wwest5829

11 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

Gotta start somewhere. It is a 20+ hour flight time each way from/to the US. If someone is willing to endure that, they may feel that the hassle on the Thai end is not that big a deal if they see other people are making it through from the US.

 

I tell people from the US even before covid that unless you have ATLEAST 2 weeks to spend in Thailand, don't even bother.

A few years ago, I had offered to take a young lady to the US but as a government worker she said she only had one week’s vacation. Told her the same, no less that two weeks are needed for travel time and jet lag when arriving in the US. Ah, well …

20 hours ago, simon43 said:

[quote]

 When you reach that magical "use by" date set by insurance companys, and your of absolutley no value to them, and your policy is cancelled,  come and tell us about it, wont you, and join the  compulsory self insured brigade.

[/quote]

 

Huh, if you chose the right insurance policy in the first place, then the company legally can't cancel your policy, nor increase your premiums individually if you've claimed before.  They are stuck with you for life.....

Well, perhaps stuck with as long as you can afford the rising premiums?

20 hours ago, robblok said:

Im not smug at all, it sucks but its a result of your decision to retire in a foreign country.  

 

Thing is other countries where you pay taxes for insurance they even it out. So when your young you pay too much tax and later when old you use a lot more but you paid for it when young. The moment you leave you lose those rights. Its your own choice.

 

So then all of a sudden you go to an insurer and it all costs a lot more as you go into it at a much higher age. Its just the way of the world and anyone retiring either needs money in the bank or a good insurance.

 

So what do you suggest ? for people at 80 no insurance and then let Thailand pay for them or what ? Why would Thailand pay for people who have not paid into the system. 

 

So what is your suggestion to cover health costs of older expats ? I am waiting. (pretty sure most want someone else take the hit)

First observation I would make is that there are a substantial number from western countries working middle class who cannot afford to retire in their home confíes or who can certainly be better able to have a working middle class retirement in a lower cost country. As to not having medical insurance, the “one size fits all approach” naturally catches various alternative scenarios out in the cold. Oh, I certainly do not think a host country should be picking up unpaid medical bills but … how about all incoming tourists be required to have medical insurance (similar to Schengen Visa requirement?). And a Thai government Expat medical insurance covering reasonable Thai hospital medical costs (should return a healthy balance but not be excessive). There are more things to consider, of course. Thailand does have an advantage of developing medical tourism and its elder care facilities attracting many westerners from the working middle class (many more people than the rich and famous who can afford to travel anywhere in the world.

20 hours ago, robblok said:

Its hard but it happens otherwise you would not have the sob stories in Thaivisa. If you follow the heath section you can see it there too. They had a huge loss (hospitals) from foreigners not paying.

 

Now you could say Thai government would have to pay as they make money. But that is unfair to other Thai taxpayers as they see no benefits but pay for it. An option would be an extra tax on business in the tourist industry (raising prices) and then funding an account for those that wont pay. Because they are the ones benefitting.

 

Anyway you been on this forum for a while strange that you have not read the same stories.

Sure would help the comprehension of reality if creditable statistical studies had been done and made public as rot the breakdown of the foreigner unpaid medical bills. Will I am wishing the study should breakdown the various subgroups ... foreign workers, short time tourist motorbike accidents, old foggies skipping out on medical bills. Of course, it is all solvable but  ... TIT.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Obtain extensions using monthly income method or money in the bank method or buy a PE 

OR go home to the states.

Don't moan about options, you have them.

Personally, I have used the monthly income method for the past decade. Which does not limit my expressing my view on a requirement which would affect others and is shortsighted. as a policy.

10 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

To be clear, the 1.2m figure is equivalent money in a home country account, to get an OA from home country.

This figure (in home currency) can vary a lot due to exchange rates.

in the last couple of years, 800k has been as low as $25k US and as high as $30k US. 

The 1.2 is probably just to cover exchange variations as the baht is 10% down from where it used to be.

