Expats who would rather die than go back home?

[michaeltheR]

Have you ever come across an expats who would rather live here in Thailand eventhough he is broke than to go back to cold Europe or USA? Living here I slowly understand the magic of smiling faces, the sun, the smells, the tasty foods. I would not want to go back to Europe either despite Thailand having some flaws too , but the positive overeweighs it.

[NancyL]

Yes, Chiang Mai has quite a few retired expats who are living on the edge, barely making ends meet, spending a large portion of their income on medical bills, transportation and assistance that would be paid for in their home countries. But they don't want to leave Thailand.

[CharlieH]

In my experience, finances rather than anything else will dictate where most end up.

I include Health in that as that is closely linked to finances too. If you have (regretably) an accident or illness the possible financial implications could and does wipe peoples resources out.

That's usually when they start to head for the "home country". Then it becomes a case of not what you "want" but what is the reality of the situation and what is practical.

[Rooo]

Moved to Expat Life.

[Swiss1960]

I have seen a few of them during my visits, no chance they will ever want to go back home... for various reasons (much more relaxed and fun, no need to work, new family and life centered in Thailand, loosing face back home, burnt bridges, fear of living from social security etc.)... and in few months, I will also be one of them and I definitely have no plans to ever return back home except for frequent holidays.

[mrtoad]

I am sure there are plenty that are clinging on to stay here, some have no real choice other than to stay as they have burnt all their bridges. Some years back, a guy that I knew who was seriously Ill out right refused to go home. I spent months taking food and medicines around to him, and eventually got him admitted to a hospital for treatment. Even then he still refused to go back. I got saddled with his bill which he never paid back, and he was eventually deported for overstay.

Amazingly, a year later he was back in Bangkok, still I'll but desperate to be here. No idea what happened to him in the end. I very much doubt that's a one off

[daveAustin]

Yes, Chiang Mai has quite a few retired expats who are living on the edge, barely making ends meet, spending a large portion of their income on medical bills, transportation and assistance that would be paid for in their home countries. But they don't want to leave Thailand.

With some, I'd posit it's more a case of not wanting to go back more so than not wanting to leave.

Personally heading back soon for work, school and a reboot. Finances do not dictate this and bridges are not burnt, but when it's time to go, it's time to go. Staying on-topic, I think I'd rather die if there was no chance of ever going back. Happiness is partly freedom to go where you want, when you want.

[YeahSiam]

I know one guy who's gonna be 60 this year. He's here

on a retirement visa but is actually working online under

the radar. Recently, work has dried up and he's been

eating into the 800K he uses to qualify for his visa to

pay his way. He spends most evenings drinking on the

street bars of lower Sukhumvit and smoking 60

ciggies a day. He's says there's no way he's going back

to England and social security, a doss house, cold

weather and "Sharia law" . In order to delay the

inevitable, he's heading off to Cambo whee he reckons

he can live for a third of what it costs him in BKK. Sad

situation, really; to be chasing cheaper living costs at

his age.

[Thongkorn]

I know one guy who's gonna be 60 this year. He's here

on a retirement visa but is actually working online under

the radar. Recently, work has dried up and he's been

eating into the 800K he uses to qualify for his visa to

pay his way. He spends most evenings drinking on the

street bars of lower Sukhumvit and smoking 60

ciggies a day. He's says there's no way he's going back

to England and social security, a doss house, cold

weather and "Sharia law" . In order to delay the

inevitable, he's heading off to Cambo whee he reckons

he can live for a third of what it costs him in BKK. Sad

situation, really; to be chasing cheaper living costs at

his age.

Maybe he should do some resurrect, their is no Sharia law in Britain. aS for a doss house he has free will , buy a good house, and maybe he will not be entitled to Social soon or the NHS. people always look at Thailand with Rose tinted Glasses and always on a downer r with their mother Country who has provided the means for them to be in Thailand.

Edited February 5, 2015 by Thongkorn

[YeahSiam]

Maybe he should do some resurrect, their is no Sharia law in Britain. aS for a doss house he has free will , buy a good house, and maybe he will not be entitled to Social soon or the NHS. people always look at Thailand with Rose tinted Glasses and always on a downer r with their mother Country who has provided the means for them to be in Thailand.

Buy a good house?? In England??

Sorry but did you read my post?

[sanuk711]

If he is eating into his 800K baht = £16K....where would you suggest he takes it & buys a house in the UK with whats left,

& how do you come to reason that his "Mother Country" gave him the means to live here.... ??

He isn't on a OA pension at 60, so one would assume he made the money to come here by his own (Sweat) work.

not given to him by his or your "Mother Country".............

[Suradit69]

Expats who would rather die than go back home?

"back home"

Thailand is home for many of us. If I'm living here full-time, why would I think of some place (actually many places) I once lived many years ago to be "back home?" Whether or not I'm broke (thankfully I'm not), home is still where I am now.

Edited February 5, 2015 by Suradit69

[brewsterbudgen]

Everyone has to die somewhere and dying in Thailand will be warmer.

[mrtoad]

Everyone has to die somewhere and dying in Thailand will be warmer.

