The best country to live in
Some articles on this blog make you think. If I have to believe it all, many who have chosen Thailand as their permanent residence have won the grand prize of the lottery. Wonderful climate, no hassle, mild tax climate, low prices, culture and last but not least a young sweet Asian woman by your side.
Judging by many comments I have read over the years, many consider Thailand to be heaven on earth. However, the motherland remains the evil pier. Banks are exploiters who no longer want to accept you as a customer, health insurers don't talk about it and the Dutch tax authorities …. just stop. Whether this is true I cannot state with certainty, but in my humble opinion, Belgians grumble a lot less. Perhaps they are wiser. In my mind I see a lot of southern neighbors already nodding affirmatively.
The finest country
Thailand is a wonderful country that I have visited many times over the past 25 years and have traveled from the far north to the deep south. In the Isaan I could not get to sleep because of the barking of the dogs and was rudely awakened by the crowing of the rooster. Strangely enough, I also had a nice feeling about it. Many pleasant encounters and experienced countless fun things that I look back on with great pleasure.
Yet; I wouldn't trade the Netherlands for Thailand for anything. We are among the best in the world when it comes to healthcare. Freedom of expression is of paramount importance to the government - of whatever color. Demonstrate: no problem. The magazine 'De Republican' can see the light without objection. Every political party is allowed to express its opinion.
Royalist or Republican, it is possible and allowed. Willem-Alexander is a king who you can simply address as 'sir' and who goes out with trade delegations to promote business. In which other non-European country do you find all this?
Within the EEC we travel without any restrictions and can settle freely within all those beautiful countries. And to just stay within Belgium and the Netherlands for a while; Thailand can't quite compete with the truly wonderful historic and beautiful cities in these two relatively small countries. Not to mention the beautiful other cities in Germany, France, Italy, Spain and so on.
But in spite of everything: when winter sets in, I flee the Netherlands to return home quickly when spring arrives.
Spring
Enjoy spring at this time with the beautiful fresh green. The grand meadows, budding trees and colorful flowers also brightens up the people. The terraces are packed and everyone is in a good mood enjoying the sun. My mind wanders to Thailand. It must be very hot there, much too hot. How privileged we are in Belgium and the Netherlands with three wonderful seasons. I will let the fourth season with snow and ice pass me by because then Thailand will be my homeland again. Every person is different, but wherever you live try to enjoy life because it will be over before you know it. Grumbling about whatever is of little use and you only spoil your own life with it. Every day can be a holiday, but you have to hang the garlands yourself in whichever country.
A balanced view of Thailand and our own country, this is rather rare. Good looking!
At least that's how I see it: Thailand is a very pleasant country to travel and live in, although I dare not emphasize the latter too arrogantly because I have never lived there.
On the other hand, if you have already visited this country more than 100 times, ranging from a week to 2 months, then you are entitled to formulate an opinion, I think...
If you compare Thailand with Flanders or the Netherlands, you come to more positive things and more negative things.
Everyone considers for his/her own situation where living (and for how long) is most pleasant.
If my private and professional life allowed it, I would live in Thailand for 6 months (from October to March, but back in Antwerp at Christmas), and 6 months in Flanders (from April to September).
This response is actually intended for Mr. Boy, but I pressed your comment button and can't get the comment down. Excuse me.
Good to hear that there are people who are having a good time in Europe and Thailand. Combining the best of 2 worlds. You wouldn't think it could be more beautiful. And, if you can also go on holiday to the desired country for a longer period of time without any problems, all the better.
However, after a stay of about a year and a half in Thailand, I have to comment on the approach of both emigrated Dutch people and their Thai partners by the Dutch government/laws/implementing measures. While Europeans can travel unhindered to their holiday destination Thailand, at least for 30 days, the reverse is not possible without the necessary bureaucracy, I have even experienced opposition from the embassies, which implement government policy. And why this is, it will be a mystery to me. The government probably has a completely misplaced image of Thai people, or Asians in general. In any case, the story of the author gives a familiar picture to me. Friendly people, great climate and I personally find delicious food, a lot of choice from foreign kitchens. Let's hope that these kinds of stories also get through to policymakers, instead of always the same images you find in the media of self-misbehaving tourists. So, for example, to introduce my Thai partner to my children and grandchildren in the Netherlands, a Schengen visa must be applied for, my partner and children must come and fingerprints in Bangkok, which already means a day's travel. Must a guarantee statement be signed by a Dutch person, accompanied by financial guarantees, must travel insurance with repatriation be arranged (especially to make sure that Dutch hospitality is not enjoyed longer than necessary) and must the Thai also still demonstrate that they have relatively large sums of money to spend in the Netherlands. And, you guessed it, there are of course also costs associated with the visa. So quite a task. What a contrast when I see how many asylum seekers who have exhausted all legal remedies stay in the Netherlands, yes, even squat buildings, and the judge gives them time to find another accommodation. And all I want is for my children to meet their stepmother. Please let the Netherlands make a short-term stay possible without hassle, just as it is possible for Dutch people in Thailand and in fact almost all countries in the world.
