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

[sandemara]

Best advice here so far is from Tomwct above. Imagine yourself  as a  big fat fish approaching  a new  reef. You won't know it yet but there have been fishermen trolling this reef  for decades, centuries even. They know all its attractions for fish that have been visiting in droves for a long, long time. They know to a T the best lures and bait to attract curious fish into their boats; they've survived on their knowledge, experience and skills all their lives. They don't compete, they work together because they know they can all thrive, never go hungry, if they co-operate. Catch  the  fish, gut and fillet and then throw back the remains. Another day, another fish ahead. The new arrival fish can find their own niche on the reef only if they're very lucky.  Any relationship between fish and their predators is built on lies and illusion from the outset - the foolish fish want to believe that dangling morsel jiggling around in front of them so eagerly contains no hooks. You'll find it's a short distance between hook and filleting board.

 

[tomwct]

3 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

And, as already mentioned get medical insurance (applicable to Thailand) before you come, lots of options on this, maybe other ex UK guys can suggest some medical insurance company names. And note hospital costs in Thailand (apart from government hospitals) are steadily rising.

 

Just recently we paid the bill for 3 nights in a 3 / 4 star hospital for my Thai son's mother in law, way outside of the city area. 25,000Baht just for the room for 3 nights, plus around 5,000 for doctors rounds, nursing fees, very simple medications, check-in / check-out fees and more. 

Wow! I get a VIP Room for 1200 THB p/d, cable, TV, refrigerator and the hospital is new and private in Korat! You must love your

Mother-in-Law a lot! My MIL never complains about anything. I go to the Village and drop off 5000 THB and she's happy for a year!

[CharlieH]

Numerous posts and response removed.

 

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[JimCrane]

umm...last time i checked a round trip ticket was a requirement but rarely checked. not sure about your visa but...

 

 always good to have as they cost only slightly more. duration of stay can be up to a year in advance on many airlines even when booking online.

 

i also just like knowing i can get out quickly if needed. i was going to do the one way thing at first also, but eventually found that scenario to be a fallacy.

 

the fluidity of life here coupled with the excitement and immigration stuff just lends itself to moving around a lot (ie low stability). at least thats how it turned out for me.

Edited May 2, 2017 by JimCrane

[dick dasterdly]

1 hour ago, 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. 

Couldn't agree more about "sooner or later the computers will throw up your number".

 

Retiring to Thailand, my husband 'phoned HMRC to ask whether his pension would be taxed - and was told it wouldn't be taxed ....  Don't rely on advice acquired from the HMRC during a 'phone call!

 

Six years later, I received a letter from HMRC demanding a lot of money for not completing tax returns - and it took a couple of years of worry and numerous letters before they finally accepted that I didn't owe the various 'penalty charges' demanded for not completing tax returns - as I'd earned nothing during those years/my husband had reported that we'd moved to Thailand/I'd never received any tax returns to report zero income (other than my pension income which was already being taxed by HMRC)....

 

During this couple of years, I was charged emergency tax on my pension income and although they sorted it out in the end - they still owe me around 300 sterling, but I gave up arguing about it once they agreed that I didn't owe them a few thousand sterling....

 

I had a similar problem for the 2015/16 tax year when HMRC were confused as I receive pension income from a few different sources - and it took a few letters to sort out .

[dick dasterdly]

One final point, don't assume that using rental agents will save you the cost of tenants seriously damaging your house!

 

I rented out a house (whilst still living in the UK, but a distance from my rented house) and used rental agents.

 

They eventually left (after a court case against them when they owed three months rent - long story....) and I discovered that the references used by the rental agency came from one of their mothers....  I was left with a badly damaged house that I decided to sell very cheaply - rather than going through even more stress.

[jinners]

50 minutes ago, elgordo38 said:

About as good as it gets advise wise. 

Apart from 'tenants can do more damage in a house than apartment'? Weird if you ask me. I'd leave well alone and rent as is. Buying and selling is complicated and not cheap. Find your feet here in Thailand. Rent your UK house with a good agent fully managed. You should be fine.