Apparently it's pretty warm in Hell

[benalibina]

Everyone has to die somewhere and dying in Thailand will be warmer.

Apparently it's pretty warm in Hell

No, it is freezing here. Now.

[Rangsitreppin]

Maybe he should do some resurrect, their is no Sharia law in Britain. aS for a doss house he has free will , buy a good house, and maybe he will not be entitled to Social soon or the NHS. people always look at Thailand with Rose tinted Glasses and always on a downer r with their mother Country who has provided the means for them to be in Thailand.

Buy a good house?? In England??

Sorry but did you read my post?

OP no he didnt he just told you what he was thinking about regard less of the post "the price of eggs in china" would be more relevant.

the way people treat each other here is a major contributing factor to living back in the west .

Example i was broke in the west and wouldnt be able to pick up a women let alone get one to piss on me if i was on fire .

In phuket i had many women look after flme when i was broke and they were lookers too. Imagine that in the western world a young beautiful asian women helping a poor homeless guy giving him a drink a meal and a shower .

not likely i know

[colinneil]

I am retired, had a serious accident in 2013.

Broke my back, i will never walk again, many people ask why dont you go back to England, where you can get a lot more help (free).

No way will i leave Thailand, beautiful country , beautiful smiling people.

Go back to UK, to be miserable/ cold unwanted/ shunned because of my disability, ok free health care disability benifits, but no quality of life.

I will stay in Thailand with my beautiful caring wife.

[unclekleef]

In my experience, finances rather than anything else will dictate where most end up.

I include Health in that as that is closely linked to finances too. If you have (regretably) an accident or illness the possible financial implications could and does wipe peoples resources out.

That's usually when they start to head for the "home country". Then it becomes a case of not what you "want" but what is the reality of the situation and what is practical.

Going back home, at least to the UK isn't a matter of 'choice' it is a matter of' 'fact'. It is not as simple as some on here would like to think. Here are a couple of points:

1: You DO NOT automatically qualify for health care (except emergencies.

2: In order to register with a GP and get some treatments, you have to be living back there for 6 months.

3: You have to PROVE you are back for good.

4: If you are financially impaired, you will have a long wait to get accomodation.

There is a lot more, I have researched quite a bit, and just received the following from the NHS:

....Those persons in receipt of UK state pensions who choose to live in another country, either permanently or for more than six months each year on a regular basis, can receive, free of charge, any hospital treatment the need for which arises while they are staying in the UK, as long as they previously lived here for at least ten continuous years. This would include if they fell ill or were injured while on a visit here, or if they needed urgent treatment of a pre-existing condition. However, it would not include pre-planned treatment or routine treatment of a pre-existing condition.. . . .

Read the last but carefully, they also went on the say that the 'Free Treatment' that Expats can receive "Is under review" and will be changed - very ominous. GHood luck to all, who may need help - like myself.

[Ulysses G.]

Expats who would rather die than go back home?

"back home"

Thailand is home for many of us. If I'm living here full-time, why would I think of some place (actually many places) I once lived many years ago to be "back home?" Whether or not I'm broke (thankfully I'm not), home is still where I am now.

Agreed. I don't want to live anywhere else and I have spent much of my adult life in Thailand, all my friends are here and I am quickly growing old. What is there to go back for?

[chiang mai]

In my experience, finances rather than anything else will dictate where most end up.

I include Health in that as that is closely linked to finances too. If you have (regretably) an accident or illness the possible financial implications could and does wipe peoples resources out.

That's usually when they start to head for the "home country". Then it becomes a case of not what you "want" but what is the reality of the situation and what is practical.

Going back home, at least to the UK isn't a matter of 'choice' it is a matter of' 'fact'. It is not as simple as some on here would like to think. Here are a couple of points:

1: You DO NOT automatically qualify for health care (except emergencies.

2: In order to register with a GP and get some treatments, you have to be living back there for 6 months.

3: You have to PROVE you are back for good.

4: If you are financially impaired, you will have a long wait to get accomodation.

There is a lot more, I have researched quite a bit, and just received the following from the NHS:

....Those persons in receipt of UK state pensions who choose to live in another country, either permanently or for more than six months each year on a regular basis, can receive, free of charge, any hospital treatment the need for which arises while they are staying in the UK, as long as they previously lived here for at least ten continuous years. This would include if they fell ill or were injured while on a visit here, or if they needed urgent treatment of a pre-existing condition. However, it would not include pre-planned treatment or routine treatment of a pre-existing condition.. . . .

Read the last but carefully, they also went on the say that the 'Free Treatment' that Expats can receive "Is under review" and will be changed - very ominous. GHood luck to all, who may need help - like myself.

What is your source please, do you have a link you can post? As the rules stand presently, a UK citizen returning to the UK to settle permanently becomes elligible for free NHS services from the first day.

[unclekleef]

In my experience, finances rather than anything else will dictate where most end up.

I include Health in that as that is closely linked to finances too. If you have (regretably) an accident or illness the possible financial implications could and does wipe peoples resources out.

That's usually when they start to head for the "home country". Then it becomes a case of not what you "want" but what is the reality of the situation and what is practical.

