You won't care where you are with Alzheimer's because you will be ga gaizzix wrote:how will you do a visa run if you get altzheimers or MND in later years ?
A personal View of the u.k,and why im leaving
i know a guy that has altzheimer.izzix wrote:its ok slating the UK so long as your health holds out , but i heard recently of aging Brits who were repatriated as they were in ill health .
how will you do a visa run if you get altzheimers or MND in later years ?
He doesn't have a visa for more then 3 years,
the immigration know about him.
He has a letter from his doctor that he can't leave his house.
This is enough for immigration.
I wonder what they would do in Europe in such a case?
this proves again that thailand and immigration is not always as bad as we think.
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Prenders88
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From the Daily Telegraph's website.
British militant Islamic men fighting our forces in Afghanistan.
Brig. Ed Butler, who spent six months commanding British forces in Afghanistan, also revealed fears that militant Islamic groups in south-east Asia are supporting terrorist plots in the UK.
The brigadier, a former head of the SAS, spoke exclusively to the Daily Telegraph in the week when the British death toll in Afghanistan reached 114, with 17 fatalities in the last two months.
UK forces have uncovered evidence that British Muslims are actively supporting the Taliban and al-Qa'eda in attacks on coalition forces in southern Afghanistan, Brig Butler said.
He said: "There are British passport holders who live in the U.K. who are being found in places like Kandahar."
Earlier this year, it was revealed that RAF Nimrod spyplanes monitoring Taliban radio signals in Afghanistan had heard militants speaking with Yorkshire and Midlands accents.
Privately, British officers in Afghanistan estimate that several thousand Taliban fighters have been killed since 2006, among them people from outside the country.
One officer said: "While my troops have not actually found British passports on enemy dead there has been a suspicion that with the high number of Taliban casualties they have needed to recruit a lot of foreign fighters and some of these are likely to be of British-Muslim descent."
Disturbingly, Brig Butler suggested the traffic between Britain and Afghanistan may flow in both directions, with some British Muslims returning from the region and posing a domestic security threat.
Brig Butler, 46, said he had seen evidence that terror groups based in southern Afghanistan were plotting with Muslim extremists in Britain to carry out terror attacks in the UK.
"There is a link between Kandahar and urban conurbations in the UK," said Brig. Butler. "This is something the military understands but the British public does not."
Western intelligence agencies are increasingly concerned that Afghanistan and its lawless border with Pakistan are now home to many training camps used by Jihadi groups to prepare radicals for attacks in the West.
A Whitehall source confirmed that the security services are aware of some radicalized British Muslims returning to the UK from Afghanstan.
The source said: "There are very small numbers of British citizens traveling out there, being trained up and then returning to the UK."
With al-Qaeda widely seen to be losing ground in Iraq, counter-terrorism officials say that Afghanistan is emerging as the focus for radicalised Western Muslims wanting to fight Western forces.
Earlier this year, Nigel Inkster, a former deputy head of MI6, warned that Taliban groups over the border in Pakistan have "dispatched terrorists to a number of locations including Spain and the United Kingdom."
Brig Butler, widely regarded as one of the best British officers of his generation, announced his decision to retire from the Army earlier this year.
He had been a candidate for the job of Director, Special Forces, overseeing the SAS, the SBS and the Special Reconnaissance Regiment.
Despite claims that his premature retirement was in protest at the government's underfunding of the Armed Forces, Brig Butler insisted his decision to step down had been prompted by the desire to spend more time with his family.
"I reached the conclusion that I did not want to leave my family any more for an extended period. Life is too short. There is no point having a family if you are not going to see them," he said.
Brig Butler commanded British forces when they began their current mission in southern Afghanistan two years ago and is credited with being the architect of the British Army's strategy for defeating the Taliban.
But he said that from the outset British commanders knew the Taliban "would be up for a fight, but we were surprised at how ferocious that fight turned out to be."
