I Was Stranded in Thailand and Here's What Happened

As a remote tech employee and part-time content creator, I don’t stay in one place for longer than 6 months, then I move on to a new country. Anyway, in 2024, I took a trip to Thailand, the goal was to spend a couple of weeks in Thailand then head to another country.

I usually buy one-way tickets when I’m country hopping, as I don’t know where I’m going to next. I rarely plan these things, I just leave on a whim. Honestly, I’m done with country hopping for a while, and I plan to stay in one place for about 12 months, then leave for 3 months out of the following year. I’m ready to “settle down” in one place now.

So, how did I get stranded in Thailand?

Well, I usually transfer money from my UK bank account to another card because I prefer to spend in the country currency, I don’t like using my UK card abroad, because it often gets blocked, even when I inform them that I’m out of the country.

Anyway, I was making my usual transfer and it got declined. I tried again, and it got declined.

I called the bank to find out what’s going on, and they told me that my account has been closed for violating the terms and conditions of the account.

“You must live in the UK for six months out of the year to be eligible for this account.”

So, they closed my bank account and said I must go into a branch and sign off on the account to receive my funds. Wow!

I have no ticket out of Thailand, and only the funds left on my prepaid card, and some cash in the local currency. What do I do?

I called my family members, they all said no. They’re broke, and can’t help.

I asked the British Embassy for help, and they said since I didn’t come from the UK and I flew into Thailand on a one way ticket, they couldn’t help me. Omg! Now what? I’m stuck here.

I was two days away from checking out of my hotel apartment, and left with a few coins to eat and get another apartment. I managed to pull together some funds to get another apartment for two weeks, but not enough money for food.

Now what?

With no UK bank account to receive funds from my online job, I called the bank to ask if I could access my salary, they said I must come into the bank. I made it clear that I was abroad several times.

Ok, so forget that!

I opened an online bank account with Revolut, and contacted my employer to change my bank details. i get paid every two weeks, so I had to live on noodles and bread for a couple of weeks until I got paid.

This situation taught me a lesson though, I must always have a prepaid card on me that’s loaded with emergency funds, and another backup of physical cash just in case something happens.

I was careless because i’ve never had an issue like this before so I didn’t think it could happen to me. Honestly, it was the worst experience of my life and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that never happens to me again.

I’m safely back at my base and I don’t plan on travelling for a while. I feel comfortable, happy, and relaxed.

But wow! What an experience!

Have you ever been in a similar experience? Let's chat in the comments, I'd love to hear your story.