Homeless foreigners in Thailand 'lack assistance'

[richard]

I have a UK address, doctor and bank account. I have fully paid up NIC and draw a state pension BUT I am no longer a UK resident therefore not entitled to pension increases AND I'm ineligible to use the NHS

[caller]

You're not unable to use the NHS for an emergency. There's a consultation paper doing the rounds which points out the obvious unfairness of British expats and access to the NHS, especially for example, when compared to an émigré wife on a settlement visa, who qualify for full access from day 1, but initially have contributed nowt.

The proposal (from memory having read this a while back) is that access will be permitted based on payment of NI conts, the document recommends 7-years as the qualifying period.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... cument.pdf

[oakdale160]

A couple of years ago, I saw a farang begging on Sukhumvit near Robinson's, I wanted to help. I went to McD and bought a hamburger and juice for him. I offered them to him. He cursed me out and said he wanted money. I walked away with my McD meal and gave it to a Thai beggar, who smiled and thanked me.

[margaretcarnes]

How many of those on pension retired here expecting to receive the annual increases and then found they did not get what they had paid in for. It is those i believe the UK government have a moral responsibility to take care of. Why because the government sure as hell did not warn me in advance.

I don't have a lot of good things to say about the British Government. However, I was sent on a pre-retirement course, and I was left in no doubt regarding pension increases.

Having said that, I'm still a new retiree. Maybe they've learnt since your day.

I think the situation with UK pensions can only become more confusing in the not too distant future. When the Government itself can't even bring in its' own changes smoothly, and in a way which treats all pensioners equally and fairly, I wonder if they even know what they are doing.
As things stand there is no way future UK pensioners can know exactly what their financial situation is going to be when they retire (unless they are able to contribute to a 100% fail safe private fund.)
Even many of those pensioners already in the LOS wouldn't have been aware that their pensions would be frozen. Not everyone has worked for an employer commited to giving pre retirement courses - as the Civil Service does.
Yes - it would certainly help a bit if the stupid rule on pension freezing were lifted. But the UK Government is commited to cutting benefits - not spending more (or at least not on paper.)
And even if needy expats can be helped to repatriate they won't find it an easy ride back home by any means. Yes - they would be entitled to immediate health care - but nothing else until they satisfy the UKs' 'Habitual Residence Test', and while that is going on they would still be living on the same amount as they were in the LOS.
The sad fact is that returning expats can be treated like aliens in their country of birth.

[buksida]

Guys, this thread is really about foreigners in Thailand - please start another one in CA if you want to discuss the UK.

[Edit: UK posts moved to their own thread here: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=24553]

[johnnyk]

The falangs living under the bridge are one reason the Thai gov't wants people to have 800K baht in the bank, so they can get themselves home. No doubt some of them whinged about that requirement.

[sargeant]

I do apologize buksi but it is probably very much due to the pension rules and changes to pensions which is actually increasing the number of homeless Brits here. To say nothing of the exchange rates which are effected by the Brit govt deliberately manipulating the currency.
As i posted and i agree putting moral responsibility and the UK Govt in the same sentence is an oxymoron but it surely should not be the responsibility of the Thai Govt or Thai people to subsidize or pay for their repatriation and as the rules on immigration are certainly not being met means they should be deported back to their own countries

[Sexy Jonny]

Personally, it is 10 years I living in Thailand and I never saw Homeless foreigners in Thailand

[Dr Mike]

Well i dont know that they are homeless, but seen many begging on the streets and looking like a homeless person,
seem to see them near Asok Skytain station more than other places.

[Lung Per]

Well i dont know that they are homeless, but seen many begging on the streets and looking like a homeless person,
seem to see them near Asok Skytain station more than other places.

Soi dogs and cats outnumber by far the homeless people in Thailand. Many ladies go to great extent to feed these unfortunate four-legged creatures. In doing so they ensure the survival and multiplication of Thailand's four-legged nuisance.

How about these well-meaning ladies instead focus on feeding some of our unfortunate two-legged creatures?

[Lung Per]

Well i dont know that they are homeless, but seen many begging on the streets and looking like a homeless person,
seem to see them near Asok Skytain station more than other places.

The begging in Bangkok's tourist areas is a gypsy-like racket. Ladies borrow each other's babies for begging. A recent TV program aired in Scandinavia proved organized begging. In some cases babies were doped so they wouldn't cry. Haven't you ever wondered why the beggars' babies always are asleep?

Beggars are taken to and fro their destinations by car and they must return their proceeds to their "protectors" who in turn give them a small percentage and provide for food and quarters.

This in itself is a very sad situation and I am not sying that all begging is a racket, but most of it is definately part of organized crime. Remember this when you consider flipping a coin to a pair of sad eyes.

[Bristolian]

Another article from the Bangkok Post

Are homeless expats living on Easy Street? The authorities are concerned by the rising number of Westerners living rough in Thailand. Spectrum discovered that while some are mentally ill, others have made...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/investi ... -by-choice

[buksida]

Interesting article. I notice the muppet tourist police captain interviewed totally didn't get it and, as usual, was more concerned about Thailand's image than the actual problem.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affair should have a better screening process for foreigners who want to come to Thailand on both tourist and retirement visas," he said. "It is too easy for foreigner to come and stay long-term in our country. Foreigners never have to declare their financial status in order to get a visa."

Most of them were financially stable when they arrived, got fleeced by Thai women, and ended up in their predicament.

[Pleng]

Interesting article. I notice the muppet tourist police captain interviewed totally didn't get it and, as usual, was more concerned about Thailand's image than the actual problem.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affair should have a better screening process for foreigners who want to come to Thailand on both tourist and retirement visas," he said. "It is too easy for foreigner to come and stay long-term in our country. Foreigners never have to declare their financial status in order to get a visa."

Most of them were financially stable when they arrived, got fleeced by Thai women, and ended up in their predicament.

Not to mention that his information is incorrect anyway. I'm pretty sure the majority of long stay VISAs do need some kind of declaration of financial status?

[hhfarang]

Most of them were financially stable when they arrived, got fleeced by Thai women ...

or by farang builders and property agents...