About to be homeless - any suggestions?

[nicolas18]

I'm in need of ideas because I have no idea what to do anymore...

I don't drink or do drugs, but 6 months ago I started having serious health issues (severe herniated disc), which caused me to lose all of my savings and fall into a deep depression.

Because of those money and health problems, I couldn't renew my visa, which means my visa is now expired and, because of it, I can't get a job.

Last week, I lost my last source of income (a freelance writing job) because the site I worked for is closing down.

Right now, I still owe 13,000 baht in past rent and the new rent is coming up next week, and my landlord (who has been rather understanding given the situation) is now running out of patience and is about to kick me out.

I have 2,000 baht in my bank account right now and I may get 3,000 more next week. (last payment from the site I worked for). After that, I don't expect to receive any more money.

To renew my visa, I would have to leave Thailand, pay 20,000 in fines at the border, pay for a new visa and have 20,000 baht in cash to be allowed to re-enter the country. Which means that, with no more money coming in, I have no chances of renewing my visa and therefore to get a job.

I have absolutely no idea what to do. I am so <deleted> right now.

Any ideas? Someone here may have better ideas than me.

PS: I already talked to my embassy.

[CharlieH]

Do you have family or friends "back home" that can bail you out short time to at least get you "legal" again here and able to look for work ? or assist you in returning to your home country where you can obtain work perhaps more easily and sort yourself out.

[willyumiii]

and the embassy said?

You have really stuck your neck out staying here with no back up or support system in place.

I have no magic advice.

I wish you luck.

Please keep us informed.

[nicolas18]

Do you have family or friends "back home" that can bail you out short time to at least get you "legal" again here and able to look for work ? or assist you in returning to your home country where you can obtain work perhaps more easily and sort yourself out.

No, I don't have any family left (although I'm only 38) and, since I came to Thailand 8 years ago, no friends left back home either.

[nicolas18]

and the embassy said?

You have really stuck your neck out staying here with no back up or support system in place.

I have no magic advice.

I wish you luck.

Please keep us informed.

I know.. I stayed here for 7 years with no issues whatsoever though. I really did not anticipate the shitstorm that fell on me for the past six months.

The embassy said they could not cover the overstay. They weren't even sure they could pay for a plane ticket.

[CharlieH]

So you have been in Thailand 8 years, from the age of 30, and you dont have or made any friends that can help ? ......sorry but that seems a little odd.

Wish you luck, but i dont have any other suggestions.

[NancyL]

What is your nationality?

Do you have continuing health problems?

Have you worked in your home country and if so, for home long? Your writing sounds like you're from the U.S. If so, perhaps it would be worth returning and applying for disability and maybe returning.

Lots of people live here on U.S. disability income.

Edited August 23, 2015 by NancyL

[nicolas18]

So you have been in Thailand 8 years, from the age of 30, and you dont have or made any friends that can help ? ......sorry but that seems a little odd.

Wish you luck, but i dont have any other suggestions.

All of my friends are Thai and young (20-ish). They don't have the resources to help me.

Thanks for the wishes tho.

[slipperylobster]

Seriously...if you cannot, or will not...go back home, then find a remote temple where the monks will take you in.

Seriously study the language and culture, don the robes and hair cut.

You will be well taken care of....and might even run across a monk with some ideas on how to get you out of the country (if need be).

I suppose they cross borders in vans....to laos and such.

Final option is to turn yourself in at your Embassy. They will get you home, but you will probably lose your passport, and never be allowed back in.

Not sure about this..but check on the internet for smaller sailing/cruise vessels that want a crew. You might get smuggled out...with room and board. Bring Pirate fighting kit.

Edited August 23, 2015 by slipperylobster

[nicolas18]

What is your nationality?

Do you have continuing health problems?

Have you worked in your home country and if so, for home long? Your writing sounds like you're from the U.S. If so, perhaps it would be worth returning and applying for disability. Just a thought.

Belgium.

Physically, I'm fine now (apart from some residual pain). My mental health has gradually deteriorated over the past six months though. I'm in a deep depression and I now suffer from anxiety on top of it.

[DP25]

Get a teaching job out in a rural area. They will take a non native speaker out there. A lot of schools have teacher housing, find one that will let you stay for free. Live like a monk and save money and get your visa sorted out. It might take a while but you can survive.

[DipStick]

Would it be fair to say that you, like hundreds if not thousands of others have assisted in your own downfall. As soon as I read that you will have to pay to leave Thailand, meaning you are a voluntary over stayer, then my sympathy when down the plug hole.

Not only are you a possible illegal over stayer, but reading your "story" which seems to hinge on a physical issue, that can and does happen to many, but you at 38 did not consider this a possibility that could occur, and plan and save for it.

Suggest you borrow your overstay fine, get the hell out of Dodge then get yourself sorted in your home country then pay the bills you owe in Thailand.