[Anythingleft?]

Wow so much negativity in between the helpful postings
Speak to the HMRC directly in the UK they are usually very helpful and have the correct info
Try asking your local GP about the NHS?
Bottom line, its your life and your money, do what you can to protect it and yourself but dont let that stop you doing what you want to do
Been here 8 years now good and bad but absolutely not one regret, a few moans maybe lol


Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[JimCrane]

14 hours ago, Denim said:

 

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.

on the other hand theres no magical formula for getting milked.

 

show some self control / discipline and still have fun. its possible. i do it. no houses, no scams i cant see coming. not rocket science really.

[dageurreotype]

6 hours ago, tomwct said:

You met a girl. Congrats that's what happens when you come to Thailand. You meet a girl and you pay her for her time. Happens everyday and they are easy to get along with as long as you have a pocket of cash. These are some tips for successfully retiring to Thailand. First, date many girls. Try one for a few months and go get another. Two, learn a little Thai. They will talk about you behind your back. Third, do not bring a lot of cash with you.because you'll be renting an apartment and/or a house for 2-3 years. Your first Visa will cover you for a year of retirement. Fourth, Do Not Buy Anything except maybe transportation, bike, motorcycle, or car. Put in YOUR NAME not the girl you just met! Fifth, do not retire to a Tourist Area, Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin, ect. You came to Thailand to experience Thailand, not the Go Go Bars. Try NE Thailand, Korat, Khon Kaen, ect. Sixth, Do Not Buy Anything until you decide to live here permanently and always seek help from fellow Expats who have lived here for a long time. Visit the villages, but stay no longer than 1-2 weeks. You do not want to live in your present GF's Village!

What's this? Pick and mix? This is another human being you're talking about, a woman (50 years old is certainly NOT a 'girl' and is demeaning), the OP met and seems to have spent more time with her (6 weeks 24/7) than most of you Soi 6 trawlers. Yes of course there are prostitutes, apparent and not so much, here everywhere. But your post is extremely condescending. It's not a slave market you know, albeit it's difficult to tell the difference sometimes judging by the number of old men here getting a cook/housekeeper/old age care assistant and giving them a miserly stipend from their meagre pensions. Notwithstanding many of these Thai women are left destitute when her sponsor snuffs it and discovers no provision has been made for her in a Will and everything's been left to the kids 'back home'. I've noted a few of those from personal experience.

 

Some of you having been 'stitched up' by some tart you met in a bar have deserved everything you got. Dear Lord ..

[12DrinkMore]

2 hours ago, teddog said:

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

Here's the DVLC

 

https://www.gov.uk/legal-obligations-drivers-riders

 

Quote

 

"Legal obligations of drivers and riders"

 

You must tell DVLA if you:

• change your name or address

 

•  

Which bit of legal obligation is not quite clear?

 

I could find similar references that require you to inform the doctor regarding NHS, and the HMRC but it's up to you.

 

All these government operations are being combined into one huge computer system. As I posted earlier, it is only a matter of time before your number comes up.

 

 

 

[MyFriend You]

16 hours ago, Keith5588 said:

Hi all,

Thanks for all your replies.

 

I need to telephone HMRC about another matter and will ask them a few questions.

 

I have thought a lot about what to do, there is some truth to the saying of old people "that they do not regret anything they have done, it's what they didn't do that they regret". I have a large garden and without family near it is difficult to just go and leave my home empty except over the Winter months and then neighbours and friends helped last time by visiting my house. Now renting out my house seems to be best way forward.

 

My Thai girlfriend is 50 years old.  I think most Thai females look for financial security when they are with a farang, but I'm not going to build her a house (she has her own house in her village), or get married. I just feel it is right to give it a chance in being with her for a longer time, actually last time we were together for only 6 weeks but it was 24/7 always together.

