abrahamzvi

I always understood that an inpatient uses a hospital bed but an outpatient is mobile and goes home after his treatment. ie the inpatient is admitted but the outpatient is not.

Hard to imagine what other definition there could be.

With all due respect to the Op, I would suggest that he/she refer to any English written Health policy, in the UK or the US and the same definition of Inpatient and Outpatient would appear there, if necessary with an explanation. It is no different to the Thai one.

As far as SS is concerned, I would suggest that the OP refer his question to the SS authorities, although I am pretty certain that he is not elligible. I am not familiar with the possibility of a voluntary subscription.

Regarding the question of a Third party Liability or any other insurances connected with or required by the business, the OP will be best served by an Insurance broker. Some very professional ones are active in Bangkok

Now if they would think about direct flights from Khon Kaen to Chiang Mai that would be nice.

I entirely agree. I am certain it would pay Air Asia or Nok Air. Why not try???

You don't have a degree, which means you are not a teacher. How in the world do you realistically expect to be a good teacher in Thailand. Certified quality teachers spend thousand of hours preparing themselves to be a teacher. Being a good teacher in extremely difficult at best even for a truly qualified person. People like you are the reason Thailand is way behind in teaching the Thai children English. The Thai government needs to seek out and recruit truly qualified natural English teachers from the US, England, Canada, Australia, etc. The should provide incentives like a decent salary, housing, motorbike to entice quality people to come. The USA has is doing this currently with Chinese and Spanish speakers from China and Mexico. I am really tired of people who think teaching kids is easy or that they can do it without any kind of training. Bottom line: Thailand needs real teachers to teach English to their kids and Thai teachers!

I fully agree with one exception. I maintain that people with a full university degree, preferably in teaching English as a foreign language, are very capable of being excellent English teachers, even if they are not native English speakers. I do know some Thais with such a qualification, who act as Assistant Professors in such Universities as Chula or mahidol and whose English language, as well as teaching capabilities are superior to some native English speakers with a BA, or MA degree in say History, or Geography..

They got their original Thai passports in UK, so no need for Thai housing registration as we don't live here. How to renew passports without the housing registration? I can try to register them into the house book, but was told off earlier because the kids were born abroad and their Thai birth certificate (obtained from Royal Thai Embassy) doesn't apply. We are in a limbo here. I can try again.

Any success in renewing/getting new passports without the house book?

No, not in Thailand. However, I don't understand your reference to their birth certificates, issued by the Royal Thai Embassy, not being recognised (applied??) here. Our daughter was born in Germany, was issued a Thai birth Certificate (her mother is Thai) and passport by the Embassy in Berlin and when we got to Thailand her birth certificate was reregistered by an Amphora here and it was stamped with a personal ID. The whole procedure lasted about 2 hours. Once this is done your children can be registered in the house book ( I assume your wife's) and then apply for new Thai passports, which does not take longer than few days, depending where you reside in Thailand

All I can and wish to say is congratulations to the Bangkok Bank for its statement and intended actions and attitude. Well done!!!!!!!!!

As far as I know from our own experience, it is not possible to change the name of the parents, mother or father, on a Thai birth certificate. We adopted a Thai child when we lived in Europe under our country's laws and she was issued a new European birth certificate with our names as her parents. She carries our surname and this is fully recognised in Thailand. However, when we tried to change the names of the parents on her Thai birth certificate, we were advised by a known and well reputed Thai Law Firm, which specialises in family Law, that this is not possible in Thailand. A legal adoption certificate is enough and in most countries it will be a sufficient proof for immigration purposes.

It will not help your mood to discover (as I did last week) that it is far easier for a European with a Thai wife to visit the UK than it is for a British citizen with a Thai wife to do so.

They can enter under EU citizen's rights rather than the usual immigration regulatio

A wife of an EU citizen has to complete similar form to a wife of a UK citizen and supply all required documentation. If all is satisfactory, she will get permission to enter the UK for six months from the date permission was issued, But she can only enter the UK with her husband, or he must be waiting for her. Please accept that under the circumstances (lack of. or incomplete information) the OP's wife would not have received the necessary permission (sort of visa) even if the OP was not British, but German or French etc.

it is only for visa exempt entries. Not all visas.

If a person had a history of visa exempt entries and tourist visas they might have a problem.

For your non-o visa it will not be a problem.

Absolutely correct summary, what they stated.

Not in my opinion.

