Why I left Thailand

[Confuscious]

15 minutes ago, Lorry said:

That's the whole point that you are not able to understand. 

For the 3rd time: you can work anywhere in the EU, and if you have a job in country XYZ, you con live there too.

But if you have no job, e.g. you are retired or a housewife,  there is no right to live anywhere in the EU.

 

 

Email from the Spanish Authorities:

Re: Return to Europe

Concejalía Relaciones con UE

Thu, Nov 7, 2:22 PM (12 days ago)

 

Any nationality must register when they come to live in Spain.

Spaniards are a bit special because they keep a census abroad managed by consulates.

So you can register with your Belgian ID or passport.

To register in a rental property, the following documentation is required:

- Rental contract

- Latest water or electricity bill (it doesn't matter whose name it is under).

- Last rent payment receipt

When you have the documentation we can make an appointment to help with the application for registration on the census. On Tuesdays we attend at the town hall of La Mata if it is convenient for you to come by on Tuesday.

All the best,

International Residents

[Confuscious]

https://thailife25.blogspot.com/2024/11/visa-choice-after-2-years-of-visa-run.html

[GypsyT]

Let's all move to Spain!

 

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/relocated-spain-six-years-ago-132759175.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9zZWFyY2gueWFob28uY29tL3NlYXJjaD9wPXJldGlyaW5nK2luK3NwYWluJmZyPXlmcC10JmZyMj1wJTNBZnAlMkNtJTNBc2ImZWk9VVRGLTgmZnA9MSZndWNjb3VudGVyPTE&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMhKjNNT0zOzbTtN2z7aExCDHq-OfeeuOlw7roUukefmMCh5I29l3ocifZAItEw45PfoTn0hvjB8CXpufrQDjBtwNBmCyxejIra0og1k3YZPcq0bBtPdpPPkhaI99yKFt0pv2HnDHeXvC1VEkmhErXJcoMwLUFFR1uWz-2ppI59d

 

[Hummin]

Seems I have done the right choice going back! I have one friend who relocated to Slovenia, and seems to be very happy making that choice. He used to live in New York and also Thailand. Of course he like outdoor sports, and Slovenia offers great nature, cheap living costs, great food, and he as me still able to work, and also willing to continue working. Spain is great, Portugal is ok, but this is destinations you can go for holidays and visit, Europe got alot more to offer. 

 

I think France offers best healthcare options if I do not mistaken 

 

It is a good list here with options for non Eu citizens

https://immigrantinvest.com/blog/retirement-countries-for-americans-en/

[save the frogs]

7 minutes ago, Hummin said:

It is a good list here with options for non Eu citizens

https://immigrantinvest.com/blog/retirement-countries-for-americans-en/

a lot of crazy choices on that list.

norway is way too expensive to retire and also bad climate.

israel is on the list ... who in their right mind would retire there? 

eastern europe yes. 

 

[Hummin]

5 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

a lot of crazy choices on that list.

norway is way too expensive to retire and also bad climate.

israel is on the list ... who in their right mind would retire there? 

eastern europe yes. 

 

Good climate and quality is not just sunshine and beaches, and if you have resourches, you live one place and travel for holidays and adventures. Switzerland is great to, you just have to find your specific interest. 

 

Thailand doesnt have great climate at all, even some do claim so, and to be true, my experience its 3 months maybe 4 at best if you change locations, there is good climate in Thailand. and then you have 2 months with ok climate. Pretty much same everywhere you chose to settle. What makes thailand good to live, is quality housing, quality food (which cost), friendly and safe country with no conflict zones you have to be afraid of, not even in Bangkok. And Thailand have good infrastructure all over the country mostly.  But after 8 years living here, visiting for 20 + I find Thailand boring, I need new impulses, and I need to have something to do that makes me want to get up in the Morning. But I feel the same for Spain, Portugal, and simular countries, 

 

Been spending winters in Florida, and thats the last destination I want to go back to, so understand the Americans want to relocate from Florida. Quality life in  California, your money is better spent in Europe for sure

[save the frogs]

4 minutes ago, Hummin said:

But after 8 years living here, visiting for 20 + I find Thailand boring

 

The thing is ... what do you seek most ? Comfort? 

Because ... Pink Floyd man ... Comfortably NUMB. Too much comfort = too boring?

 

[Hummin]

Just now, save the frogs said:

 

The thing is ... what do you seek most ? Comfort? 

Because ... Pink Floyd man ... Comfortably NUMB. Too much comfort = too boring?

