On 8/25/2025 at 11:35 AM, BritManToo said:

Putting all your money in someone else's name is probably a bad idea

Yes, it is. I, also, found out the hard way.  I wish them well.

 

On 8/25/2025 at 5:35 AM, BritManToo said:

Best not to invest more than you can afford to lose.

Putting all your money in someone else's name is probably a bad idea.

A bad idea😱 It’s f*****g stupid to say the least 🙈

On 8/25/2025 at 5:25 AM, webfact said:

British expat Martin Savage (centre) and his wife Sudarat (right) had hoped for a dream retirement in Thailand — but it soon became a nightmare.

 

PATTAYA - In a tale of shattered dreams and alleged corruption, British couple Martin Savage, 65, and his wife Sudarat, 66, found their idyllic Thai retirement ripped apart by a legal quagmire. What was meant to be a serene end to their working lives devolved into chaos, costing nearly everything they owned, including homes worth £1.5 million (approximately 67.5 million Thai baht).

 

The couple’s ordeal began with what seemed to be a minor dispute over a boundary line with a neighbour, but it spiralled into expensive legal battles. Sudarat, holding sole ownership of their properties due to Thai laws against foreigners owning land, inadvertently violated property laws when she used these assets to fund their legal fight, leading to both being imprisoned.

 

Martin, a retired engineer whose distinguished career included work on the Channel Tunnel, saw his retirement income collapse from £38,000 (around 1.7 million Thai baht) annually to barely £100 (approximately 4,500 Thai baht) monthly from his remaining pension. Their secure lives, bolstered by rental income from a hotel block in Pattaya, turned precarious when a neighbour’s deceit led to the illegal sale of their assets.

 

They also bought a 40-room apartment block in Pattaya—now valued at around £1.2 million—which they hoped would provide a steady lifetime income.

 

In 2010, Sudarat borrowed £34,000 from a moneylender to support her court battle. They quickly learnt that an associate of the lender had purchased their hotel block, valued at £1.2 million today, for just £45,000. “She borrowed that money without my knowledge,” Martin lamented, adding that the lender exploited Sudarat’s trust, reported the Daily Mail.

 

Martin argued that the transfer was illegal under Thai marital asset laws, but he admitted that corrupt practices expedited the transaction. They lost their properties without realising it, funnelling their dwindling resources into an ongoing land dispute.

 

Their legal nightmares compounded in 2017 when they were arrested for breaching contract terms related to their property ownership. Allegations of forged documents and forced signatures marred their detainment. Martin described harrowing conditions in prison, where his asthma and subsequent bronchitis worsened due to overcrowded cells.

 

Following the intervention by the prison governor, the inmates' release after eight days was bittersweet. They returned to find their possessions scattered and homes lost. Their despair intensified when they discovered the shocking sale of their family home and three adjacent plots, valued at £270,000. Sale documents revealed fraudulent power of attorney claims, yet the judicial system ruled against them, upholding the sale due to the presumed innocence of the new owner.

 

Now destitute, the Savages reside in a humble rental costing £250 (approximately 11,250 Thai baht) a month. Martin relies on his minor pension, while Sudarat works full-time as a property broker. Despite their plight, returning to the UK merely to live on benefits isn’t an option for the resilient couple.

 

Desperate for justice, Martin and Sudarat sought intervention from the British Embassy, but they were met with disappointment. Correspondence from local MPs to the Embassy regarding the imprisonment of those individuals yielded little. Officials dismissed their pleas, citing the situation as a local property dispute without British national interest.

 

A spokesperson from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office stated that the office offered support during Martin’s detention and maintained contact with local authorities. Yet, for Martin and Sudarat, the response underscores the vulnerability of expats in complex legal and bureaucratic systems abroad.

 

Martin’s warning is stark: the paradise they envisioned through decades of hard work can easily unravel amidst foreign legal entanglements. Their experience serves as a cautionary tale for those considering retirement abroad, highlighting the importance of understanding local laws and potential risks.

 

As the Savages navigate their current situation, their story remains a chilling reminder of how quickly fortunes can change, urging others to tread carefully when venturing into international retirement dreams.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily Mail UK 2025-08-25

 

I’ve seen this happen god knows how many times to expats. Never and i repeat never buy property in Thailand. Renting on a long lease is cheap as chips and you get to keep your hard earned capital in the bank (an english bank)

 

On 8/25/2025 at 6:47 AM, Gottfrid said:

Guess he is living up to his surname. 🤣

 

On 8/25/2025 at 7:09 AM, Gottfrid said:

Mmmmm.....Yeah, and they are a very developed society with clear social standards.

