@Paul *******

if they cannot afford basic food and shelter at home they cannot afford the plane ticket. I understand what you are saying, but none of it makes any sense as far as moving to a foreign country. Sure, you can live here cheaply, but without sufficient savings, one little emergency and you're on the street with no hope of help. And believe it or not, some things kind of are black and white. In an emergency in most European countries medical is free. In the US they will treat an emergency even if you cannot pay. In Thailand, you're stuck. And you know as well as I do that good Thai insurance is unaffordable on a low budget and poor Thai insurance is basically as good as no insurance. Do I wish everyone had what they needed to survive at home? Absolutely. Do I think someone on a limited budget should move to Thailand without an emergency fund? Absolutely not. Better off at home.

@Paul *******

what moral dilemma? It is unwise to move to Thailand from a western country if you don't have the funds to cover an emergency. That's just good decision making, not a moral judgement. Too many people wind up homeless here or begging either on the street or with a go fund me page. It is not a smart move to set yourself up for that possibility.

@Paul *******

wow, you don't know me at all! I can't even stand looking at that orange face.

@Paul *******

no one coming to Thailand from the west is a refugee. If you are from a country with a poverty problem like you mention, it is most likely as cheap or cheaper to live there. None of your arguments hold water.

@Paul *******

5/growing-numbers-of-westerners-homeless-by-choice

@Paul *******

1. It doesn't matter what institution you have the 500,000 baht in, so long as you can show them you have it. 2. If you have a "large guarenteed monthly stipend, pension, etc.", put enough away each payday until you have 500,000 saved for emergencies then come over. 3. Yes, they are better off. There is help for them at home, including medical help for emergencies. It is really not bright to be in a foreign country broke. The stories about it are endless. It isn't about pride or anything else, it's about smart decision making

@Paul *******

no. You have no reserves for emergencies.

Honestly if you don't have at least 500,000 baht in savings you shouldn't be considering living in a foreign country to begin with.

@Alexander ***

we know the Elite is secure. The DTV hasn't been around enough for anyone to know how it will work in the long run.

@Lena ******

I got in before the price hike last year.