 

I think when you have lived in Thailand, you start to find simple things you didnt bother dealing with annoying. And to be true as said many times already, this spring heat and the extended pollution season because lack of rain, AND the confusion about taxing not only income, but everything you would transfer to Thailand, made it easy for me to just do what I had been thinking about for awhile. The last drop made it

 

There is no way in hell I will pay tax to a country I have no rights, never will, and all they want me to do, is to pay more for nothing. And the best part, Im still young, and have no problem to move back home. Last and not less important, my wife will have the possiblity to gain pension and another citizenship, and that is important thinking of whats might hit us in the future. Dual citizenship if another pandemic or war hits us, can be handy

[georgegeorgia]

I wonder if anyone has ever left Thailand and retired to Tasmania?

That got me thinking 

Of course I have never been to Tasmania which is the small island under Australia,I'm not sure if even still there?

 

[GypsyT]

3 hours ago, Hummin said:

Seems I have done the right choice going back! I have one friend who relocated to Slovenia

My vote to Slovenia too!

 

They've proven to be smart and intelligent in many issues;

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53343671

 

 

 

[Hummin]

9 minutes ago, GypsyT said:

My vote to Slovenia too!

 

They've proven to be smart and intelligent in many issues;

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53343671

 

 

 

Arts mission is to create feelings and action. Obviously the artist behind succeeded on both tasks

Edited 9 hours ago by Hummin

[Scouse123]

On 11/7/2024 at 12:53 PM, ujayujay said:

Point 4 is Fake news.....

 

I don't get point 3 unless it's a miscommunication with English, not his first language.

 

I can't see Thailand contacting his bank regarding his Wealth, it is way too early for such a thing, as many areas are not finalised on tax for foreigners etc

 

The alleged tax year isn't even over, and there are many questions unanswered regarding rules, regulations and implementation.

 

I do agree, however, Thailand is no place for somebody elderly who is a foreigner with multiple health issues.

 

I would sooner be in Spain than parts of the UK.

[Nid_Noi]

On 11/10/2024 at 4:59 PM, proton said:

 

Most of it is semi desert, and the shops close in the afternoon, horrible. Portugal or Cyprus are better

Why not Lampedusa? Free ferry service to mainland Italy.

[newbee2022]

On 11/7/2024 at 2:49 AM, Confuscious said:

 

Living in Thailand was never my first choice, but Thailand was a nice country to live in.
Everything was dirty cheap, unless you wanted to keep eating Western food and have a Western lifestyle.

Eating a full "Pad Grapao lae Kai daew" in a roadside restaurant costed 20 Baht (0.60 Euro).

 

But as I grew older and my Health started to go downhill, life in Thailand became less enjoyable.
Also, the cost of living became very expensive for me.
I needed to go frequently to a doctor visit at the hospital and I was feed a lot of medication.

Daily tasks became a burden to me.

 

What made me decide to leave Thailand?

1. In 2022, I got the message of my doctor at the hospital that my Kidney function was degradating very fast and that I would soon need to start to do a Kidney Dialysis. The cost of this would be a very big junk of my income.

 

2. The level of corruption at Immigration and other departments started to become a burden. At the age of 70, I am not keen to run around for every "requirement on the spot" of the immigration officers. I thought that thai people had more egard for the elderly.

3. The oncoming changes and requirements for foreigners who were staying more than 180 days in Thailand was a "NO" for me. New taxation rules, taxation on my foreign income and a message of my bank in Belgium warning me that they had send the documents about my "Wealth" that were asked by Thailand was the "Final Straw" for me.

4. I was residing in Thailand on a Retirement Visa, type "O". This type of Visa did not require to show a Health Insurance. But Immigration was changing the rules and there were remours that they would require a Health Insurance on this type of Visa as well. Which insurance company would be willing to write a health Insurance for a 70 year old men with a medical history of a Stroke, a Heart failure, a Pacemaker implant, recent surgery for an AAA, and Kidney failure?
Yes, paying a very high Insurance price which at the end would mean nothing as every little thing could be connected to existing diseases.

I went back to Europe.

I chosed Spain because it is my country of birth, the nice weather and benefit the (almost) free healthcare as an EU citizen, Besides healthcare, I have other benefits in Spain by being a 65+ citizen.

I will reside here 179 days in a year, to avoid being taxed and do trips to other countries as long a I can.
As an EU citizen, I am entitled to the EU health insurance which repatriate me in case of an accident.
If I have an accident or need hosptal care, but can not be transported, the EU healthcare will sponsor my hospital bill.

It is maybe not the most perfect choice, but for the moment it is the best option.

At the end we can break it down to 2 issues.

