Why I left Thailand

[SingAPorn]

Prices in Thailand are now getting similar if not more expensive, compared to places like Malta, Portugal, Spain or Greece.

 

No point in staying in Thailand and getting harassed or insulted by immigration. They are openly cheating foreigners on everything. If you have property, each time you will get somebody to come over to do some work like plumbing or electricial, they will try to cheat you. Everybody does not hava a full time rented thai girlfriend to bargain.

 

Far better and safer health coverage in Europe. So why stay on here and have to shell out the special Falang rates ?

[Confuscious]

9 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

As Confuscious you surely must know this quote:

"The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved."

What's here today maybe gone tomorrow - the same everywhere in the world.

The disaster in Valencia was very bad, but the same place was flooded in the past a few times and officially it was not allowed to be built in 

[KannikaP]

6 hours ago, GypsyT said:

PS. UK and US are closer now; both have Indians in charge.

Starmer & Trump.......Indians?   More like Cowboys!

[soalbundy]

As a Brit who left the UK over 50 years ago I only know about England from the news, podcasts and relations telling me how awful it is. I'm 76 and have been blessed with good genes and so am in good health. I find very little to complain about Thailand, life here (as far as I'm concerned) is free and easy. I took the MIL to the dentist in our medium sized market town in Isaan this morning, I had to wait around for an hour so I took a walk in the splendid weather along the high street and around the market, something I don't normally do. The place was a bustling hive of activity, no boarded up shops, which sold everything imaginable, computers, motorbikes, clothes, furniture, farming machines of every variety etc. a picture of prosperity and this in a farming area, not Bangkok. My family, some of whom are still in the UK, most left years ago for Australia, tell me life in England is pretty miserable and expensive with lifeless towns full of boarded up shops, even in London, violent youths and graffiti everywhere, it's almost dystopian. I am grateful to be able to live here, the specter of ill health to the extent of the OP doesn't bother me, I am at an age where death is expected and I would just let nature take its course rather than take multiple hospital visits but that is just my personal philosophy of life.

[Negita43]

6 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

I am at an age where death is expected and I would just let nature take its course rather than take multiple hospital visits but that is just my personal philosophy of life.

Couldn't agree more

Edited Saturday at 10:14 AM by Negita43
typo

[Keeps]

11 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

As a Brit who left the UK over 50 years ago I only know about England from the news, podcasts and relations telling me how awful it is. I'm 76 and have been blessed with good genes and so am in good health. I find very little to complain about Thailand, life here (as far as I'm concerned) is free and easy. I took the MIL to the dentist in our medium sized market town in Isaan this morning, I had to wait around for an hour so I took a walk in the splendid weather along the high street and around the market, something I don't normally do. The place was a bustling hive of activity, no boarded up shops, which sold everything imaginable, computers, motorbikes, clothes, furniture, farming machines of every variety etc. a picture of prosperity and this in a farming area, not Bangkok. My family, some of whom are still in the UK, most left years ago for Australia, tell me life in England is pretty miserable and expensive with lifeless towns full of boarded up shops, even in London, violent youths and graffiti everywhere, it's almost dystopian. I am grateful to be able to live here, the specter of ill health to the extent of the OP doesn't bother me, I am at an age where death is expected and I would just let nature take its course rather than take multiple hospital visits but that is just my personal philosophy of life.

An excellent comparison between the two.

 

I, unfortunately, still have to flit between here and the UK due to family matters and a long standing health issue. As soon as all matters are resolved I will reside in Thailand permanently.

 

Vast parts of the UK are 'bandit country '. I live in a fairly affluent area outside of London. It is now becoming overrun with feral youths. I periodically have to travel to the City for business matters. I daren't look at any one on the trains, tubes, or on the bus in case it is misconstrued. I am honestly not exaggerating.

 

One of the major contributing factors to the crime in the area I live (aside many years of immigration - both legal and illegal) is the Maggie led idea many years ago that everyone should be entitled to purchase their council house. This was at less than half price compared to the market value. I remember my parents scraping every penny together to gradually better themselves (and therefore myself and my brother) and stepping up on the property ladder by privately owning property.

 

I remember having to stay in as a youngster during the 6 weeks school holidays when all my mates were out having a great time because Dad was at work and Mum worked nights and had to sleep during the day.

 

You now have tribes of scum who managed to buy a 2 bed house in London for peanuts and are now selling them for 10 times the original value. They can now afford to venture out into more affluent areas but still bring their scum ways with them. Plus there are no longer a sufficient number of council houses for those that really need them. There is the added burden of all the illegals flocking in aswell.

