abrahamzvi

Thanks, I don't have a problem getting married again and honestly. I don't think I would need this with this girl. But, I have had it not work out twice before. I just want to protect what I have.

That's not to say if I married then divorced this girl I would give her nothing. I just want to know the law so we keep it fair. I would not want to give half my stuff to someone I was married to for only two years. Again IF that happened.

ok up to you like a thai would say but all thai lady are the best at making you feel great and you think you can trust them and the next thing you have no money and the girl has gone I have seen it here to meany times here before and I feel for the man that come here and test there Thais to much

You and your friends must have been very unlucky, or excuse me saying this, very stupid. I have been married to a Thai lady for over 25 years and I know few other foreigners here and back home who have been married for a long time and we all think very highly of our wives. Of course, there are Thai ladies, who act like the ones you refer to, but having been married many years ago to a German lady, I can tell you she did take me to town! There are ladies of this nature anywhere. One has to be lucky and, of course keep ones eyes open!

We are with Bangkok Bank. No fees if you use their network. But! If you have one of their chipped cards, and they is no branch nearby, you are out of luck. We got stuck in a small town with very little cash due to this earlier in the year.

To use an ATM that is not BB, it's only 20B.

I had problems opening my account at a smaller branch, then went to the main branch and got things taken care of.

I am very surprised. My wife and I have quite a few accounts (saving, Fixed Deposits and Baluang Investments) with Bangkok bank in Chiang Mai and have a VIP card from them . Whilst there is no ATM charge in Chiang Mai Province, outside this area we are still charged Baht 15 as an ATM fee. I am not worried about it, but I am just wondering why one office of BBL uses different practices than another. Are you sure you can use a BBL ATM anywhere in Thailand without a charge??

Surely you mean 'Registering a Thai baby' with the British Embassy as a British citizen, so the child has dual citizenship.

By law, if a child is born in Thailand it is automatically a Thai citizen.

Not quite. A child born in Thailand is NOT automatically a Thai national, unless one of the parents is Thai.

There is no retirement visa you can get here in Thailand. You can apply for an extension of stay based upon retirement or one based upon your marriage to a Thai.

If you are on an extension of stay based upon teaching you could change your reason for your extension to marriage or retirement.

For marriage you would need 400k baht in a Thai bank in you name only for 60 days or proof of an income of 40k baht,

For retirement it is 800k baht in the bank or 65k baht income.

After 20 years stay, a Thai wife and Thai children, why don't you apply for a Residence permit? I know it can take years for it to be processed and granted, in the meantime you should apply for an extension of stay as a spouse of a Thai national!

As I said above, Bangkok Hospital is expensive compared to others in Thailand, but comparing the charges to the fees one pays in other western countries, or even in Singapore, it is still very, very reasonable.

Please try to understand that hospitals in Thailand should not be compared pricewise to other countries.

That's like comparing the price of Thai food in the west to here in Thailand.

Yermanee

But people still expect the same medical attention as they do in the West. If one compares prices for Thai food to western restaurants, the comparison is incorrect. One compares apples to oranges. However, if one compares the prices of western food in Thailand to the same food in the west, that is an absolute fair comparison. Isn't it?

I must admit that I do have my doubts if rewarding an officer for following the law is the right attitude. However, unless police officers , and this goes for ALL civil servants with authority, are paid properly, corruption will not be eradicated. It is human nature to want to enjoy a reasonable standard of living, and if this is not provided by the work executed, in the way of a decent salary, people in a position to wield authority are prone to corruption. I personally think that the Singaporean way is the proper manner to deal with this problem. Pay civil servants and politicians reasonably high salaries and at the same time be really strict with those who break the law by being corrupt. I know this is not easy and it does take a process of education, but, in my view, it is the only way. Singapore and Japan are the best examples of this.

Wow, the buffalo in the photo looks really healthy. But the costs for treating sick buffalos are very high here from what i have read.

Did you read it ,or did the GF say 'my mother has a sick buffalow,can you help,might be expencive'.

Quite frankly I am of the view that such stupid and derogatory comments should not be published. The author of this comment should consider leaving Thailand if that represents his opinion and views of Thai ladies. BTW the English spelling of "expencive" is EXPENSIVE.

Wondering how someone semi-literate managed to accumulate $120,000.

No helping for any guy as daft as the OP.

(this can't be real)

You shouldn't slag off someone whose first language is not English. There are many people out there that are completly illiterate and are multi-millionaires:

The man who invented the "Cats Eyes" used on the roads worldwide was completely illiterate and became a multi-millionaire.

