Sheryl

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Rezum was introduced in a few private hospitals only a couple of years ago and is not yet available in any public hospital that I know of. Note that Rezum is only possible if prostate is below a certain size. Also note that while less invasive than TURP, it is still considered surgical and does carry some risks and adverse effects. The last are usually temporary but can prolong hospitalization. Have you already tried maximum medical management (medications)? And has prostate cancer been reasonably excluded? Chula after hours clinics nowadays are on many floors. the urology section is in Chakri Thotasom Building, 5th floor. You can make appointment by phone, can also select from list of doctors https://specialclinics.chulalongkornhospital.go.th/ open the above in Chrome for translation as it is only in Thai However for urology, in government hospitals I would suggest either Ramathibodhi or Siriraj over Chula. https://www.rama.mahidol.ac.th/sdmc/th/Outpatientsurgery Prof. Kittinut or Wisut

Family history eon't be a factor but your hyperlipedemia probably will be. Though if you can show it is well controlled (recent lab test results etc) , might help. I suggest you contact a broker specializing in international expat polcies and explain your situation, see what they suggest. I use https://www.aoc-insurancebroker.com/ Tell them you dpecifically want a Western based insurer. Where the indurer is based detrrmines whst regulatory framework applies. Until you actually submit an application with health history to an insurer, won't know what they will offer in terms of premium liad or exclusions.

This will depend be very much on the nature of the problem/treatment. They will not be so pleased with the cost if they require speciliazed surgery followed by extended ICU stay...even at a government hospital.

"1. I’ve realized I might not have much flexibility to negotiate premiums or compare other insurance options. My age and some pre-existing conditions developed during my previous policy would likely lead to exclusions or very high premiums with a new insurer. This feels restrictive - almost like I’m “locked in” with my current provider. Is this a common experience? How do others handle this?" Yes, common and you just have to choose between accepting new exclusions or staying with same insurer "2. I plan to continue coverage through the SSO public healthcare system. However, I’ve never used public hospitals in Thailand before, so I’m unsure about the quality of care, especially for serious procedures. I also understand you need to select a specific hospital for treatment - how do you go about choosing one if you’re unfamiliar with the options?" Post your choices here. If you are in Bangkok, may not be many (note that lists from SS often contain hospitals that are no longer accepting new enrollment). Quality of care varies by hospital. Where in Thailand are you? "3. Are there any protections in Thailand for private insurance customers? For instance, regulations on premium adjustments or exclusions for pre-existing conditions?" There are some but pretty weak, much weaker than in Western countries. There is no regulation that prevents exclusion of pre-existing conditions. Thai insurers are allowed to set their premiums by age pretty much as they want (and rates at older age are higher than in the west) and also allowed to raise premiums on an individual basis based on claim history by up to 25% annually. This is why it is best to get an internationally issued expat policy where possible. But if you have significant pre-existing conditions that may be a problem. What exactly are these conditions?

Perfectly fine, I do it all the time.

An unhelpful post has been removed

As far as I know, no

they can be the same only if lines B1-6 total the same.

PND91 is for "taxpayers with Income from Employment under Section 40(1) of the Revenue Code only". And line 2, exempted income, has to come from Box B which is a total of specific exemptions none of which cover the situation of income from a foreign government pension (or equivalent) that is exempt from taxation in Thailand per DTA. I think filing in the manner she suggested gives the erroneous impression you work in Thailand and will lead to more problems down the line.

Govt pensions are only taxable in UK means same thing as govt pensions are non-assessable for tax purposes. Naturally the DTA says nothing about whether/how to declare non-assessable income, structure of Thai tax forms is up to Thailand and also subject to change. I would much prefer to file showing my non-assessable remittances but the Thai tax forms do not seem to allow for this and I have seen no indication this will change.

But why did you file PND91? Isn't that only for people employed in Thailand?

RD has stated forms are being revised to include section for foreign tax credits. But credit for foreign taxes paid are a different issue from non-assessable income. I have not seen a single RD statement about the latter. It is not clear to me they even realize that (for nationals of some countries at least) this issue exists

It does not necessarily follow that because you paid UK tax you owe no Thai tax. Thresholds and tax rates differ. You can of course claim UK tax paid as a credit on Thai return.

There is no legal requirement to file a US tax return if no taxes owed.

However, Thai tax forms contain no way to declare non-assessable income. Anything declared will be assumed (and treated) as assessable. Unless this changes, the only reasonable course is to do as many have been told by their RD to do and not declare income which is nonassessable in Thailand.

This part is unclear to me. The way he wrote it, sounds like he will remit it from his UK account via Wise directly into his wife's Thai account, never passing through his own Thai account. If so then I would think it is her remittance as she is the sole and immediate recipient. Now, if it is in fact going to have to go first into his account in Thailand, a whole different matter and it is his remittance and taxable unless its is from a government pension (non-assessable in Thailand per UK-Thai DTA) or from savings accrued in UK prior to 2024.

Interest is all taxable unless your total interest income is below a certain threshold. The difference is, some banks will insist on witholding tax directly and some won't (which does nto change your tax liability). It is possible to get a refund of withheld interest by filing a tax return (assuming you do not otherwise owe tax). I did it twice then stopped as each time it flagged a detailed and torturous review when the return hit the desk of the Provincial RD office. Who refused to believe, despite my age and "retirement" stamp in my passport, that I was not in fact working in Thailand. YMMV

They are a broker, not an insurer. I think you will find that you are turned down for a policy. I have yet to see anyone with these conditions get cover. While you are very very unlikely to be able to get health insurance, you could get personal accident insurance that includes medical cover for accidents. The amount of medical cover tends to be low, but is better than nothing. You'll still need to put significant funds aside for healht care from non-accidental causes.

The exemptions listed have nothing to do with income that is non-assessable. They are just exemptions (or, to use another term, deductions) to assessable income. Most tax codes allow various such exemptions/deductions to income prior to calculating tax. PND91 is used only if there is Thai sourced income, otherwise use PND90.

Not always the case, some TRD offices readily provide TIN to anyone who asks. But of course if one is not going to file due to having no assessable income (or only income below the required filing threshold) then no need for a TIN.

Storing the body in Thailand will be running up costs. IF determined to bring the body back, makes sense to act quickly. A low cost local cremation with return of the ashes home would be alternative and there are companies that will arrange that and all associated paperwork for reasonable fee.

There is no way to "batter out" with RD what income is non-assessable. As far as I can determine, non-assessable income should simply not be declared. They don't want to see it, and declaring it will only cause confusion. To my reading, if assessable income is below those thresholds you are not required to file. If they ever change the forms to allow declaration of non-assessable income that will be another matter but I doubt this will happen.

Possible he had insurance. Failure to wear helmet would invalidate it anyhow. Travel policies have specific provisions regarding Motor vehicle accidents. Some will cover motorcycle riding, some will not, but AFAIK those that do always require that (1) you had a valid license (2) wore a helmet and (3) were not intoxicated.

Unfortunately then you will not be able to get insurance from any company, Thai or foreign. Best option is to self-insure by putting aside money for that purpose. Not less than 1 million baht if using only government hospitals, 3-5 million if using private. And have some plan for how you will replenish these amounts after use.