Sheryl

What hospital did you go to? Where in Thailand are you?

Yes, it says Zone 2 on the premium notice and also in the 2024 General Conditions, Thailand now shows as Zone 2. As an aside, my broker mentioned that the insurer has incurred significant losses on policies in Thailand and I suspect this is related to the fact that during COVID, April was one of the few insurers to fully cover all COVID hospitalizations even those that were not medically necessary (e.g. asymptomatic or just mild symptoms). At the start of the pandemic Thailand had policy of mandatory hospitalization for anyone testing positive even if completely asymptomatic, and these hospitalizations were in "special" single isolation rooms that were very costly, and never for less than 10 days as they would nto even re-test until then.

If you read the earlier posts in this thread it was always extremely expensive. E.g. 5000 baht to fill a script.

There are many reasons why a family might opt to send the body home: - emotional completely unexpected death in a comparatively young person, people wish to see him one more time, and that might include older relatives not fit to travel to Thailand, or such a large umber of people that no cheaper for them to fly to Thailand than to bring the body back. need for closure: need to feel know the actual cause of death in as much detail/certainty as possible. Believe me, what one gets from an autopsy in Thailand does not do that (or much of anything else). I have reviewed several "autopsy" reports of foreigners who died in Thailand, they are in no way of international standard and do not really give any insight into cause of death. - religious beliefs/customs -legal/financial: may need a UK coroner report to claim insurance etc. I doubt one could get a UK coroner verdict based on a Thai death certificate or "autopsy" report. At best it would be left as an "open verdict" and cause of death unknown. This can be a real problem if, for example, there was life insurance.

Interviews I have seen with passengers variously stated no seat belt sign and that seatbelt light came on. All seem to agree no announcement (not surprising given how unexpected and serious the event was, pilot would have been busy coping with it and sending out distress call/request for emergency landing first). I suspect that what may be the case was that light come on but virtually simultaneous to the event at which point no one had time to react...in fact those not already seat-belted were already being catapulted about. May have come on automatically, I think that is programmed to happen? But in that case would have been only as the plane started its extreme movements.

Yes, aspirin will help for this IF you have no contraindications (bleeding disorder, gastritis, history of stomach ulcers).

Despicable but worth noting, for those who may not bother to read the article, that this was done by hospital personnel apparently on orders of hospital administration. No indication that Singapore Airlines is in any way involved.

Bear in mind this was during meal service. It was also just a couple of hours from arrival time Quote normal that at that point, many people get up to use the bathroom, brush their teeth etc, re-adjust their carry-ons etc, knowing that there is limited time left to do so. Also that far (10 hours or more) into such a long flight, some people are sound asleep, and some people find it hard to comfortably sleep seat-belted in. And, that far into a flight, people feel the need to move around. DVT prevention is one reason, many of us have back issues as well that make this a necessity. This incident is a good reminder of the importance of being seat belted as much as possible, but let's not take it to the extreme of blaming the passengers.

Extremely unlikely since it is not part of the Thai immunization program. I don't think it will be any time soon given the cost implications. SKY Zoster is not the same as Shingrix and not as effective as it. It is basically analagous to Zostavax. There is no question that it is a costly vaccine, but having had shingles I can assure you, it is well worth it.

Interesting indeed. First I have heard of them. Will be especially interested to see if they can obtain other drugs no off market, or otherwise hard to source, here.

Sorry I forgot to confirm you are male, not female. Assuming you are, skip to next paragraph. But if by chance you are female, have you had a recent mammogram? "sebaceous glands under the armpit. Inflammation possibly coming from an infected hair follicule in the armpit." is exactly what I was thinking of when I suggested hot compresses and gentle squeezing. I have had this a couple of times over the years , it is very common and one can usually squeeze out the sebum/oil etc which clears the matter and is all a doctor would be likely to do. I suggest you try this. Fugicort and other topical antibiotic creams are not likely to do a thing. If this is what it is, the pore is blocked and needs to be unblocked. If a few days of hot compresses and squeezing does nothing, then I suggest you see this doctor, an American GP licensed in Thailand. He will refer you on if he thinks it needs specialist care. But -- assuming you are male -- my bet is one a blocked sebaceous gland and frankly it is waste of time to see a doctor for that. https://mission-hospital.org/en/our-doctors/40-clinics-centers/internal-medicine-clinic/959-dr-nick-walters.html

