Intending to leave the UK to live in Thailand. Help needed to know a few facts

[Ian Dunn]

When your money runs out, she will run away from you quickly.

 

Another mug goes to heaven, Amen!!

[teddog]

34 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Irresponsible behaviour and we will have to agree to disagree,  I give a dam.

Don't want my pension stopped and get a criminal convictions against me which could get me kicked out of Thailand.

Not my way at looking at it you should of known your pension would be frozen when you made the decision to live in Thailand, that goes for all your ' likers ' too. 

 

You believe in what you personally believe in,its all rubbish,bonkers.   As you well know its not criminal,no convictions ,no getting kicked out of anywhere,but you will certainly get kicked out if your money supply is not adequet and OAP cannot be stopped   only pension credits can and DWP disability  ,go look it up,go get some facts ....What ni likes?

[Paul Laycock1]

Not for me to criticize but you should read a few books like Thai Ways, More Thai Ways and Private Dancer all available in the UK.

Best of luck.

[teddog]

33 minutes ago, ignis said:

maybe for the 1st time, for how long will they cover...  really it is a question of doing leg work and visiting Hospitals in the area your going to live..  

 

myself registered with 3 hospitals...  anything minor then next Village to the Government Hospital..  eg, last visit see Dr, then see nurse for injection + 3 x   medication Pills for a week = total bill 204 baht...  anything a bit more then go to the nearest Town.. have had a couple of surgeries done + 1 night stay 900 baht with room + Drs + Nurse and food fees [Dr Fee 400 baht]......... anything more major, then maybe 1st visit this hospital for test.. then go to the Red Cross Hospital in Bangkok...  Room with nurses fee and food = 700 baht per night.. stayed there 6 days last year.....  still visit the Dr/specialist every 3 months.. Dr/specialist fee  is 200 baht, Nurses Fee is 50 baht....  Buy about 50% of my medication there as cheaper than a Thai Pharmacy.. 

 

 medical insurance here is very expensive..... eg age and pre-extincting conditions, with 'in' and with 'out' cover  etc..  

 

Edit:  as a PS lived here over 14 years

 

Then there is always India  2 hours away nearest point,anything major at least 1/10 of TH prices and far superior in every way

[Kwasaki]

12 hours ago, Keith5588 said:

I need to telephone HMRC

They are very helpful and you get it from the horses mouth so to speak.

As you may of read through this thread you can see how diverse opinions can be.

l have found a kind of happiness here that many people seek and never find.

Goodluck to you. 

[transam]

13 minutes ago, Ian Dunn said:

When your money runs out, she will run away from you quickly.

 

Another mug goes to heaven, Amen!!

That may have been your experience, sorry to hear it, but l can assure you many of us can tell a different story...

[paddyjoe41]

Hi there Keith,from what ive read you have had some very good advice and believe me unless you take all of it serious,you WILL be dissapointed.Basically any of us that are replying to you are people who know the real story from the very same mistakes.If you settle yourself down and have a good think about things you will come to the correct decision.For what its worth, as far as I can see every reply you have had is id say 100% correct.Northern Thailand is my bet,Chiangmai.It may sound corny but regardless of how nice and understanding these people may seem,and dont get me wrong they are lovely people,but they have had a lifetime of hardship in one way or another,and so they have practised a way to survive the best way they can,NO DISRESPECT for that.So Keith think hard about the advice you have received here in these posts,they are after all your future pathway to happiness.One thing that hasent been mentioned and I do think it still stands,when you come here to retire with an O visa you have to have a return ticket,again check it out before you do something wrong.I wish you the best and long happiness and peace of mind,study your posts Keith.

best Regards PJ Kennedy.

[12DrinkMore]

 

3 hours ago, teddog said:

For one its not "fraud" as you would know it,nothing illegal,

 

It is fraud.

 

It is illegal.

 

You are required to inform the government about the change in circumstances and the new address both, HMRC tax and pension) and DVLC (driving license) and doctor (NHS).

 

Regarding the OP question about tax on income from property in the UK. All UK income is subject to tax, moving abroad does not put you into a "tax exempt" bracket.

 

May get away with it for a while, but sooner or later the computers will throw up your number. 

