On 8/13/2025 at 9:14 AM, save the frogs said:

 

It doesn't make any sense, because he has a pension coming in.

A pension is enough for a flight. 

Doesn't add up. 

 

If he was a millionaire = no pension + would have to return home for 2 years to apply due to governments B.S. rules...

On 8/13/2025 at 10:54 AM, G Rex said:

 

The Australian pension is means tested.

The story states that he had been a millionaire - so he would not have qualified for the Aged pension.

Also - if he has been resident since he was 65 - no pension here . He would have to be an Australian resident for 2 consecutive years before receiving a pension - and stay another 6 months in Australia, after being granted a pension - before he could "carry" the pension to Thailand.

 

As a self funded retiree here in LOS - I feel for this guy.

This could be me if I live too long!

Living too long and inflation is problematic.

11 hours ago, Johno57 said:

If he was a millionaire = no pension + would have to return home for 2 years to apply due to governments B.S. rules...

 

So Australia doesn't give any pension if your net worth is above a certain amount?

And they calculate this including stocks, real estate assets?

And how do they know how many assets you have overseas? People can hide their overseas assets? 

 

On 8/13/2025 at 11:44 AM, save the frogs said:

 

Yes, everyone should stop getting into relationships and start families and just sleep with hookers. 

 

How did he let his wife spiral into drug addiction though? You would know if your wife is taking meth and intervene at some point? Sad stuff. 

 

What choice did he have? Like a lamb to the slaughter-house

17 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

 

So Australia doesn't give any pension if your net worth is above a certain amount?

And they calculate this including stocks, real estate assets?

And how do they know how many assets you have overseas? People can hide their overseas assets? 

 

 

 

So Australia doesn't give any pension if your net worth is above a certain amount?

Doesn't include value of your home 

 

 

And they calculate this including stocks, real estate assets?

Stocks: yes; investment property/s & it's income: yes; own home: no

 

 

And how do they know how many assets you have overseas?

They don't. Up to you to tell them

 

 

People can hide their overseas assets? 

Yes

On 8/13/2025 at 9:12 AM, daveAustin said:

Feel sorry for the guy but have never understood why they entrust their funds to these women of their own age even let alone someone 30y younger. In most cases, you’re just asking for it. Guess what’s happened is he’s had the accident, relied on her to look after him, but as is so often the case with those weak women who have never had money, couldn’t help herself and squandered it then became a grubby useless druggie. Hope family in Oz can help him out, but being destitute at that age…

When someone becomes older they are less able to care for their finances. Call it confusion, lack of ability, whatever. It requires someone to step in.

 

What usually happens is that person cannot objectively manage the money. It gets entangled in their own lives and expenditures, especially if they are caring for the older person. It's a spiral where the older person needs less and the support person feels justified in taking more.

Doesn't he have a monthly pension ?  It would be more than enough to purchase a one-way ticket back to Australia.  No ?

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

 

So Australia doesn't give any pension if your net worth is above a certain amount?

And they calculate this including stocks, real estate assets?

And how do they know how many assets you have overseas? People can hide their overseas assets? 

 

Thailand has agreements to share information with Australia, banking etc.and visa versa...you can try but fraud with pensions will put you in jail or they cancel your passport..

On 8/13/2025 at 9:21 AM, Celsius said:

Today he calls it homeland, yesterday he called it a nanny state 

Luckily we've gotten used to your useless comments

On 8/13/2025 at 10:41 AM, Mitkof Island said:

And let me guess where he met her. Som Num Na

Of course, you met your partner at a cultural event in a temple during a shared prayer

6 minutes ago, ujayujay said:

Of course, you met your partner at a cultural event in a temple during a shared prayer

It's usually because they know a foreigner has money. Thai's can be like stray dogs, if they think you have food they follow you around constantly and never go away.

How does he keep a visa, has to have 800K or equivalent coming in?

On 8/13/2025 at 9:18 AM, JoePai said:

Can the Aussie Embassy not help to contact relatives / friends etc ?

I think the Australian Embassy offer a Commonwealth loan, so he will need to pay it back on his return

On 8/13/2025 at 9:17 AM, daveAustin said:

Well he should do because if his Aussie relatives don’t come through for him, he’s screwed because can’t rely on locals forever. Perhaps you should set it up rather than gloat. I’m alright, Jack. 

The post from Ralf has disappeared, so if you're looking Ralf - shut up you smug git.

On 8/13/2025 at 3:45 AM, chuang said:

If the Australian embassy and his Australian family not helping then who should help....

 

Humanity. Never heard of the Good Samaritan. 