Andreas Panayiotou, a London real estate tycoon worth £400 million (roughly $650 million), lives on a 20-acre estate and owns several private jets. At just 45, he’s come from humble beginnings as the son of Greek immigrants and is now ranked as the 200th richest man in Britain. And he can’t read.

No native English speaker would write a "piece" in this manner. I agree there are a few illiterate rich people (remember George Bernard Show's story about the illiterate church usher?....), BUT ALL OF THEM SPEAK THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE, ALBEIT SOME IN THEIR DIALECTS, BUT GRAMMATICALLY IN AN ACCEPTABLE FORM. THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH THIS OP.

I am sorry to say I don't agree with you. I think you paid well over the top for a very basic simple procedure.

I recently had to have hospital treatment and decided to go to Bangkok Hospital in Buriram.

The hospital was well laid out very clean and generally the service was good, However their prices are extremely high.

The other thing one must at all times take into account when you have private medical treatment is that Private Hospitals are run as a profit making business so their main priority is to make as much money as they can.

When I went to Bangkok hospital for long term diarhoea I mentioned a problem I had when walking with pain in my left hip. Another consultant was called in to see me. After finding no pulse in my left groin or near my ankle he told me wife that this was very serious and that I could lose my leg or even die. When I started asking more in depth questions the Consultant realised I had quite a lot of knowledge about medical procedures having worked in the medical field for over 40 years in the UK. This was in the Royal Army Medical Services, a short time in a Private UK hospital, covering for a friend of mine, and for 20 years privately in my own business. Suddenly the consultants opinion seemed to change and it was no longer a life or death problem but a blockage in my my femoral artery but the their was sufficient blood flow to the leg and that it was best to keep an eye on it and if it causes too much problems come and see him again and a much more minor operation could rectify the matter.

In my experiene a lot of additional tests and procedures are carried out in Private hospital when it is not really necessary, it is just to make more money. Patient care takes second priority. Also they know that the majority of patients will have health Insurance so why not bump up the price and make the Insurance Company pay. The problem with this is that most Thai Insurance Companies only pay about 50% of most procedures and have a lmit on what they will pay out on for diagnostic tests, room rates etc.

Why give you paracetamol for pain most of the time at a ridiculous cost when you can go and buy it from a local pharmacy at a fraction of the cost.

I need a cataract done soon, so I enquired at the Bangkok Hospital for the cost for standard lens replacement including a one nights hospital admission. Quoted 40,500B. Asked the same question in the Buriram Private hospital and the quote was 22,500. Other hospitals quoted in the region of 20 - 25,000B

The room charge at Bangkok hospital was 4,500B per day for a very basic room, food and nursing service. 18 months ago I went to Buriram Private hospital for a hernia operation and the cost for a VIP room with sofa table and chairs, large plasma TV, fridge and a large balcony, including food and nursing services was 1,800B.

Many consultants work at Goverment hospitals and one or more private hospitals. So you could go to one hospital then another for a second opinion and see the same doctor. This applies to the UK as in Thailand and I suspect in other counties.

Yes with my knowledge and experiences I am very sceptical about Private medicine.

It looks like everyone is offered a 10% discount at Bangkok Hospitals, I was, even before my tests were completed.

I agree with another post, that the Government hospitals in general are ok, not the cleanliness of Private hospitals and if as normal they are busy then one can wait hours to see a doctor unless it is due to an accident.

Although I am not a medical practitioner, nor have I ever been active in the medical field like you, I am afraid, I really can't agree with you. You are correct if you say that Bangkok Hospital ( the same as Bumrungrad) is expensive compared to Government hospitals, or even other private hospitals, but one must add that one normally gets what one pays for. As far as the standard of the medical treatment is concerned, in my experience, and I have experienced two or three other hospitals in Thailand, there is simply no comparison between Bangkok hospital and other ones. Both my wife and I have had the best experiences with the Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok, after having been treated, or examined by other hospitals. I agree that government hospitals, particularly the University ones, usually have first class physicians, who often work for private hospitals as well, but one must wait for hours and not always does one get the proper attention from them due to time pressure. All I can say is that both my wife and I are absolutely delighted that Bangkok Hospital has just started operating in Chiang Mai, where we live. The other private hospital there, of a good international standard,has some very good doctors, the charges are more reasonable, but again , no comparison with the attention and treatment one gets in Bangkok hospital.