[peterb17]

OK

 

A few hints.

 

1. You are liable for UK tax- on pension income, rental income, capital gains etc etc- you cannot escape this- income is taxed at source . The idea that nobody will know you are out of the country is utter rubbish. Keep you brother's address for banking, delivery of ATM cards, credit cards etc.

 

2. If you are concerned about yearly 2.5% increases to state pension- you cannot afford to live in the Kingdom.

 

3. This country is now expensive- unless you wish to live in the back of beyond- it's not cheap anymore for a decent lifestyle- therefore you need a decent income or a reasonable amount of savings that you can sensibly dip into- you could be here for at least twenty years- the money has to last .

 

4 . Either have a contingency fund or good medical insurance- mine costs £2000 a year and covers most of SE Asia- expensive! For routine small things- it's cheap and service is excellent at the local private hospital . You will loose access to the NHS . 

 

5 . Don't forget once you get here the value of the pound will seriously effect your income.

 

6. You need to need to build up a good social network- join clubs - get involved in charities, maybe Rotary- they do a very good job. 

 

7. Buy a dog! Gives you exercise- and you meet lots of dog walkers.

 

8 . Where are you going to live? - probably one of the most important questions. 

 

9. It actually takes a lot of courage to move from your home country- think of it all as a new adventure- Bangkok is a brilliant hub for travel- explore the region- Air Asia is very reasonable -Myanmar, Cambodia  and Vietnam are great. This needs funds.

 

10. Lastly you MUST understand that the most important thing in your girlfriend's life is her family- not you. Think very carefully about marriage . No houses in Issan etc etc. 

 

11. Buy a decent car - some basic models here have almost no safety features , a scooter / motorbike is just too dangerous. 

 

12. Have fun, explore Thailand - and absolutely leave every Western idea of how things should be run behind- in fact ban the word 'should' from your vocabulary 

 

 

 

[teddog]

Just now, Kwasaki said:

They are very helpful and you get it from the horses mouth so to speak.

As you may of read through this thread you can see how diverse opinions can be.

l have found a kind of happiness here that many people seek and never find.

Goodluck to you. 

 

This poster and the helpful link will get you into the "net"... do not fall for it,you will regrret it...The kind of "happiness" found is banging your head into a brick wall and realising money lost and wasted

[teddog]

Just now, 12DrinkMore said:

 

 

It is fraud.

 

It is illegal.

 

You are required to inform the government about the change in circumstances and the new address both, HMRC tax and pension) and DVLC (driving license) and doctor (NHS).

 

Regarding the OP question about tax on income from property in the UK. All UK income is subject to tax, moving abroad does not put you into a "tax exempt" bracket.

 

May get away with it for a while, but sooner or later the computers will throw up your number. 

 

 

Another one in the "net"   spread the misery around,nobody knows you are anywhere,do not inform anybody     ps show me the piece where it says "illegal"    awaiting your response  ASAP

Edited May 2, 2017 by teddog

[transam]

7 minutes ago, teddog said:

This poster and the helpful link will get you into the "net"... do not fall for it,you will regrret it...The kind of "happiness" found is banging your head into a brick wall and realising money lost and wasted

.....Are you another burnt guy...........?

[scorecard]

14 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Contact HMRC and get their guidance, they are not the ogre's often portrayed. Get it from the horses mouth on that aspect and then you 'll know where you stand. Please dont make major decisions based on "he said, she said".

 

 

 

 

 

Couldn't agree more, so many armchair lawyers and experts give comments / advice which is incorrect and /or is what they would like to see or like to have have.

 

Get real advice from the real source, as charlieH rightly said in most cases the ultimate agencies involved are not ogres. 

[scorecard]

58 minutes ago, ignis said:

maybe for the 1st time, for how long will they cover...  really it is a question of doing leg work and visiting Hospitals in the area your going to live..  