Going back home, at least to the UK isn't a matter of 'choice' it is a matter of' 'fact'. It is not as simple as some on here would like to think. Here are a couple of points:

1: You DO NOT automatically qualify for health care (except emergencies.

2: In order to register with a GP and get some treatments, you have to be living back there for 6 months.

3: You have to PROVE you are back for good.

4: If you are financially impaired, you will have a long wait to get accomodation.

There is a lot more, I have researched quite a bit, and just received the following from the NHS:

....Those persons in receipt of UK state pensions who choose to live in another country, either permanently or for more than six months each year on a regular basis, can receive, free of charge, any hospital treatment the need for which arises while they are staying in the UK, as long as they previously lived here for at least ten continuous years. This would include if they fell ill or were injured while on a visit here, or if they needed urgent treatment of a pre-existing condition. However, it would not include pre-planned treatment or routine treatment of a pre-existing condition.. . . .

Read the last but carefully, they also went on the say that the 'Free Treatment' that Expats can receive "Is under review" and will be changed - very ominous. GHood luck to all, who may need help - like myself.

What is your source please, do you have a link you can post? As the rules stand presently, a UK citizen returning to the UK to settle permanently becomes elligible for free NHS services from the first day.

Hi hope the attachment works, I have not tried it before: If not contact me directly and I will try to help. The eralier quote was part of a reply I received from the NHS.

NHS treatement.docx

[wabothai]

When one only reads the reactions on the news in the old country one does not want to go back.

[soalbundy]

Expats who would rather die than go back home?

"back home"

Thailand is home for many of us. If I'm living here full-time, why would I think of some place (actually many places) I once lived many years ago to be "back home?" Whether or not I'm broke (thankfully I'm not), home is still where I am now.

True, but most of us have no RIGHT OF ABODE we rely on visa extensions and these regulations can change at the whim of the authorities concerned, looked at it this way it isn't home,home is where you feel safe and secure in the knowledge that not only do you want to be here but you can stay as long as you want to.

[farangUSA]

More importantly, it's not where you will die,but whom will be by your side.

Hopefully, it will not be alone in front of a computer.

Now bash away.

[brewsterbudgen]

Expats who would rather die than go back home?

"back home"

Thailand is home for many of us. If I'm living here full-time, why would I think of some place (actually many places) I once lived many years ago to be "back home?" Whether or not I'm broke (thankfully I'm not), home is still where I am now.

True, but most of us have no RIGHT OF ABODE we rely on visa extensions and these regulations can change at the whim of the authorities concerned, looked at it this way it isn't home,home is where you feel safe and secure in the knowledge that not only do you want to be here but you can stay as long as you want to.

Indeed. If, like me, you're here on an Extension based on work, you have to return "home" immediately your work in Thailand ceases. I have never really considered myself an expat, despite working here for 10 years, because of this.

[longstebe]

Marry a younger bird and have loads of kids, you'll be fine.

[Luxfare]

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In my experience, finances rather than anything else will dictate where most end up.

I include Health in that as that is closely linked to finances too. If you have (regretably) an accident or illness the possible financial implications could and does wipe peoples resources out.

That's usually when they start to head for the "home country". Then it becomes a case of not what you "want" but what is the reality of the situation and what is practical.

Going back home, at least to the UK isn't a matter of 'choice' it is a matter of' 'fact'. It is not as simple as some on here would like to think. Here are a couple of points:

1: You DO NOT automatically qualify for health care (except emergencies.

2: In order to register with a GP and get some treatments, you have to be living back there for 6 months.

3: You have to PROVE you are back for good.

4: If you are financially impaired, you will have a long wait to get accomodation.

There is a lot more, I have researched quite a bit, and just received the following from the NHS:

....Those persons in receipt of UK state pensions who choose to live in another country, either permanently or for more than six months each year on a regular basis, can receive, free of charge, any hospital treatment the need for which arises while they are staying in the UK, as long as they previously lived here for at least ten continuous years. This would include if they fell ill or were injured while on a visit here, or if they needed urgent treatment of a pre-existing condition. However, it would not include pre-planned treatment or routine treatment of a pre-existing condition.. . . .

Read the last but carefully, they also went on the say that the 'Free Treatment' that Expats can receive "Is under review" and will be changed - very ominous. GHood luck to all, who may need help - like myself.

If you'd paid into the pot for 10 years treatment is free (well until the Tories privatise it) but all I've done is remained registered at my parent's address...... apparently I have over 400 letters there waiting to be opened...... going to wait until Xmas and do it while I'm at work here in sunny Bangkok.

[LookChang]

When you are living here for 30 years with no more friends, family and property in your home country, how could you come back home without a home?

Sure, health can be an issue here and free health services are available for homeless people in some countries but that's karma and I prefer to live here with my wife and my modest pension which allows me a better life than in my country.

[Time Traveller]

Please change the topic title to "English would rather die than go back home".

There's no other miserable people like them.

Edited February 6, 2015 by Time Traveller

[longstebe]

Please change the topic title to "English would rather die than go back home".

There's no other miserable people like them.

Yeah just like all the ex pats who jump off buildings are all English.

Bell end.