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Posted
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

Posted

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/

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Posted
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?

 

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Posted

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?

 

Posted
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.

Posted
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.

Posted
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

Posted
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.

Posted
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

Posted
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. 

Posted
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.

Posted
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

 

Shipping Container to rent in London (E15) | Stashbee

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Posted
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?

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Posted
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.

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Posted

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 🙂

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Posted
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.

Posted
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.

Posted
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.

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Posted
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.

Posted
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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

Me too!

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