As I said above, Bangkok Hospital is expensive compared to others in Thailand, but comparing the charges to the fees one pays in other western countries, or even in Singapore, it is still very, very reasonable.

but, she might be married, and very afraid - of 'him' learning

but, she might not be married, and very afraid - of arrest

Why afraid of arrest? Is it a crime in Laos to have an affair with a foreigner? I don't believe it is.

oh boy!

Here come all the usual TV negitive comments about money hungry Thai women!

Unfortunately it seems many many TV members never got out of the bars or massage parlors when looking for a woman.

Clue: If you are looking at women who want money for affection or sex...you will find women who's priority is money, money, money.

I and most of my farang friends here in Thailand are married to good, loving and respectable Thai women.

Hard to believe for the bar guys and sexpats, but my wife had never had a boyfriend before me...yes a real virgin.

I know money is not why she is with me....thorugh the years we have hit some hard times and she has always stayed with and supported me.

In fact, when we first met, before we were married, she had more money in the bank than I did..she owned and still own a bit of property as well.

So, before you drowned in a sea of disgruntled, unhappy guys who more or less tried to buy a wife...remember there are quite a few of us out here who are very happy with our wonderful and loving Thai wives.

Back to your original question: What do they look for in a man? Love and respect are very important tomine.

I truly and wholeheartedly agree and I can tell you all a very similar life story of mine. It is practically identical to your story!!!!!!!

At least he is man enough to admit his mistakes. Not something you hear much in Thailand.

Yes, he is a soldier and thinks like one. They are not always known for their tact.

I have to admit I am not too keen on a military government in any country, but Thailand did need something to happen. At least he gives the impression of trying to wade through some very difficult situations and rectify many things. For me time and the future will tell if he is doing a good job.

I am absolutely certain he is doing and will be doing a super job. Thanks God Thailand has Prayuth to lead this country into a better future.

I would not revert to BUPA or another insurer in Thailand. Not that they are unreliable, they ARE, but the limits under their policies and the sub limits are rather low. If you do spend 99% of your time outside your home country, mostly in Thailand I would suggest you get an Expartiate Medical Assistance insurance from an international insurer like the CIGNA, ACE, Allianz, or others which is not cheap but you'll get optimal cover, not only in THAILAND. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW BROKERS IN BANGKOK WHO CAN ARRANGE THIS AND YOU CAN ALSO FIND ADDRESSES OF SUCH INSURERS ON THE INTERNET.

AS FAR AS HOSPITALS IN CHIANG MAI ARE CONCERNED, i WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE NEWLY OPENED BANGKOK hOSPITAL, WHICH IS OF A REALLY VERY HIGH STANDARD. IF YOU PREFER A GOOD HOSPITAL, SLIGHTLY CHEAPER, CHAING MAI RAM, IS NOT BAD.

I am above 72 and have medical insurance worldwide except US and that includes Thailand. In Patient and Out Patient. Costs: $ US 5,788 per year. No out of pocket expenses. Limit Maximum per year $2.6 M Maybe worth considering.

Can you tell us who the insurers/brokers are. When did you take out this insurance and how long have you been covered thereunder?

I have a Visa Credit Card from UOB, never a problem in 10 years. I once bought a mobile phone at Pantip Plaza TB 30.000 and within 10 seconds I received a telephone call to check if this was correct, bought software in America TB 1.200 within 10 seconds I received a telephone call to verify if I purchased something with my credit card. Not always but randomly they check if the use of the cc is correct - again never a problem and I feel safe as I know they watch / monitor my 'purchases'.

Using a Thai CC outside Thailand is rather expensive. Normally most CC issuers (banks and Amex) convert the foreign currency used into US$ and then convert the amount to THB, obviously at not very favourable exchange rates. In addition they charge a fee of between 1.5 to 3%. I find that outside Thailand using my US or EU Credit cards , I am much better off.

OP, you can go to the Bumrungrad and other hospital websites and look at representative costs for the various procedures to see if you could afford them. Bear in mind costs in CM would be less, so you could check out RAM to get an idea. If you have the funds to fly back to the US 2x per year, my guess is you have the funds to afford a serious emergency procedure if needed.

I personally keep a credit card and my insurance card in my wallet to cover an admission into a hospital should that become necessary. I also have a network of friends that would assist me, and I would assist them as well. We older expats tend to look out for each other over here. Sounds like you have made a very good start on all that.

