KimoMax

Far too many people traveling to Thailand and many other parts of the world away from their home Counties fail to take proper precautions and expect their Embassies to come to the Rescue.

It is up to each individual to take care of their own self and plan accordingly in case of medical or financial problems.

If that can not be done, Then Don't travel to a foreign Country.

No wonder Immigration is on expats to make sure they have money in the bank or a substantial income.

Only 30 to 40 years ago it was common place for persons in the Western World to ride in the back of Pick-Up etc.

And only in the last 10 years or so for most Western areas to require Helmets when riding motorbikes/cycles.

Times will change and the Thai safety rules will change with time, just as they did in the West.

Wonder how any of us over 40 ever survived the lifestyles back then ? ..........................

But agreed that it is wise to practive good safety habits when traveling in or on any vehicle.

WOW ! Brian still does not get the SERIOUSNESS of getting his leg problem sorted out Quickly.

His health and possibly life and limbs may be in jeopardy for mulling this thing around here on the Forum and on the phone with a Doctor that has not seen him, nor done any tests or examinations to make a Diagnosis.

GO to a hospital and Get a Full exam and Daignosis.

If not in Chiang Rai, then Chiang Mai or Bangkok..........

At a Good Hospital

Many things can be causing the swelling, reddness, and blackening of the skin on the legs and feet. It is very important to get it checked fully at a Hospital.

Needs a Full Work Up to include Blood Lab tests, ad possibly X RAYs and Ultrasound examination.

Problems with the leg and foot swelling and turning colours and changes in sensations (burning, itching, numbness, pins and needles, tingling, lack of feeling, or Hyper-Sensativity) can be from Circulation problems.

It could be Sugar problems like Diabetes, Blood Clots, narrowing or Blockage of the Blood Vessals, Arteries and Veigns.

Many times Sugar Diabetes problems are first noticed as a sore on a foot or leg that does not get better or get's worse. Need to have Blood Sugar levels checked.

Other problems of that type are Gaout, and other skin problems like insect bites or a local infection.

Important to get it completely checked. A Clinic can not do all the tests that may be required to find out the problem.

If no answer from a Doctor at a hospital here in Chiang Rai,then time to go to a better hospital in either Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

Take care of yourself and get this taken care of as soon as possible.

The OP not only needs a Tin Foil Hat and Underwear, but also get rid of PC, Internet, Mobile Phone, Cable, Telephone lines, Convenftional TV Antenna's and Satellite antenna's and all TV's.

Tin Foil on all windows and doors will also help.

Snicker Snicker ..............

Some Advice to Mick50 from a former MedEvac person.

The current and projected Costs of continuing your Brother's care in Thailand are higher than the extimate of a 500,000 Medevac as described in the Original Posting.

Current ongoing Medical Care costs are 30,000 baht per day anticipated for another month which equals 900,000 Baht.

It may be possible to lower the costs of a MedEvac on a Commercial Airliner if the Brother can fly in First Class in a full sleeper seat accompanied in first Class in the seat next to the Patient by a Medical Doctor, either from Thailand (Cheaper) or a Doctor from the person's home Country.

Inflight Medical Oxygen is provided by the Airline. You can not take a bottle of non-Airline Oxygen or compressed Gases in the cabin of any Commerical Airliner.

Many times most Airlines will try to insist on selling you a block of seats that has to be reconfigured ahead of time on the Aircraft for the Patient and Caregiver (s).

This may not be nexessary anymore due to adances in aircrat First Class Seat design to provide Privacy and a full sleeper seat whcih also provides adequate room for a Doctor, Nurse, or Medical caregiver access to the patient.

The First Class Seat Configuration with a Sleeper seat and Privicy must be OVERLY Emphesised and insisted on by Mick50 and the Doctor arranging the Medical Evacuation.

The argument should include the non-necessity of a full block of seats to accompish the same goal of a spacious area for the patient to lie down and be transported in an appropriate manner with a caregiver and some privacy.

