News Forum - British granny’s pension nightmare in Thailand

[Thaiger]

An 87 year old British woman regrets her move to Thailand to be closer to family, as she struggles to survive on a frozen UK state pension of just £300 (approximately 14,000 baht) a month. Christine Gloria Fox, who lives near Pattaya on Thailand’s east coast, laments her decision to relocate to what she describes … …

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[ChrisS]

"“She’s very angry and deeply regrets moving to Thailand. If she had known, she would have stayed in the UK without a doubt. She’s not happy here.”

Did she do no research before moving to Thailand?

[Vigo]

2 hours ago, ChrisS said:

"“She’s very angry and deeply regrets moving to Thailand. If she had known, she would have stayed in the UK without a doubt. She’s not happy here.”

Did she do no research before moving to Thailand?

I doubt that the concept of "research" would have been a concept she would have or could have  understood. This woman represents the demographic of uneducated, unskilled, low economic strata that once was typical of the western long stay demographic in Thailand. Since Covid, most have died or moved away and she is a relic of easier times. 

 She arrived 24 years ago, and at the time most likely did not take into consideration the likelihood of health issues or that she would live as long as she has. I doubt that she would have been any better off in the UK, all alone. Yes, she would have had some NHS access and a higher pension, but her living expenses would have been higher and the sad reality is that the NHS rations health care for elderly seniors. One needs an advocate (i.e. friend, family member) to better access health care. Her quality of life in Thailand, close to her family probably added years to her life and kept her going.  Also, she is deluded by her belief in entitlement. She has already received far more from the UK taxpayer funded pensions than she ever contributed. She expects the taxpayers of the UK to subsidize her life in tropical Pattaya, despite her contributing nothing to the UK economy for the past 24 years. If she was spending and paying some taxes in the UK, she would have a bit more of moral higher ground to make her case, but she is not.

Her son can't be in a good financial place if the best he can manage is a vehicle rental shop. He's next in line for a hard luck story. One catastrophic illness and they will be wiped out. Yes, a sad story, but poor people do get old and when they do, their lives do not get any better.

[TedG]

Only 300/month.  That's a weak pension.   

[Grumpish]

1 hour ago, TedG said:

Only 300/month.  That's a weak pension.   

That is what the UK basic state pension was 25 years ago - it is about £1000 a month now. The increases are only paid to overseas pensioners who live in countries with reciprocal arrangements (and it is a pretty limited list) - it has always been that way, it is nothing new. 

[Jools]

We, too, are British living here and living on smaller pensions - our choice so have to grin and bear it.

Our private healthcare  takes a huge chunk of our money but is a necessity and,  as I am recovering from a hip replacement,  something for which I'm grateful.

Due to an exclusion on my policy I had a cataract operation done at our local government hosoital. Great job and around 25000 baht so don't understand  why this lady's family feels the need to shun the decent health service here. True, it's  a little tricky at times but if funds are low then they"re worth a visit..