"I ditched the UK to live in Thailand - I'll never return to Britain due to cost-of-living and crime rates"

A man ditched the UK to live in Thailand and vowed never to return to Britain - due to the "cost-of-living crisis and crime levels". <br /><br />Riyan Ruparelia, 22, bought a one-way ticket and flew to Bangkok, Thailand, in January 2023 and plans to travel the country before finding somewhere to settle down. <br /><br />Before leaving for Thailand, Riyan was working 30 hours a week as a receptionist at Powerleague - earning £11-an-hour.<br /><br />Still living with his parents in Brent, London, Riyan says he knew he wouldn't be able to afford to rent on his own in the UK - so he started looking elsewhere.<br /><br />After visiting Thailand three times in the past, Riyan fell in love with the country and booked a one-way plane ticket from Heathrow costing him £500.