But: All this must be arranged and agreed to between the Airline's Chief Medical Officer ane the Doctor arranging the Medical Evacuation.

It would be best for Mick50 to present this option to both the Airline and the current primary Doctor.

Round trip Air transportation and one days Lodging and transportation costs for the accompanying Doctor will also have to be paid for. It is not necessary to pay First Class return Airfare for the Doctor.

There are a few other ancillary costs of Ambulances to and from each Airport, as well as any medications required on the Medevac flight.

Best of Luck to tMick50 and his brother.

Lots of good advice from Craig.

If the Op is serious and not a Troll, he should not buy anything yet, even if he attains his Thai Nationality and can own a home and land in his own name.

He needs lots of time to explore, learn, and enjoy Thailand.

Come here, rent or stay in hotels and travel a while and see where he wants to be.

If he is so interested in the younger girl, nothing wrong with that, but doubt she will stick around once she finds out he can get of has Thai nationality. If he is Thai, she will have less leverage on his finances and property rights.

If it is true love or even infatuation, the girl may stick around. Time will tell.

Don't be a fool and rush things.

Enjoy exploring and learning about Thailand. Don't jump into the fire without knowing what your doing.

Many places with western basic standards in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai for 5,000 and less. Some are homes, attached housing, apartments, Condos and rooms. Many of these will even have A/C and availability for internet connection. (Chiang Rai Condotel is just one example).

In the more popular tourist areas of places like Pattaya, there are some rentals for less than 5,000, but many are not to western standards and do not have western style toilets or internet availability on site.

Many of these rentals are word of mouth, so best to come to an area that interests you and check it out for yourself. All you have to do is ask the local expats, they are usually helpful.

20 sounds Very Young to be taking a masters Degree.

Working on a BA would be more likely at age 20.

Canada/US graduate high School at 17-18. Start College/University at 18.

4 years to Graduate with BA = Age 22

Start on Masters at age 22+.

Music Education is a Speciatly to Specificaly TEACH Music.

I find it kind of hard to fathom a Jazz Piano Player as an ethnic musician. But hey, anything is possible.

Hope it all works out for the OP.

The Northern Backpacker Trail to and from Laos is Still Heavily Traveled, even with the Smoke.

Many interesting lakes and rivers all over Thailand.

I was suprised to find water skiing going on at this lake near Chiang Rai.

There is a lake about 15 -20 Kilometers South East of Chaing Rai City with Water Skiing and Wake Boarding.

Huai Sak is on Highway 1020 going East from Chiang Rai City.

Huaisak, Chiang Rai, Thailand

There is some local opposition to this activity promoted by expats who have a ski school at this lake.

Hello BG and Wife. Welcome to Chiang Rai. Winter temperatrues in Chiang Rai are quite nice, but get a bit cool in the nites. Very similar to California weather. Daytime Hi's are about 25-30 and Night time Lows are 10-20. Summer Hi temps are 35-40 and Lows 23-26. We get a bit of rain during the Monsoon season from about May to September. Overall, the weather is quite pleasant compared to most of Thailand. CR as well as most of S/E Asia gets its fair share of smoke and pollution from about late February to end of March from the field burnings etc. New motorcycle/scooters are priced between 38,000 and 55,000 thai baht. Honda Wave, Click, Dream, or similar Yamaha, Suzuki, etc. Prices dependent on make, electric start, automatic, and engine size. Can be bought cash and registered to foreigners. Can Not Finanance if you or your wife are not Thai Nationals. I have heard of quite a bit of River Rafting in the general Chiang Rai and North Thailand area. but I have not gone myself. Sounds like you will do well socially here BG. There seem to be many things and events of interest in Chiang Rai.

Go to the Old Dutch Restaurant near the Night Bizzare. You will find a lot of local Dutch contacts and food there. CR has a fair sized Dutch expat community.

New Glass Shop is building behind the PTT and 7-11 on the Super Hwy btween King Mengrai Statue and Mae Kok River on the west side of the Super Highway.

Used to be the old AMWAY building.

Thanx Twenty Baht. Tried to call the number and find that guest house, but no answer.