 

I did establish my financial ability for the original O-A by submitting documents of my retirement account in the US. There is no way I am withdrawing my invested retirement funds to park them in a Thai bank. Non starter …

18 hours ago, Boyn said:

The more i read on this site the more im thinking that retiring to LOS is a bad idea.

But the missus wants to go home and it is a country ive loved for over 30 years so what do i do?

 

Currently, still alternatives. Marriage Visa ?

12 hours ago, Chris.B said:

Whats happened to the 1m doses of Pfizer they were giving?

As stated previously, the USA donations were received and distributed throughout Thailand. My two Pfizer shots were received here in Chiang Mai in September but others had gotten their shots before I was scheduled.

15 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Not at all unusual, many merchants charge for using credit cards as they have to pay their bank a charge for accepting them.

Even higher if using American Express. Up to the individual business, some do not penalize credit card usage.

2 hours ago, ezzra said:

Soon they'll all start to sing the Eagles Desperado, 

why don't you come to your senses
You've been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
I know that you've got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow...

My theme song, half a lifetime ago … damn, over half a life time ago!

1 minute ago, Jeffr2 said:

Moderna was ordered from a private firm.  Not a donation by the US.  Though it would be a good idea for the US to donate more.  They've got a surplus now.

 

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2021/10/15/moderna-vaccines-will-arrive-in-november-firm-says/

 

Correct. Moderna vaccines have been ordered and were not part of the USA donations addressed in the post I replied to. The USA has been and is continuing to make donations around the globe. My wife has signed up for and paid for the Moderna vaccines we are awaiting ... I received my two doses of Pfizer vaccine from the US donation. My Stepdaughter has received her first Pfizer shot with her public school classmates.

9 hours ago, Danderman123 said:

What about the million doses of Moderna that the US offered to Thailand?

I don't recall a Moderna pledge but I and other foreign Expats have already received our two does of the USA donated Pfizer donations.

12 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

While I wasn't rich, I always recognised that an unexpected medical event could cost too much, so I was always insured. When that became unrealistic, I reluctantly decided to leave Thailand.

IMO any that choose not to be insured are either fooling themselves that they could self insure for a serious road accident or a serious medical problem ( such can cost millions to survive ), or are willfully ignoring reality ( unless they have a plan B with involves becoming dead ).

I did consider whether to have a plan B involving a sharp blade, but decided I wasn't ready for that ultimate remedy.

Serious road accident covered by existing car and accident insurance (covers any accident, falling down the steps, for example) already. Medicare if I can return to the USA. In the case of heart arrack as happened in 2015, current US policy (BC/BS) will cover 165,000 baht and I pay for the excess. So, at age 74, pre-existing conditions … retired on $2400.00 baht a month, I could use an affordable major medical policy covering in excess of 500,000 baht for critical care in Thailand only. Travel elsewhere? Travel medical insurance is purchased for the length of the trip.

11 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

Not quite sure what your point is here however had you had suitable insurance you would not have been 411,000 ÷ 2.

 

Hope you've made a full recovery btw.

“Knock on wood”, all appears well. at 74, having had 5 by-passes in 2005, plus the 2015 heart attack addressed in the post there is no way I can qualify for affordable insurance covering me. The required current insurance (O-A Visa) is just an added useless cost. Figure the cost of insurance over my decade here and … I think I am better off carrying on until I can switch to an “O” Visa.

2 hours ago, HashBrownHarry said:

All the people who advocate for self funding, what figure would you call 'enough to cover anything'?

 

I had a friend who went in ICU and one night was 150K so you can imagine racking up a hefty bill in a very short amount of time....

 

The 800K mentioned by some would last only 5 days ICU, then what?

While my week at RAM, stent, plus 2 angioplasties and a “mini stroke” racked up a 411,000 baht bill. About half covered by a US policy and the test, out of my invested funds in the US. No way I am going to park 800,000 baht here when I count on my investments.