 

All the 3 letting agents I saw seem to feel it is best for me to inform HMRC that I will be letting my house and living abroad. One said that some landlords do not inform HMRC but HMRC usually eventually find out.  I cannot lie to the letting agency as I would need to be informed and also probably make decisions about tenants and repairs etc.

Yes I worked hard for over 40 years.

 

Thanks

Keith

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's not her I would worry about, it's her immediate family, and extended family.  They have more ways of separating you from your money than a 'Carney in old Coney Island'.  She will be pressured, you will be annoyed, then finally 'assimilated into the walking ATM' category a lot of others fall into.  You will find loads of sob stories in this forum's archives.............I am not judging, just saying we have seen it time and again.   Good Luck    -    I hope I am dead wrong.  Come and enjoy Thailand, but keep both eyes open.  

[BigKahuna]

Why take serious life advice from strangers?

 

 

[Caxa]

I would point out that by contacting HMRC with any questions you are putting yourself on their radar. (They ask for all your details before answering anything). Try to get all the information you can before speaking to them, either from a private tax specialist/accountant if you have one, or if you are in the UK, you could ask the Citizens Advice Bureau, which is free and confidential.

[Nurseynutcase]

Sorry if this has been covered but I am afraid I haven't read all the posts.

 

I moved here from the Uk over two years ago.  I am now 62.

 

I rent my house out via a letting agent.  They should tell you about the tax situation.  You can receive your rent with no tax taken out so long as you fill in a form and send to HMRC.  

 

Do not sell your house.  I have known so many people who have sold their house in the UK to move abroad, something happens and they want to come back to the UK.  Then they find they cannot sell their house (whereever it may Be) or cannot get back on the housing ladder. especially if they come from the South of England.

 

Don't buy anything over here unless you are determined to lose your dosh.

 

Keep a mailing address in the UK for all correspondance from HMRC, hospitals, gp surgery.

 

If you return to the UK for whatever reason, make an appointment well in advance with you GP/Nurse to get your BP checked/urine checked for diabetes.  This ensures you remain on their books and they won't 'delete' you from their list.

 

With regards to your state pension, don't forget you have to apply for it 3 months in advance.

 

Also with regards to your lady all i can say is good luck.

 

Good luck with obtaining your visa - I wish I had known about Ubonjoe and this site before I came here - life would have been much easier.

 

 

[jamie2009]

15 minutes ago, Nurseynutcase said:

Sorry if this has been covered but I am afraid I haven't read all the posts.

 

I moved here from the Uk over two years ago.  I am now 62.

 

I rent my house out via a letting agent.  They should tell you about the tax situation.  You can receive your rent with no tax taken out so long as you fill in a form and send to HMRC.  

 

Do not sell your house.  I have known so many people who have sold their house in the UK to move abroad, something happens and they want to come back to the UK.  Then they find they cannot sell their house (whereever it may Be) or cannot get back on the housing ladder. especially if they come from the South of England.

 

Don't buy anything over here unless you are determined to lose your dosh.

 

Keep a mailing address in the UK for all correspondance from HMRC, hospitals, gp surgery.

 

If you return to the UK for whatever reason, make an appointment well in advance with you GP/Nurse to get your BP checked/urine checked for diabetes.  This ensures you remain on their books and they won't 'delete' you from their list.

 

With regards to your state pension, don't forget you have to apply for it 3 months in advance.

 

Also with regards to your lady all i can say is good luck.

 

Good luck with obtaining your visa - I wish I had known about Ubonjoe and this site before I came here - life would have been much easier.

 

 

I go back to the point of NHS Healthcare, a previous poster said you are entitled to free treatment if over 65 years old, I can't find any info stating this.

My understanding is if you are out of the UK.for more than half the year you are classed as 'non resident'  therefore no free NHS Treatment. The Tax rules are different, my local hospital always asks you if you have been Resident in the UK for the last 6 months irrespective of how old you are.

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, transam said:

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

 

My Thai son still gets questions from his Thai wives outer circle family about such matters.