Just a FYI, a Thai has to have a Passport Valid for 6 months to be able to travel to LP. A Day pass (3 days for Thai) is only good for on the Border. Not travel inland.

Sorry we missed you TB.

BTW... Mex food was ok, nothing great, but what can be expected that far from Mexico.

They do try..........

I also saw a fairly good sized glass shop either on the super hwy between the King Mengrai Statue and the Mae Kok river on the West side of the Hwy, or on the street on the south side of the King Mengrai Statue near the cooking supply shop before the Tourist Police Station.

Two questions.

1. What is the name and location of the mexican Food place many have raved about in Chiang Khong ?

2. What are the options for River Boat Trip from Lao side of Chiang Khong to LauPrabang (I can't spell it ok).

Friend is arriving today in CR and will spend the nite, then travel to Chiang Khong Tomorrow Saturday. Most likely will require stay over Saturday nite in Chiang Khong and get some delicious home made Mexican Food from the place reported on this forum before by a few others.

Is it possible to make a decent One Day River Boat trip to LP from Chiang Khong ?

Open to Suggestions for River Boat trip and also Guest house Recomendation for Chiang Khong.

thx............... KM

I agree with Pomchop that there are about 2,000 western foreigners that are not tourists here at any given time in all of the Chiang Rai area.

Some are regulars out and about, but also many that rarely are seen around town, but are here non the less.

Thought farang numbers in Chiang Rai were closer to Twelveteen

I cannot see the problem.

You have a 90 day report date. they allow you to do it anytime from 15 days early to 7 days after.

seems fair to me.

I cannot see that you are losing anything by going early.

If you go in within the early report time frame as they specify, you will only get 90 days for being a Good Guy and reporting in an early and Timely Manner.

However, if you go Report late, you will actually get additional days and Gain by being not so good and reporting on time.

Either way of reporting, 90 days is given from the Day you Acutually Report.

How is that fair to report late and get additional days, yet to Report early you will receive less days ?

Guess it makes more sence to do it the Bad way and get more days.

Not fair, but apparently most posters here do not see the problem.

If they were docked for being early on renewing a visa or extension, they would be up in arms.

Go Figure...

Please Close this Post per me the OP.

To all those saying I said SCAM... Put on your Spec's then Re-Read my Post ! I never once mentioned or eluded to any scams! Just a fact of report early, you will Loose the days of your 90 day report. If you are due to report and are caught somehow before you report, you may have a problem. that is all I said about Reporting late. I Never mentioned traffic fines and other nonsence. For example, if you go in to renew a extention early, you will not loose those days from your original time frame. But on 90 day reports we loose days due to report if report early. This is a point of contention because reporting 90 day report late is a Fineable Offence ! The irregularities need to be brought up. That is all ! Please Do not try to Flame this post as it is a serious issue to ALL of us.

they are not just keeping this one quiet, they keep them all quiet. to be honest they are not newsworthy, they are regular occurrences, unremarkable.

2 weeks ago on Koh Phangan i watched a drunk Russian kid of around 25 years of age round a corner out of our village at about 60-70 Kmh. He was in my lane and as i moved wide to avoid him, he dropped off an unmarked culvert, or rather his bike did. He continued moving forward at the same pace until he contacted the opposite bank and very likely a set of valves attached to the water main. his tracks in the sand and on the grass indicate he never even braked.

As first on the scene and a witness to the crash, i could see he was obviously shattered with a broken neck and broken arms that i could see, he would not respond to my calls. Unfortunately neither would any of the island rescue services and he slowly expired, likely drowning in his own blood while we waited almost 2 hours for any one of the 3 rescue services called to appear. by the time he died it was quite an event with 20+ locals and tourists as witnesses some very admirably offering whatever comfort they could to ensure he did not die alone.

the next day, the monks and the tesseban had been on site. red saftey gates marking the culvert had been put up, flouro banners in orange and green had been hung and a ton or so of dirt had been put in to fill the hole he had dropped into.