They implied it was for visas but it is not. It is about visa exempt entries. Not the same thing.

With all due respect to all, the wording of the statement of the Embassy does NOT refer to visas , nor is the word Visa (except describing the so called Visa Run) mentioned. The word used is Entry (Einreise) and it details the circumstances which may involve entry refusal.

sirineou, on 25 Apr 2014 - 17:30, said:

It is something that it is strong in my mind also. This is not a thing I considered when I married a girl younger than me, but it it is inevitable that I will be checking out before her, and as we are very close and I Know my passing will not be easy on her, the thought of it stresses me out.

These are some of the things I have done to insure some degree of security for my Family once I am gone.

Firstly I made sure that we stay long enough in the US for my wife to become a US citizen which she now is, This will give her the ability to come back to the US when ever she wants if she ever finds the need. , and being able to manage any wealth we have there,

Second, while in the US I made sure she acquired a trade, This gives her the ability to earn a living independent of me.

Third, we will not burn all bridges in the US, WE will maintain a residency there which we will rent , and let it pay for it's self, available for when needed.

We have a small Home in Thailand where her sister lives and where we live when there. We are slowly building a second home next to it, should be finished in a couple of years, we are finishing portions as we have money to do,, so so that when we are finished it will be debt free.

Also Her elderly parents have a house in the village that her and her sister will inherit when the inlaws pass away. This will wive her a Home to live in Thailand, Two properties for income, and a home to live in the US if need be.

When we do out taxes every year, she pays in to the Social security system , so that when she comes of age, she will at least receive the minimum SS monthly payment,

My Union retirement has the option that I take a reduced monthly payment but my wife keeps my pension after I die, ( that should screw them up, since my wife is a lot younger than me ) it is not a lot of money but it will be a secure monthly income.

But of all the things I did I think the most important is that I helped have the ability to earn a living on her own,

All these things combined, should provide for her after I am gone, But even so, I still cant get over the the thought that one day I will have to leave my wife to fend for her self, and it is not an easy thought,

I know it is not a healthy train of thought, and that it is something that I will have to come to terms with. But as of yet when ever the thought raises it's self in my mind, it stresses the hell out of me.

Thank you for you sensible reply, much unlike the first two. I glad I am not alone in my thoughts... Live long.

Thank you Rorri

I am sure you are not the only one my friend,

there are many responsible man out there,who love their families and want to do the right thing.

I have met more than a few my self.

It is only that you hear from the "Peter Pans living in neverland" more, because responsible man are well,,, busy being responsible.

A Man's greatest responsibility is to provide for his family, it is only reasonable that such a man would have concerns about his family's well being after he is gone, and would want to make contingency plans.

We all will like to be able to control everything, trust me, no one is more of a control freak than me It is an aspect of my personality that I recognize and try to control ( see a control freak even when it comes to my personality) ,

I do that by trying to give the ones I love the greatest amount of autonomy I can,

Give a Girl a fish and she eats for a day, teach her to fish and she eats for a lifetime

The thought you had about going back to Australia for a while, might be a valid one, (you of course know your circumstances better than anyone)

.

Getting her Australian papers would give her an other option later in life, Learning good English would make her more employable when back in Thailand, Perhaps when in Australia she can go to school and learn a trade.

Any way, your heart is in the right place

Best of Luck

For me it is an absolute PLEASURE to read your and Rorri's remarks. At times I get so annoyed with some of our "friends" that i feel like stopping reading the "remarks". Your words bring back to me the confidence in human race. There are still good and responsible people around, even among the expatriates living here, allied or married to Thais, but hate, or seem to do so, every minute of it.

I can wholeheartedly recommend that you apply to join the Inter Nations society. That's the right place to meet expatriates residing in Thailand.

The e-mail address is: www.internations.com

Thanks guys

I started my degree 7 years ago at a normal university in pursuit of a different career.

I have experience of teaching in Asia having worked for a couple semesters in the past, and realised I could carry my credits across from my degree to the Open University.

I assume the degree will just say BA degree once completed

Hey

I have a BA (Open) Degree from the OU and it is fine for getting a work permit.

Took me 5 years and now I'm doing a Masters in Education, 3 year course.

A few jokers in the school that I worked at were more concerned about the name of the Uni.

They tried to cast aspersions on the validity of the OU, I was glad to point out that it was in the top 500 in the world, whereas no Thai University was to be seen at the time.