 

myself registered with 3 hospitals...  anything minor then next Village to the Government Hospital..  eg, last visit see Dr, then see nurse for injection + 3 x   medication Pills for a week = total bill 204 baht...  anything a bit more then go to the nearest Town.. have had a couple of surgeries done + 1 night stay 900 baht with room + Drs + Nurse and food fees [Dr Fee 400 baht]......... anything more major, then maybe 1st visit this hospital for test.. then go to the Red Cross Hospital in Bangkok...  Room with nurses fee and food = 700 baht per night.. stayed there 6 days last year.....  still visit the Dr/specialist every 3 months.. Dr/specialist fee  is 200 baht, Nurses Fee is 50 baht....  Buy about 50% of my medication there as cheaper than a Thai Pharmacy.. 

 

 medical insurance here is very expensive..... eg age and pre-extincting conditions, with 'in' and with 'out' cover  etc..  

 

Edit:  as a PS lived here over 14 years

 

Well said!

[Kwasaki]

11 minutes ago, teddog said:

This poster and the helpful link will get you into the "net"... do not fall for it,you will regrret it...The kind of "happiness" found is banging your head into a brick wall and realising money lost and wasted

You have obviously haven't done the right thing, to post something like that you must have been hurt deeply l'm sorry for your loss. 

[tonray]

In another thread on same topic, poster has already stated he will have his GF quit her job and pay her 15,000 baht per month to replace her salary. So he has already decided on his course of action here so not much advice is going to seep in. I can understand the reasoning behind it easily, When you are retired and your wife/GF works all day, you don't have companionship. But before marriage already arranging a salary for your GF is kind of rushing it. In a marriage, maybe a better solution would be to set a household budget for living expenses and have her manage the household but I'm not sure what the 15,000 baht is for, except to pay for someone's time and companionship before marriage.

[worgeordie]

Some people think too much about making changes in their lives,

just do it,and sort things out as you go along,I arrived here 30 years ago,

with 2 shirts,2 trousers,some socks and underpants,couple books,that

was about it,but with a healthy bank account.

 

Did not hang about in bars,not my kind of thing,have had a wonderful

wife for many years,a beautiful daughter finished university,now working,

not all Thai women are after your money,you can find good ones,just treat

them with respect and not as a slave,and you will be OK.

 

Thailand expensive,? well maybe more expensive, but it tends on how you want

to live, out drinking every night,eating out all the time,it's going to eat into

your money, maybe i was just lucky,but regret nothing,Thailand has been very

good to me.

 

regards worgeordie

[bazza73]

Retain a minimum of 80%  of your assets in the UK. Do not repeat DO NOT transfer all your assets to Thailand.

 

Reason? Even assuming the OP steers clear of the honey traps in such abundance here, the Thai Government can change the rules for falangs in the blink of an eye.

[scorecard]

40 minutes ago, pauleddy said:

After 13 years here I can only echo the advice of sceptics. Thailand is a hot and dirty dump. Most "romantic" partners are after your money. It is virtually an unwritten law that girls (and sometimes boys) must send money to mother in a village (or keep a whole family). A few years back, I was living with somebody who was giving me 40 GBP a month to offset rent, power, wifi, food and everything (about 600 pounds a month back then). I did not find out for 9 months that the person was sending 160 pounds a month to keep a family. The last person with whom I got hooked up for a while asked to move into my large house, and actually dumped me when I asked for a token 4000 baht ALL FOUND, to live in a large house where 4,000 does not even cover the electricity. The person could not fathom that it's a 2-way street---giving money also brings a sense of entitlement and stability.

 

The romance vs. family culture here is 180 degrees opposite, and you cannot escape it. I have asked several Thais about "who comes first?" and it is always the parents, then the siblings, and even the old pals from junior school (Thais have "clusters" of friends from school who support eachother forever). The lover or white boyfriend is about number 4 down the list.

 

A friend of mine who is happily hitched to a Thai has given up the fight. He regularly pays for mother to have a new bathroom or car. He calls it "The Tax". It is what you pay for living here. I hate the idea. I have dumped more than one person when they started to ask for money. AND:--be careful because the smart ones REFUSE your money today but play the long game! You may not get asked for a car or holiday for 12 months, while you are being reeled in. All desire for money will be happily denied.

 

I can already hear the indignation...OK, there exists a minority who are happy with the trade-off or consider themselves in a stable relationship. But they are not in the majority.

