Report Fed-Up Nottingham Dad Moves Family to Thailand for New Life

[peter48]

Its an interesting one. Its a big thing. There are language issues, there's  healthcare, there's education. Hau Hin is relatively more expensive than many places. The baht is still too strong as reports say visitors are down. (How does Trump impse 37% tariffs but Baht strengthens???) 

Very challenging. Guess he has no Thai family to look after. Can ppl just come and stay? Guess you need some capital or savings. 

[peter48]

On 7/14/2025 at 4:53 PM, newbee2022 said:

Poor kids.

All what they can learn from their parents is stupidity.

Shattered dreams come soon.

And losers will start a @gofundme action at the end.

So why do you live here then ? Why wait till your old and miserable to move here. We know there are many risks. But you and I know there are tons of Farang who come to Thailand. I wish him well and yes Thailand with its high baht strength is not as appealing as it was under Thaksin when we got over 55 baht. Hua Hin was thriving in those days. But family place certainly without wild west of Pattaya or Phuket. 

[newbee2022]

Just now, peter48 said:

So why do you live here then ? Why wait till your old and miserable to move here. We know there are many risks. But you and I know there are tons of Farang who come to Thailand. I wish him well and yes Thailand with its high baht strength is not as appealing as it was under Thaksin when we got over 55 baht. Hua Hin was thriving in those days. But family pace certainly.

I didn't have kids in that age when I came here. Also I would have had a good education as a qualified doctor.

So, to come to Thailand with NO plans how to manage your life it's simply stupid. No qualification which gives you the opportunity to work legally in Thailand is a very bad start. 

And to give your kids an education similar to UK you would spend easily 45-70.000 Baht per kid. Per month, if you opt for UK curriculum.

This makes it quite evident that this guy and his family will fail. The kids will suffer most.

 

[peter48]

OK I see that part of the argument. In UK especially in nice areas you send kids to good 6th forms all free. Kids get A levels and then go to University and generally are made for life job wise as graduates. Yes as parents we have to help and help out money wise but again its relatively free. In my area in a commuter town 25 mins from Lodon 75 to 80% of kids go Uni. We have at least 6 great schools. 

[scorecard]

On 7/17/2025 at 1:39 PM, Photoguy21 said:

You make statements without knowing anything. I am pretty sure that as he is bringing his family he checked as much as was reasonably possible before making the decision.

 

That might depend on whether he's travelled abroad before.

-If yes then he possibly knows 'what' to check.

-If no then he's wildly guessing what he needs to check / explore in regard to cost of living in Thailand with a family. 

[harryviking]

On 7/14/2025 at 11:04 AM, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of The Independent

 

In a bold move, Dale Smith, an HGV driver from Nottinghamshire, is relocating his family to Thailand with just a suitcase and dreams, citing the unbearable living conditions in “Broken Britain.”

 

Frustrated by soaring bills and dreary weather, Smith, his wife Kim, and their children Noah and Molly will leave Mansfield for Bangkok this November, carrying little more than essentials.

 

Despite earning more, Smith feels trapped by financial pressures. “The prices are sky-high, and the streets are in a state,” he shared on TikTok. “We want to escape this routine.”

 

Selling their home and car, the Smiths plan to land in Thailand with savings and a sense of adventure. “We’re taking nothing but clothes. What else do we need?” Smith remarked.

 

Dissatisfaction is not only financial; the children find their education disengaging. The parents intend to homeschool them, incorporating practical skills and language learning.

 

“We’re not closing the door on formal education,” Smith clarified, ensuring the kids could pursue qualifications later.

 

The family's journey begins in Bangkok, moving to Hua Hin to determine living costs. Though their plans are fluid, Smith is unfazed. “We’ll probably rent a furnished place. One less worry.”

 

 

Smith’s TikTok has garnered 1.5 million views, resonating with those seeking a similar escape. “It’s scary but amazing, especially for the children,” he said, confident of an improved quality of life.

 

Having researched visas, flights, and costs meticulously, the family's ultimate goal is freedom rather than a strict plan.

 

“We’re not fleeing; we’re pursuing a better life,” Smith declared. They aim to document their travels online, potentially turning it into income.

 

With enough savings for a few years, Smith reassures that the UK remains an option if needed. “We can return anytime to spend quality time with family.”

 

His message to others: “Don’t live in regret. If you dream of change, don’t be afraid. Embrace life now.”

 

And so, the Smiths embark on this venture, driven by hope and the promise of new experiences.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-14

 

 

And he think Thailand is a paradise for them? Does he have any idea of what he is doing with his childrens future?? Does he have long experience with Thailand or not! If not, STAY HOME or go to another place in EUROPE!!! 