I also think that freedom of expression is under great pressure in the Netherlands. Politicians and artists have already been murdered and every time a new political movement emerges, the expectation is that many people will vote for it, be demonized by the existing parties and put in a 'wrong' corner. Police that can no longer guarantee safety, the examples are plentiful. Under the guise of tolerance, ideas are accepted that go against decades of political struggle, equality of women, acceptance of homosexuality to name the most important. And an EU that has gone too far in its powers. A non-democratically elected institution. It will not be for nothing that England has decided to get out of here. And the countries that did not participate at the time are doing surprisingly well in Europe, also economically. Member States of the EU also refuse to carry out their duties. For example, when it comes to taking in 'refugees', although I often find that term inappropriate.
In Thailand, when I walk in the center of Bangkok, I feel much safer than when I get off the train in the first Dutch city of size and walk into the city center. In a metropolis with so many different nationalities like Bangkok you would expect it the other way around. Why is that? And the way Thai people deal with people who express their sexuality differently, transvestites or people who have changed their sex (by 'top' doctors), it just belongs in the street scene. In fact, I notice that in my environment those people often have an edge in the eyes of the Thai people I know. I also find the medical care, which is so highly rated in Europe, excellent here. In recent years in the Netherlands I constantly heard about waiting lists for treatment, even from people who, if they had not taken the initiative themselves to be treated abroad, would no longer have been there. Well, if I or one of the children is sick, on a Saturday evening, we go to the hospital and they are immediately helped by a paediatrician, blood is taken, they get the results immediately and you also get the medicines right away. Try that in the Netherlands on a weekend or during the week, outside the GP's working hours. Success with it. I prefer to rely on medical care here in Thailand, even though not all hospitals have all the equipment in house.
I also still love the Netherlands, the seasons, the landscape, the cycle paths ha ha. I have only found 1 bike path in Thailand so far, fortunately near me. It is not advisable to go cycling with all the stray dogs here. But you also live in a country where many animal species still live in the wild and that is also a reality that you have to take into account. For example, my son saw in the zoo here in Korat that many of the animals also live in the wild in Thailand. No wonder they behaved so naturally. We even witnessed a lion couple performing a mating dance. Never seen in Europe. Or tigers that voluntarily swam in the water.
So, the Netherlands, wake up, let the Thai freely enter the country for a limited period of time, they just want to go on holiday and even if they wanted to stay, they would add value to Dutch society. I have also never met an unemployed Chinese or Vietnamese in the Netherlands, where I have lived for over 60 years. Many of my acquaintances would like to go to the Netherlands, which I have already told them a lot about and take the cold into the bargain to take a look, but then also want to return to their own climate quickly. Nothing wrong with that and I'm not a human trafficker either. Because they seem to be walking around here and in Europe in droves, but I have never met 1 and never heard that 1 has been arrested in the Netherlands.
I recently showed a lecture with photos and videos about Thailand in a cafe here in Nijmegen, and then I try to convey why I love this country so much. I then tell about the atmosphere in the heart of Bangkok, as expressed by Puchaai, and why I, a capital avoider, also feel good there, and the tolerance towards people of a different nature. But I think the Dutchman is too much of a pigeonhole to be able to grasp this as a component of Buddhism. However, NL, albeit uglier every year (sprayed meadows, etc.) remains the most beautiful country in the world. For me then.
Indeed your assessment is correct. The Netherlands is becoming increasingly unpleasant to be in and/or to visit. Therefore, the visa requirement for Thailand and many other countries could be lifted. Hardly any Thai wants to spend their life here and will sooner or later return to their native land. And, the lack or rather the absence of freedom of expression in the Netherlands becomes worse with every change in the law. A fake asylum seeker or economic refugee will get everything arranged here more and faster than someone who indicates that he would like to return to his own home after a while. The Netherlands, oh so often, oh so beautifully sung about (including Wim Sonnevelt, Het Dorp eva), has lost its shine and zest. The Netherlands, like Great Britain, may also leave the EU before that organization of Maoist policy falls apart. Greetings to a real Dutchman, who knew Pim personally.
I believe that in the 10 years of reading Thailand blog I have never read so much nonsense in such a short piece of text:
– The Netherlands is in the top 5 happiest countries in the world;
– Dutch children are the happiest in the world;
– freedom of expression in the Netherlands is in the top 3 in the world;
– corruption in the Netherlands is one of the lowest in the world;
– 10 of the Dutch universities are among the top 100 in the world.
And all this, NOT thanks to Pim.
Otherwise, know several Thai women who do not want to return permanently to their home country for gold, it is that they still have family there to visit there for a few weeks, otherwise they are fine with it.
555, you do have a sense of humor Martin. What do you base that on that almost all Thai want to go back? Of the Thai people I know, there are a lot who are very satisfied with their life in the Netherlands or that it is more pleasant to stay here during their (working) life. Better working conditions, infrastructure, access to school, etc. How many will ever return is anyone's guess. Once people have built a life here in NL/Europe, children and so on, moving back becomes more difficult. Just look at former guest workers, for example.