NancyL is involved with one or more organizations that assist expats in need of care. Hopefully she can add to this discussion.

I noticed in one of your other posts that you are planning to ride a scooter and have no previous experience doing so. This greatly increases your odds of needing emergency medical care. Wear a helmet and go slow. Be careful, very careful. Age 65+ is not a good time to start learning.

Two pieces of advice/information:

1) The medical standard of the private hospitals in Chiang Mai is high and is comparable to the standards in US, or Europe. The recently opened Bangkok Hospital in Chiang Mai offers a really high standard. The costs compared to the US and Europe are really low (average cost in a single room in hospital per day is app.$250 and ICU app. $500. Outpatients doctors consultation $10 to 15. So there is no need to worry.

2) Do not , repeat do not, ride a scooter, or any motor bike. Chiang Mai is one of the most dangerous cities in Thailand (Thailand as a whole is rather dangerous) for motor bikers. At your age and inexperience in Thailand you are really asking for trouble!

After flying up and down 3 weeks ago I can't say I'm amazed to hear this!

I completely disagree. I often fly the route CNX-BKK-CNX and I find the security checks absolutely adequate. If the "fake gun" was a toy made of plastics and wrapped or put in a box with other items, possibly it may not have been detected. However, it is difficult for me to believe this story!

Would like to see responses from people who have actually used their second passport in lieu of a visa.

My wife and I have two daughters with dual nationality - Thai (my wife is Thai) and German. Both were born in Germany but we have been living in Thailand for over 10 years now. Our daughters have travelled to Germany and other countries many times, always leaving Thailand and returning to Thailand on their Thai passports and travelling to most other countries - entering and leaving - on their German Passports. Some airlines asked to see both Passports when leaving Thailand, or returning thereto.

Nothing illegal, very simple.

Dude, never loan money to a Thai. You will never see the cash again.

What a stupid and arrogant generalisation. My own experience is far more positive with Thais than with some countrymen of mine!

When GM needed a bailout, they went from ordering steak and lobster for lunch to the office, to bringing their own homemade sandwiches.

I like this story.

I happen to know the two main US car manufacturers quite well and I think that their ethics should be an example for authorities everywhere as well as for private companies. For years, long before the bail outs were necessary, employees of GM and Ford were not allowed to take any presents whatsoever from any service provider. If an employee (in the Finance or legal departments) was invited for lunch, dinner, baseball match etc. by a service provider, he had to get his boss's OK, which was often not granted. This is one way of making sure corruption is not ripe!

Very Impressive First Post !

Snip. When commenting on the post directly above you, no need to copy the entire post in the quote.

it is indeed most impressive and the advantages are really there. I believe it is even easier now if one is married to a Thai wife. However, all is fine if your country allows double nationality. Some European countries do not, which means one loses one's nationality by getting naturalised in another country and that is something very few people are prepared to do. I love Thailand, I really consider it home, but I'd rather face the "difficulties" involved in being a foreigner here that give up my nationality, be it for loyalty to my country, be it for convenience of travelling or for other reasons.

Nope!

My unequivocal answer is NO. Quite frankly in the world we are living in, nobody can know what is going to happen in 1,2, 10 or 20 years, here in Thailand or anywhere else in the world. Social Security Laws, Immigration laws change permanently all over the world and so do financial markets. So why worry what will happen to retirement visas? They may even be improved! Who knows?

I find it hard to believe that anybody would make jokes about this.

Can you not imagine or feel any sympathy for the suffering that people must go through to make such a decision?

Don't believe in euthanasia. It's a slippery slope that soon encroaches on who deserves to die. So, yes, I'll continue to ridicule this idea.

It is your personal view and your personal right to believe or otherwise in euthanasia. However, does this give you the right to ridicule the suffering of people who wish to die rather than bear unbearable pain, physical and/or mental?

It might go up, it might go down.

While salivating over thoughts of the profit you get in one direction, pause to consider if you can stand the costs is the other.

If you cannot - spread your risk.

Nobody, but nobody can tell you where the Baht is going in the next 10 years. The same applies to the US$ , the EURO, the Pound and all other currencies. Ten years ago, in 2004, did anybody think that in 2008 the whole financial structures of the world would be on the verge of collapsing? One can't be sure or safe in any currency and therefore the only way one can try and safeguard one's financial interests is spread one's risks between major currencies and then between various investments, i.e. shares, bonds. real estate and cash and this even on a small scale.