[TheFishman1]

When I got here in 2010 I remember 85 octane was like 20 bht a liter it was cheaper than diesel back to them everything in Thailand has gone up a much greater percentage than my logic will explain to me this guy’s gonna find out fast that Thailand is not as cheap as it used to be TIT

[Photoguy21]

4 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

That might depend on whether he's travelled abroad before.

-If yes then he possibly knows 'what' to check.

-If no then he's wildly guessing what he needs to check / explore in regard to cost of living in Thailand with a family. 

Agreed. He may have extensive experience of travelling abroad. He may well have spent some time in Thailand we just don't know, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt and consider that he has travelled to this part of the world before and that he has researched everything in detail.

[JemJem]

On 7/14/2025 at 1:19 PM, newbee2022 said:

then investment visa, elite

 

Yep, possibly the only option in their case. Unless he applies for a job and gets one which can get him a work permit ,and the wife and kids cann then also get long term stays as dependants.

 

Or, they could leave the country and enter again every 3 months. But, that is always risky. Especially after the second or third time in a row.

[newbee2022]

4 minutes ago, JemJem said:

he applies for a job

as a truck driver 😁😂🤣

[folkstone]

I think that everyone is missing a big point, although i have only read 4 pages , but.  They are young, you think he was mortgage free, i highly doubt it so keeping the house was not an option. they can give it a try, they can home school the kids, they can learn Thai culture, the kids are more resilient then the parents, they will adapt, they both can work, 80 thousand baht to support 4 no problem, I live on a lot less and support 4 albeit only one foreigner.  if in a few years its not working then go back, they are still in their forties, A lot harder if you pull stakes at 50 +  oh and health insurance is also a lot cheaper mid thirties.  The only thing I would question I Hua Hinn maybe for a year to climatize but there are far more reasonable places in Thailand to rent a house and food for that matter, I would be going north, my two cents worth.

[DonniePeverley]

So has he mentioned which area he is going?

 

Would be bare laughs if he came out with Pattaya. 

[Ralf001]

3 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

So has he mentioned which area he is going?

 

Would be bare laughs if he came out with Pattaya. 

 

In the article it mentions Bangkok then Hua Hin.

[rickudon]

13 hours ago, peter48 said:

OK I see that part of the argument. In UK especially in nice areas you send kids to good 6th forms all free. Kids get A levels and then go to University and generally are made for life job wise as graduates. Yes as parents we have to help and help out money wise but again its relatively free. In my area in a commuter town 25 mins from Lodon 75 to 80% of kids go Uni. We have at least 6 great schools. 

State schools are free in the UK, University isn't. To send a child to University costs about 50,000 GBP, and student loan interest rates are not cheap. The days of good jobs for University graduates has gone. It typically takes an average of 6 months to get anything other than a menial job, most will not find a job relevant to their degree and many Graduates will not earn more than non-graduates when you take into account the cost of University student debt and 3 years of lost work.

 

In Thailand, state schools may not accept free non-Thai students, there is a language issue and they may not be allowed to get Thai  qualifications. What jobs will the parents be able to get (teachers are meant to have a degree). HGV driving is not an allowed occupation. Getting a decent Thai pension is hard. The only working Farangs i have met in Thailand have either been teachers or run bars, restaurants or hotels (and usually had a Thai partner). Most didn't last long. Visas, health and many bureaucratic hurdles will also arise.

 

He already owns a house in the UK, something out of reach for many in the UK. He cannot in Thailand. 

 

I think he is mad to move to Thailand with his family and no real plan. To live in Thailand, you either need a real job offer, a pension or a million GBP  in the bank if not working..

[DonniePeverley]

1 minute ago, Ralf001 said:

 

In the article it mentions Bangkok then Hua Hin.

 

I see. It also says 'plans are fluid' which may well mean fluid leaking up to Pattaya lol 

[DonniePeverley]

5 minutes ago, rickudon said:

State schools are free in the UK, University isn't. To send a child to University costs about 50,000 GBP, and student loan interest rates are not cheap. The days of good jobs for University graduates has gone. It typically takes an average of 6 months to get anything other than a menial job, most will not find a job relevant to their degree and many Graduates will not earn more than non-graduates when you take into account the cost of University student debt and 3 years of lost work.