1. You don't have health insurance.

2. You don't have enough income.

Probably the right move for you

[grain]

2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I wonder if anyone has ever left Thailand and retired to Tasmania?

That got me thinking 

Of course I have never been to Tasmania which is the small island under Australia,I'm not sure if even still there?

 

Very small population (under 600,000) and beautiful natural countryside, but can get freezing cold - after Hobart the next stop is Antarctica.

[BritManToo]

5 hours ago, Hummin said:

Thailand doesnt have great climate at all, even some do claim so, and to be true, my experience its 3 months maybe 4 at best if you change locations, there is good climate in Thailand. and then you have 2 months with ok climate. Pretty much same everywhere you chose to settle. What makes thailand good to live, is quality housing, quality food (which cost),

I'm acclimatized to the warm/hot humid weather, you may not like it, but I can go cycling nearly every morning of the year. Sitting in the living room now doors and windows open, if it gets over 34c I'll turn on a fan, no need for air-con.

 

As for food, fried bacon, mushrooms with bread and butter for brekky, had hot dogs for lunch (British breakfast sausages), just considering opening a packet of Highland shortbread biscuits. None of that foreign muck!

Edited 7 hours ago by BritManToo

[Nick Carter icp]

6 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'm acclimatized to the warm/hot humid weather, you may not like it, but I can go cycling nearly every morning of the year. Sitting in the living room now doors and windows open, if it gets over 34c I'll turn on a fan, no need for air-con.

 

As for food, fried bacon, mushrooms with bread and butter for brekky, had hot dogs for lunch (British breakfast sausages), just considering opening a packet of Highland shortbread biscuits. None of that foreign muck!

 

   Is H.P sauce now beyond your financial ability ?

Cant you afford H.P sauce anymore ?

Its 250 Baht a bottle now

[Hummin]

9 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'm acclimatized to the warm/hot humid weather, you may not like it, but I can go cycling nearly every morning of the year. Sitting in the living room now doors and windows open, if it gets over 34c I'll turn on a fan, no need for air-con.

 

As for food, fried bacon, mushrooms with bread and butter for brekky, had hot dogs for lunch (British breakfast sausages), just considering opening a packet of Highland shortbread biscuits. None of that foreign muck!

As long you are happy, that's what matters. 

[BritManToo]

8 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Is H.P sauce now beyond your financial ability ?

Cant you afford H.P sauce anymore ?

Its 250 Baht a bottle now

Ran out,

I have Daddy's brown and Rosa tomato, but it's always tomato on hot dogs.

HP/Daddy's is for chips, don't generally have sauce on breakfast.

Edited 6 hours ago by BritManToo

[Scouse123]

I have thought about moving to somewhere in Europe for quite a while now.

 

The mother here is 84 and really on her last legs. Father went a few years ago, and my other half's siblings are selfish and useless.

 

My partner purely cares about who will look after the property if she is not here, because as I said, we are dealing with a set of morons for family.

 

It's not as much about money, our houses are built and paid for, as are the bikes and car.

 

I am now fed up with the Thai government constantly trying to dream up ideas to lump bills onto us as foreigners.

 

This is especially true with this latest round of taxation. If not doing that, they blame us for the woes of the country, whilst getting fat on the back of tourism.

 

They moan about a few baht from foreigners who don't have the money to pay hospital bills, which really is, a drop in the bucket to the trillions they rake in annually.

 

They want to try dealing with the influx of illegal immigrants and boat people that Europe is currently having to pay, house, fund and feed. Not only that, but they reckon 8 million GBP a day illegal immigrants, entering by boats, are costing the UK government, sorry, TAXPAYER, and it's rising fast.

 

Furthermore, they are seeing a route for taxation for them, without giving anything in return.

 

There is no recourse to Thai government funds, as it doesn't have the infrastructure for such things. They moan about foreigners working without permits, but have a large percentage of their own population that doesn't want to work, hence a lot of jobs are taken by Cambodians and Burmese.

 

We pay inflated prices for OPD hospital care, we pay health insurance.

 

We buy cars and condos, (I built houses) so we do contribute to Thailand as a whole, especially when paying school fees and university fees for extended family members, to give them a leg up, so to speak.

 

So, the naysayers on here that imply we are nothing of consequence, or the usual sarcasm about Thailand can survive without us and doesn't need us, can go and do one.

 

For this input we make, we must report every ninety days, 0/A visa holders must-have health insurance, I have it anyway on Non - O, extensions. There is the 800K in the bank, but 400K must remain in there in perpetuity.