When British forces deployed to Helmand province in 2006, Brig Butler warned the government that there was a strong possibility that British soldiers would end up killing Muslims who held British passports and were fighting with the Taliban and al-Qa'eda.
He is currently Commander of Joint Force Operations based at Northwood, near London, and will formally leave the Army next year.
British commanders and diplomats have warned that the West faces a "long haul" in Afghanistan and may have to retain a military presence there for decades to come.
Brig Butler believes the continued presence of radical British Muslims in southern Afghanistan is one of the reasons British forces must remain in the region, despite the heavy number of battlefield fatalities.
"This is a highly significant mission," he said. "If we do not win against the protagonists of the September 11 attacks then those who are against us will take great succour from it."
It is vital for British forces to remain in Afghanistan "for as long as it takes" to prevent a repeat of the July 7 bombings in London in 2005, which killed 52 people, he said.
Several British Muslims were detained in Afghanistan during the 2001 U.S.-led military operation to overthrow the Taliban, and were held at Guantanamo Bay as enemy combatants.
All were later released and say they had no involvement in anti-coalition activity.
British militant Islamic men fighting our forces in Afghanistan.
Brig. Ed Butler, who spent six months commanding British forces in Afghanistan, also revealed fears that militant Islamic groups in south-east Asia are supporting terrorist plots in the UK.
The brigadier, a former head of the SAS, spoke exclusively to the Daily Telegraph in the week when the British death toll in Afghanistan reached 114, with 17 fatalities in the last two months.
UK forces have uncovered evidence that British Muslims are actively supporting the Taliban and al-Qa'eda in attacks on coalition forces in southern Afghanistan, Brig Butler said.
He said: "There are British passport holders who live in the U.K. who are being found in places like Kandahar."
Earlier this year, it was revealed that RAF Nimrod spyplanes monitoring Taliban radio signals in Afghanistan had heard militants speaking with Yorkshire and Midlands accents.
Privately, British officers in Afghanistan estimate that several thousand Taliban fighters have been killed since 2006, among them people from outside the country.
One officer said: "While my troops have not actually found British passports on enemy dead there has been a suspicion that with the high number of Taliban casualties they have needed to recruit a lot of foreign fighters and some of these are likely to be of British-Muslim descent."
Disturbingly, Brig Butler suggested the traffic between Britain and Afghanistan may flow in both directions, with some British Muslims returning from the region and posing a domestic security threat.
Brig Butler, 46, said he had seen evidence that terror groups based in southern Afghanistan were plotting with Muslim extremists in Britain to carry out terror attacks in the UK.
"There is a link between Kandahar and urban conurbations in the UK," said Brig. Butler. "This is something the military understands but the British public does not."
Western intelligence agencies are increasingly concerned that Afghanistan and its lawless border with Pakistan are now home to many training camps used by Jihadi groups to prepare radicals for attacks in the West.
A Whitehall source confirmed that the security services are aware of some radicalized British Muslims returning to the UK from Afghanstan.
The source said: "There are very small numbers of British citizens traveling out there, being trained up and then returning to the UK."
With al-Qaeda widely seen to be losing ground in Iraq, counter-terrorism officials say that Afghanistan is emerging as the focus for radicalised Western Muslims wanting to fight Western forces.
Earlier this year, Nigel Inkster, a former deputy head of MI6, warned that Taliban groups over the border in Pakistan have "dispatched terrorists to a number of locations including Spain and the United Kingdom."
Brig Butler, widely regarded as one of the best British officers of his generation, announced his decision to retire from the Army earlier this year.
He had been a candidate for the job of Director, Special Forces, overseeing the SAS, the SBS and the Special Reconnaissance Regiment.
Despite claims that his premature retirement was in protest at the government's underfunding of the Armed Forces, Brig Butler insisted his decision to step down had been prompted by the desire to spend more time with his family.
"I reached the conclusion that I did not want to leave my family any more for an extended period. Life is too short. There is no point having a family if you are not going to see them," he said.