What do refugees have to do with this? 80+% stays in the region, they don't come to Europe. Of those who do have the means not to flood neighboring countries, it is not surprising that when they come to Europe they want to go to the 'better' countries. Once on the road, a few hundred kilometers no longer matter. The economic refugee is not allowed to stay, just read the Aliens Act or the IND figures. For example, there are fake refugees from various African countries, who do not get a residence.
If you let everyone into the Netherlands/Europe who says they will return one day, I'm afraid it will get very busy here. It is a good place for the worker in (north-western) Europe. And the Eastern Europeans were already a 'problem', weren't they? How do more temporary immigrants fit into that picture of yours?
As Chris already showed, the Netherlands is very high in the top 10 countries in terms of freedom, happiness, democracy and so on. Most of the other countries in the top are also European. Pretty good here in Europe. If we look at Thailand, we see a lack of the same things: the ordinary Thai worker has hardly any rights (visit the Thai Labor museum), lack of freedom of expression (see how many were imprisoned or simply 'disappeared') and so on . Which amendments to the law, etc., are there in the Netherlands that take away our freedom of expression?
Do you even read the articles on this blog about what this junta is up to? What previous governments have done? Thailand has largely lived under dictatorships for the past century… otherwise talk to some Thai and ask where they can be and speak more freely: Thailand or NL/EU.
The EU has flaws (growth too fast if you ask me). But Maoist? That's the same nonsense as those 'EUSSR' cries. We owe the policy of the EU to the parliament, which you can simply vote for, and the committee in which the various member states take a seat. A Dutch government sends representatives to Brussels and together with those from other countries they look for policies that all members can agree with. You better Google about why leaving the EU is not a good idea. The world is getting smaller and other countries are also working more closely together. Europe has the EU, the Thailand region has ASEAN.
Sources:
- https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/economie/column/stephan-okhuijsen/factcheck-vangt-de-regio-weinig-syrische-vluchtelingen-op
-
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2017/10/15/opvang-in-de-regio-politici-vraag-het-de-libanezen-eens-13513128-a1577371
- https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2017/thailand
– try typing 'democracy' and 'dictatorship' in the search function on this blog.
Moreover, these women often also have children who were brought up in the Netherlands or were born and raised there, which they have to take into account. Their children may like to see where their roots lie, but that is all.
Well, if the Dutch voter makes the PVV increasingly important and as a result other parties opportunistically adopt part of that unjustly fear-inspiring body of ideas (such as the VVD), every foreigner who wants to enter the Netherlands is of course suspect. Whether it comes from the Middle East, from an African country or from Malaysia or Thailand. The average PVV voter in the Netherlands has no idea where Thailand is.
And yes, they all say they come for a vacation and then they might linger or go into hiding. The Dutch, including the expats, owe all those ridiculous stricter measures to themselves insofar as they vote and voted (ultra) right, for PVV and VVD. And that applies to the largest group of expats in Thailand.
Dear Mr. Korat, much of what you write I can agree with, but your last sentence is fake news.
In the Netherlands, the police, not to mention the Royal Marechaussee, have linked various project groups to the fight against human trafficking and exploitation and are therefore actively involved in investigations and the associated adjudication. Every year, criminals are imprisoned and then stay for a while at the taxpayer's expense. I would also like to contribute to this. It also remains a point of attention to continue to apply controls at the border and unfortunately the good will have to suffer from the bad again. These checks are also there to protect the traveler who has not asked for them.
There is still a lot wrong in this area in Europe and certainly also in the Netherlands and there is not much on the news. That does not mean that nothing is happening. On the contrary I would say. However, more should be invested in this area, so that the police can free more people from the often very nasty situations.
Less hassle for a Schengen visa would be nice, but Thailand still has to take the necessary steps in the economic field. If it comes closer to countries such as Singapore, Japan and Malaysia, visa-free travel will become a reality. Ambassador Boer has previously pushed hard for this. That's fine, really. But as long as 34 euros per day of stay is still a lot of money for ordinary Thais, I don't see that happening anytime soon. With that minimum requirement of 34 euros you won't get far in the Netherlands... your food, your transport, your accommodation, trips... that costs a lot more than 34 euros. Fortunately, the Netherlands does not require a more realistic minimum amount!
And Katoey….yes you see them regularly but they are not really accepted. The law does not give them equal rights, they cannot officially change their sex, cannot marry someone of the same birth sex, experience discrimination in the workplace and are regularly laughed at behind their backs. Unfortunately, transsexuals in Thailand cannot really live as normally as the average Thai.
And yes, thanks to the 30 baht program, much has improved in the field of healthcare. But there is still a long way to go, especially in the countryside there is insufficient access to doctors. You must be watching with the waiting rooms full of waiting Thai. And access to doctors differs greatly per region. The Netherlands has 30 doctors per 10.000 inhabitants, Thailand 5 per 10.000. Moreover, the ratios are skewed: 1 doctor per 800 inhabitants in Bangkok, 1 per 5.000 in the Isaan and about 1 per 2.500 in the rest of the country. Good chance that if you had an average Thai income and had to knock for help with the 30 baht scheme somewhere in Isaan or another corner of the country, you wouldn't be helped so 1-2-3.