You can add the honours at a later date also

I really can't imagine that even "at that time" no Thai university was included in the list of the best universities in the world. Nowadays 2 Thai universities are included in the list of the 100 best universities in the world!!!

Bangkok hospital sucks big ones...over charges to the max at every opportunity.

Had several run ins with them, they hate it when you see a quack, get the results and then get a list of medications and refuse them all as too expensive and will buy elsewhere instead.

Was once loaded up with several packs of equipment to treat a womb at home, pack consisted of everything required, gloves, gauze, tape, bandages, pliers, other bits and pieces for circa 500b each and several packs....refused them all and saw the same packs in local pharmacy for circa 100b each.

The same applies to most, if not ALL, hospitals, including government ones. The costs of medicines etc is at least double in hospitals than in pharmacies.

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The doctor's name might be helpful to know for someone on here.

The doctor Dr Theeti Varinsirikul

http://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/doctor-profile?v_id=203&depid=27

I entirely agree with the PO. The service one gets at the Bangkok Hospital (I can only speak for Bangkok) is absolutely super. The doctors are all highly qualified and experienced professionals. Although I live in Chiang Mai for anything serious I do fly to Bangkok, as I have learnt from experience that there is no comparison between local (International like Ram and others) hospitals in Chiang Mai and the Bangkok Hospital. I am very happy that a Bangkok Hospital will be opening soon in Chiang Mai and can only hope that they will keep the high standard here. As far as costs are concerned they are slightly on the high side in Thailand, but very much so on the low side as far as other countries such as Malaysia or Singapore, let alone European countries or the US.

American Express Gold card gives free access to Bangkok Airways lounge s (upper level) in BKK and Koh Samui .

Sadly, Thai women don't give much of a toss what farang men think of their beauty preferences

Why would they when, for the overwhelming majority, farang men are and always will be the last resort?

Far more important that they look as attractive as possible to the men they prefer . . . Thai men

This is a most offensive and totally incorrect view. I have been married to a Thai woman for nearly 30 years and I do know quite a number of friends Farang and Thais and I think I know what I am talking about! You may have had a bad experience or two, but that can happen in Europe, US and other western countries.

I do agree with the OP. Unfortunately most of us, in particular females do want to look different - the grass is greener on the other side. Asian ladies (NOT only Thais ) want to look European and die their beautiful straight long hair red, Some (Japanese) have their eyes operated upon and others have a nose job. European ladies frequent tanning sessions to be tanned and die their beautiful blonde hair dark brown etc. This is unfortunate, but in our global world its unavoidable...

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Until the Thai government will change the current penalties for such crimes, these scumbags will

continue to come here by their droves.. it seems to me that no one really care that 100's of millions

of baht are being stolen every year, who pays for all that damages? and who cover the costs? I wonder.

A good point you make. +1

I think the clients in Europe are covered and will get their money back but who covers the cost is a good question. In Thailand I think the consumer is not covered and the bank might just not refund the money.

Not correct. If one reads the prior news article about SCB being hacked, one would note that the Bank categorically stated that the customers whose accounts were plundered would be compensated by the bank. I think the situation vis a vis the consumer is quite clear.

College educated, has a bachelors degree...

Did your friend gain a B.A. from college?

how is that relevant to anything

It's relevant because a B.A. would be gained from a university.

Your story doesn't add up.

Nice try.

Not true. A BA degree can be earned in a college as well, and this not only in Thailand, but also in the UK. What level this degree is is another story...

NOT Bangkok Bank.;

Why not?? I have been a client of theirs in Chiang Mai for quite a few years now, and I am very satisfied.

In case you need to come down to BKK, I'd like to suggest Dr. Chanin Lamsam.

Dr. Chanin Lamsam is one of the most sought after sports related surgeons in Thailand and is a head doctor of Thailand national soccer team, who has operated on hundreads of knees of professional atheletes. I found him to be very thorough and detailed oriented when he examined my knee. I went to see him at Thonburi hospital near Siriraj as I was seeking a second opinion (didn't trust my first doctor as he seemed to overly prescribe meds). He threw away a few meds given to me by my first doc and said those weren't necessary and that the knee would heal by itself. He even declined to charge me eventhough he spent 20 mins examining my knee and teaching me how to self rehab. He said since I didn't need any med, there would be no charge. He's in a doctor at Siriraj hospital but has private hours at both Thonburi hospital and Bangkok hospital.

