"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".

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.

Before leaving for Thailand, Riyan was working 30 hours a week as a receptionist at Powerleague - earning £11-an-hour.

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.

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.