Homeward Bound?

[Bamboo Grove]

learn from a country whose people don't swamp, in its thousands, to a temple to rid themselves of any wrongdoings... instantly

Don't go to any catholic country then.

[Spitfire]

Other things like starting a business is easy here

hmm..? Starting out as a sole trader in the UK means filing a couple of bits of paperwork with the inland revenue each year.

There's no way that I know of to start a business in Thailand, as a foreigner, without a stack of capital behind you. And I dread to think of the amount of paperwork that might be involved..?

Got off lightly there.......only got pulled on one sentence.

Yeah, perhaps so.....I should have put that I mean't about starting a business via proxy with the wife, not starting one solo in your own right/name as that may well indeed have unforeseen obsticles and requirements that are designed to discourage such brazen optimism about the future amongst foreign nationals.

[STEVE G]

Do British citizens have the right of unlimited abode and employment permission in all Commonwealth countries?

No, you can go anywhere in the EU but the Commonwealth doesn't really get you anywhere, they all hate us!

I should have asked at the same time if Commonwealth people have right of abode in the UK?

Concerning Steve's answer, seems like a political/diplomatic misstep not to have insisted UK people can live and work freely when the group was formed. England was the prime mover behind forming it in the first place...right?

EDIT: ....or at least a right to retire in those places with no visa hassle.

Part of the core values of the Commonwealth is that there are no legal obligations between nations so being a member of it doesn't give you any rights at all. In the past the UK has welcomed immigration from Commonwealth nations to fill gaps in the workforce but they never had the right to come and in a similar way, UK nationals have been encouraged to go to countries like Australia.

[dtaai-maai]

In terms of immigration there were, and I think still are, a number of benefits under UK law to being a non-British Commonwealth citizen.
The UK Grandparent system and Working Holidays are two that spring to mind.

[Siani]

Just to add my satang...

This point hasn't been mentioned yet as it is not a frequent occurrence in Thailand. For younger people who come here to live, I would venture a guess that 1 person out of ten make it, and I think I'm being very generous there. By younger, I mean in their twenties, early thirties (like I was when I came here). Unless you are walking in to an international company (I'll emphasize the international) with a contract that's worth more than the paper... Don't come buddy! You will struggle, you will waste opportunities 'living the dream' and you WILL suffer because of that. Thailand is no place to just kinda turn up and hope for the best on the back of a government school teaching job.

Personally, I would love to get back to England. Not to stay, but to weigh up what my options are for a long term move elsewhere. Unfortunately, with no place to crash in the uk until I find my feet, it will prove quite difficult for me. I can't see my future being in Thailand. I think I'll go crazy before I kick the bucket, thinking about how I wasted my 'younger' years living and working in a country that doesn't really want me here.

I've had offers from an international school in Laos which is tickling my taste buds, if not just to experience a different culture for a bit. I like Laos but as we all know, it is very different living somewhere full time.... to taking a trip there.

Unless they are backed up with money I would advise anyone in the younger years not to move here. It will usually end up bad for you, pal.

Mags... Where do I stand if I turn up (a young, respectable, literate lad like me) in the uk with no home. I know they are busy housing the immigrants for free but... Do you think they'd have a slot for one of their own.

Doubt it.



Edit : just to add Mags, I wouldn't be coming penniless, of course. I also wouldn't be coming with money that could afford a year's rent anywhere. Would the government help me? Or do I need to 'obtain' twelve Romanian/polish/Indian etc. children from somewhere before I get given a big old pad?

I think that there will not be a problem for you. If you have enough money to put down say 3 months rent in advance you will get a rental. You just explain that you have been working abroad for xxx many years and you do not have a UK credit rating at this time. Where I live, Bournemouth and Poole area there are loads of language schools, always looking for staff. There are also many house shares and student/room lets. It is a nice place to work.
Also from the minute you arrived you will be probably be entitled to job seekers allowance. When you start work, if its not enough you may also get tax credits, plus other benefits. The DHSS will also on some occasions put you up in B&B accommodation until you get sorted out.
Have a little browse through this:

https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad/overview

Hope it works out for you

[GLCQuantum]

While I'm trying to get home to increase my career prospects, many come to Thailand to try and do the same. Some cringeworthy watching here. Some decent folks too... 'Bangkok Brits'





There's a third episode too, but it's not available. Sorry mods, could you sort out the link for me.

[pharvey]

Sorry mods, could you sort out the link for me.

Hardly a Mod (Ahem..), but tried the 1st link - Youtube in the UK changed to this: -



But as it doesn't appear to be available in the UK, can't say it works or not.....

Anyway, I shall search elsewhere for the series...

[GLCQuantum]

Cheers Pharvey, that link works fine from here.

[STEVE G]

If you want to return to the UK to work, finding accommodation is actually much easier than many other countries. About five years ago I worked at Westlands in Yeovil for six months and found a pretty decent room in a shared house with all facilities, WiFi internet and all bills paid for £85 a week. What surprised me was how simple it was, I found the number off the internet, went and had a look, paid a weeks rent as deposit and moved in, it took about an hour. There were places available for quite a bit less if you were on a tight budget.
Here where I work in Luxembourg people want a years work contract and a lawyer produced contract just to rent a room and they also go through real estate agents which means it costs about a thousand Euros up front.

[GLCQuantum]

If you want to return to the UK to work, finding accommodation is actually much easier than many other countries. About five years ago I worked at Westlands in Yeovil for six months and found a pretty decent room in a shared house with all facilities, WiFi internet and all bills paid for £85 a week. What surprised me was how simple it was, I found the number off the internet, went and had a look, paid a weeks rent as deposit and moved in, it took about an hour. There were places available for quite a bit less if you were on a tight budget.
Here where I work in Luxembourg people want a years work contract and a lawyer produced contract just to rent a room and they also go through real estate agents which means it costs about a thousand Euros up front.

Thanks Steve. 85 quid a week sounds very reasonable to me. My last place in Reading (shared) some 13 years ago was costing me around 500 a month.

[margaretcarnes]

Just to add my satang...


Mags... Where do I stand if I turn up (a young, respectable, literate lad like me) in the uk with no home. I know they are busy housing the immigrants for free but... Do you think they'd have a slot for one of their own.

Doubt it.



Edit : just to add Mags, I wouldn't be coming penniless, of course. I also wouldn't be coming with money that could afford a year's rent anywhere. Would the government help me? Or do I need to 'obtain' twelve Romanian/polish/Indian etc. children from somewhere before I get given a big old pad?

I think that there will not be a problem for you. If you have enough money to put down say 3 months rent in advance you will get a rental. You just explain that you have been working abroad for xxx many years and you do not have a UK credit rating at this time. Where I live, Bournemouth and Poole area there are loads of language schools, always looking for staff. There are also many house shares and student/room lets. It is a nice place to work.
Also from the minute you arrived you will be probably be entitled to job seekers allowance. When you start work, if its not enough you may also get tax credits, plus other benefits. The DHSS will also on some occasions put you up in B&B accommodation until you get sorted out.
Have a little browse through this:

https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad/overview

Hope it works out for you

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.

[kendo]

I could think of far worse places to come back to than Bournemouth. Many language schools and a large Thai community there. Accommodation plenty full many shared houses etc great surroundings and nightlife.

I don't believe anyone can't find work between Bournemouth and the Southampton area. For me living in between the two is fantastic wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Kendo.

[theprice01]

I can see GLC's problem, i rented rooms in Brighton and i woud not consider anyone on benefits or with pets. Because the market was so busy in my area (Brighton) i could cherrypick the best.

Steve G is correct about the procedure.

[caller]

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.

[theprice01]

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!