But yes, with a history of employment in the Netherlands and the good that the Netherlands has made possible, it is a good place to live in Thailand in old age. We can be happy with that and thank both countries for this. Beautiful country, but it still has a long way to go politically, economically and socially. Then the Thais can really be Thai (= freedom) and really smile.
Sources and reading material:
- https://www.thailandblog.nl/nieuws-uit-thailand/ambassadeur-boer-thaise-toeristen-visumvrij-nederland-reizen/
- https://pulitzercenter.org/projects/asia-thailand-transgender-discrimination-gender-kathoeys
- https://theculturetrip.com/asia/thailand/articles/a-brief-history-of-thailands-transgender-community/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5104696/
- https://www.thailandblog.nl/medischtoerisme/thailand-vloek-zegen/
I have been living in Thailand for almost 10 years now. And the living comfort, personal freedom and human warmth that I find here simply do not exist in the Low Countries. I can't even imagine ever returning to my country of origin
To each his own, but I still prefer to hang my garlands in Thailand. Historic cities say and do nothing to me, I don't have to meet mister WA > I have nothing to do with the money-guzzling institution called the royal family.
Sitting on a terrace in the Netherlands is nice and nice, but outrageously expensive if you also drink or eat something. Then rather eat one or more refreshments somewhere in Thailand for a reasonable price.
And the "heat"? Well, that makes me feel a lot better than the cold weather here.
Dear Rob, Don't make that comment about the Thai royal family because then you will go to jail for life.
And if historic cities mean nothing to you then you have little interest in culture and Thailand must still be very boring for you.
On the contrary Joseph, I am far from tired of Thailand, and Western cultures have never been my preference. I still live in Amsterdam and think it is the ugliest city in the world with those old canal houses and canals. I have been traveling through Asia for 40 years and I feel much more at home there.
I also don't like historic cities and culture, I didn't have that in NL and after 30 years of TH I don't have that either. For me it's just the climate that attracts me, nice all year round in airy clothing, never turn on the heating, walk outside to score something to eat, don't do big shopping once a week and then always a little too short during the week come etc.
Everyone has their own reason and motivation for wanting to live somewhere or not. Can't imagine there are any wrong motivations among them (except maybe those who are fleeing their own country's government for criminal/dark reasons)
Try to find a terrace (with service) in Thailand…!!!
Come to Nakorn Ratchasima and I will take you to so many terraces served until you can't walk from misery and drunkenness 555. It really doesn't make sense to say that you wouldn't be served on a terrace. Or you mean the banks outside the 7-11.
Ben Korat
Terrace with service? Be full of it in Thailand and you will even be served excessively (in my opinion).
I'll turn it around. I don't know any terrace where you are not served.
Whether it is therefore always pleasant to stay on those terraces (considering the traffic) is something else.
That's why many also crawl away in the closed air-conditioning cases, of course.
Totally agree. I have been going to a tropical country in our winter for 40 years, always to Thailand for the last 15 years.
I often get jealous reactions and questions where I get that from.
Very simple, it's a matter of prioritizing !
You hit the nail on the head, the Netherlands is simply more pleasant to live in the summer months than here in Isaan. The months of June to September are soggy here, sweat is already opening with a bottle of beer, downpours at the most inopportune moments, you can't go too far from home with your motorcycle, you never know when it will rain and where. For that matter, give me the Netherlands in the summer, not too hot, good care, once again old-fashioned fries with fricandel especially after some beer on the terrace. But also great to be able to go back home at the end of September. What a luxury.
thank buddha on my bare knees for such a life.
Totally agree with this. I am also Dutch and I am sometimes guilty of grumbling too much. But I hope to be able to do the same as the writer of this article in a few years: spending 3 seasons in the Netherlands and spending the winter season in Thailand, that also appeals to me. Unfortunately I have to wait a little longer.
When it's cold, turn on the wood stove or turn up the heating (the Netherlands).
If it gets too hot, you turn on the air conditioning (in addition to the fans) or turn it down a degree (Thailand).
You can also put on or take off more clothes…
Dear Chris, Your response, of course, only pertains to indoor life.
If you are going to do something outdoors in the Netherlands, you can find the right clothing for almost any weather in that climate.
Even with rain, cold and the usually normal heat that we know from the Netherlands, every movement can still be enjoyable with the right clothing.
In Thailand, due to the often extreme heat, people are almost obliged to postpone many activities to the early morning or late evening hours, while in certain parts of the country you often also have to deal with a pitifully poor air quality.
If you are not lucky enough to be up to your neck in the water during the often extreme heat during the day, then you are almost forced to spend many hours near the fan or air conditioner.
Well Chris, you can dress on the cold, down to minus 50, but when I walk out of our house on Son kran I get roasted alive…
In other words: In Thailand you lose your freedom of movement when it is hot, even my native wife stays indoors between 9 am and 4 pm.
That is why I also choose to spend summers in Europe. If only for my health!!