Yeah like the thick convicts/yanks

On 8/25/2025 at 7:35 AM, BritManToo said:

Putting all your money in someone else's name is probably a bad idea.

And yet so many men do it. Why???

On 8/25/2025 at 6:40 AM, lordgrinz said:

My wife and I keep our finances completely separate, almost all of mine are back in the USA, and only accessible by me. But what kind pension is "£100" monthly? Yikes!

If you get sick and unable to communicate, does your wife have access to fund needed for your hospital bill?

On 8/25/2025 at 1:24 PM, MalcolmB said:

He lost his shirt along with all his assets.

Next will be his shorts.

On 8/25/2025 at 11:57 AM, lordgrinz said:

 

I've been working on that, with family and friends to help her find a lawyer and navigate probate. But in some cases, at least the larger accounts, she is already a beneficiary on those accounts. No more land or house to worry about, sold those and added the money to existing accounts. The biggest problem is that in the USA, she isn't able to get SS benefits after I die, that requires 5 years of us living together in the US. Not sure they would even continue paying her if she decided to leave and go back to Thailand after staying there 5 years, or not, it would be like 120,000 baht per month though......so that would suck if she can't get that.

I think you should dig deeper and do research on the money that will be lost via taxes, lawyers, some real stress for your wife trying to manage all this.  All my money is in Thailand, so without going into great detail, let me say this... when I die ... no probate ... no taxes ... no drama ... 100% cleaned up in less than 24 hours. I have no clue why you would complicate this mater, pay lawyers, pay taxes, jump through all kinds of hoops ... but as they say in BKK "Up to you han-sum man"

Entrusting everything you have to someone in Thailand.

is a little bit silly.

You should always have a working plan B ready.

1 hour ago, JustinTyme said:

I think you should dig deeper and do research on the money that will be lost via taxes, lawyers, some real stress for your wife trying to manage all this.  All my money is in Thailand, so without going into great detail, let me say this... when I die ... no probate ... no taxes ... no drama ... 100% cleaned up in less than 24 hours. I have no clue why you would complicate this mater, pay lawyers, pay taxes, jump through all kinds of hoops ... but as they say in BKK "Up to you han-sum man"

 

Unless I am on my dying bed, all my money stays out Thailand, no way in Hell would I bring everything over here.

2 hours ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

And yet so many men do it. Why???

Gradual process. Starts with little innocent requests. Fast forward 5 years and huge requests are being granted.

 

Sounds stupid but you can get anybody to do almost anything if you are persistant and they stick around.

 

That's why you never entertain a scammer. Even acknowledging them is the start of a long process that makes it more likely you will be scammed.

7 hours ago, Feingeist said:

Could be. Maybe you can share these with us.

If details are left out, then it is the role of a journalist to seek that information. The actions of the "victim" are not fully examined, nor is the role of the lenders. Thailand is a dangerous place to invest if one  is not well connected and occupies a position of power.

On 8/25/2025 at 12:48 AM, proton said:

 

That's what I do, bit of a worry if you drop dead though, how would she access the money abroad?

What I have done (in the United States) is put everything into an Irrevocable Trust, outlining who gets what and when. As the owner of my Trust, I can change anything or withdraw any amount at any time. Upon my demise, my Thai wife could go to the US or through my US attorney’s law firm and manipulate funds as she wished (according to my Trust directions). It is a bit costly to lay everything out at first; however, I believe it is worth the price to avoid miscommunications and deceptions. 

 

*This is what I found that works for me to preserve my desires.

On 8/25/2025 at 4:57 PM, lordgrinz said:

 

I've been working on that, with family and friends to help her find a lawyer and navigate probate. But in some cases, at least the larger accounts, she is already a beneficiary on those accounts. No more land or house to worry about, sold those and added the money to existing accounts. The biggest problem is that in the USA, she isn't able to get SS benefits after I die, that requires 5 years of us living together in the US. Not sure they would even continue paying her if she decided to leave and go back to Thailand after staying there 5 years, or not, it would be like 120,000 baht per month though......so that would suck if she can't get that.

I have the same issues trying to work out how my wife can continue receiving income as well as accessing my overseas bank accounts when I'm gone...I would be happy to know how you are progressing...cheers, James

15 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I'm happy for you that it worked out....

