Pinot

Thanks Sheryl

Some have asked about the insurance company. It was originally called Regency for Expats and is now going by Regency Global. It required getting treated at Public Hospitals. The surgeon I was going to use has operating rights at all Phuket Hospitals and is considered the best choice by everyone we asked. I don't know what I'm going to do yet. I could fly to Udon Thani (wifes home) and have the surgery for 300k at a private hospital. I am 75. Have very little use of my left arm. Can't lift it up in the air, only to 45 degrees. The pain is tough but it's getting better or I'm getting used to it. I'm still bicycling 25 km a day weather permitting. Thanks for all the India recommendations. I don't know. $5000 sounds better than $10000 but...you know, India. Unlike my left arm, it's up in the air. I've got the decision under appeal from the insurance company but not confident in the decision. Pass on Regency Global Insurance.

No, I have the MRI, this is straightforward now. I'm looking for a great place to save some money. I assume I'll have to pay for it.

I hadn't thought of that. Have it done and resubmit it. Thanks

Unsecured construction fabric blew out in front of me, tossing me to the ground. Wind. It wasn't the shoulder I landed on. Tore ligaments on the other shoulder.

I had a bicycle crash and screwed up my shoulder. My insurance company said it was an optional surgery and turned me down. I have two ruptured tendons and need a four-hour operation to fix this. Four screws, four days in the hospital. My arm elevated for six weeks. Vischara in Phuket quoted 350k. The surgeon is excellent. Looks like I need to pay for this myself. Are there any options?

Just had a claim rejected for 350,000 baht for a rotatorcuff injury. They decided it was elective surgery. Two torn tendons and limited use of the left arm is elective surgery. Don't use Regency for Expats or Regency Assurance as a healthcare provider. This was my first claim I've had in four years with them. Useless.

Because a preventable infection is still killing people. I keep my covid shots up to date and you'd be foolish not to.

Souvenirs? Come on...the guy's a moron. Did he seriously think he was going to get this crap into Oz?

A couple of years ago, I visited Vietnam for a month. Walking home at night in Hoi An the rats were all over the trash and garbage. I saw nothing in Da Nang that would make me want to return. Saigon was a crowded mess where every scooter driver constantly honked their horn. Crossing the street was a constant challenge. It's a place where you have to bring your scooter into your house at night or it would certainly be stolen. The cops there make the BIB look like alter boys. Overall, it's a full step down in every category from LOS. I never want to return.

No Vietnam beaches to compare with Phuket Beaches

What a jerk. I hope one of them got you good. You deserve it.

Thanks

All my calls are to the US. I don't make many calls but I do need to occasionally call my broker (Schwab) and family. I've been using Skype with never a problem. Now, with Skype being shut down I need an alternative. Doing a small amount of research, it seems Sonetel at under $2/month might be the best alternative. You can get a US phone number that will forward incoming calls and even voicemail where they use AI to send a message. Has anyone found a better alternative?

The over-tourism has pummelled Phuket's environment. Anything that pumps the brakes on this is admirable.