Completely agree, well worded, read with pleasure, I have lived in Thailand since 1980 and after my retirement also Half Thailand Half Holland, we hope to be able to experience this for a long time to come, my Thai wife and I, just like the author of this story, Keep it well,, especially healthy, and stay positive, Regards, Muuske and John Vloet.
Why is it always an assumption here on thailandblog that one walks right by your side with a young Thai beauty.
No one ever mentioned here that it could also be a young man.
Or just someone your own age. When I mention in the Netherlands that I have married an Asian, the first question is: How old is she? You SEE them counting on my answer, and then a smile breaks out.
Which I then confront them with, because what's wrong with age difference??
You must be able and willing to live in Thailand, which is not reserved for everyone. For me, freedom of life is more important than the unbridled freedom of opinion in the Netherlands. Furthermore, everything in the Netherlands is outrageously expensive due to the extreme hunger for money in The Hague. Health care is better but access to health care is dramatic.
We also want that “money-hungry The Hague” to organize and arrange so much: schools, roads + sidewalks + cycle paths without loose cons, dikes, ditches and sewers open, social assistance, WW, WAO, AOW, care also in old age at € 80,000 /yr pp, traffic enforcement, sound public transport, fair and democratic elections with a lot of citizen control over the executive branch, a functioning justice system and much more. Have you ever tried these things in Thailand without an excess of your own money?
If you are born in a raked society you don't know any better. Until you roam the world for a while, and meet people who live in a truly free society.
Only then can you choose.
I prefer the fact that the jungle starts at the end of the street with us, that the fish was caught in the market last night, and a broken road: mai pen rai.
If I die earlier because the care is less here, it doesn't mean that my life was worse. Perhaps on the contrary, if you look at that 104-year-old man who had to go all the way to Switzerland to die, because his home country prohibited it.
What's dramatic about access to health care?
Every country has its beautiful and less beautiful things.
I love Thailand for its free and lovely people you are welcome everywhere and the wonderful food and weather,
but health care is very expensive for falangs, so what I want later 8 months Thailand and 4 months spring and summer in the Netherlands.
But you don't find that hospitality in the Netherlands, the Thai gives away their last plate of food if necessary, well I don't see a Dutch person doing that.
After more than 40 times only 3 weeks on holiday each time, but that about 4 times a year, I am now sometimes curious how I will like a longer stay in Thailand. I have traveled a lot in Thailand but never actually stayed in one place for more than a week.
I will stop working on 1-10-18 and from then on I want to start a mix of the winters in Thailand and the summers in the Netherlands. Mid-October to late March in Thailand.
The best of both worlds.
Until I change my mind about it.
Oh well… we moan about our bureaucracy until you see the difference in the monitoring of building structures: in TH of foundation probing or static calculation: never heard of it, nor any interest. Yes, then it is also possible that the concrete floors collapse like in the neighborhood of a business friend of mine. Residents: as flat as a schnitzel.
Also how people in TH are off when REAL care for the elderly is needed. Or do people not know how fast they have to run back to NL to register with the Soos?
I assume that everyone will have no problem at all if the Dutch AOW, set up to pay for the cost of living in old age, is adjusted to the cost in the relevant country of residence? After all, it is paid for by those currently working and the AOW recipient has never contributed a penny for themselves. It was also never the intention that this payment from tax money would end up outside the own economy.
And our “money-guzzling institution”? I'm curious what that costs elsewhere and to what extent there are revenues compared to our Lex & Max + Trix.
As far as I am concerned, the AOW may be adjusted, my accrued pension is already significantly higher than the current AOW benefit. Add to that my savings from the past 45 years and I have no problems.
For others, an adjustment is obviously not an option.
I won't come to the SOOS, I haven't had a benefit day in my entire life. And why should a benefit return to the Dutch economy?
The state pension in the Netherlands is too much to die and too little to live on. So rather spend on a pleasant life outside expensive Europe.
I have long been convinced that as a future elderly person I cannot be better cared for than here in Thailand.
As for the AOW: 45 years paid for others. And then not being able to claim a (limited, because married abroad, shame) contribution? And when the AOW was introduced, the intention was already expressed that it should not work as a pay-as-you-go system. Unfortunately, in recent decades, other priorities have been set by politicians, with the result that the effective date for those who have paid for it is now being postponed. Fortunately, I saw this coming at a young age and fortunately I was able to make some additional provisions. And of course there is nothing wrong with just working a little longer, if possible.
Here in the Netherlands, buildings nowadays also just collapse and we have super burning facade panels on them, so nothing better in the Netherlands. Exactly the same.
For your AOW, you paid for the state pension YOURSELF for years. Now make a distinction in this where you spend the money? The government as a determining factor again what you can do with your money? No.
Is the same to say that you should spend your holiday money in the Netherlands or actually all your money.
The costs incurred in Dutch society are not indexed in your pension. Therefore, many will perish. I wouldn't be surprised if the pension just disappears.
20% VAT became 21% to 6, your holiday pay is taxed an additional 9-9%. Your savings are now seen as extra capital and are taxed without further ado, while you cannot make a "return" on them, interest is virtually 12. Yet an effective 0% return is set on it. Your medicines for which you now pay around 4 euros extra for the first time. For example, pills for 17 months cost 3 euro cents, but for the first time you will spend 99 euros, of which only the one euro is reimbursed.