 

We, as foreigners, are blamed for all ills, although half of Isaarn wouldn't have decent houses without plenty of foreigners and assistance, and many of the Isaarn kids would never be getting the benefit of further education without sponsorship.

 

Let's be honest, Thailand has never cared about the Isaarn region as a rule, except at election times.

 

Thailand is not what it was by a long way, and there are definitely new options opening up for retirees to enjoy their older years in peaceful surroundings, without getting fleeced at every juncture, or the common phrase thrown at them,' If you don't like it, go home! '

 

I notice Thais with restaurants and shops residing in the UK don't say such things, they keep their heads down and their mouths shut and enjoy the benefits and a better standard of living.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Scouse123

[Nick Carter icp]

45 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'm acclimatized to the warm/hot humid weather, you may not like it, but I can go cycling nearly every morning of the year.

 

    You really did have to acclimatise , wasn't really an option . 

You would only be able to afford this back in the UK

 

Shipping Container to rent in London (E15) | Stashbee

Stratford, London

£217.00pm

https://www.gumtree.com/p/garage-parking-to-rent/shipping-container-to-rent-in-london-e15-stashbee/1489423101

 

[Scouse123]

3 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I wonder if anyone has ever left Thailand and retired to Tasmania?

That got me thinking 

Of course I have never been to Tasmania which is the small island under Australia,I'm not sure if even still there?

 

 

 

Have you taken your medication this morning?

[renaissanc]

On 11/7/2024 at 2:49 AM, Confuscious said:

 

Living in Thailand was never my first choice, but Thailand was a nice country to live in.
Everything was dirty cheap, unless you wanted to keep eating Western food and have a Western lifestyle.

Eating a full "Pad Grapao lae Kai daew" in a roadside restaurant costed 20 Baht (0.60 Euro).

 

But as I grew older and my Health started to go downhill, life in Thailand became less enjoyable.
Also, the cost of living became very expensive for me.
I needed to go frequently to a doctor visit at the hospital and I was feed a lot of medication.

Daily tasks became a burden to me.

 

What made me decide to leave Thailand?

1. In 2022, I got the message of my doctor at the hospital that my Kidney function was degradating very fast and that I would soon need to start to do a Kidney Dialysis. The cost of this would be a very big junk of my income.

 

2. The level of corruption at Immigration and other departments started to become a burden. At the age of 70, I am not keen to run around for every "requirement on the spot" of the immigration officers. I thought that thai people had more egard for the elderly.

3. The oncoming changes and requirements for foreigners who were staying more than 180 days in Thailand was a "NO" for me. New taxation rules, taxation on my foreign income and a message of my bank in Belgium warning me that they had send the documents about my "Wealth" that were asked by Thailand was the "Final Straw" for me.

4. I was residing in Thailand on a Retirement Visa, type "O". This type of Visa did not require to show a Health Insurance. But Immigration was changing the rules and there were remours that they would require a Health Insurance on this type of Visa as well. Which insurance company would be willing to write a health Insurance for a 70 year old men with a medical history of a Stroke, a Heart failure, a Pacemaker implant, recent surgery for an AAA, and Kidney failure?
Yes, paying a very high Insurance price which at the end would mean nothing as every little thing could be connected to existing diseases.

I went back to Europe.

I chosed Spain because it is my country of birth, the nice weather and benefit the (almost) free healthcare as an EU citizen, Besides healthcare, I have other benefits in Spain by being a 65+ citizen.

I will reside here 179 days in a year, to avoid being taxed and do trips to other countries as long a I can.
As an EU citizen, I am entitled to the EU health insurance which repatriate me in case of an accident.
If I have an accident or need hosptal care, but can not be transported, the EU healthcare will sponsor my hospital bill.

It is maybe not the most perfect choice, but for the moment it is the best option.

Firstly, I wish you good health! Secondly, Thai doctors only know about pills and surgery. They haven't a clue about preventing and curing illness through different kinds of food. Stay away from processed food is a must. I rarely eat it.

[simon43]

18 months ago I had to return to the UK for a couple of months, having not visited the home country for 22 years.  These are some of the things that struck me:

 

- Many houses had solar panels on their roofs, almost unknown 22 years ago

- The cost of food in the supermarket was expensive IF you choose to eat processed crap.  I bought fresh fruit, vegetables, yogurt etc and found the prices quite reasonable.

- Most people were very polite and helpful to me, regardless of their ethnicity

- rented accommodation prices were expensive!

- The service of my new GP and NHS hospital were excellent and fast, (bet that's a surprise to some...)

