Should I return to the UK - difficult decision!

[scubascuba3]

4 minutes ago, simon43 said:

One issue that has suddenly raised its head today is an email from my trusty visa agent in Pattaya, who has explained that although they have been able to provide O 'retirement' visas for many years, tighter IO rules at Jomtien mean that it is now very difficult.  (In other words, please buggar off 'cos we can't help you now...)

 

I understand them very well - doing 'tricks' to get an O visa without 800k in the bank is a precarious way to stay in Thailand.  But it is another thing for me to consider in my decision-making process.  Move to the PI or Cambodia etc, or move back to the UK.  Hmm.....

Which agent?

[simon43]

11 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Which agent?

The one near Big C, with letters K and V, owner died some months ago.

 

This may mean that I would need to jump through hoops to renew my visa, (since I don't have 800k in the bank).  Quite honestly, I can't be bothered to jump and would either move to Cambodia/PI or go back to the UK 🙂

[CHdiver]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

The one near Big C, with letters K and V, owner died some months ago.

 

This may mean that I would need to jump through hoops to renew my visa, (since I don't have 800k in the bank).  Quite honestly, I can't be bothered to jump and would either move to Cambodia/PI or go back to the UK 🙂

There are others still capable to do it. Now doing it in Bangkok. Price went up a couple of 1000 Baht. AFAIK the one on Post Office (Manerat) would be a good start.

[Celsius]

2 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   You were always going on about earning US $ 3000 a month and putting $2000 a month away in savings .

   Was you exaggerating your income ?

 

I think he has savings. Probably a bunch he'll keep in a foreign bank account far from the dirty tax man so he can get extra benefits and that is okay.

[simon43]

A plus point about being a pensioner in the UK is the number of discounts that are provided.  I did a quick check of what discounts are available if I were to live in the Somerset locality:

 

- Rent paid up to 600 pounds/month

- Council tax fully paid

- Free optician checks, discounted glasses

- Free NHS dental

- Free prescription medicines

- Free off-peak bus travel in Somerset
- Discounted train travel
- Wessex water and Bristol water pensioner discount
- Broadband discount

- Possible electricity discount and winter payment (maybe!)

 

I think the biggest possible utility bill would be for electric heating.

 

Private medical insurance (UK cover) is cheaper than what I pay now....

 

Something I checked was the price of food in Tesco's.  Similar to what I experienced when I stayed in Blackpool a few years ago, the prices for healthy food are comparable to Thailand.  Healthy food means vegetables, fruit, salads, grain bread etc.  The price of processed krap was more expensive than Thailand.

 

I only eat healthy food!

 

Now what other expenses would there be?

[GanDoonToonPet]

25 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Rent paid up to 600 pounds/month

 

Rent must be expensive in Somerset. The Local Housing Allowance for Teesside is £94.36 per week or about £400 a month. A decent 1 bedroom flat, not in the ghetto, costs £500+ a month.

 

I didn't know about the utilities and broadband discount...have to look into that.