 

It truly is 'Broken Britain ' I can't wait to get away from the place once and for all. 

[GypsyT]

UK; Risni Sunak

US; Usha Vance

- Both will divorce and get remarried. Sunak will be next US Prez.

- You heard it here first...

"Chancellor Rishi Sunak held US green card until last year"

 

Edited Saturday at 10:49 AM by GypsyT

[Confuscious]

1 hour ago, Keeps said:

An excellent comparison between the two.

 

I, unfortunately, still have to flit between here and the UK due to family matters and a long standing health issue. As soon as all matters are resolved I will reside in Thailand permanently.

 

Vast parts of the UK are 'bandit country '. I live in a fairly affluent area outside of London. It is now becoming overrun with feral youths. I periodically have to travel to the City for business matters. I daren't look at any one on the trains, tubes, or on the bus in case it is misconstrued. I am honestly not exaggerating.

 

One of the major contributing factors to the crime in the area I live (aside many years of immigration - both legal and illegal) is the Maggie led idea many years ago that everyone should be entitled to purchase their council house. This was at less than half price compared to the market value. I remember my parents scraping every penny together to gradually better themselves (and therefore myself and my brother) and stepping up on the property ladder by privately owning property.

 

I remember having to stay in as a youngster during the 6 weeks school holidays when all my mates were out having a great time because Dad was at work and Mum worked nights and had to sleep during the day.

 

You now have tribes of scum who managed to buy a 2 bed house in London for peanuts and are now selling them for 10 times the original value. They can now afford to venture out into more affluent areas but still bring their scum ways with them. Plus there are no longer a sufficient number of council houses for those that really need them. There is the added burden of all the illegals flocking in aswell.

 

It truly is 'Broken Britain ' I can't wait to get away from the place once and for all. 

As far as I remember, all the Brits were bragging about "BREXIT".
UK would be the superpower as it had been before.
UK would show Europe that they don't need the EU.
UK health care was one of the best in the world.
Looks like BREXIT was not so good for the UK and their citizens after all.

[theblether]

My life in the UK is excellent. Yes, the high street is nothing like it once was but that's a result of online shopping. 

 

Street crime appears to be an issue in London, and some other areas down south. If anything, my town is nowhere near as violent, nowhere near, as it was when I was growing up. 

 

My local bar, a pint of bitter is £1.80. In Wetherspoons up the road, their in-house drinks are £2.10 a pint.

 

Supermarkets are cheap to moderate. 

 

Social housing, a nice two bedroom modern flat costs £350 a month. A brand new high spec flat is £500. 

 

It doesn't matter to many as the number of houses bought cash these days is around 50%. Mortgage free living is common. 

 

Downsides - the pubs are dying as their regular clientele are dying. The youth stay home playing video games and smoke waccy baccy. 

 

The NHS is patchy, staffing is a nightmare. There's a simple reason for that - there's way too many baby boomers and not enough youngsters to staff the NHS. My experience is excellent, but its becoming more common for people to go private as waiting lists are too long. 

 

Strange thing: 

 

The amount of money going about is unbelievable. if you are a tradesman that earns less than £1000 a week, you're avoiding work. I have floor fitters earning £600 a day, £350 ON A BAD DAY!!

 

Be a SNOWBIRD - and get the best of both worlds. 

[JimTripper]

3 hours ago, Confuscious said:

I moved to Spain.

How did you get a long term visa? Requirements?

[Confuscious]

2 hours ago, soalbundy said:

I am at an age where death is expected and I would just let nature take its course rather than take multiple hospital visits but that is just my personal philosophy of life.

Where death is expected, I will get a second opinion and be glad if I can live a few months or years more without suffering.
A friend of mine, living in Korat, was diagnosed with Cancer.
After a few botchered surgeries and several VooDoo treatments, he died after 3 months of suffering and agony.
ONLY because he made the mistake to accept the wisdom from a few keyboard warriors in the Facebook group about Dutch expatriates about the healthcare in Belgium. He asked me how I managed to get a new Pacemaker in Belgium as I was residing in Thailand.
Another friend who was also living in Thailand and was diagnosed with Cancer in his brain returned to Belgium (6 years ago) and is still alive.
As I said already, "UP TO YOU".

 

[Confuscious]

3 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

How did you get a long term visa? Requirements?

Huh??????????????????????

EU citizens are FREE to travel between EU countries WITHOUT A VISA.
Welcome to the REAL WORLD.