Update which may be useful to others insured with April International: My next premium has now been posted. There is indeed a change in coverage zone from 3 to 2 (due to reclassification of Thailand). My premium increase is 37%, from $4,073 to $5,582 . Age 71, Essential Plan, $500 deductible. Broker (AOC) states this is due to zone reclassification. I have an inquiry in to the broker to find out what premium savings would be if I either (1) switched to Basic plan or (2 increased my deductible or (3) both. Whether I do either one, will depend on what the numbers show. I also have requested further broker clarification on use of hospitals in the "April International Health Network" which the General Conditions again reference, now referring to the "Easy Claim" Mobile App to find out which hospitals are in that. I downloaded that. Typing in just the location of Bangkok yielded a ridiculously small list, but typing in specific hospitals found that many hospitals not shown on the initial search of just "Bangkok" do come up as "recommended by April": including BNH Hospital, Samitivej (all branches) , Saint Louis, Camellian, King Chulalongkorn, Vejthani etc. Notably absent are Bumrungrad and Bangkok Hospital (Bangkok branch -- some of the provincial branches do show). According to the General Conditions 2024, if using a hospital not in the "network", " you will be subject to a 20% penalty applicable to the amount of your Claim if the cost of your treatment exceeds local standards”. I had previously discussed this matter with the broker who assurred me that if April gives pre-approval (required anyhow for any hospitalization costing in excess of US $2,000) and issues a Guarantee of Payment (GOP), that means they have agreed the charges are reasonable and there cannot be a penalty later imposed. However I have asked for re-confirmation of this point and also whether, in their experience, I would be likely to have trouble getting pre-approval for hospitalization at either of those 2 hospitals. I think but am not sure, that this network penalty business mainly pertains to reimbursment of claims not requiring pre-approval i.e. outpatient care (for those who have that optional cover, I do not) and day surgeries costing less than $2,000. I will post what I learn when broker replies.

Was this then shipped to you in Thailand? (Technically illegal). By what means?

Before seeing doctor I suggest you try a hot compress followed by gentle squeezing as it might just be a clogged sweat gland. If this works then no need to do more. If this does not work then likely differential is between a cyst/lipoma and enlarged lymph node. These need different types of doctors. Please advise: 1. Do you have any fever? 2. Do you have any sores or cuts etc on your chest, arm or hand? 3. Is there any palpable bump under other arm, in your groin (either side) or anywhere on your neck? 4. Is the bump soft or hard? Us it painful when you palpate it? Is it freely movable?

Again, needs proper diagnosis. Some of the replies here may be from people with entirely different problem. Depending on the cause, some of the recommended measures might actually make you worse. See ortho. Once you have a certain diagnosis easier to advise.

@retarius I'm home now and checked the earlier receipt. 710 baht for biopsy including path report. I had 2 additionsl biopsies yesterday, each cost under 1000 though slight difference between them based on size of the lesion. in addition I had an excision at the site of prior positive biopsy --- after review of the path report it was determined a single wider excision would suffice and no need for Mohs. This also cost under 1000. Government hospitals always cost less than private but usually by a factor of 2-4 fold. For some reason it is more than 10 fold difference for biopsies/excisions of skin cancers, at least if the Institute of Dermatology is used. Add to that, IOD is easier/less time consuming to use than the much more crowded and chaotic public general hospitals.

And having gotten a non-O vulua in UK will avoid that problem. As well as making opening bank account easier. And simplfying the extension process by eliminating a step..and reducing the time pressure to arrange the extension as you'll be stamped in for 90 days.

Or autocorrect! From what you say of your situation I would definitely get HA injection.

HA injections will help if the problem is due to osteoarthritis and if it is not too badly advanced. Worth taking an ortho's opinion on that, as the injections are not cheap. They are temporary (but may last 6 montghs, sometimes longer) and do not cure the underlying problem so many people end up eventually needed a knee replacement but the injections can sometimes delay that need by years. Best results will be when combined with appropriate physical therapy and (where applicable) weight loss.

Good coverage here

Some reports I have seen say that it was so sudden the cabin crew were not able to sit first. And every one quoted stressed how very sudden and without warning this event was. There was even someone in the lavatory as well as people enroute to it. The suddenness and lack of prior warning (and hence, people in the lavatories, people in the aisles, people not seat-belted in) would explain the large number of injuries and their seriousness (6 of the hospitalized are listed as critical last I heard). Apparently there are rare types of turbulence that would not show in advance on the plane's weather screen?? Anyway will take time to find out the details of what caused this and why not forseen in time to make a seat belt announcement etc. The incident does certainly well illustrate why seat belt / remain setaed notifications should be taken seriously.

Cardiac arrest simply means the heart suddenly stops beating. Occurs in all sudden deaths. Not a cause of death as such.

Suggest you start by seeing the ortho recommended by dddave above.

Gabapentin and similar drugs are serious medications and long term use carries significant risks. For people needing th3m to control seizures or intractable nerve pain the benefits may outweigh the risks but these drugs should not be used just to get to sleep.

There is no single "knee surgery" but rather a number of different procedures depending on the specific problem. Nothing you have said suggests a current need for any of them. There are also a number of non-surgical treatments again depending on the exact problem. Ant-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, HA injections, PRP, physical therapy etc. You need to see a good ortho and get the knee examined and possibly Xrayed (not always necessary). You will then have an actual diagnosis and recommendations for management specific to it. Careful with the experiences of others whose problems may have been entirely different. And careful with exercises until you have a diagnosis. You could do yourself some harm. Where in Thailand are you located?