Minister Blok: 'More services for Dutch people abroad'
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will expand and modernize the services for Dutch nationals abroad. This is stated in the policy memorandum 'State of the Consular' that Minister Blok of Foreign Affairs presented today.
Your knowledge and experience as a pensioner can come in handy
When I took early retirement at the beginning of this century and went to live in Thailand, I used my knowledge and experience in management to advise and help a number of Dutch companies in Thailand for several years. I was there anyway and why not help someone else in, for example, looking for and appointing a good agent.
Thailand, a land of extremes….
Bart Cobus has been living in Thailand since November 2014. After his retirement as a marine, 33 years of loyal and honest service (that's what they call this, the question remains, he says himself) he lived in the Antilles and now in Thailand. Bart regularly writes a column on his Facebook page and also wants to share it with the readers of Thailandblog.
Dutch people over 65 are remarkably satisfied with the life they lead. More than 65 percent of them give their own life a solid 8. One in five pensioners even rate their own life with a 9.
The logic of an expat/pensionado
We often talk about Thai on Thailandblog. A grateful subject that everyone has an opinion about. For the balance it is also good to take a closer look at the sometimes somewhat strange behavior of an expat / pensioner.
CBS: 'Current generation 65+ richest ever'
The Dutch like to complain, but whether it is sometimes justified can be questioned. Especially the current generation of baby boomers who are now enjoying their retirement have little reason to complain, according to the CBS. Their financial position has also improved significantly compared to younger generations. The number of poor elderly people has fallen sharply since 1995.
Have you already received the orange envelope?
Have you, like me, registered as a Dutch citizen abroad with the Municipality of The Hague in order to participate in the elections to the House of Representatives on 15 March? Then you have also received the orange envelope containing the voting documents, haven't you?
Expats in Thailand are very happy
A recent survey of expats in Thailand showed that a large majority of expats in Thailand are very satisfied and consider Thailand a safe place to live and work.
Cynical over-65s are more likely to become demented
You know them, those sour pensioners, who just whine and complain. No one is any good and Thai is no good at all, while they live in the land of milk and honey (at least according to some). This attitude can cost you your life because there is a greater chance of getting dementia the worse you think about people.
After Brexit, Thailand may be a better option for the old age of Britons than Europe. Simon Landy, Vice-President of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand, said Thailand has a lot to offer retirees, such as a low cost of living, friendly and gas-free population and a warm climate.
There is a good chance that pensions will go down next year
Dark clouds approaching for pensioners in Thailand. The two largest pension funds in the Netherlands, ABP and Zorg & Welzijn, may have to reduce pensions next year, NOS said.
Thailand wants wealthy tourists, but shoots itself in the foot
In 2003, the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), came up with a new plan to make Thailand more attractive to wealthy tourists. An “Elite Card” was developed for the wealthy foreigner, which would offer various advantages in terms of visas, length of stay and the acquisition of real estate.
Enjoy Thailand
Nowadays we travel all over the world, for example for a holiday to Thailand, and see all the tourist attractions that were advertised to us by the travel agency and brochures.
Hua Hin and Chiang Mai rank seventh and eighth on Live and Invest Overseas' list of the 21 best cities in the world for retirees.
Soi has listed the extremely limited increase in state pension since 2008. If, according to the many grumblers of pensioners, this is more than enough, one should realize that one is cutting oneself, that is his position. If you agree or disagree, comment.
'Dutch pensioners hit hardest by crisis'
Pensioners in Thailand regularly complain about their disposable income. Is that right? According to research, yes. During the crisis, pensioners suffered six times more than working people. In the period 2008-2013, the purchasing power of working people decreased by 1,1 percent, while pensioners had 6 percent less to spend.
I am always amazed when I am in Thailand. Expats and retirees who want to live in Thailand but apparently not among the Thai. They choose to live on a Moo Baan and preferably with a very high wall around the complex, well separated from the angry outside world.