Well that is if you are honourable, but if your are one of the generation who considers the world owes you a living, then good luck

[tartempion]

Strange, living in a country without having health insurance is a no-no, som nam na.

You might get help in Belgium from the CPAS?

Are you in overstay also?

I understand your problem would be to find funds for a plane ticket plus your rent plus overstay fee and what else?

[nicolas18]

Would it be fair to say that you, like hundreds if not thousands of others have assisted in your own downfall. As soon as I read that you will have to pay to leave Thailand, meaning you are a voluntary over stayer, then my sympathy when down the plug hole.

Not only are you a possible illegal over stayer, but reading your "story" which seems to hinge on a physical issue, that can and does happen to many, but you at 38 did not consider this a possibility that could occur, and plan and save for it.

Suggest you borrow your overstay fine, get the hell out of Dodge then get yourself sorted in your home country then pay the bills you owe in Thailand.

Well that is if you are honourable, but if your are one of the generation who considers the world owes you a living, then good luck

I did have savings, which basically paid for my surgery and post and pre-surgery care.

[smokie36]

Its hard to believe there is no one in your life who would be prepared to help you.

Best of luck in any case.

[silverado]

Strange, living in a country without having health insurance is a no-no, som nam na.

You might get help in Belgium from the CPAS?

Are you in overstay also?

I understand your problem would be to find funds for a plane ticket plus your rent plus overstay fee and what else?

try again with embassy , they should manage the fly to go back to belgium if you have the possibility to pay them back the money for the plane and the overstay...

[nicolas18]

Strange, living in a country without having health insurance is a no-no, som nam na.

You might get help in Belgium from the CPAS?

Are you in overstay also?

I understand your problem would be to find funds for a plane ticket plus your rent plus overstay fee and what else?

I had (and still have) health insurance, but, due to the fact that I had a history of minor back problems, my herniated disc was considered a pre-existing condition and therefore not covered.

At the moment, I have two choices (but, neither of them are possible due to lack of funds):

1. Go back to Europe, which means a plane ticket, paying for the 20K overstay and the rent I currently owe. Pro: I would be in my own country. Con: I would be homeless.

2. Go to Cambodia and get a new visa, which means paying for the overstay at the border, pay for a new visa and have 20K on hand to show the immigration officer if needed. Pro: I could easily find a job once I'm not on overstay anymore. Con: I still am about to be homeless in a couple of days and, even if I did find a job right away, I wouldn't have any money to pay for a room during the first month.

So, yeah, complicated issue. Which is why I asked for suggestions here.

[Jip99]

Go home, start again and re-group.

You are far too young to be here with no established/robust source of income.

[nicolas18]

Its hard to believe there is no one in your life who would be prepared to help you.

Best of luck in any case.

Six months ago, I would have said that I was certain that, if I ever faced serious issues, plenty of people would have been there to lend me a hand. Then those issues happened and I realized no one either wants or can help me.

Edited August 23, 2015 by nicolas18

[ev1lchris]

Try one of those crowd sourcing sites.

http://www.gofundme.com/

Edited August 23, 2015 by ev1lchris

[swissie]

OP has no idea how to get back to Belgium to rectify his many problems.But is already worried about "how will I ever come back to Thailand". AT THIS TIME, absolutely secondary in his current situation.

As a Farang, I would rather be poor in Belgium instead of Thailand.

PS: Western Embassies have stopped paying for Return Tickets for stranded citizens, YEARS AGO. Common knowledge

Cheers..

[nicolas18]

OP has no idea how to get back to Belgium to rectify his many problems.But is already worried about "how will I ever come back to Thailand". AT THIS TIME, absolutely secondary in his current situation.

I think you misread my posts.

[nicolas18]

Try one of those crowd sourcing sites.

http://www.gofundme.com/

Thanks, but....

Your country is not supported at this time.

It looks like you're visiting us from Thailand, which is currently not in GoFundMe's list of supported countries. Please let us know if you'd like to see GoFundMe supported in your country. Learn More

[silverado]

as i said before , try again to go back to belgium via embassy although its not easy to get help/money from them...

at least , in belgium the social assistance exist ...

[55Jay]

Every obvious avenue is a non-starter with you. I get the feeling you are looking for more than suggestions here.

Start selling stuff, and start calling those friends and family you don't have.

[nicolas18]

sounds like looking for handouts and a sucker to give money

at 30 prime of life should be working not on drugs here

Thanks a lot for your amazing advice.

If I may, I would like to give you some advice as well:

- You may want to thoroughly read a thread before commenting on it. I'm not on drugs and I'm not 30.

- I hope nothing will ever happen to you, be it an accident, an illness, the death of a loved one or any other thing life sometimes likes to throw at people. Because then you would know how bad it makes you feel when you are down and people use it to throw one final little jab at you. Yes, like you just did here.