 

Eddy

 

"He regularly pays for mother to have a new bathroom or car. He calls it "The Tax". It is what you pay for living here. I hate the idea. I have dumped more than one person when they started to ask for money. "

 

My Thai son went through some of this, when he went first time to visit his gs's family (upper central north) all was fine, they saw him as another Thai (because his face is 100% Thai). Then they realized his family name was a typical western name. Suddenly their attitudes were all negative about not pure blood and more.

 

Then the loud mouth middle aged know all full on lady boy came into the picture at the next visit. First comment from LB 'when farang marry into Thai family the farang has to immediately start paying a salary of 50,000Baht a month to all members of his wife's family including all ages and including cousins and uncles etc'.

 

My son said 'where do you think all that money will come from? LB response: 'all farang come from very rich countries which have very rich governments, and all citizens, all ages get an automatic huge salary every month from the government.'

 

Son asked 'who says a farang has to pay this money to wife's family?' Response from LB 'It's the law of Thailand'.

 

Son said 'that's just not true'. LB response, yes it is, your just stingy and all farang stingy.  

 

Son then asked his wife to find a lawyer (located in a big regional nearby city, that son and wife had never met before). She did and they visited the lawyer and repeated everything from the LB. Lawyer said 'all not true, there are no laws anything like this in Thailand and there never will be'.

 

Lawyer offered to call LB, son and his wife agreed, LB accused the lawyer of being corrupt. Lawyer finished the call.

 

Next time son and his wife visited the family were all very polite and no mention whatever of 50,000Baht salary or anything. It transpired that the old mother had asked at the local amphur office (with her husband in tow) about all of this and they laughed at her and said it's all totally and completely untrue any you should be careful of what you accuse other people of. 

 

 

[Mansell]

Some good advice all the way round. In my experience with Thai ladies is money or family is first, always. Love to them is very different to the Western idea of love. It isn't as important, it is probably number 20 on the list, they can turn it on or off like a light switch. I was happily married, (I thought) until I bought a new car on payments. She suddenly decided she wanted the car all the time in her village, where I could not live as it is to hot for me. I live on a beach with cool breezes. So I would be making payments, but taking taxis.....so I said No. So she said bye bye. So the car was important than me......and here endeth the lesson.

The sex was the best in my life.....and I have had a lot. But I am now with a forty year old lovely lady. But now I am more pragmatic, it could last three weeks, or three months, or three years or longer. She hasn't asked me for a baht, but out of choice I give her some money......all Thai ladies DO EXPECT you to give them money. How much is up to you and them......your experience may differ. Even though you believe it is TRUE LOVE with your lady.....it is not.....no matter how many times you convince yourself it is TRUE LOVE. If the money demands get progressively larger, remember there are millions more Thai ladies out there waiting for you. Do not run your age on yourself in that you are lucky to have this lovely lady at my age. You could be with a woman of any age in this country.....it all comes down to how large is the ATM sign on your forehead. That is the reality of this country. And I am not angry or resentful, just through experience here realistic.

Good luck with it all. And come back and let us all know if it worked out or not. Either way you will learn a lot about yourself, money, and Thai women.

[transam]

3 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

"He regularly pays for mother to have a new bathroom or car. He calls it "The Tax". It is what you pay for living here. I hate the idea. I have dumped more than one person when they started to ask for money. "

 

My Thai son went through some of this, when he went first time to visit his gs's family (upper central north) all was fine, they saw him as another Thai (because his face is 100% Thai). Then they realized his family name was a typical western name. Suddenly their attitudes were all negative about not pure blood and more.

 

Then the loud mouth middle aged know all full on lady boy came into the picture at the next visit. First comment from LB 'when farang marry into Thai family the farang has to immediately start paying a salary of 50,000Baht a month to all members of his wife's family including all ages and including cousins and uncles etc'.

 

My son said 'where do you think all that money will come from? LB response: 'all farang come from very rich countries which have very rich governments, and all citizens, all ages get an automatic huge salary every month from the government.'

 

Son asked 'who says a farang has to pay this money to wife's family?' Response from LB 'It's the law of Thailand'.

 

Son said 'that's just not true'. LB response, yes it is, your just stingy and all farang stingy.  

 

Son then asked his wife to find a lawyer (located in a big regional nearby city, that son and wife had never met before). She did and they visited the lawyer and repeated everything from the LB. Lawyer said 'all not true, there are no laws anything like this in Thailand and there never will be'.