Brig Butler commanded British forces when they began their current mission in southern Afghanistan two years ago and is credited with being the architect of the British Army's strategy for defeating the Taliban.
But he said that from the outset British commanders knew the Taliban "would be up for a fight, but we were surprised at how ferocious that fight turned out to be."
When British forces deployed to Helmand province in 2006, Brig Butler warned the government that there was a strong possibility that British soldiers would end up killing Muslims who held British passports and were fighting with the Taliban and al-Qa'eda.
He is currently Commander of Joint Force Operations based at Northwood, near London, and will formally leave the Army next year.
British commanders and diplomats have warned that the West faces a "long haul" in Afghanistan and may have to retain a military presence there for decades to come.
Brig Butler believes the continued presence of radical British Muslims in southern Afghanistan is one of the reasons British forces must remain in the region, despite the heavy number of battlefield fatalities.
"This is a highly significant mission," he said. "If we do not win against the protagonists of the September 11 attacks then those who are against us will take great succour from it."
It is vital for British forces to remain in Afghanistan "for as long as it takes" to prevent a repeat of the July 7 bombings in London in 2005, which killed 52 people, he said.
Several British Muslims were detained in Afghanistan during the 2001 U.S.-led military operation to overthrow the Taliban, and were held at Guantanamo Bay as enemy combatants.
All were later released and say they had no involvement in anti-coalition activity.
Udon Thani, best seen through your car's rear view mirror.
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Prenders88
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ben turpin
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Hello PaulPaul wrote:I may be slated for saying this and its my own personal opinion.
I will never look upon a person born in the UK to Indian or Pakistani parents to be British - maybe on paper but he is and will always be Indian or Pakistani (and looks like it)
Just as a Thai wife who gets a UK passport will never be looked upon as British or in extreme cases a farang who gets Thai citizenship will never be looked upon by Thais or other Farangs as Thai. Its a piece of paper thats all.
Its a pyramid effect.
Get just one here and it opens the floodgates for the entire family and the pyramid base expands uncontrollably.
The government keeps saying thats its what the British people want - a multi cultural society. Really ??? did anyone ask us ????????
Nobody asks us anything. That is politics. It goes for europe, it goes for the Us and it goes for thailand too. Believe the crap that european or us politicians are selling? No, like experts or insiders on a forum they only tell the public their point of view and don't care what another person thinks. Yes they wonder and assume until they drop dead one day. Tony Blair was a perfect example of that. George W of course is the topper.
The only differrence is the famous freedom of speech. But what does it bring you? Nothing because most politicians are farting all over you so stop wondering why no politician hears you opinion.
Think you can change anything by posting this? No , because who reads this besides a foolish outsider killing time during his lunch break.
Yes, nobody
So nobody will slate you for this. Your message will simply fade away like a million other messages including mine.
Note From Mods:
BT, I've edited your post to put the quote first, as is usual. Your post then follows the quote and is then easier to understand.
Ben Turnip,
I have no intention to change anything merely provocing discussion amongst those 'foolish outsiders killing time in his lunch break'
Not only do those foolish outsiders read this - some even actually bother to reply to it (clue: see above post)
Forums rely on discussion. Forums rely on people with differing opinions that can be debated and discussed. Forums rely on 'foolish outsiders' offering his input to educate, learn, laugh and in some cases get wound up about - it is the same on every forum in every city in every corner of the world. Its called participation.
What forums don't need is people whose sole intent is to put people down - people who you have never, or will never meet. whose opinion differs from your own.
In just a short space of time (a little over 3 months) you have become such an excellent judge of character and chose to slay all those who you disagree with.
Many peoples opinions I also disagree with - and I can either promote further discussion about it or click the next page.
In the extreme if you hate the forum so much you can delete the website from your browser and never darken these pages again.
Idle threats belong in the same place as your pram toys.
The above is not flaming, a personal attack or derogatory. It is simply fact.
The clock is ticking 48,47,46,45........
