lördag 4 november 2023

UK pensioners flock to luxury retirement resorts in Thailand. Pensioners needing some sun or round-the-clock care flock to luxury £1,500-a-month retirement resorts in Thailand - which are nearly three times cheaper than the UK | Daily Mail Online

We're topping up the tan, not playing bingo in a nursing home: Pensioners needing some sun or round-the-clock care flock to luxury £1,500-a-month retirement resorts in Thailand - which are nearly three times cheaper than the UK
  • With low costs and hands-on care there is new market for Thai retirement resorts
  • Have YOU left the UK for Thailand? Email tom.pyman@mailonline.co.uk 

British pensioners needing round-the-clock care and those wanting a bit of extra sun are flocking to luxurious retirement resorts in Thailand - where the costs are nearly three times less than in the UK.

Facilities such as Care Resort Chiang Mai offer independent living, close care and dementia care alongside meals and activities.

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Brits who have made the near 6,000-mile trip to South Asia say it is a far cry from playing bingo in a stuffy nursing home and describe their move to a destination reminiscent of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel as 'the best we've made'.

In Thailand, where the government has already listed 30 facilities it says meet its quality standards, retirees only need to pay £1,500 for all monthly costs, including 24-hour care.

By contrast, it costs on average £800 a week for a place in a care home back in Britain, or £1,078 for a nursing home - meaning families face shelling out north of £4,000 every month.  

Former hospital manager Peter Mallard, 75, and his wife Rita, 81, are among those living it up having moved from their former home in Eastbourne, east Sussex.

Have YOU left the UK for Thailand? Email tom.pyman@mailonline.co.uk 

British retirees are flocking to Thailand retirement resorts as they slam the NHS and social care for driving them overseas
British retirees are flocking to Thailand retirement resorts as they slam the NHS and social care for driving them overseas 
Exotic care homes cater to the UK pensioners in a tranquil scene of sunshine and stunning landscapes
Exotic care homes cater to the UK pensioners in a tranquil scene of sunshine and stunning landscapes 

'People have the feeling, certainly as you get older, that you're going to be stuck in a room in a lounge playing bingo once a week … whereas you just can't compare [to Thailand],' Mr Mallard told The Telegraph

His wife added: 'Friends thought we were mad, but it's the best move we've made.'

Director of Care Resort Chiang Mai, Peter Brown, chose to open the resort after seeing his mother's experience in the UK.

He says there are 47 staff for 33 guests - in contrast to what he claims is one for every ten patients in Britain.

'My mother had a nurse or carer visit once a week in the UK. Everything else is conducted by talking over the phone on a loudspeaker in a room asking her how she is,' he told Express.co.uk last year. 

Mr Brown continued: 'If you want your parents or grandparents to have a high level of care and a high level of happiness in the rest of their life, Thailand is an option.' 

One Cornwall teacher - who did not want his name being used - told the broadsheet: 'Obviously the price is a huge thing. Dad owns a nice home in the UK; a four-bed bungalow that's got a reasonable value.

'He doesn't have a huge amount of savings and we're in that middle sector that wouldn't be able to gain any benefits or costs towards any care, or a very limited amount, so if he went into a UK care home then basically the cost of it would eat through the price of the house. 

'Dad's always said he doesn't want the Government to take it in terms of inheritance tax.' 

The Government has already listed 30 Thai facilities it says meet its quality standards
The Government has already listed 30 Thai facilities it says meet its quality standards 
For a similar price to what families might expect to pay in the UK, sufferers of dementia could enjoy one-to-one round-the-clock care in facilities that 'look like four-star hotels'
For a similar price to what families might expect to pay in the UK, sufferers of dementia could enjoy one-to-one round-the-clock care in facilities that 'look like four-star hotels' 

In 2020, The Guardian reported the 'small but growing trend' of Brits sending relatives with dementia to Thailand to benefit from better care.

Dr Caleb Johnson, a senior lecturer in human geography at Newcastle University, was quoted at the time as saying Thailand had a 'long history of medical tourism'.

British-run and British-funded institutions were proving attractive alternatives for Brits dissatisfied with the options available in the UK.

For a similar price to what families might expect to pay in the UK, sufferers of dementia could enjoy one-to-one round-the-clock care in facilities that 'look like four-star hotels'.

The Thaiger, an English-language publication based in Thailand, this summer detailed the 'expansive gardens and enchanting lakes' to be enjoyed at retirement 'havens' as the trend grows.

Homes - some specialising in treating people with Alzheimer's and dementia - were pictured in the hot Thai sun with large pools, parasols and palm trees lining outdoor squares.

The facilities compete with each other, boasting hydrotherapy treatment options, spas and food grown on site - as well as gyms, salons and a place to play pétanque.

The appeal of Thai facilities comes as waiting lists for routine NHS procedures have shot up to another record high in the wake of chaotic strikes. 