https://www.bangkokhospital.com/index.php?p=doctor_profile&DrID=243〈=TH〈=EN

http://www.thonburihospital.com/2013/Doctor_Detail.aspx?Id=456 (in Thai but he's basically available on Wed 6-7 pm and Sun 9-12 am)

Thonburi hospital is much cheaper than bangkok hospital (surgery costs 50% lower in general)

Since I'm no medical expert and if he turns out not to be a suitable doctor given your conditions, you may also consider siriraj private hospital's orthopaedic center. It has a vast array of orthopaedic surgeons with extensive experiences. Someone on here maybe able to help your select the appropriate doc.

http://www.siphhospital.com/ortho/index.php/centers/doctors

Though it's in Thai but the docs' bios are in English. You can call the hospital to check the docs' visiting times.

I entirely agree, but would prefer Bangkok Hospital to Thonbury hospital, and I am saying this from experience. I would strongly recommend you go to Bangkok, as I sincerely believe, again based on my personal experience, that one is in far more qualified and experienced medical hands in Bangkok, than in Chiang Mai.

If you are born in Thailand to parents of Thailand plus another country you get 2 nationalities until aged 18 assuming that you register for both.Hopefully you will be brought up speaking both languages and take the best of each culture. Speaking 2 languages has a great benefit and Thai being a tonal language and in my children's case English being a phonetic language this is a great foundation for learning more languages. As a Thai citizen you can register for state healthcare etc. As a citizen of a Western country travelling is a lot easier and being Thai you can live here without a visa and 90 day reporting. After 18 in the current law you have to choose one nationality only (unless your name is Taksin). If you are only interested in the best hamburger restaurant and knocking everything Thai I guess there is no advantage in being dual nationality.

I am sorry to disagree with you. Where does it say that you have to choose one nationality. No one can take your Thai citizenship away for no reason or for the reason that you have an other citizenship also. I have a daughter with 2 nationalities and she is 39 yrs. old and a son who is just 8 yrs. It is often said, that you have to choose a nationality, but that does not make it so. By the way who would know ?

Well I actually know a German national. Last year he needed a transplant and because he was working could only get it done in Thailand and therefore had to have Thai citizenship. On receiving his Thai citizenship the German embassy informed him he must give up his German passport.He therefore lost his German citizenship. Many countries do not allow dual citizenship.

Who would know- well to enter the UK my kids use their UK passport, to enter Thailand their Thai passport. A rather bright immigration official noticed they had no visa to enter the UK in their Thai passport and asked to see their UK passports.

I am afraid you are mixing things up. As far as the Thai law is concerned, there is no necessity to choose between a Thai and another nationality. I do know not only descendants of mixed parents who LEGALLY hold two nationalities, i.e. Thai and another., but also a number of Thai ladies living abroad who were naturalised in the country of their residence and still hold the Thai nationality and the new one. What you are referring to is a law in some countries (Germany, Singapore and others) who do NOT allow dual citizenship, but allow for exceptions (Germany allows dual citizenship to children of mixed marriages, descendants of German parents and the like). However, if a German citizen gets naturalised in another country, WITHOUT obtaining permission from the German authorities to do so (such permission is given in certain circumstances, but it has to be applied for), he/she automatically gets stripped off his/her nationality.

My advice to any person wishing to get naturalised in a foreign country, is to enquire with the authorities of his/her own country if this is permissible and what the consequences are. Most western countries allow dual nationality (UK, France, Switzerland, just to mention a few European countries,as well as the US, Australia and New Zealand)

Have you been paying National Insurance while you have been away? If not, answer is probably no. You may be able to get child tax credits though - may. You would be able to get family allowance though as they are British citizens (once you are at home). Think you would need a job of finances though really - can family over there help during the day?

No, I haven't been paying contributions, but am looking into it for topping up my pension. I don't really want to claim as I've never claimed before, but my wife was intrigued to see what freebies the UK offers that seems to attract people from all around the world. I can probably leave the kids with family and work. But thanks for your helpful friendly advice. Unlike other people on this forum.

Er they are not freebies contrary to what your wife thinks someone is paying for those "freebies" via their income taxes / fuel taxes attitudes like this is the exact reason the country is in the mess its in full of people with their hands out wanting something for nothing

These so called freebies do ruin the social system in the UK (and in some other countries). What it means is that the people who really deserve assistance (elderly, sick etc) get their assistance reduced as there is a limit to what can be paid overall. It is high noon that the whole system should be looked at and revised/corrected, before it collapses and completely ruins the social fabric of the society.