Europe especially a) Cancer diagnosis b) then wait more for Cancer treatment, massive shortages of nurses,GPs & Specialists because of underfunding/low pay, medics leaving in droves to Aus/NZ & Canada & Middle East, one of worst housing shortages, homelessness in Europe, massive rents and high mortages in London/SE/big cities, each medicine is nearly £10, energy costs/transport one of most expensive in Europe, high child poverty especially in N/NE, food banks...Brexit effect on food prices etc 

 

There's a reason the Conservatives have had their lowest polling ever this Spring. Britain is broken after the last 14yrs of hitting the average people

 

Nionsense. It has been well estanlished that the Boomer generation is easily the richest in all British history. By the way, with 29% worth a million or more, how many do you think are worth a mere £250K? 

 

And with the triple-lock pension British pensioners have never had it so good. You are just moaning for the sake of moaning, which I suppose is a British traditional value, so carry on. 

[kingstonkid]

14 hours ago, MarkyM3 said:

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. 

How many people actually live in London or the big cities compared to how many live outside the cities?

 

I agree that prices in BKK are ridiculous now, but that is why people are moving out of the city to other provinces, like here in Pathum Thani.

 

Rent is cheap 6000 incl hydro  Thais can buy a house for 2 million or get a new house for 5 million. food is good as well as services and bkk is only 60 baht and 1 hour away

[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.