 

Both son and wife nowadays just give silly answers and walk away.  Over time it's stopped some of them from asking.

 

One old uncle in the outer circle often asked to borrow money, 500,000Baht  and up each time. Son started quickly  responding with 'actually I need a loan myself, can I borrow 2 million from you?' On one occasion son responded with 'actually my wife wants a BMW, can I borrow about 3millionBaht from you?' After a couple of responses like this uncle was never seen again.

 

On another occasion I went upcountry with my Thai son, his wife and kids to visit another old aunty. Within  an hour of our arrival there was a line of 3 or 4 locals waiting to ask me for money.

 

Son just said 'father is asleep, maybe tomorrow', in fact we left the village about 5.00 next morning as planned. Problem solved. Little did they know we had left a sizable amount of cash with aunty for her personal needs, and knowing well that she would tell nobody, 

Edited May 2, 2017 by scorecard

[transam]

2 minutes ago, jamie2009 said:

I go back to the point of NHS Healthcare, a previous poster said you are entitled to free treatment if over 65 years old, I can't find any info stating this.

My understanding is if you are out of the UK.for more than half the year you are classed as 'non resident'  therefore no free NHS Treatment. The Tax rules are different, my local hospital always asks you if you have been Resident in the UK for the last 6 months irrespective of how old you are.

NHS ever turned anyone away if they have a NI number......?

[monsieurhappy]

73 replies and only one person has mentioned anything about what you are going to do here!

You may have only just retired in the UK so for most of your life you have been waking up every morning and going off to work. Now you are going to wake up and find you've got all day to do nothing!

There are things to do but not what you would probably be doing in the UK.

Golf is very popular but it is getting increasingly more expensive!

People walk and some ride bikes but it's not everyone's cup of tea!

For one thing the weather here is always hot! Not ideal for doing strenuous exercise unless you do it early morning or late afternoon. OK, you could join a gym! Gardening might be your pastime but things don't grow the same as UK and the temperature will not help your pleasure!

I'm trying to help you to realise that life here can be very boring and has forced some to take comfort in the bars!

I know I'm going to be shouted down for saying that by a lot of people but there's a lot who will realise that that's just what happens. As you get older you don't want anything strenuous ( keep the obvious out of it! ) so what do you do?

Life here is not all about meeting a nice lady you have to think of what to do instead of vegetating!

Before you get in too deep, take a few more holidays over here. Come at different times of the year and try to sort out what kind of life you would make for yourself! Many guys spend 6 months of the year here and 6 in the UK. I think that way ( give or take a couple of days ) you could still collect your full pension and keep your NHS rights etc.

Give it a little more time before you take the biggest step of your life!

[Nurseynutcase]

Just now, jamie2009 said:

I go back to the point of NHS Healthcare, a previous poster said you are entitled to free treatment if over 65 years old, I can't find any info stating this.

My understanding is if you are out of the UK.for more than half the year you are classed as 'non resident'  therefore no free NHS Treatment. The Tax rules are different, my local hospital always asks you if you have been Resident in the UK for the last 6 months irrespective of how old you are.

This is correct.  If you are out of the UK for over six months then you are not entitled to NHS healthcare.

 

This would exclude those going on a 'gap-year'

 

However should you be visiting the UK and have an emergency they will treat you free of charge.

 

As i said I do keep a UK address and see my GP/Nurse every two years when I return.

 

It is ludicrous that I STILL have to pay tax in the Uk but I am not allowed to access healthcare when i have worked for 44 years in the Uk and required very little in respect of healthcare.

 

 

[berybert]

5 hours 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. 

 I used to agree with you many years ago.

Now I read stories like...

Government wastes 1 billion on computer system that doesn't work.

Government wastes 100 million on soldiers outfits that cant be used.

Government give India 1 billion it doesnt want.

Should I go on ? the government is full of people who cant get real jobs because they have no idea how to handle money.

