Homeward Bound?

General chat about life in the Land Of Smiles. Discuss expat life, relationship issues and all things generally Thailand and Asia related.
Noz
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by Noz »

caller wrote:
margaretcarnes wrote:Sorry Siani - but GLC has been in Thailand quite a few years now, and that would certainly present problems if he returns. Getting a place to rent - fine - but landlords need references, ID, income details etc. Some won't accept 'DSS' even if he was able to claim help with rent - or indeed able to claim Jobseekers or anything else - until the authorities are satisfied that he intends to stay etc etc. It really isn't easy at all I'm afraid. Even getting a bank account without current utility bills - a vicious circle.
Mags, I think you're being too negative. He'll be fine. He'll need cash to put down a deposit on a room / flat plus 1/3 months rent, but once he has an address, declares to whoever asks, that he is back to settle and work, the state will kick in for temp help. I'm sure he has a NI number and that will also help things along.
From personal experience it depends who you're renting from. If you go via a letting agency, they'll probably want references, do credit searches etc... and will stick to that seeing as it's company rules. But if you find a private landlord, they're more likely to be amenable to an expat and his/her circumstances, as long as you can show you have the ability to pay the rent.

I would say there's zero chance of the state finding a place to stay for an expat just turning up out the blue. At least for somewhere half-decent. I've seen the council properties available in my local area from a leaflet in the library and they always seem to be in the worst areas. If you satisfy the criteria you can "apply", but I think those who have been in need longer (or claiming certain benefits longer) get preference.
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by caller »

Oh, I agree there's zilch chance of getting any decent social housing, should any actually be available, but once in the UK, and if needed as a last resort, he could claim out of work / in work benefits, which could include assistance with his rent. Unless the rules have changed for UK citizens?
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jumusman
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by jumusman »

Big Boy wrote:Personally, I think if you did a poll of people in the UK of a similar age, most would opt for your lifestyle.
Partially because the grass is always greener right ? If you took a poll of people in the U.K now in the latter years, yes they would want to get out of the cold weather and live here but the only Thailand they know is probably the one where they visited for 2 weeks or so and had a grand time on holiday living it up! not the one where they have ever dealt with the day to day problems and issues that can occur as a full time resident. Just my opinion...
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by GLCQuantum »

Interesting replies folks, given me food for thought. :cheers:
theprice01 wrote:
I know your feeing a bit down on your luck GLC, but i don't believe your quality life is *that* bad here, especially as your working.
If i had to choose between a uk houseshare (as a tenant) or stay here, it woud be staying here!
No, my quality of life here is probably better than it will be at first on returning to the Uk. The difference is that, in the Uk, I might actually have a chance of bettering myself a bit. If it all fails, I can jump on a plane back to Asia and continue teaching.

I'm 99% sure now that I want to return to the uk. I won't leave for the uk though, until I've saved half a million in Mickey Mouse money. Converted into real money its not a lot, but should put me in with a fighting chance at least. I'm tempted to use my next 6 months or so learning how to read and write Thai... It could give me a shot as a (cheap... you get what you pay for) translator. General conversation I can translate as it is (get the point across) but I can't read or write Thai. Could be worthwhile.

I need a return to normality for a period. The hair pulling and lip biting that I've become accustomed to while working here, has got a bit much for me and also...

... Thai weed is crap. :wink: :blues:

:cheers:
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Siani
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by Siani »

GLCQuantum wrote:Interesting replies folks, given me food for thought. :cheers:
theprice01 wrote:
I know your feeing a bit down on your luck GLC, but i don't believe your quality life is *that* bad here, especially as your working.
If i had to choose between a uk houseshare (as a tenant) or stay here, it woud be staying here!
No, my quality of life here is probably better than it will be at first on returning to the Uk. The difference is that, in the Uk, I might actually have a chance of bettering myself a bit. If it all fails, I can jump on a plane back to Asia and continue teaching.

I'm 99% sure now that I want to return to the uk. I won't leave for the uk though, until I've saved half a million in Mickey Mouse money. Converted into real money its not a lot, but should put me in with a fighting chance at least. I'm tempted to use my next 6 months or so learning how to read and write Thai... It could give me a shot as a (cheap... you get what you pay for) translator. General conversation I can translate as it is (get the point across) but I can't read or write Thai. Could be worthwhile.

