wwest5829

Here is an incentive ... get the Moderna available that my Thai wife registered and paid for months ago here in Chiang Mai!

Fortunately, not in Bangkok to deal with this as my Thai wife is still waiting for the Moderna vaccine shots we paid for months ago…

Yes, I received the twoPfizer shots as a retired Expat from the USA donation. Stepdaughter now has had her two Pfizer shots through her school. Thai wife? Still awaiting the Moderna vaccine we paid for months ago …

I kept a diary for the academic year 1979-1980 during that Sabbatical Year of study and travel but since the advent of computers, the calendar entries have served as reminders of events and can be easily be referred to by during key word searches.

I agree with the farang statement rightly to be condemned. And I do not understand why he was not brought before a Thai court for publicly embarrassing the Kingdom of Thailand. However, as an American reflecting on so much embarrassment coming from politicians in my own country I let much of all the foolishness role off … not worth my attention.

Weather was a consideration when I retired to Thailand in 2011 but the critical concern was economic. I cannot afford a working middle class retirement in the USA on my $2400.00 per month ($1320 of that from SS). Here I rent a 4 bed, 3 bath home with a side yard, two cars, motorbike. Get to make a couple of beach trips a year. Comfortable life … just the reality of being outpriced for the same level of living in my own country.

Expat having received two doses of Pfizer from the USA donation. Stepdaughter has received two doses of Pfizer through her school. Thai wife … we await the Moderna doses she has paid for already … careful Thai government officials. Either provide Thai adults with the Moderna already paid for or the Pfizer vaccine … now.

Same reason we, among all developed countries do not have a national healthcare program and pay far more than the rest of the world for care and pharmaceuticals ... to protect the profits. Thing is millions of us from the working middle class are being "outsourced" to lower cost of living countries in retirement. I certainly could not retire in the USA and have the same working middle class retirement on my $2400.00 a month ($1320.00 of that from SS).

I encourage the Kingdom of Thailand to further develop and promote medical tourism, as well as assisted living facilities. Thailand has a good medical development opportunity, especially for Americans as the USA lacks a national healthcare program. The promotion would be advertising Thailand's world class healthcare availability at a fraction of the cost in the USA. Put together a package showing, say, the cost of a hip replacement, include the airfare and recovery time at a reasonably priced resort. Another related ideal would be to reach agreement with the US government to have Thailand approved facilities to provide USA Medicare services. This would benefit US retirees in Thailand and Thai medical facilities (US military on full retirement already is covered).

Just a footnote concerning US health care outside USA territory. Those of us who worked in civilian occupations, paying into Medicare and now retired do not have access to US Medicare. However, if you worked and earned full retirement in the US military, you have access to healthcare anywhere globally through Tricare. I am a US citizen and expect some services from the US government while outside uS territory ... for example, service provided by US Embassies. I encourage the millions of Americans retired as Expats to lobby for equal healthcare coverage ... civilian, and military alike.

The only thing that upset me was learning, from personal observation, that some of the girls were, evidently unable to afford undergarments. Wait, sorry, that may have been on Soi Cowboy.

Over the years I had read the comments of those who came to Thailand in the 70s, 80s, etc. Often they reflected their nostalgia in memories of past experiences. Having gotten to visit in 2009 and 2010 and then retiring here in 2011 I find reason to fondly look back myself on a time seemingly gone (OK, definitely currently gone). Ah, Thailand, I cannot fully express how my “interaction” with Thai females resulted in literally falling in love with your culture. Now, years later, fond memories but happily settled with my Thai wife and Stepdaughter.

This is not gonna improve his outlook on foreigners …

Just an observation. Agree wine is expensive here, nonetheless, if one is willing to pay the price, one can get a fine wine. As to buffets? I cannot eat so much either, however, what is appealing is the selection to try different tastes.

Thanks for the clarification. My first reaction was they were buying in to Sate of Texas offering a bounty to citizens tuning in anyone getting an abortion or advising/assisting anyone who seeks an abortion. Don’t mess with Texas … yee hah!

Some of us must just have honest faces. Same here in 2015 with an outstanding bill of 411,000 baht. I I just had not done my best in 2011 to demonstrate to the Royal Thai government that by granting an O-A Visa for retirement they would be gaining an upstanding fellow! Should have waited to apply for an O Visa in country! Ignorance is has not been my friend.

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 …

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

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.

Agree. One of the major considerations when retiring was that I could not live a working middle class life style in my own country. So, looked around for a comfortable cost of living country with world class medical availability (heart issues), accommodating culture, etc. and made monthlong visits before retiring to Thailand. Hindsight ... would not have requested an O-A Visa. The insurance issue is causing consternation due to age and pre-existing conditions. of course TIT and there are possible "work arounds". Currently, paying 11,400 baht for useless insurance to meet the requirement. Figure I am paying for those skipping out on bills.

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.

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.

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 …

Currently, still alternatives. Marriage Visa ?

My crystal ball is blurry but … it would be consistent with Thai thinking. Fewer customers? OK, raise the price …