In the uk, when you get to about £36k, the tax rate jumps up to 40%. In my case I also pay National Insurance and Company pension contributions, so at the top end of my earnings 55% is taken away. To me, that means it is not worth working, so I have agreed with my boss to work less and have more holidays.
Phuket here I come.
If you are in a heavily taxed country, the public services should be better than if you live in a lower taxed country. However in the lower taxed country you end up paying for things privately (if you can afford it). One thing is for definite - if you work you end up paying for the scroungers who don't.