[lovelomsak]

Strange, living in a country without having health insurance is a no-no, som nam na.

You might get help in Belgium from the CPAS?

Are you in overstay also?

I understand your problem would be to find funds for a plane ticket plus your rent plus overstay fee and what else?

I had (and still have) health insurance, but, due to the fact that I had a history of minor back problems, my herniated disc was considered a pre-existing condition and therefore not covered.

At the moment, I have two choices (but, neither of them are possible due to lack of funds):

1. Go back to Europe, which means a plane ticket, paying for the 20K overstay and the rent I currently owe. Pro: I would be in my own country. Con: I would be homeless.

2. Go to Cambodia and get a new visa, which means paying for the overstay at the border, pay for a new visa and have 20K on hand to show the immigration officer if needed. Pro: I could easily find a job once I'm not on overstay anymore. Con: I still am about to be homeless in a couple of days and, even if I did find a job right away, I wouldn't have any money to pay for a room during the first month.

So, yeah, complicated issue. Which is why I asked for suggestions here.

I find it strange now you say you have 2 options. both of these involve money and from what you stated you are all but out of money and no one can help you. where do propose to get the money for either of your options?

People have given you ideas and it seems you are unwilling to act on any of them .

You will probably come up with the answer your self after a few nights of sleeping on th street with no food.

I should add I had a friend ( he died in Philippines a few years ago). Who got mugged and had everything robbed from him while travelling in South America 40 years ago.It took him 3 months before he even found an embassy that would help him. He lived on the streets of 4 south american countries illegally crossed all their borders. He lived with street people and learned spanish real quick. He started in Equador and finallly got help in Quatemala at the Dutch embassy.and he Was Canadian. So listen up to the help offered before things go south real bad. Otherwise you may find yourself on a crash course learning Thai.on the streets.

Edited August 23, 2015 by lovelomsak

[nicolas18]

Every obvious avenue is a non-starter with you. I get the feeling you are looking for more than suggestions here.

Start selling stuff, and start calling those friends and family you don't have.

See my reply to the post above. You don't believe me? Fine. At this point, I can't say I really give a damn. I do truly appreciate the fact that the majority of people here spent time giving constructive advice, but I lack the willpower at the moment to deal with trolls.

Also, over the past six months, I have already sold everything I own. I wouldn't be asking for advice if I had a car, an iPhone or an expensive gold chain lying around.

Finally, I'm not looking for a handout. I was asking for advice.

[nicolas18]

Strange, living in a country without having health insurance is a no-no, som nam na.

You might get help in Belgium from the CPAS?

Are you in overstay also?

I understand your problem would be to find funds for a plane ticket plus your rent plus overstay fee and what else?

I had (and still have) health insurance, but, due to the fact that I had a history of minor back problems, my herniated disc was considered a pre-existing condition and therefore not covered.

At the moment, I have two choices (but, neither of them are possible due to lack of funds):

1. Go back to Europe, which means a plane ticket, paying for the 20K overstay and the rent I currently owe. Pro: I would be in my own country. Con: I would be homeless.

2. Go to Cambodia and get a new visa, which means paying for the overstay at the border, pay for a new visa and have 20K on hand to show the immigration officer if needed. Pro: I could easily find a job once I'm not on overstay anymore. Con: I still am about to be homeless in a couple of days and, even if I did find a job right away, I wouldn't have any money to pay for a room during the first month.

So, yeah, complicated issue. Which is why I asked for suggestions here.

I find it strange now you say you have 2 options. both of these involve money and from what you stated you are all but out of money and no one can help you. where do propose to get the money for either of your options?

People have given you ideas and it seems you are unwilling to act on any of them .

You will probably come up with the answer your self after a few nights of sleeping on th street with no food.

I should add I had a friend ( he died in Philippines a few years ago). Who got mugged and had everything robbed from him while travelling in South America 40 years ago.It took him 3 months before he even found an embassy that would help him. He lived on the streets of 4 south american countries illegally crossed all their borders. He lived with street people and learned spanish real quick. He started in Equador and finallly got help in Quatemala at the Dutch embassy.and he Was Canadian. So listen up to the help offered before things go south real bad.

I said "but, neither of them are possible due to lack of funds". It seems clear to me.

And, as for the options that were suggested, as I've said in my 2nd post, my embassy won't pay the overstay and may not even pay for the plane ticket. So I am not "unwilling" to act on them, I am unable to act on them.

[silverado]

as you seem to be in an extreme situation, then leave your honor and pride (for a few days or weeks) and leave thailand for ever : start sitting/begging in front of belgium embassy... maybe good luck will come before you get crazy, maybe embassy will finally help you to go back, maybe you'll collect money enough to pay your overstay... i don't know nothing else what i should do if i were in the same situation....