[Keeps]

35 minutes ago, Confuscious said:

As far as I remember, all the Brits were bragging about "BREXIT".
UK would be the superpower as it had been before.
UK would show Europe that they don't need the EU.
UK health care was one of the best in the world.
Looks like BREXIT was not so good for the UK and their citizens after all.

Nothing whatsoever to do with Brexit. Pretty naive statement. How were 'all' the Brits bragging when the vote itself was a tight call. You had been posting quite sensibly up until this one.

 

Nothing is worse post Brexit. If anything, the economy is in far better shape (certainly compared to the likes of France and Germany). In theory, we should be able to exercise our own rules more fully. That only applies if you have the people with the balls to ignore Brussels beauracy. Now we are out of that clown fest we should be able to make our own decisions. Wasn't that the whole point of exiting?

 

Everything else was fully in decline prior to Brexit.

[JimTripper]

Just now, Confuscious said:

Huh??????????????????????

EU citizens are FREE to travel between EU countries WITHOUT A VISA.
Welcome to the REAL WORLD.

That must be nice. 

[Gknrd]

4 hours ago, Confuscious said:

In Thailand u could hardly walk 100 meter.

Bad footpaths, footpaths mostly occupied by street vendors, motorcycles riding on the footpaths, etc 

I am now 6 days in Spain and I walked every day about 1 km with my walker and I feel much better 

I have a good friend in Spain and I plan to visit her next year. She invited me last week and said I would love it there. I am really looking forward to the visit.. Best of luck.

[Confuscious]

1 hour ago, Gknrd said:

I have a good friend in Spain and I plan to visit her next year. She invited me last week and said I would love it there. I am really looking forward to the visit.. Best of luck.

Is this your friend?
 

Johan Namwongsa

Things are given away / sold cheaply!

I have just bought a restaurant and it was a Spanish restaurant but is now to be remodeled and adapted to a Thai restaurant. Now I have cleaned out all the things and know what I need to get rid of. Come to old restaurant El Bocaito at Calle Isabel La Catolica 22, Alicante if you are interested in these things you see in the pictures. We do not have time to respond to messages on messenger or answer questions you ask on this post. Everything is taken on site at the address I provided above.

[soalbundy]

3 hours ago, Confuscious said:

Where death is expected, I will get a second opinion and be glad if I can live a few months or years more without suffering.
A friend of mine, living in Korat, was diagnosed with Cancer.
After a few botchered surgeries and several VooDoo treatments, he died after 3 months of suffering and agony.
ONLY because he made the mistake to accept the wisdom from a few keyboard warriors in the Facebook group about Dutch expatriates about the healthcare in Belgium. He asked me how I managed to get a new Pacemaker in Belgium as I was residing in Thailand.
Another friend who was also living in Thailand and was diagnosed with Cancer in his brain returned to Belgium (6 years ago) and is still alive.
As I said already, "UP TO YOU".

 

Many British people die waiting for surgery and as an expat you wouldn't even be on the waiting list. I hope to go like my father, from a heart attack, seems to run in the family at around 80 and that really is long enough. Failing that one could approach a friendly pill pusher of African persuasion in Bangkok and ask for some self medication. I don't wish to sound too nonchalant about it but from a certain age onward usually medical procedures merely lengthen the dying process, your friend with the brain tumour being an exception of course, it should be about quality of life, not survival at any cost.

[Confuscious]

11 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

it should be about quality of life, not survival at any cost.

That's my point of view on life as well.
As long as life keeps being somewhat enjoyable, it's worth to cling to keep living.
But as soon as being alive becomes a burden to yourself and/or others, it's better to stop the medication and the doctors and leave this place quietly.
About 3 years ago, my ex-wife in Belgium was hospitalised again.
Every year, as winter set in, she had respiration troubles and was hanging the winter on a respiration device.
This time, she signed a paper asking not to be put on machines.
She died in her sleep, very quitly.
Without suffering.
I hope that when my time comes, I can do the same.

[Puccini]

9 hours ago, Negita43 said:

Buena suerte con su vida en Espagne. Espero no andas en Valencia o Catalunya o Andalucia en este momento.

 

Please post in English or give an English translation.

[georgegeorgia]

3 minutes ago, Puccini said:

 

Please post in English or give an English translation.

Sounds a bit prejudice?

We must embrace cultural differences 

[Puccini]

42 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Sounds a bit prejudice?

We must embrace cultural differences 

 

Who's talking about culture? I am talking about language, and this here forum allows only English, as far as I know, with the exception of the Thai Language forum. I'm pretty sure you and everybody else would not like me to post in Esperanto, Latin or Swahili.

 

Please be reasonable. I'm sure you can find plenty of other places on the Internet where you can "embrace cultural differences" to your heart's content.