I have no intention to change anything merely provocing discussion amongst those 'foolish outsiders killing time in his lunch break'
Not only do those foolish outsiders read this - some even actually bother to reply to it (clue: see above post)
Forums rely on discussion. Forums rely on people with differing opinions that can be debated and discussed. Forums rely on 'foolish outsiders' offering his input to educate, learn, laugh and in some cases get wound up about - it is the same on every forum in every city in every corner of the world. Its called participation.
What forums don't need is people whose sole intent is to put people down - people who you have never, or will never meet. whose opinion differs from your own.
In just a short space of time (a little over 3 months) you have become such an excellent judge of character and chose to slay all those who you disagree with.
Many peoples opinions I also disagree with - and I can either promote further discussion about it or click the next page.
In the extreme if you hate the forum so much you can delete the website from your browser and never darken these pages again.
Idle threats belong in the same place as your pram toys.
The above is not flaming, a personal attack or derogatory. It is simply fact.
The clock is ticking 48,47,46,45........
Re: A personal View of the u.k,and why im leaving
But it seems that there is indeed something wrong with the UK when you take a close look at these statistics.... 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic ... nancy.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic ... nancy.html
Britain 'sickest' country in Europe with worst rates of obesity and teenage pregnancy
By Daniel Martin
Last updated at 9:37 PM on 27th January 2009
Weight wars: Brits are the most obese in the Western Europe world, with Austrians being the thinnest
England has been exposed as the sick man of Europe, with the highest rates of obesity.
More women die of alcoholic liver disease and cancer here than in almost any other country.
Heart attack and smoking rates were among the highest, and infant mortality was among the worst on the continent - despite billions of pounds pumped into the NHS.
Critics immediately seized on the findings, saying Labour's failed policies risked bankrupting the Health Service.
The damning survey, the Health Profile of England 2008, was published by the Government. It compares the nation's health with the 15 western European countries which were part of the EU before 2004 - the 'EU-15'.
It also compares us with the 12 largely Eastern European countries which joined in that year.
Britain had the worst adult obesity level of all, at 23 per cent - almost twice the level in France, the report said.
Alarmingly, it found the number of seriously overweight people is rising, despite expensive health campaigns. Doctors are also diagnosing more people with diabetes.
Death rates from cancer are falling, but are still above the EU-15 average for female patients.
Death rates from smokingrelated causes are higher than the average for the whole of the EU, including eastern Europe.
More...
* Alcohol death rates DOUBLE among British middle-aged women
* Fears of gambling endemic as NHS say 1.3 million Britons have serious problem
Deaths from alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis are up for both sexes, and for the first time death rates are above the western European average for women. Separate figures show alcohol-related deaths have more than doubled since 1991, to 8,724.
The Health Profile reveals that teenage pregnancy rates are the highest in western Europe. They account for 7.1 per cent of all births, five times the figure in Denmark.
Infant mortality is among the highest in western Europe. And life expectancy is below the EU-15 average for women, but higher for men.
Conservative health spokesman Andrew Lansley said: 'This report exposes Labour's failure to deliver the world- class healthcare people in this country deserve.
'The NHS is so over-burdened by Labour's targets and bureaucracy that it can't focus on the things that really matter - like reducing deaths from heart disease and drinking.
'Conservatives will cut bureaucracy, scrap Labour's central targets and make the NHS accountable to patients on outcomes like cancer survival rates, so that doctors and nurses are freed up to deliver healthcare that matches the best in the world.'
Health minister Dawn Primarolo said: 'Sustained investment in targeted prevention and treatment have paid off. However, we have so much more to do and can't ever assume our work is done.'