England's ever-growing backlog now stands at 7.75million patients — the equivalent of one in seven people.

This includes nearly 400,000 stuck in the system for over a year, often in pain.

The appeal of Thai facilities comes as waiting lists for routine NHS procedures have shot up to another record high in the wake of chaotic strikes
The appeal of Thai facilities comes as waiting lists for routine NHS procedures have shot up to another record high in the wake of chaotic strikes 

It is the highest number since records began in August 2007. The figures reflect the number of patients waiting for routine procedures like hip replacements. 

Some 396,643 patients were forced to wait at least one year, up from 389,952 one month earlier. 

Last year, dementia patients faced a new care crisis with almost one in ten residential homes inspected this year given the worst rating. 

This was more than four times the rate in 2019, an analysis of reports from the care watchdog reveals. 

And more than half of residential homes in England inspected this year were rated inadequate – the worst rating – or in need of improvement, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found. 








Chonburi and Phuket Among Four Provinces Granted 4 AM Bar Closing. The Thai government will initially permit bars and nightclubs in four provinces, including Chonburi, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok, to operate until 4 AM, as announced by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Friday, November 3rd.- The Pattaya News

Chonburi and Phuket Among Four Provinces Granted 4 AM Bar Closing

National —

The Thai government will initially permit bars and nightclubs in four provinces, including Chonburi, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok, to operate until 4 AM, as announced by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Friday, November 3rd.

The revelation came after PM Srettha met with Anutin Charnvirakul, the Minister of the Interior, along with the governors of the four aforementioned provinces yesterday to discuss stretching the nighttime service hours to 4 AM.

According to Srettha, the meeting reached a unanimous decision to extend the operating hours in four pilot provinces, namely Bangkok, Chonburi, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, which Srettha said are important tourist destinations.

This extension will permit nighttime services to operate until 4:00 AM, starting on December 15th, 2023, as an economic stimulus. However, the Prime Minister emphasized that it will initially be introduced as a 'temporary measure' to assess its pros and cons. A thorough study will be conducted later for future considerations, he added.

In response to inquiries about whether the extension will cover the entire province or specific areas, Srettha clarified that it will specifically target certain areas, such as the legal entertainment zones. He mentioned that the Ministry of Interior will soon announce the designated zones that will benefit from this extension by December 15th.

Srettha went on to say that the extension was not specifically aimed at promoting alcohol consumption, but it was intended to encourage foreign tourists, who usually don't dine out until 9 or 10 PM, to spend more eating out.

Regrading concerns about the rise in accidents, drug abuse, or social issues, Srettha assured that the Royal Thai Police is prepared to address these challenges. Measures such as increased CCTV installations and venue inspections will be implemented.




tisdag 31 oktober 2023

Thailand on the way to becoming a visa-free zone for foreign holidaymakers. Following prime minister Srettha Thavisin’s announcements to boost foreign tourism to Thailand, 80 percent of holiday arrivals no longer require a prior visa or a visa on arrival.- Pattaya Mail

Thailand on the way to becoming a visa-free zone for foreign holidaymakers
Chinese tourists on arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport are charmed by historic Thai dolls.

Following prime minister Srettha Thavisin's announcements to boost foreign tourism to Thailand, 80 percent of holiday arrivals no longer require a prior visa or a visa on arrival. They have become visa exempt, or visa free, travellers as far as Thailand is concerned. Although the nationals of half the countries in the world still do need visas for any visit, they by and large provide miniscule numbers compared with the privileged giants.

Traditionally, visa exempt tourists were mainly from established markets including the US, Australia, the UK and much of mainland Europe. In 2016, then prime minister general Prayut extended their 30 visa exempt days to 60 days by allowing them to extend a further month on payment of 1,900 baht (US$55) at local immigration offices. Thailand also has agreements with her Asean partners which permit stays of between 15 days and a month without any visa requirement.

Since coming to power two months ago, Srettha has announced that Russian tourists can now stay visa-less for 90 days rather than the previous 30, whilst Chinese arrivals (plus Kazakstan) become visa-free for the first time with just 30 days. But the premier also announced that the six months' measures could become permanent and that his administration was considering allowing Indian citizens free access for 30 days, thus cancelling the visa on arrival status which currently costs each entrant 2,000 baht (US$58).