I need a return to normality for a period. The hair pulling and lip biting that I've become accustomed to while working here, has got a bit much for me and also...

... Thai weed is crap. :wink: :blues:

:cheers:
Hi
Tried to pm you...but it says..."Some users couldn’t be added as they have disabled private message receipt."
Anyway, thanks...good luck with your plans. You will be fine :wink:
GLCQuantum
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by GLCQuantum »

Sorry there, I had the pm function off. Should be fine now for anytime in the future. :D
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Siani
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by Siani »

GLCQu :) antum wrote:Sorr :) y there, I had the pm function off. Should be fine now for anytime in the future. :D
Great, will contract you tomorrow
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margaretcarnes
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by margaretcarnes »

caller wrote:Oh, I agree there's zilch chance of getting any decent social housing, should any actually be available, but once in the UK, and if needed as a last resort, he could claim out of work / in work benefits, which could include assistance with his rent. Unless the rules have changed for UK citizens?
Agreed about the social housing situation - single bed properties particularly are at a premium now due to the 'bedroom tax'. Private renting - yes as Siani points out a private landlord should be OK with cash up front - at least for a short term renewable tnancy agreement, which most are now.
But to answer Siani really I'm not trying to be negative. Just realistic. Forwarned is forarmed. From my own experience the biggest problem was getting a bank account opened. (If GLC already has one in the UK great - it would help a lot.) Otherwise it can be difficult. I returned to the UK with the old paper UK driving licence which I found was no longer accepted as valid ID. So the first job was to get issued with the card licence before a bank would even talk. (No utility bills....) OK a passport is of course also ID, but does tend to shoot you in the foot by proving length of stay in Thailand. Especially when it comes to signing on!
Much depends on being prepared for the interrogations! And at the end of the day any form of benefits claim is subject to the Habitual Residence Test.
I do think that GLC will be OK, but should also be prepared.
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Homer
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by Homer »

Reference, agencies, utility bills, searches ... sounds like a nightmare or Catch-22.
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by Pleng »

GLCQuantum wrote:I'm tempted to use my next 6 months or so learning how to read and write Thai... It could give me a shot as a (cheap... you get what you pay for) translator. General conversation I can translate as it is (get the point across) but I can't read or write Thai. Could be worthwhile.
Who would be your customer base, though?
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by caller »

Funnily enough, from time to time on the UK forum I use, companies do come on board and ask for Thai translators, but I wouldn't have thought there would be enough in it to make a living.

Also some kids who either travelled young to the UK, or were born there to mixed Thai / UK parentage, want there kids to learn Thai. The temple at Wimbledon provides Thai language lessons on a Sunday.

At the very least, it could bring in some extra cash.
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by Pleng »

I'm sure there is *some* call for Thai translators, but would they be happy with somebody who was just promising a "good enough" service after having done a crash course themselves?

With regards to the teaching; I'd imagine the customers would prefer a native Thai speaker (who there is no shortage of in the UK).
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caller
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by caller »

Pleng wrote:I'm sure there is *some* call for Thai translators, but would they be happy with somebody who was just promising a "good enough" service after having done a crash course themselves?

With regards to the teaching; I'd imagine the customers would prefer a native Thai speaker (who there is no shortage of in the UK).
Agree with all you say, but sometimes translators fall down on their English skills - personal experience of that where I've had to stop interviews because I couldn't understand them, it's even happened at Court, since the service was outsourced!

With either of the above scenarios, I couldn't see it being a main source of income.
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by HHTel »

the biggest problem was getting a bank account opened.
Not sure whether I was just lucky or if this is an accepted procedure. When I went back to the UK, my sister recommended me to her bank manager at Lloyds. She made the appointment. I turned up. No ID that I can remember. 30 mins later, I had a bank account, ATM card and two credit cards. Even an overdraft facility! I still use them.
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Siani
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Re: Homeward Bound?

Post by Siani »

I think a good idea is to set a UK bank account up before leaving HH. If you are with HSBC or Barclays it is dead easy. There are many online chat help available with most banks.
Another idea, make copies of your bank statements. Get references from your present employer. Also if paying rent at the moment make copies of all transactions. also if possible get references from the landlord/agent.
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