In Thailand they don't have these jokes yet, but they do have others. Better or worse than the Netherlands? Stay awake, you can do something about it yourself. Not here in the Netherlands, it is simply a requirement and if you do not pay, the bailiffs will be at your door and you will end up in prison under the Mulder Act. While a police-known Syrian idiot stabs 3 people here just as easily. This will therefore be lovingly received.
Try to get a loved one from a certain country to the Netherlands, then you need the program "All you need", otherwise you will not succeed. But they do allow undocumented refugees to simply flow in and help. 10000 asylum seekers who had exhausted all legal remedies once received a general pardon!
A Thai to Europe for a holiday costs a lot of money, a permit costs enormously, I was shocked, apart from the fact that it is only available in BK. And when they arrive, they are interviewed by customs/military police, what they are doing here. And then I'm talking about a Thai person who holds a position with the Thai government, a labor inspector. Who has therefore officially received the permit. The European can easily go to Thailand for a month.
You shouldn't do or say anything here on Facebook or whatever, otherwise it will cost you your job!
Hail Europe!
A Thai 90-day trip to Europe costs 60 euros in visa fees. That is the same as a Dutch person paying to stay in Thailand for 90 days (Non-Immigrant O, single entry). A Schengen visa always costs 60 euros, whether you have 1 entry or multiple, stay 10 days or 90. In Thailand the amount is higher or lower.
Of course, costs can also increase for the Netherlands: if you use the external service provider VFS of your own choice (which is purely optional), it will cost 1000 baht extra. If the Thai cannot guarantee themselves (because they do not pay 34 euros per day per person), another 10-15 euros will be charged for legalization of the guarantor/accommodation form. Now a Thai is required to have travel insurance for the Netherlands, a Dutch person for Thailand is not (yet?). It saves about 2 euros per day, that is true, but the sensible Thailand traveler still takes out insurance. Bottom line, the bureaucratically necessary costs are not too bad.
The fact that Europe is more expensive than Thailand is because Thailand unfortunately does not yet have a welfare state and other important democratic or humanistic plus infrastructure, etc., still leave quite a bit to be desired. If they were to bring all this up to the level of Northern Europe, it would also be a lot more expensive in Siam. In terms of costs, I think you are better off in Spain, for example: good facilities for the people and yet also affordable for the people.
The KMar can ask questions. This is what you come to do by default (this is international practice, the Thais also want to know whether you come for business or pleasure, for example). From my own experience, my boyfriend and another Thai came up with 2-3 questions: why are you coming? With whom or where are you staying? Thst's it. 5 seconds of work. But it is indeed possible that the border guard will ask more questions as a random sample or because of profile. If you do not have a copy of the supporting documents (that of the visa application) ready, it may turn into a real interview in a separate room. The customs office is only interested in your suitcase, if they pick you out as Thai or Dutch and think or find something in your suitcase, that can take a while.
But if the socio-economic profile of Thailand becomes more similar to Japan, Singapore, Malaysia or the like, Thais will also be able to travel visa-free. Surely. But by then the country will also have become a lot more expensive for us, that's what happens when the standard of living improves. Let's hope we can enjoy both countries for a long time to come.
Fun fact: 97-99% of the Thai who apply for a visa to Europe (Schengen) are granted one. Although this is somewhat lower for certain Member States, Belgium and Sweden in particular are less generous (dropping to around 90%).
I don't understand why the contributor talks about when he talks about an AOW benefit. He claims that the recipient never paid for it and the current worker paid his state pension. Is the submitter not aware that the AOW is a pay-as-you-go system? I have paid AOW premiums for 51 years for those over 65 at the time. It has now been my turn to live on an AOW benefit. Over the past 10 years, I have also been paying my own AOW tax through Ib tax because the proceeds from the current AOW premium income are not sufficient to provide all pensioners with their benefits. I will receive less benefit in my lifetime than I have ever paid if I live to be 85 years old. What is this contributor talking about? For years, the Netherlands has not fulfilled its obligations towards its nationals abroad as laid down in the UN treaties: ICESCR ICCPR. That yields billions in the Netherlands on the backs of those who want to live abroad. Living abroad is a human right. And what do you think the Netherlands earns from all those vacant homes that emigrants leave behind and that are added to the housing stock for free? They will be available to starters on the housing market, asylum seeker or refugees. Nice for the treasury. But on the back of the emigrant.
Dear Harrybr,
I don't say it often, but what nonsense you spout.
People who work in NL all their lives do not have to pay less premiums if they indicate that they want to spend their old age in TL.
And that whining about the rest, come to NL, the citizen is a revenue model for the government, nothing more or less.
An example of dividend tax or tax haven for foreign multinationals that the Dutch citizen pays dear sir.
Money disappearing from the economy forever.
I've always learned to just take good care of yourself and that works better in TL than in NL.
If you work extra here, you can take it to that smiley face in The Hague.
No country is perfect but heaven NL please don't be so up.
in TH of foundation probing or static calculation: never heard of it nor any interest.