Informal promises have also been made to cancel the visa requirement for Taiwanese nationals and nationals of some Arab states. If all these reforms do occur, Thailand will have a visa-free environment for 90 percent plus of foreign tourist arrivals. Visas remain in place for all nationalities for non-tourist reasons such as employment, retirement, marriage and family, study or investment. Police spokespersons have said that some of these mostly-annual visas are in need of review because the regulations are too lax, but nothing to date has been heard. Meanwhile the Tourist Authority of Thailand has been promoting the Elite visa (5-20 years), although this cash upfront route does not permit employment.
Defending the virtual collapse of visas for tourist-orientated visitors, Srettha's spokespersons have said that immigration police feel they can effectively monitor foreigners post-arrival and that the traditional visa bureaucracy often failed to pinpoint miscreants in any case. During the post-2014 coup administration, there were many scandals involving Chinese and Russian nationals in particular such as illegal working as taxi drivers and tour guides in Phuket and enrolment at language schools in several cities without the required paperwork.
It is certainly true that monitoring foreigners in Thailand has become easier for police investigators. State-of-the-art immigration computers can now identify individuals even if they change their names, whilst smart technology can identify the location of suspicious cell phone users. That is reflected in the growing number of lengthy visa overstayers who have been picked up by Thai immigration agents even without anyone notifying the authorities. Thus Thailand is on course to becoming the most popular international destination without tourist entry visas. But the broader issues of public safety and possible international criminal activity are taking a back seat. For now anyway.





måndag 30 oktober 2023

Legalising casinos to boost economy: Thailand House of Representatives forms committee | Thaiger

Legalising casinos to boost economy: Thailand House of Representatives forms committee

A 60-member committeeto probe into the potential launch of entertainmenthubs, inclusive of casinos, has been established by Thailand's House of Representatives. This move seeks to rectify the issue of underground casinos and invigorate the nation's financial state, as suggested in a proposal put forth by members of parliament from diverse parties.

The endorsers of the proposal encompassed Thoedchart Chaipong, a Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Rai; Non Paisanlimcharoenkij, a Move Forward Party MP for Nonthaburi; and Chatchawal Kong-udom, a United Thai Nation Party list-MP.

The process of establishing a committee to explore this matter was debated upon in a House session presided over by House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.

Rangsiman Rome, a Move Forward Party list-MP, conveyed his agreement, whilst cautioning that a parallel working group had also been set up by the preceding House of Representatives to scrutinise this issue.

The opposition MP disclosed that he was alerted about a Tak province-based firm, implicated in human trafficking and illicit human organs trading, that managed to send a representative to present its perspective before the committee, seemingly with harmful intent.

Rangsiman emphasised the requirement for preventative steps against ill-intent influence. He expressed his belief that legalising casinos could lead to the downfall of casinos operating at the borders, thereby redirecting the money of Thai gamblers towards the government revenue for national development.

United Thai Nation Party list-MP Chatchawal underscored the financial loss resulting from Thai citizens travelling to neighbouring countries for casino gambling. Chatchawal revealed that he had initially proposed the legalisation of casinos 30 years ago, but faced opposition, reported Bangkok Post.

He suggested situating at least five entertainment complexes with casinos strategically across the country — one each in the North, the South, the East, the West and the Central Plains. He affirmed that this would provide local employment opportunities, eliminating the need for some Thais to seek employment overseas.






Thailand voted best tourist destination outside Europe. The Nation

 Enligt danska turister !!! 

Thailand voted best tourist destination outside Europe

Thailand has been recognised as the "Best Destination Outside Europe" at the Danish Travel Awards 2023, marking the first time the country has received this prestigious award.

Thailand voted best tourist destination outside Europe

The Danish Travel Awards, organised by Travelmedia Nordic, the leading digital travel media platform in the Nordic region, has been recognising outstanding contributions to the travel industry for 26 years. The event, which was held in Copenhagen on October 4, was attended by over 500 professionals from the travel, tourism, and aviation sectors.

Thailand received the award based on a survey conducted by Epinion, a Danish analytical institution, among 3,000 Danish consumers. The awards were divided into three categories: airlines and travel, hotels and tourism in Denmark, and foreign tour operators.

In addition to the main categories, five special awards were introduced this year, including:

1. Best Budget Airline

2. Best Beachfront Hotel in Denmark

3. Best Camping Site in Denmark

4. Best Tourist Attraction in Denmark

5. Best Destination Outside Europe

Thailand's success in securing the "Best Destination Outside Europe" award underscores its popularity among Danish tourists. According to data from January to September of this year, more than 19 million foreign tourists visited Thailand, including over 80,000 Danish tourists during the first half of the year, a significant increase compared to last year.

It is anticipated that the number of Danish tourists travelling to Thailand will continue to rise during the upcoming winter season. Thai businesses can leverage this opportunity to enhance their products and services to meet international standards and cater to the preferences of the target audience, thus expanding their market presence.






söndag 29 oktober 2023

Winter to begin 2 weeks late and be less cold than usual. The Meteorological Department will announce the start of winter early next week, about two weeks later than usual, as cool winds remain weak and temperatures are expected to be warmer than usual throughout the season. Bangkok Post

Winter to begin 2 weeks late and be less cold than usual
Park rangers repair a trail in the mountainous Doi Inthanon National Park in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Friday. The park is a popular tourist destination in winter and its trails will reopen on Nov 1. (Photo: Panumet Tanraksa)
Park rangers repair a trail in the mountainous Doi Inthanon National Park in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Friday. The park is a popular tourist destination in winter and its trails will reopen on Nov 1. (Photo: Panumet Tanraksa) 

The Meteorological Department will announce the start of winter early next week, about two weeks later than usual, as cool winds remain weak and temperatures are expected to be warmer than usual throughout the season.