I've been here since 2008... similar story.

Many turned out to be not so lucky

Here is another one; almost 20 years together with my wife,
who I trust 100%.

20 hours ago, zookerman said:

My brother lived in Thailand for 30 years. He died and his Thai wife was entitled to a green card. She stayed with us for a while in USA.  She is receiving widow benefits from Social security also. Recheck with social security about survivor benefits. I think she would be eligible.  Green card holders must stay in USA for 6 months per year to remain eligible. Good luck 

The thing is, you cannot just "bring" your Thai wife to the USA without proving you have a certain income...I know, I've tried😒...so, not sure how she was able to get a Green Card...maybe they had a kid?...would like to know more😀

9 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Unless I am on my dying bed, all my money stays out Thailand, no way in Hell would I bring everything over here.

The concern being will you have the interim period that will give you opportunity to move it. These days even having it in a local account may not work, what with limits of transfer and accounts getting frozen willy nilly!

On 8/25/2025 at 1:05 AM, brianburi said:

I wouldn't take any notice of these ''bash Thailand'' articles in the Daily Fail. Never  one for letting facts get in the way of a good story. They have an agenda against this country......

 

The agenda is to churn out trash pieces like this at the double to plant the seed of doubt in any Englishman with an idea to flee the UK for greener retirement pastures.

 

Same psyop happening in Canada and the US.

 

TPTB want you stayed put in your birth city till death.

 

#StaySafe  #StayHome  #FlyingIsDangerous   etc

13 hours ago, Reddavy said:

I’ve seen this happen god knows how many times to expats. Never and i repeat never buy property in Thailand. Renting on a long lease is cheap as chips and you get to keep your hard earned capital in the bank (an english bank)

 

💯%

hello everybody, thanks for all the advice. what do i do now? looks like my champagne wishes and caviar dreams life went belly up. i'm thinking of dominating in the bedroom. thump, thump, thump... at some point i will enjoy acquiring many valuable properties in the pattaya area for untold riches...whatever i do the full force of my manhood and weight will tame some strays in some very sexual ways and you may hear me in the next unit over refurbishing the place at 3 am...

 

On 8/25/2025 at 11:41 AM, Patong2021 said:

I believe some important details have ben left out.

Corruption might be a clue, at high level 

Leave your money at home 

"In 2010, Sudarat borrowed £34,000 from a moneylender"

 

Why the hell would a hotel owner borrow so much money from a money lender for a minor land dispute instead of taking out a small loan from a bank? I don't know, but there must be much, much more to this case. And if you have a minor dispute with a neighbor over a property boundary, call the land office and have it checked.

 

I don't believe this story!!! Something stinks here!!!

5 hours ago, Dutchjohn said:

Here is another one; almost 20 years together with my wife,
who I trust 100%.

16 years and one son with mine and I trust her ZERO percent.

Previous Brit schoolteacher wife took me for all she could after 30 years and four kids.

 

You just can't trust women! (You've put your penis in)

In the interest of fairness and equality, I can't say if it's the same for men.

2 hours ago, Mark1969 said:

hello everybody, thanks for all the advice. what do i do now? looks like my champagne wishes and caviar dreams life went belly up. i'm thinking of dominating in the bedroom. thump, thump, thump... at some point i will enjoy acquiring many valuable properties in the pattaya area for untold riches...whatever i do the full force of my manhood and weight will tame some strays in some very sexual ways and you may hear me in the next unit over refurbishing the place at 3 am...

 

 

I not believe this story!!!

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14842415/life-savings-dream-retirement-abroad-homeless-corrupt-police.html

15 hours ago, JustinTyme said:

when I die ... no probate ... no taxes ... no drama ... 100% cleaned up in less than 24 hours. 

 

My father did this and it's hard to express how grateful we were. It let us just think about him and not fight about money.

23 hours ago, ericbj said:

 

If you had left a 100 GBP per month pension and your wife was now earning a salary, would you really kick her out that quickly?

 

Yes.. yes... yes.. did it once do it again smaller amount 

44 minutes ago, davb said:

 

My father did this and it's hard to express how grateful we were. It let us just think about him and not fight about money.

Thank you for your kind words.  

An accomplished engineer marries the village idiot from Nakhon Nowhere and lets her wear the pants.  The picture looks like a Thai family posing with a hairless simian, not a family member.