In Bangkok there are dozens of tower buildings of 50 floors and more, including architectural and engineering masterpieces. A good example is the Krungthep Mahanakorn tower with 77 floors and a height of 314 meters. If you see construction of the new BTS. Metro and Monorail lines and station buildings of 3 and more floors on stilts. I think it won't be too bad with the ignorance. In my neighborhood of Nonthaburi I see that when a new house is built, piling work is always carried out to a considerable depth. For multi-storey buildings even with wet concrete, with depths of 10 meters and more. The wet concrete foundation is then laid on this.
Now when it comes to elder care, there are plenty of options. I advise you to Google it. You will be surprised at the excellent facilities that are simply unaffordable in the Low Countries.
Care for the elderly has long since ceased to exist in the Netherlands! Home care.
However, this is increasingly being cut back. But maintain the “quality”.
Through the government (Municipalities), this care increasingly calls on volunteers and informal care.
In Thailand this is called “the family” or the neighbours.
They don't pay for it and hope to get it.
We pay for it but hopefully get it!
Absolutely right. Unfortunately too many immigrants who are short-sighted and stupid. This is an ideal country for them.
Europe is the source of Western culture and everyone follows that anyway.
I have family, friends and acquaintances in the Netherlands and Thailand, I don't want to miss both social capacities, so a combined stay suits me best. Well, that way has its advantages and disadvantages, which is of a personal nature for everyone.
Apart from the fact that there are undoubtedly also several compatriots who have returned to the Netherlands with drooping legs (know a few) after first having cursed that country many times when they were residing in Thailand, however, they will not want to make that known here on this blog so quickly or perhaps I am mistaken me, who is so 'courageous'? 😉
Totally agree. A lot of people who live in Thailand forget that they can afford that because of the monthly state pension and pension from the Netherlands. We also think Thailand is a wonderful country, but not to live in. But to each his own, the royal family here does me nothing even if I have to say that they do it right. I also think it's ridiculous that certain things of their private affairs have to be paid for by us. But in terms of facilities, I wouldn't want to trade here with Thaikand. And many immigrants come back from there too the Netherlands as soon as they get old and need a lot of care. But typical Neferlanders to complain about everything.
Thailand is one of the many destinations that the Dutch can visit in the winter.
Living in Thailand is a different story.
Once every two years I want to be in Thailand for a few weeks to a month, but after such a stay I know it again and again: Thailand is good for a while, but I am always happy to return to the Netherlands. can turn 🙂
Everyone gives his or her opinion. We should show respect for that. I would also like to emigrate to another nice, warm country, but for my personal situation it is not yet feasible. But this does not mean that I think the Netherlands is a bad country. No, absolutely not. For me, the Netherlands is one of the best countries in the world, but in terms of climate I would like to exchange it, perhaps with Thailand, because I will be going there for the first time in August and I plan to keep my eyes open.
Dear readers of this blog, I would like to respond, I have been coming to Thailand for 41 years, I have been married for the second time and have lived in Thailand for 8 years now. The years before that I traveled back and forth 4 to 5 times a year. . But now that I live here 8 years now everything is different I live among only Thai people and not in the isaan.
The Thai is not friendly or hospitable at all, they would rather see me leave today than tomorrow. If the Thai gets his way he will drop you or even worse he will bully you away. I have that going on myself now they are so jealous as hell I never had a problem in the neighborhood before but now we have problems with at least 6 neighbors. It all started with cleaning the street that the water goes down the drain of the neighbor, I can't help it no other drain. A lot of words back and forth and it shouldn't happen again two weeks later the neighbors ex-policeman what I thought not to add my waste water to his waste pit (well or sewer measured so not from him) and it shouldn't happen anymore otherwise would he do something to me?
Now that our neighbors to our left have started selling rice no problem would you say he starts at 4.30 with preparing to cook rice with a lot of noise that goes on all day long and cars in front of us with running engines the exhaust fumes come to us in, said something there but that was not true later in the day I went there with the neighborhood eldest to talk it out, not possible. within five minutes the whole family was there and was told that I was fighting with her (definitely not) her daughter wanted to throw a chopping block at me believe me you will not survive. Now my wife had a collision in the street in front of our house, okay, she was wrong, insurance is there and ready, would you bless me, but no, this person wants all damage to the car to be paid, including the old damage, of course that is never possible, we are well insured but they are not themselves you already understand now they are all against us. My wife has been living here in this street for over 30 years as one of the first nothing to do with it you should not have married a foreigner. Pete Thailand
I can partly agree with what Mallepietje says at the end of his story.
Not all Thai people in my own immediate environment are friendly , but neither am I .
But there are also many friendly again , and I also for them .
We have also had arguing with neighbors and even family of my spouse in the past and even to the present.
But when I lived in the Netherlands in recent years it was the same.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the horizon.
And how is life today in a residential area somewhere in Holland, especially the new neighborhoods.
Nobody knows each other anymore , even the postmen do not know where the letter had to go if the address was written wrong , as they did in my youth .
If they become aggressive here I will also show my teeth , just like in the Netherlands .