 

Lawyer offered to call LB, son and his wife agreed, LB accused the lawyer of being corrupt. Lawyer finished the call.

 

Next time son and his wife visited the family were all very polite and no mention whatever of 50,000Baht salary or anything. It transpired that the old mother had asked at the local amphur office (with her husband in tow) about all of this and they laughed at her and said it's all totally and completely untrue any you should be careful of what you accuse other people of. 

 

 

I can't write here what I would have said to the LB......

[scorecard]

Just now, transam said:

I can't write here what I would have said to the LB......

 

Well said, in fact son and his wife have banned the LB from coming to their house, he is a born trouble maker, enjoys telling son's kids things to frighten them, numerous time told the kids their father is not Thai and therefore a bad person, and more. Now totally banned.

[pauleddy]

Good post from SCORE

 

There is definitely a stereotypical and widespread undercurrent that "all farangs are rich" and, as such, are fair game. It is so prevalent that it has become a game for both sides. My new love is trying to find out about my bank accounts WHILE I simultaneously deny all knowledge of money and say that I am a retired beggar and UB 40 holder.

 

Eddy

[transam]

1 minute ago, scorecard said:

 

Well said, in fact son and his wife have banned the LB from coming to their house, he is a born trouble maker, enjoys telling son's kids things to frighten them, numerous time told the kids their father is not Thai and therefore a bad person, and more. Now totally banned.

It's envy, seen it loads of times...Folk with nothing stirring the shit just to get a handout....Leeches....

[transam]

2 minutes ago, pauleddy said:

Good post from SCORE

 

There is definitely a stereotypical and widespread undercurrent that "all farangs are rich" and, as such, are fair game. It is so prevalent that it has become a game for both sides. My new love is trying to find out about my bank accounts WHILE I simultaneously deny all knowledge of money and say that I am a retired beggar and UB 40 holder.

 

Eddy

Yep, do not fall for all that MUST pay family shit and keep ALL your finances secret......

[Kwasaki]

52 minutes ago, teddog said:

OAP cannot be stopped   only pension credits can and DWP disability  ,go look it up,go get some facts ....What ni likes?

If you lie to the DWP about where you live your pension can be stopped, fact.

 

IPC UK is who you deal with abroad you can still stay in the UK for a certain amount of time per year if you wish to get OAP rises, fact.

[jamie2009]

You are liable for UK Tax if you own a property and spend more then 30 days in the UK. Residency rules changed under George Osborne, it used to 90 days irrespective if you owned a property or not, you will still have your £11500 tax allowance.

 

If you haven't lived in the UK for 6 months prior to any NHS treatment you have to pay one and half times the cost.

 

You will pay CGT on any profit from the sale of you property if you rent it out for more than 2 years, based on the valuation at the time of renting it out.

 

 

[jinners]

OK, bet you never expected this amount of replies eh? First of all, dismiss all the nay sayers about a relationship. Just go steady and don't leave your brain at the airport in England.

For NHS, do not advise anyone you are out of the UK or you'll be <deleted>. You're using your brothers for forwarded mail. That works great. Been using mine for 6 years and (so far) no issues. 

 

Talk to an accountant not any experts on here. Osborne the <deleted> changed quite a bit, so get expert advice on time allowed in the UK and for costs now your residence will be a BTL.

 

Go easy and good luck!

[elgordo38]

13 hours ago, Denim said:

You could sell your house in the UK and size down.Renting out a house is not as problem free as renting out a nice one bedroom apartment because bad tenants can do more damage to a house than an apartment.

After you have scaled down your investment in the UK you will have a nice sum to come to Thailand left over plus if things go pear shaped you will still have a foot in the door back home.

The worst thing you can do is burn your bridges on a flight of fancy based on a short 4 month visit to Thailand.

Thousands have gone before you and got badly burnt.

Don't be a mug and follow their example. You have to live here a few years before you discover if it's truly everything you had hoped.A hell of a lot of people find that the joy of sex with a local was not worth losing a lifetimes worth of hard work.

About as good as it gets advise wise. 

[jamie2009]

https://www.gov.uk/tax-foreign-income/residence