 

Edited Saturday at 07:28 PM by Puccini
corrected a typing error

[toums]

Every situation is different.

 

At 70years+, EU citizen, with serious health problem, of course it's the EASY choice to go back in UE (Spain, France etc..) to get 'almost' free healthcare and all facilities.

 

Opposite side, if you are  a EU 'young' and wealthy, there is no point to go back in Europe in France/Spain with crazy high tax, aggressive tax office, and at the end not that safe.

 

All is different for each situation.

 

Take care.

 

[GypsyT]

1 hour ago, toums said:

Opposite side, if you are  a EU 'young' and wealthy, there is no point to go back in Europe in France/Spain with crazy high tax, aggressive tax office, and at the end not that safe.

You forgot "greedy" and "selfish"

Rich people and communists are same; " What is yours I want half. What's mine keep your f... hands off!"

 

[GypsyT]

10 hours ago, Keeps said:

 

Nothing is worse post Brexit.

Listen, Boris Johnson;

Tell that to tens of thousands Britts who can't enjoy Spanish and other warm EU places they bought more than 90 days!" And many lost a lot of Euros when selling...

 

"After spending 90 days in Spain, you must leave the Schengen Area. To return, you'll need to wait until another 90 days have passed since your last entry. This ensures you comply with the 90/180-day rule and can plan your next visit accordingly.13 Jun 2024"

 

Smart  Ireland, seem to do well;

"Statistics from the European Commission's 2024 Joint Employment Report show that the Irish employment rate reached a record high of 78.2% in 2022, while the unemployment rate was at an historically low level of 4.5%.12 Apr 2024"

 

[4MyEgo]

16 hours ago, Hummin said:

The Goverment hospitals is a story for itself, but Hua Hin is ok, and there you can actually pay for Vip treatment, and not sit in line all day. Chaiyaphum hospital do not look that appealing to me 

 

It took a Dr at her clinic who is also the head of pediatrics at the government hospital in our area, who provided me with a weeks course of antibiotics, which didn't work, then provided me with another course of antibiotics for a week, after I returned.

 

Then I saw the hospitals specialist a week later, who looked far to young to be a specialist, e.g. around 20-25, who was more interested in playing texts on his mobile, that didn't do anything to improve my condition, I would say they both nearly killed me, as I was very weak and felt as if I was slipping away from this earth.

 

He said to my wife that based on what she told him, it sounds like I was getting better, back to texting,  both didn't use any stethoscopes to listen to my chest or ask me to open my mouth to check my airways, both misdiagnosing the severe chest infection that I had for the flu, this over a 3 week period with my condition exacerbating. 

 

As I was new to Thailand and the area, I asked my wife if there was another hospital, like a private one that we could go to because I wasn't convince, yes, but very expensive she said, Jesus Christ I said, stop thinking with your village mentality and get me there NOW.

 

An hour later we were there, saw the Dr in 5-10 minutes vs hours, he used his stethoscope and sent me for a chest and sinus X-ray, which showed that those areas were clear. The Dr then referred me to the Specialist across the hallway, (straight away), another 5-10 minute wait, she used her stethoscope and inspected my airways to also listen.

 

She said that I had a severe chest infection and it would appear that I was exposed to mold (wet season) as my air passage appeared inflamed and narrow, she was spot on, as it just dawned on me at that moment, that where I sat, directly above had an old wet spot from a previous roof leak which was repaired, had turned black, so I was exposed to the molds spores.

 

She gave me a dose of antibiotics, steroid puffer and some other pills, all labelled, not like the unnamed ones the Dr at the clinic provided me, (what if I had an allergic reaction), what would my wife tell the medics ?

 

I was feeling 80% better by the time we got home, went back a week later, then 2, then 4.

 

Some might say, privates are expensive, 4,000 1st visit with X-rays & meds, 2nd and 4th visits, 1,500 as we purchased the meds externally for half the price, making up the excuse that the wife's cousin has a pharmacy which the specialist noted.

 

Moral of the story, you won't see me in a government hospital here, although I have heard the military ones are also good.

 

But while I have money, I figure my life is worth more in the hands of the private hospital than those in the government hospital who see far far far far too many patients, e.g. 300 patients, 2-3 Dr's. 

 

 

 

[ChaiyaTH]

On 11/8/2024 at 8:41 PM, Confuscious said:

A lot of people made the decision to leave Thailand, with their partner, and none of them regret to have taken that decision

Totally right, anyone I met that was not at retirement age yet, but left after X years or when they got kids, ended up doing way way better and still visit Thailand for holidays on top, even twice a year. These relationships and marriages so far all lasted too. I've seen this with 15+ couples by now, that left.