I favor all entering Tourists be required to have travel medical insurance on the same basis as those entering Europe on a Schengen Visa. At age 74, with pre-existing conditions, I oppose my currently being required to pay 11,400 baht for a 200K deductible policy which will exclude my greatest health risk. Problem is the cookie cutter approach not taking into consideration any comprehensive "accident insurance", and the fact that, if I can get on a plane I am covered under medicare in the US for serious issues like cancer (don't get me started on pointing out full retired military get global health coverage while non-military are denied their Medicare coverage outside the US). Taken into account should also be any insurance I have that will provide some coverage. I have a healthcare retirement policy that will pay up to $5000.000 USD annually. This policy and my paying the remaining bill covered the total cost of my 2015 heart attack in Chiang Mai. I would favor a fair cost Thailand government long term stay visa holder (retirees) social program insurance that would prevent the citizens of Thailand absorbing foreigner medical costs ... and I think that should be the sole driving fair idea behind requiring health insurance.

2 hours ago, rabang said:

Masks  will remain mandatory in Asia probably for many years to come. Wearing them outdoors in a hot and humid climate is a nuisance that potential tourists should be aware of.

Not been to China or Japan? Masks have been de rigueur for a long time before Covid.

21 hours ago, pgrahmm said:

Just make more than one trip w/o a card,  changing cashier lanes; or more people.....

I don't drink beer, so 10 liters seems like a lot....

I don't drink beer either (think I must have used up my lifetime allotment in college). But i do usually stock up on the house box wine 4-6 boxes. No problem for me to visit three local stores to do the same.

12 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

faces hield or not, you will to have a mask handy to enter some places, as I stated earlier, facial monitors that work gates.  Just once in, uncover nose and or face as you see fit.

That may be. My second of the face shield suggestion was for her saying she could not wear a mask. I agree that, at least currently, I would not advise travel if a person can not wear a face mask in Thailand. Actually, perhaps all of Asia as utilizing a face mask has been used (thinking here of Japan and China) even before Covid. One of the considerations as to why I am a long way from flying anywhere … sorry if a person cannot wear a mask but  …

18 hours ago, Wanderwoman said:

Hi Richard, 

 

Thank you for this informative reply. My post isn't meant to be confusing, unfortunately people attack other with hidden disabilities so I'm quick to the point. 

 

That all makes complete sense. I had not considered a more breathable covering alternative (slit or shield) this would at least help some of the journey, if they do not change the rules as you just said, my husbands also happy to go into places for me, but the point is to be as independent as possible, while being safe. 

 

Thank you again. 

I second Richard’s suggestion of the use of a face shield. They are readily available here and we do see them being utilized, at least in Chiang Mai.

19 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

The Good Old Days of "border hopping" are probably over.  The last time I did a one day trip to anywhere was Malaysia in 2019.  Some borders are open and many are still closed.  Hopping out and back into Thailand will be difficult because(especially through the air)  it could take up to 7 days to get the Thailand Pass approved, ensure that one has the proper insurance and get the Covid 19 PCR test.  I have an Non Imm OA Visa and in the "good old days" hopping out and in would get me an additional year stamped in my passport but not anymore.  I have left and entered Thailand twice in 2021 and both times it was proverbial 'pain in the ass" to get all the steps completed(then it was the COE process).  Personally I do not intend to leave Thailand unless I absolutely need to.  

Also on an O-A Retirement. Watching for being able to leave, return Visa Exempt and the apply for the O Visa for Retirement.

42 minutes ago, Tracyb said:

I have seen widespread reports that Wise transfers are not showing up as international funds transfers regardless of which option one chooses from the drop down menu.  This recent development raises questions about the reliability of showing bank codes in passbooks that denote international funds transfers.  Be cautious about relying solely on Wise at this time.

My monthly transfer arrived as scheduled today without any issues. BB messenger of receipt reads, “xxx transferred from abroad into acct. xxx”