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lepidoptra
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Re: A personal View of the u.k,and why im leaving
You forgot to mention,
We have one of the highest crime rates in western Europe
We have more than our fair share of illegal refugees compared to others in Western Europe
We issue more speeding tickets than Western Europe
We have the highest number of lefty do-gooders
We have more sexual crimes than Western Europe
We have more expensive items than most countries in Europe
We have at the moment one of the weakest currencies in Europe
I could go on and on but I'm sure the UK government has everything under control
We have one of the highest crime rates in western Europe
We have more than our fair share of illegal refugees compared to others in Western Europe
We issue more speeding tickets than Western Europe
We have the highest number of lefty do-gooders
We have more sexual crimes than Western Europe
We have more expensive items than most countries in Europe
We have at the moment one of the weakest currencies in Europe
I could go on and on but I'm sure the UK government has everything under control
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Galee
- udonmap.com
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: July 12, 2005, 5:16 pm
- Location: Was Eastbourne, East Sussex. Now Udon.
Re: A personal View of the u.k,and why im leaving
Which begs the question lepi, "Why are you going back there?"lepidoptra wrote:You forgot to mention,
We have one of the highest crime rates in western Europe
We have more than our fair share of illegal refugees compared to others in Western Europe
We issue more speeding tickets than Western Europe
We have the highest number of lefty do-gooders
We have more sexual crimes than Western Europe
We have more expensive items than most countries in Europe
We have at the moment one of the weakest currencies in Europe
I could go on and on but I'm sure the UK government has everything under control
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lepidoptra
- udonmap.com
- Posts: 570
- Joined: October 18, 2008, 1:46 pm
Re: A personal View of the u.k,and why im leaving
I knew you may ask that question I hope to see you at Irish clock tomorrow where I can give the other side of the coin
Re: A personal View of the u.k,and why im leaving
I was lucky enough three years ago to visit Thailand as my friend retired there seven years ago. Since then i have been around from Phuket to Udon, Loei and Nong Hin. I just love the place! England is, awful. 
I am 58 and work a 24 shift pattern which is well paid, but means early shifts up at 0445, late shifts back after midnight, and nights. It's killing me! I want to retire to Thailand and leave England cos i can finish the job, but to me it is mainly these reasons i want to leave the UK. England is crowded. It's run by the liberal left. It's soft on crime. It gives money out in social welfare payments to skivers and fraudsters on a huge scale. It has not controlled its borders allowing everyone and their dog to come in, to get better standing than people here already. It's a nanny state.
However, mainly England is ageist. The NHS is ageist. And England has CRAP weather.
I suffer from SAD which is lack of sunshine, and that's here. Also, its so cold here!!! The thought of being retired in this awful dump makes me suicidal. Sadly i have commitments here to try and tie up before i come across, and the credit crunch has not helped this. But to me, even without a loving partner in Thailand ( i hope i have one there mind you, despite forum warnings! ), and leaving family in England ( hopefully return yearly and they come for holidays ) its Thailand 10 England 0. Health willing, i'll certainly be coming across within a couple of years! What could go wrong? 
England is, awful. I am 58 and work a 24 shift pattern which is well paid, but means early shifts up at 0445, late shifts back after midnight, and nights. It's killing me! I want to retire to Thailand and leave England cos i can finish the job, but to me it is mainly these reasons i want to leave the UK. England is crowded. It's run by the liberal left. It's soft on crime. It gives money out in social welfare payments to skivers and fraudsters on a huge scale. It has not controlled its borders allowing everyone and their dog to come in, to get better standing than people here already. It's a nanny state.However, mainly England is ageist. The NHS is ageist. And England has CRAP weather.
I suffer from SAD which is lack of sunshine, and that's here. Also, its so cold here!!! The thought of being retired in this awful dump makes me suicidal. Sadly i have commitments here to try and tie up before i come across, and the credit crunch has not helped this. But to me, even without a loving partner in Thailand ( i hope i have one there mind you, despite forum warnings! ), and leaving family in England ( hopefully return yearly and they come for holidays ) its Thailand 10 England 0. Health willing, i'll certainly be coming across within a couple of years! What could go wrong? -
arjay
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Re: A personal View of the u.k,and why im leaving
Well I hope it comes together for you Phil.
It's is a shame that the current economic situation is messing up a lot of people's plans.