 

In Thailand, state schools may not accept free non-Thai students, there is a language issue and they may not be allowed to get Thai  qualifications. What jobs will the parents be able to get (teachers are meant to have a degree). HGV driving is not an allowed occupation. Getting a decent Thai pension is hard. The only working Farangs i have met in Thailand have either been teachers or run bars, restaurants or hotels (and usually had a Thai partner). Most didn't last long. Visas, health and many bureaucratic hurdles will also arise.

 

He already owns a house in the UK, something out of reach for many in the UK. He cannot in Thailand. 

 

I think he is mad to move to Thailand with his family and no real plan. To live in Thailand, you either need a real job offer, a pension or a million GBP  in the bank if not working..

 

 

Does it hell as.

 

My sister just went to Warwick University. One of the top universities in the world. Thailand has nothing similar. Her whole feels were paid for with a grant. She will pay that grant back in the future when she gets a big job with a high salary. 

 

The cost is 10,000 per year, which is reasonable - when you compare how much Americans pay in their country (up to $60,000 a year). So that 10,000 is only paid back when she gets a top job with high income. 

 

If you live in Scotland it's free. 

 

Many people complain about the UK, but it's education system and the power of the universities to get a job anywhere in the world is unmatched. Most Thai middle class families dream is to get their child into a university into the UK (or Australia).  A degree in Thailand is worthless internationally. 

[rickudon]

Just now, DonniePeverley said:

 

 

Does it hell as.

 

My sister just went to Warwick University. One of the top universities in the world. Thailand has nothing similar. Her whole feels were paid for with a grant. She will pay that grant back in the future when she gets a big job with a high salary. 

 

The cost is 10,000 per year, which is reasonable - when you compare how much Americans pay in their country. So that 10,000 is only paid back when she gets a top job with high income. 

 

If you live in Scotland it's free. 

Ok England. You have left out maintenance costs, that is why most students now end up with debts of 50,000 GBP. Medical students can double that;  it will take most of them 20-30 years to pay off so actual repayments will be up to double that. Jobs are not easy. Warwick is only middle rated. My son did a masters at Cambridge, most of his friends from there do jobs with little relevance to their degree. My son is now earning more than the national average, but still cannot afford a house in London (where his job is). He is in his 30's. HGV driver has a house....

 

USA universities are not necessarily expensive; if you go in state, average is $9,750 a year. In the UK, 20 years ago going to University was a no brainer. Now, it is a choice with consequences, you need to be successful to come out  ahead.

 

A little sum for you:-

 

assuming a 50 year working life (47  or less for graduates), we get

 

Graduate - 47 x average salary of 35,000 GBP  a year =  1.645 million GBP - say 100,00 gbp for student debt repayments,        =  1.545 million GBP.

 

No university - 50 x average salary of 30,000 GBP a year + 1.5 million.

 

So a graduate needs to earn about 5.000 GBP a year more than a non graduate to be fractionally better off.....

 

with so many graduates most white collar wages are no longer that superior. e.g., HGV drivers, train drivers earn more!

[blazes]

On 7/14/2025 at 4:29 AM, Magictoad said:

Teaching adults English as a foreign language. 

 

.......with a Mansfield accent.....

[DonniePeverley]

8 hours ago, rickudon said:

Ok England. You have left out maintenance costs, that is why most students now end up with debts of 50,000 GBP. Medical students can double that;  it will take most of them 20-30 years to pay off so actual repayments will be up to double that. Jobs are not easy. Warwick is only middle rated. My son did a masters at Cambridge, most of his friends from there do jobs with little relevance to their degree. My son is now earning more than the national average, but still cannot afford a house in London (where his job is). He is in his 30's. HGV driver has a house....

 

USA universities are not necessarily expensive; if you go in state, average is $9,750 a year. In the UK, 20 years ago going to University was a no brainer. Now, it is a choice with consequences, you need to be successful to come out  ahead.

 

A little sum for you:-

 

assuming a 50 year working life (47  or less for graduates), we get

 

Graduate - 47 x average salary of 35,000 GBP  a year =  1.645 million GBP - say 100,00 gbp for student debt repayments,        =  1.545 million GBP.

 

No university - 50 x average salary of 30,000 GBP a year + 1.5 million.

 

So a graduate needs to earn about 5.000 GBP a year more than a non graduate to be fractionally better off.....

 

with so many graduates most white collar wages are no longer that superior. e.g., HGV drivers, train drivers earn more!

 

 

Oh stop being pedantic. Adding food, accomdation into things that every adult pays for. If you are 18 you can get a part time job to pay for any costs you have, just like any adult can do. Furthermore, as most are deciding now - is to stay at home whilst you study. Most parents will also tend to lend support to most children.

 

You were talking about education fees.