 

There is very few I know in the same situation, that stay here long long-term, often they are alcoholic, half broke, relationship issues, not a great school or place to live either etc.

Even those that do have the financial grip on it, seem to lose their relationship / marriage here. Also if then speaking about those who are in retirement age, I would even less secure here. Can't trust these doctors too, the healthcare system is crumbling already too, it only goes downhill while prices go up.

 

Last but not least, I would have a blast to then have 2-4 weeks twice a year here to see people who are still stuck here again, have some fun in the bars, also being able to waste like a weekend millionaire.

 

I would miss absolutely nothing, most would not even know that i left, I always lived in 2-3 cities over the year for the past decade. I'm never always at the same place. The latter is maybe in reality the biggest reason I want to leave; i have seen no progress in the entire 13 years I been here, in fact, it became worse. Why pay tax for that.

Edited Sunday at 01:48 AM by ChaiyaTH

[mdr224]

15 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

Prices in Thailand are now getting similar if not more expensive, compared to places like Malta, Portugal, Spain or Greece.

 

No point in staying in Thailand and getting harassed or insulted by immigration. They are openly cheating foreigners on everything. If you have property, each time you will get somebody to come over to do some work like plumbing or electricial, they will try to cheat you. Everybody does not hava a full time rented thai girlfriend to bargain.

 

Far better and safer health coverage in Europe. So why stay on here and have to shell out the special Falang rates ?

For the girls obviously 

[GypsyT]

Portugal's not bad. Low $$$$ requirement.

 

Portugal

duration: from 1 to 5 years

financial eligibility: monthly income of €600 per month

 

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/6-countries-with-temporary-residency-visas-for-us-citizens-034836250.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueWFob28uY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGzqmMFA78JWknXy4MsgYGrd3q9SPDRMI2j6QUbgAUwmYeGxMy-eQcEScl6Md4E1mxTTQLYxVBPGoIwXwh-FTK2msw-r3M9urpmTlsDlMA4yhazAgEj1Mae9SFEERBQHkeavxTA8oI5BrKTyBqZguDsJVRHfUEGcfMcjVn8Aqz8R

 

 

Edited Sunday at 01:49 AM by GypsyT

[ChaiyaTH]

2 hours ago, GypsyT said:

Listen, Boris Johnson;

Tell that to tens of thousands Britts who can't enjoy Spanish and other warm EU places they bought more than 90 days!" And many lost a lot of Euros when selling...

 

"After spending 90 days in Spain, you must leave the Schengen Area. To return, you'll need to wait until another 90 days have passed since your last entry. This ensures you comply with the 90/180-day rule and can plan your next visit accordingly.13 Jun 2024"

 

Smart  Ireland, seem to do well;

"Statistics from the European Commission's 2024 Joint Employment Report show that the Irish employment rate reached a record high of 78.2% in 2022, while the unemployment rate was at an historically low level of 4.5%.12 Apr 2024"

 

Trust me we do not miss you brits lol

[ChaiyaTH]

5 minutes ago, GypsyT said:

Portugal's not bad. Low $$$$ requirement.

 

Portugal

duration: from 1 to 5 years

financial eligibility: monthly income of €600 per month

 

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/6-countries-with-temporary-residency-visas-for-us-citizens-034836250.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueWFob28uY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGzqmMFA78JWknXy4MsgYGrd3q9SPDRMI2j6QUbgAUwmYeGxMy-eQcEScl6Md4E1mxTTQLYxVBPGoIwXwh-FTK2msw-r3M9urpmTlsDlMA4yhazAgEj1Mae9SFEERBQHkeavxTA8oI5BrKTyBqZguDsJVRHfUEGcfMcjVn8Aqz8R

 

 

Portugal is great, specially the coast line where you would fly to Faro and then you can take a diesel train trough orange farms along the coastline to albufeira, porto de mos etc. Winters are amazing, almost always blue skies, plenty of places to eat/drink etc too. Beaches super clean, oceans super blue, dolphins etc.

 

Also little issues with immigrants and the like there as it not that attractive for them there. But a lot soi dogs.

 

You could buy a car for like 40-80K baht, own it hassle free and just drive around + rent, the cost would not be that much different from Thailand at all. If you cook yourself it will even be cheaper for higher quality.

 

I guess we all know what it really is about; lonely people who are single. That makes TH a easy option with the girls.

Edited Sunday at 01:54 AM by ChaiyaTH