It's reducing the value of their pension plans and investments, and ultimately their pensions, if not putting them at risk. It's reducing the value and saleability of their houses, should they want to sell up and move (here). And it's reducing the exchange rate they get if they transfer any funds over to Thailand, or anywhere else for that matter. Not to mention putting many at the risk of unemployment at a critical time.
I reckon quite a few will have to delay/defer planned retirements because of a combination of the above reasons.
I hope it works out for you.
It's is a shame that the current economic situation is messing up a lot of people's plans.
It's reducing the value of their pension plans and investments, and ultimately their pensions, if not putting them at risk. It's reducing the value and saleability of their houses, should they want to sell up and move (here). And it's reducing the exchange rate they get if they transfer any funds over to Thailand, or anywhere else for that matter. Not to mention putting many at the risk of unemployment at a critical time.
I reckon quite a few will have to delay/defer planned retirements because of a combination of the above reasons.
I hope it works out for you.
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izzix
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Re: A personal View of the u.k,and why im leaving
I have heard all this before from leavers headed to various parts of the world ,but unless you have lived there for a good length of time ,you dont realise what problems you are headed for .
health issues as you get older , make sure you have plenty of insurance for even minor problems and then dont expect to get free health care for any health issues . If you get age related problems then you could be in trouble. especially when you have to haul your aged body to soi sunphlu to jump thru some hoops to get your visa . Brits who moved to France found out they have no health cover and have to pay a high premium insurance now .
Dont burn your bridges in case you have to return like many do .
The grass always looks greener , but in LOS you have to undertake a daily obstacle course of conmen and ripoffs , scams and double pricing .but good luck anyways .
health issues as you get older , make sure you have plenty of insurance for even minor problems and then dont expect to get free health care for any health issues . If you get age related problems then you could be in trouble. especially when you have to haul your aged body to soi sunphlu to jump thru some hoops to get your visa . Brits who moved to France found out they have no health cover and have to pay a high premium insurance now .
Dont burn your bridges in case you have to return like many do .
The grass always looks greener , but in LOS you have to undertake a daily obstacle course of conmen and ripoffs , scams and double pricing .but good luck anyways .
Re: A personal View of the u.k,and why im leaving
Thanks arjay for best wishes. i hope izzix to have enough lump sum/income for the Thai private hospitals, even if i get seriously ill. It is too late for me to get health insurance now because you have to be healthy to get it! As for problems in LOS. I agree it is going to be a risk. But, i already have my own experiences, my mates too, forum stories, books and films, so hopefully i won't be too green. But, i'd rather try and fail, than not try at all. I nearly died in a heart operation 13 months ago, but i'm still around, so what the hell, i'm determined to give it a go, health/wealth willing!
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jackspratt
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Re: A personal View of the u.k,and why im leaving
Let me assure you Phil, as far as Thailand is concerned, izzie lives in a different place to most of us
Re: A personal View of the u.k,and why im leaving
Yeah, agree with all that Phil. You forgot about the huge national debt that the Half Wit Brown is racking up and may take up to twenty years to pay off (Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7856020.stm). This means taxes will rise over the coming years. So, you're 58 - time to enjoy yourself. Move to Thailand because you'll kick yourself if you don't. Chawk dee.PhilR wrote:England is crowded. It's run by the liberal left. It's soft on crime. It gives money out in social welfare payments to skivers and fraudsters on a huge scale. It has not controlled its borders allowing everyone and their dog to come in, to get better standing than people here already. It's a nanny state.
However, mainly England is ageist. The NHS is ageist. And England has CRAP weather.
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saint
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Re: A personal View of the u.k,and why im leaving
phil , i too suffered from sad syndrone badly in the U K . believe me you will not feel more alive than here in thailand with the sun on your back pretty much 365 days a year . im sure you will meet a genuine lady over here if you take your time and do your homework . for every horror story there are at least ten happy ending , but you dont hear about those . do what your heart is telling you , take the plunge and enjoy whats left of your life , im confident you will not regret it . good luck .