On 8/13/2025 at 7:58 AM, PopGun said:

Your advice is applicable, not only to a "Thai person".

Why would you entrust a large sum of money to anyone, regardless of their Nationality or their relationship. ?

 

 

Its made worst in Thailand compared to Western nations: very high inequality, relative and absolute poverty, massive over borrowing for cars, houses, medical fees, etc by Thais is on large scale so they always need money especially the less well off country ladies. There is no welfare state or family support if woman left by Thai husband. The bars are full of girls for those reasons.  Any younger chaps ( or older newbies) be aware when you buy land and property for Thai lady that's your money flowing into fixed Thai assets.

 

Additionally you need to help with mortgage payments, medical events and monthly incomes for said lady. So what are the odds of living happy ever after and don't forget you have your own costs of living in UK, Europe or Australia etc. Its a one big long term gamble you take and really I don't think  there's a simple answer. Thai Farang marital relationships rarely last for decades.  

Post in Thai language removed.

 

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Well all I know is the mayor of Ban Dung took him back to BKK last week in a free mini bus ride so I presume he is now on his way back to Aus, hopefully he will somehow be in a better situation than stuck in the remote house he was existing in Ban Dung

On 8/13/2025 at 8:44 AM, save the frogs said:

 

Yes, everyone should stop getting into relationships and start families and just sleep with hookers. 

 

How did he let his wife spiral into drug addiction though? You would know if your wife is taking meth and intervene at some point? Sad stuff. 

 

"How did he let his wife spiral into drug addiction though? You would know if your wife is taking meth and intervene at some point?"

 

Stopping a drug addict is a similar task to keeping a wave upon the sand.

Very difficult to achieve.

2 hours ago, peter48 said:

 

Humanity. Never heard of the Good Samaritan. 

 

He doesn't have an AN account.

On 8/13/2025 at 11:33 AM, Nemises said:

 

Always have health insurance.

 

Rent never buy.

At an age like his to get health insurance becomes very difficult. Insurance companies are not stupid but greedy!

On 8/13/2025 at 9:28 AM, MarkT63 said:

"He struggles without support in a once-grand Spanish-style home, now only a shadow of its former self." - get whatever you can for the house then get out if here.

 

He cannot get anything for the once-grand Spanish style home because the land is owned by his drug addicted wife or some other Thai.  He just blew some of his wad building a grand home in a dirt poor village where they don't buy expensive houses.  They just buy land, if they have money or can borrow it.  I have seen this happen before.  A huge mansion build in a rice field in a sh*t hole Isaan village with farang money at vast expense.  The Thai wife who conned the farang amazed years later to find no buyers for the structure, just people willing to offer the value as a rice field.

Start a "give send go" he will be home in no time. 

There must be so many old farang guys in a similar situation.

Many years ago an old Scottish friend hanged himself, upcountry. I think that the money had run out.

On 8/13/2025 at 8:28 AM, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of CH7 news

 

UDON THANI - A 75-year-old Australian man is stranded in Thailand, desperate to return to his homeland after a string of misfortunes. After a severe accident left him amputated, his funds dwindled when his Thai wife succumbed to drug addiction. With just 1,520 Thai baht remaining, he’s appealing for help to get back to Australia.

 

 An Australian pensioner marooned after misplacing trust in his wife

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CH7 news 2025-08-13

 

 

Why do foreigners marry these animals? Have your fun then move on to the next one. 

 

No sympathy. You marry a Thai you get what you deserve. 

On 8/13/2025 at 9:28 AM, MarkT63 said:

"He struggles without support in a once-grand Spanish-style home, now only a shadow of its former self." - get whatever you can for the house then get out if here.

Read again house in Bangkok sold long ago, 

On 8/13/2025 at 1:27 PM, FritsSikkink said:

"In a heart-wrenching interview, Marcus shared his desire to return to his family in Australia"

Let his family sort it out.

 

While this is a sad story, but reality, does his family want the burden ?

15 hours ago, TDCNINJA said:

No sympathy. You marry a Thai you get what you deserve. 

 

So all Thai women are "animals"?

And you live in Philippines? The women are not animals there? 

 

On 8/13/2025 at 9:23 AM, Jack Hammer said:

I don’t know the family circumstances in Australia. A one way air ticket from Bangkok to Sydney is approximately $600 max. If there is family, surely they could pay the airfare for him. Then years ago, maybe family tried to warn him of the perils of being involved with a Thai woman.  I hope he makes it home.

but he is an entitled australian. he will only do first class. Cant afford it. 

Removed unpleasant comment.