How long would these people last in a private company, wasting billions of their own companies cash ?

The government doesn't care about your money because it isn't their money.

Why does an MP shrug his/her shoulders when questioned about the waste of billions of pounds of tax payers cash, then claim for a 60p stamp ? The answer is because they 60p stamp is their money, the billions are not.

 

Edited May 2, 2017 by berybert

[berybert]

4 hours ago, peterb17 said:

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

Please do not give out information that can lead to someone being put in jail.

Charity work needs a work permit.

I would rather get done by the British government for not declaring I am out of the country, than get done by the Thai government for doing charity work without a permit.

[bazza73]

23 minutes ago, berybert said:

I would rather get done by the British government for not declaring I am out of the country,

I don't understand this statement.

When I leave Australia, the government knows about it. When I come back, ditto.

Governments may not necessarily know your final destination. They do, however, know if you have left the country, That's what immigration/border security/ call it whatever you like is for.

If you don't declare you have left the UK, what are the penalties? They already know you're not there.

[NoshowJones]

20 hours ago, berybert said:

Just use your brothers address for everything and you wont have to inform anyone of anything.

 

Best advice so far where finances are concerned.

[NoshowJones]

17 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Use the brothers address for many things but l'm surprised by the amount of to liking the idea of fraud. 

The biggest frauds are the British Government. Take them for all you can because that's what they do to you.

[little mary sunshine]

Read TV over and over and don't believe this

woman is in love with you!!!

 

What ever your assets, keep that info to yourself.

 

Tell her from the start you will NEVER buy a house 

In Thailand because YOU cannot own it.  Only a

condo in a Foreign Name.

 

Don't  believe. " Your Hanson"

 

Minimize your monthly income, only spend 65% of

your monlhly income.

 

If you're 64 and She is <30 and you met in a BAR

stay in thr UK and save yourself lots of aggression 

and money

    

 

 

[NoshowJones]

7 hours ago, rak sa_ngop said:

These days you have to convince the NHS that you are back for good, i.e. prove you have resettled back in the UK (and even then as happened to somebody I know they knocked him back. He had to return to Thailand and ended up buying a new condo in the same building he owned a condo in before.)

 

Otherwise there is a waiting period of 3 or maybe its 6 months before you qualify for free NHS treatment again.

 

The days of flying back just to get free treatment are generally over, although lots of people will say otherwise.

Have you ever heard of any UK born person getting turned away from any treatment in a UK hospital?

[NoshowJones]

5 hours ago, worgeordie said:

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

I would say it is not Thailand that has been very good to you, it is you that has been very good to yourself. Reading through your post, all I see is good common sense, and you deserve all the happiness you have found.

[nickmondo]

do not sell anything in the UK, use your brothers address, do not buy a property here, do not reveal your income or bank account details to your thai lady.

Just be very careful, take things easy, dont let her push you into anything.  

If she asks you for money for family problem, illness, business problem, or ANYTHING, get rid of her IMMEDIATELY.

Seriously mate, find the wrong girl and she will fleece you for everything you have.

Rent a place in your name only.

Better still, just stay in a serviced accomodation.

Nearly all the places on Booking.com will offer you a good deal long term if you pay for electric and water.

just be careful dude, and keep your hand firmly on your wallet.

many a man of your age has fallen for the honey trap, lost everything, and thrown themselves off a high building.

be sensible and you can enjoy the delights this country has to offer.

 

[transam]

Well I have read the posts......Now this is absolutely true because I helped the old guy with paperwork...I have written the story before but here it is again...

 

An old fella near mes friend got sussed by the UK for living in LOS but using a UK address...Perhaps he was grassed up, I don't know. Shit hit the fan, UK wanted their money back and he now lives back in the UK cos he cannot give their money back...

 

My friend was doing the same thing and came clean a couple of years back with the UK saying he NOW lived in LOS...They came back with, yes, since 2008.........

 

His pension was set at the 2008 level and he had to pay back the difference he received...