 

I had serious thoughts about returning permanently to the UK (that was my plan when I flew back to the UK).  But to survive on a UK state pension would mean taking money from the social security system (money which I would be legally-entitled to, eg rent allowance etc etc). I don't think that is a good plan for your retirement years 🙂

[Confuscious]

3 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

 

I don't get point 3 unless it's a miscommunication with English, not his first language.

 

I can't see Thailand contacting his bank regarding his Wealth, it is way too early for such a thing, as many areas are not finalised on tax for foreigners etc

 

The alleged tax year isn't even over, and there are many questions unanswered regarding rules, regulations and implementation.

 

I do agree, however, Thailand is no place for somebody elderly who is a foreigner with multiple health issues.

 

I would sooner be in Spain than parts of the UK.

Weither you "can see" or not, it was a FACT and I proved it in the thread about taxes with a copy of the letter which was sent to me by my bank disclosing my accounts and even my Credit Cards.
I was very lucky that my bank gave me this warning.
A fellow countryman who I spoke about this was brushing it off by saying: "You dod chose the wrong bank".
That was until he contacted his bank in Belgium and was told that they did the same, but did not send a warning to him as this was completely legal.
Many things are going on behind your back without anybody warning you about that.

[Confuscious]

1 hour ago, renaissanc said:

Firstly, I wish you good health! Secondly, Thai doctors only know about pills and surgery. They haven't a clue about preventing and curing illness through different kinds of food. Stay away from processed food is a must. I rarely eat it.

I agree that most Thai doctors are limited to proscribing another round of Anti-Biotocs and ruining your natural health.

But the doctor at the Military Hospital was a very good doctor and he even cancelled some medicines I was taking because they were doing more harm (Kidneys) than benefit.
It was this doctor who warned me that my GFR (Kidney filtrering) was going very fast downhill and I should prepare to get Kidney Dialysis. 
I informed about Kidney Dialysis with different doctors, also in my home country and, besides the changes in my lifestyle, this would have a big impact on my savings.
I waited more than 1 year, but my last GFR test showed that it was time for me to say "Goodbye" to Thailand.

[Confuscious]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

I had serious thoughts about returning permanently to the UK (that was my plan when I flew back to the UK).  But to survive on a UK state pension would mean taking money from the social security system (money which I would be legally-entitled to, eg rent allowance etc etc). I don't think that is a good plan for your retirement years 🙂

I had always been stashing up money at the bank with my children in mind if I would die.
They would inherit a good sum of money to start their life.
Something I never did have.

 

Until a few years ago, when I was warned that I might have to leave Thailand to get proper health care.
RE-thinking my "wealth" and my "inheritance" gave me a complete different view on this.
When the Reaper would come for me the TAXMAN (Belgium) would get the biggest chunk, 65%, out of my savings.
My children who would get the other 35%, would to pay taxes on this again the next year as they would have to declare it in their income.
Besides that, I have 3 children, and like most elder people, NONE of them are worried about me.
Just a "Happy Birthday" card and a "Happy New Year" card to prove they did not forgot me.
Better to spend the savings on things I aways wanted to do, but were to expensive and not really needed.
A cruise around the world like I see many times for 10,000 USD?
Living in 2024 is not the same as living in 1960.

[Toby1947]

On 11/7/2024 at 9:26 AM, FruitPudding said:

 

How is he a sponger?

 

It isn't even possible to sponge in Thailand,  lol.

He's sponging of the E.U. namely Spain.

[Scouse123]

1 hour ago, Confuscious said:

Weither you "can see" or not, it was a FACT and I proved it in the thread about taxes with a copy of the letter which was sent to me by my bank disclosing my accounts and even my Credit Cards.
I was very lucky that my bank gave me this warning.
A fellow countryman who I spoke about this was brushing it off by saying: "You dod chose the wrong bank".
That was until he contacted his bank in Belgium and was told that they did the same, but did not send a warning to him as this was completely legal.
Many things are going on behind your back without anybody warning you about that.

 

 

Why would Thailand make enquiries regarding your banking business and credit cards?

 

The taxation of foreigners in Thailand, which has yet to be clarified, is only coming into force this year, and as yet, there is no tax due by anybody.

 

Nobody really knows anything, so for what possible reason could Thailand be doing this??

 

HMRC in the UK, the governing tax body, is not allowed by law to look at our bank accounts or request banking information, unless they have a strong case that a person is being dishonest, has more funds than they are declaring or is claiming government benefits unlawfully.

 

I am totally confused by your post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Scouse123

[VBF]

On 11/7/2024 at 1:27 PM, Confuscious said:

 

Love it !!!!!!
He took the words right out of my mouth.

Me too!