A few days later, his girlfriend added flowers and his picture to mark the scene of his death.

oddly there has been no report anywhere of his death.

Too bad you, nor anyone who was there knew anything about First Aid and/or ABC's (Airway Breathing and Circulation priorities to help sustain life).

If no Rescue available, could have taken the injured guy by pick up truck to the hospital.

Yes sometimes better to wait, but without any help, doing the best one can to help get a victim to the hospital is all that can be done.

I have industrial first aid, but his neck was clearly broken, though his airway appeared clear. he was bleeding from both the ears and mouth. pupils were also blown. transporting him in a suzuki was not an option given the nature of his injuries. By the time we realized that "qualified" help was not forthcoming it was too late.

i also am uncertain how the authorities would have reacted had i rocked up to the hospital with a corpse in my jeep.

some well meaning french tourists actually did attempt to put him into the "rescue position" despite my but i suspect their misguided efforts only helped him along.

they moved on shortly after and did not get to watch the fruit of their labours.

It is difficult here in Thailand to assist a sick or injured person with the potential for liability.

Any assistance by a foreigner should be appropriate and judicious. Care of the Neck and Back are utmost iportant and ABC's. Left lateral position if possible is best with neck and back precautions.

The rest should be handled by the local Rescue if available. If not any transport must be done appropriate and judiciously.

On arrival in Thailand, all carry on and checked bags are subject to exam only upon exiting the baggage Carousel. So it only matters if your carry on baggage will be scrutinized more on departure from home country of travel or some airports like japan when connecting to another flight.

Doubt the japanese care much about your Sex Toys. Seems they are the pedominant Perv's in this area.

they are not just keeping this one quiet, they keep them all quiet. to be honest they are not newsworthy, they are regular occurrences, unremarkable.

2 weeks ago on Koh Phangan i watched a drunk Russian kid of around 25 years of age round a corner out of our village at about 60-70 Kmh. He was in my lane and as i moved wide to avoid him, he dropped off an unmarked culvert, or rather his bike did. He continued moving forward at the same pace until he contacted the opposite bank and very likely a set of valves attached to the water main. his tracks in the sand and on the grass indicate he never even braked.

As first on the scene and a witness to the crash, i could see he was obviously shattered with a broken neck and broken arms that i could see, he would not respond to my calls. Unfortunately neither would any of the island rescue services and he slowly expired, likely drowning in his own blood while we waited almost 2 hours for any one of the 3 rescue services called to appear. by the time he died it was quite an event with 20+ locals and tourists as witnesses some very admirably offering whatever comfort they could to ensure he did not die alone.

the next day, the monks and the tesseban had been on site. red saftey gates marking the culvert had been put up, flouro banners in orange and green had been hung and a ton or so of dirt had been put in to fill the hole he had dropped into.

A few days later, his girlfriend added flowers and his picture to mark the scene of his death.

oddly there has been no report anywhere of his death.

Too bad you, nor anyone who was there knew anything about First Aid and/or ABC's (Airway Breathing and Circulation priorities to help sustain life).

If no Rescue available, could have taken the injured guy by pick up truck to the hospital.

Yes sometimes better to wait, but without any help, doing the best one can to help get a victim to the hospital is all that can be done.

If you go to Immigration to report your address any earlier than the date due, you will not be given those extra days that are the date of your next report address date, or 90 days from arrival.

Another Catch 22 for expats and a CASH generating Scam for Immigration since they can and Do levy a fine for reporting after the 90 day report is due.

Hopefully someone with contacts with Immigration higher ups can help rectify this problem.

Especially since not reporting on time is a fineable offence.

There is supposidely a grace period of 7 days before and 7 days after, but reporting late Is a Gamble, and if you report early, you will only get 90 days from that exact date to report again.

Thus, you will Lose days.

According to one of our elustrious eccentric residents who hails from New York had told me in the past that "Cousin Brucey" was a Radio disc Jockey similar to "Wolfman Jack".

Will have to check out the old WCH at Air Force Golf again since they have retreated to that location.