Somkhuan Tonjan, head of the department's central weather forecast sub-division, said rains would continue in the upper parts of the country until Sunday amid weakening cool winds. Easterly and southeasterly winds as well as high humidity would prevail in Greater Bangkok.

Moderately cold winds would blanket upper regions from Monday this week to Monday next week, he said, with cooler temperatures in the Northeast. As cooler winds arrive, rain will affect some areas before gradually declining.

The Meteorological Department was likely to announce the beginning of winter early next week, Mr Somkhuan said.

Winter in Thailand officially arrives when the lowest temperature remains under 23 degrees Celsius.

Apart from the delayed onset, Mr Somkhuan said this winter would be less cold than usual. The lowest average temperature would be 21-22 degrees Celsius, compared with 19.9 degrees Celsius on average.

Last year the average low temperature was 20.8 degrees Celsius, he said.

In the North and the Northeast, the lowest temperatures this winter will be 9-10 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, it will be 17-18 degrees Celsius in Bangkok and 15-16 degrees Celsius in adjacent provinces.

Temperatures will be lowest from early December to late January.

Cold weather and frost would be frequent on mountaintops and winter would end in late February, Mr Somkhuan said.






onsdag 25 oktober 2023

Thai nationals are launching five new airlines with a total investment of at least 3.85 billion baht, expecting to start commercial operations in 2024, eyeing a piece of Thailand’s growing aviation market which is estimated to reach 320 billion baht in value next year. The Nation

Five new Thai airlines to start flying next year

Thai nationals are launching five new airlines with a total investment of at least 3.85 billion baht, expecting to start commercial operations in 2024, eyeing a piece of Thailand's growing aviation market which is estimated to reach 320 billion baht in value next year.

Five new Thai airlines to start flying next year

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), the five new airlines that have been granted the Air Operating Licence (AOL) are: Really Cool Airlines, P80 Air, Pattaya Airways, Siam Seaplane and Landarch Airlines.

These airlines will have to wait for the CAAT to approve their Air Operator Certificate (AOC) before they can fly commercially in Thailand.

Patee Sarasin, chief executive officer of Really Cool Airlines, said that the airline expected to receive an AOC in January next year and start flying from the second quarter.

He said that in the first two years of operation, Really Cool Airlines would focus on Asian routes such as Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai with four Airbus A330-300 aircrafts.

With an initial crew of 130, the company will test the market with chartered flights during March to May next year, then switch to regular flights and later expand to European markets.

"We would not compete with Thai Airways International on their regular routes but would focus on flights to secondary cities, which would also help further promote Thailand's tourism industry," he said.

Patee added that Really Cool would also be the world first's airline that delivers passenger luggage to their doors. "We are planning to invest some 1 billion baht in products and services under Rally Cool brands, such as Really Cool Taxi, Really Cool Medical, and Really Cool Cargo," he said.

Meanwhile, P80 Air spokesman Sorakrit Wannala said that the company expected to get its AOC in the next 8-9 months and start commercial operation in the last quarter of next year.

In the first two years of operation, P80 Air would fly mostly to secondary cities in China using four Boeing B737-800 NG aircrafts, he said.

P80 Air is a subsidiary of Thoresen Thai Agencies Pcl, a maritime logistics arm of Mahagitsiri Group. The company reportedly has invested over 2 billion baht in the airline business, of which 500 million baht have been spent in establishing a new airline.

Thossaporn Usanee, president of Pattaya Group, said that Pattaya Airways planned to take to the skies in the fourth quarter of 2024, providing full-scale aviation transport on both domestic and Asean destinations.

Pattaya Airways will use an ATR72 aircraft for cargo delivery in the first three years before adding three more planes to serve the growing demand of cargo delivery from e-commerce operators, he added.

A news source reported that Siam Seaplane was looking to add amphibian planes of the Cessna Caravan 208 model to its fleet to serve high-end customers visiting seaside resorts and ports in Thailand. The airline's first route will be the famous Ko Lipe in Satun province, where amphibian planes can shorten the commute time to the island to just 30-45 minutes.

Meanwhile, Landarch Airlines will operate short chartered flights between major cities in southern provinces, starting from April 2024, according to a source.

The airline's centre would be in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, where it would procure five Cessna C208 B, 12-seaters aircraft within the first five years. Landarch Airlines will expand its fleet to 15 aircraft in following years, targeting destinations in other provinces as well.