Jan Beute.
Maybe it's time to look around the Isaan for a nice house. Much more space and if you want no chicken or crow around. I have had 20 house in Nakorn Ratchasima for 1 years and believe me when I had it built it was the largest and most beautiful house in the area at first there was a bit of envy but my wife and family have lived here for many generations when there were problems are with the neighbors are resolved and talked out the same day. But you should never forget to treat everyone with respect and always stay friendly Thai people are a complicated people and will always come first in Thailand but it's their country and you are the guest they have to work all day and they see don't hit you but still have it right that quickly provokes jealousy.
Organize a street barbique with a pig on a spit and some booze and music and invite the whole street. Share your so-called wealth with your neighbors a little. If necessary, you hire someone for a few hundred baht to sweep the entire street. It's give and take everywhere, but don't forget that the Thais don't have much to give. And don't gouge them out with things like look is what I don't have. In short, adapt and try to talk to them like just saying hello to everyone and especially buying rice from the neighbors. Good luck and if it all doesn't help you come here in the Isaan is enough.
Ben Korat
Personally, I would say at most that Thailand is the most beautiful country for a holiday, but to live there permanently is something else.
Everyone will perhaps have a different opinion here, although I occasionally get the impression from some expats that they are trying to justify something that others in their home country have explicitly warned against.
The decision once made is justified by all means, so that no one will think that they have made a mistake after all.
Many have often not chosen that place in Thailand where they themselves wanted to enjoy their old age, but have obediently followed their dear wife to her hometown, where they also live very isolated in terms of language knowledge.
Daily life, which many now suddenly find much better, often consists of conversations with their own wife, and the often extremely sparing words they can have with the rest of the population. In short, a very small world, which without much imagination and the lack of a possible computer would become even lonelier.
A life that for me can in no way be compared to a beach holiday in Phuket, Krabi, or Pattaya, etc. where I have the certainty of going back to Europe in time, where many things are clearly better arranged.
Even my Thai wife, although she is very proud of her country, always has a good laugh when some expats denigrate their homeland, praising everything to heaven about Thailand.
Many have often not chosen that place in Thailand where they themselves wanted to enjoy their old age, but have obediently followed their dear wife to her hometown, where they also live very isolated in terms of language knowledge.
That is the biggest mistake many make. And the main reason why people in Thailand do not feel good about themselves. Because the nice neighbors and relatives during your leave will be regarded as jerks after a few months of actually living in Thailand. And then they also live in a village where everyone sleeps at 20 p.m. and the nearest 7-Eleven is 10 km away, and a decent supermarket is 50 or 60 km away. Well, then, accustomed to the living comfort of the Low Countries, one becomes a bit grumpy in no time.
But if you know how to avoid these pitfalls, Thailand is a wonderful country to grow old in. Of course, one must realize that one lives in another continent with a different culture and one has to adapt to it in order to be happy.
And this example shows that Thailand is completely different
It's not the weather to go outside
The Low Countries = Cold, hail and freezing rain
Thailand = the intense heat of 40 degrees plus, and the high humidity during the hot season..
For the editors, Spain and especially Barcelona will be the most beautiful country for four days from tomorrow. And when Max Verstappen triumphs there, they sing in unison: "That should be drunk hi ha ho."
I went to Thailand when I was 23 years old.
I think I flew there 35 times.
When I am in the Netherlands I miss Thailand, a beautiful country.
And when I'm in Thailand I'm going to miss the Netherlands over time.
The Netherlands is also a beautiful country.
For ox, the best option is and remains to spend the winter in Thailand and spend the summer in Europe. In any case, the weather is not really nice in Thailand from May to October. The weather is then much too humid and sultry. In Europe you have a bit more air. There is also much more to do with us in the summer months. Concerts theme markets festivals food festivals. Thailand is somewhat more monotonous in that area.
From December to the end of March the weather is lovely in Thailand and it is again very gray and dark in our parts.
Europe is a lot more expensive if you want to enjoy yourself. On the other hand, in Belgium, for example, you can drink a unique beer or a bottle of wine on a terrace. In Thailand it is usually Leo or Chang.
Well, simply taking the best of both worlds is our motto.
After our term in Thailand we long for Belgium and after our summer months in Belgium we long for Thailand again.
What would the Republican say? Surely no grumbling about the Netherlands?
If you compare the good things in the Netherlands with the bad things in Thailand, go back to the homeland today.
If you compare the good things of Thailand with the bad things in the Netherlands, you will stay here forever.
In short, everyone makes their own decisions.
Better healthcare in the Netherlands? I was there in January and wanted to make an appointment with the specialist. In April they had time again!!! Here I walk into a random hospital, an hour later I am outside after a good treatment and immediately checked my blood pressure etc. Oh yes, bill of 1020 Baht incl medicines. Where in the Netherlands is that possible?
I read something about service on a terrace? I don't have to wait half an hour here to be asked something, I open the fridge myself and grab what I want. In the Netherlands you will be arrested for that.
Have lived in Thailand since 1955
It has become my second homeland.
The Dutch always whine everywhere in the world.
Jan E