Old Croc

Who can get Age Pension - Age Pension - Services Australia

Purely on a cost basis, I would prefer the existing method of medical tourism: "Currently, foreigners visiting Thailand for the purpose of medical treatment apply for a tourist or non-immigrant visa, which allows only a single entry into the country."

A victim of the pandemic?

Without some specific details this seems like just another Thai bashing post. Did you consult with an Otorhinolaryngologist in a first-class hospital or just a general doctor in a private surgery? Thailand is generally recognized as having world class medical facilities and doctors, albeit at a price.

When I moved here, I profited by more than $A305,000 by selling my 32yo, 3x1 attached unit, on 199sqm of land in Australia, and buying a 9yo 3x2 pool villa on 450sqm with mountain views, in Phuket. Not just an upgrade to my living standards but a very handy addition to my retirement funds! I did luck out by selling in Australia at the top of the market, and by an exchange rate of about 32.3 baht when I transferred a large sum across. My 800,000, still in the bank, was imported at that rate also, I still consider the cost of everything here, averaged out, to be about 1/3 of that in Australia. The flat whites (white coffee) are just a tiny example of the differences in COL.

Yes and no. I've read that tax treaty from cover to cover several times looking for a way out for my situation. Yes - OAPs are tax free. I've never applied for one. If you are deemed to be a non-resident for tax purposes, you don't pay taxes in Australia for most income. It is taxed (or not) by your new resident country. The Treaty applies. I have a ComSuper pension from my years working for the federal government. It's taxed at a very low rate as long as I am deemed to be an Australian resident for tax purposes. However, if I decide to retire overseas, I am considered a non-resident for tax purposes and ATO taxes it at 32.5% because it's paid in Australia. It cannot be transferred nor cashed out. That is, they tax my pension at the same rate as a working holiday maker picking fruit!

In this case, the new Australian foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong attended APEC (and ASEAN?), had talks with the Thai PM, and they signed some agreements regarding human trafficking and other matters. I had been hoping for some bilateral agreements for relief on retirees' tax, pensions, or even just the tariffs on wine. Apparently, all we expats got was lip service for an already existing, expensive visa.

Yes, I noted that they mashed the two countries, and their different requirements, into the one story. Channel 9, Australia isn't the best network around.

A fraction of nil? A visa is not required to live on home soil. Perhaps they're talking about the COL. Is this offer just the long-term visa for the wealthy that is already available for all?

Perhaps you're just argumentative with some posters.

Compare with the NZ guy who had a house full of weapons, including grenades.

Flack vests, raiding houses in formation, guns drawn, perp on the floor, knees to the back until handcuffed. I think the Joke's police force have been watching too many US police videos on YouTube.

By Saturday recovered to over 24 baht again Australian Dollar to Thai Baht Exchange Rate Chart | Xe

1,699,000 baht

Long term retirees and marriage extenders really should be considered the most trusted and be given an easier path to extend each year.

Change the 6 months to 7 and you've got it.

After living many years in Phuket and attending BHP for my many ailments, including CKD, I now live on a property outside a small village in deep Isaan. When I attend the small local government hospital for blood tests and treatments, I am such a rarity that the entire waiting room stares at me the whole time I'm there. I've yet to see another foreigner in my village or the town. Yet, all the doctors, bar one, speak excellent English and I'm able to discuss my medical issues with them, advise treatment timetables and decline their pharmacy meds. (The wife's sister sources these for me in Bangkok.) Even with the Phuket private hospital I declined their meds. I just told the doctors not to prescribe. I usually get seen very quickly, jumping the queue possibly because of my age, my wheelchair or my nationality. Not sure. I pay more than my wife for treatments but am amazed every time at how cheap it is. An example, I recently spent time in the emergency section with a suspected snakebite. Three doctors and many nurses milled around examining the wound and discussing, the total cost to me was 95 baht for some antibiotics! Sorry folks, no envenomation.

In my former job as an investigator, I had to consider all aspects of a situation and sometimes make assumptions (mostly successfully). My dealings with, and thoughts about, journalists were often very mixed. I've had lies made about me in print and on radio by lazy individuals who only embrace one side of a situation, but have also used contacts within that profession to get a real message out. Sorry, I don't get offended, but do make my points if required.

If physically able, go over a border and start the process to the "O" visa/extension. This doesn't require the corrupt insurance. (At the moment!)

Medibank class action announced; hackers threaten to release data (watoday.com.au)

Followup by Medibank: Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to view online. Dear .......... Earlier today, we announced a number of further developments in the recent cybercrime. Firstly, we announced that no ransom payment will be made to the criminal responsible for this data theft. I wanted to write to you personally to explain why we made this decision. Based on the extensive advice we have received from cybercrime experts, we believe that there is only a limited chance that paying a ransom would ensure the return of our customers’ data and prevent it from being published. In fact, paying the ransom could have the opposite effect, and encourage the criminal to directly extort our customers. There is also a strong chance that paying a ransom could put more people in harm’s way by making Australia a bigger target. In the announcement, we also shared additional details of the customer data that we believe has been accessed and could have been taken by the criminal. What data do we currently believe has been accessed? Based on our investigation to date into this cybercrime we currently believe the criminal accessed: The name, date of birth, address, phone number and email addresses for around 5.1 million current and former Medibank customers Health claims data for around 160,000 of these Medibank customers. This includes service provider name and location, where customers received certain medical services, and codes associated with diagnoses and procedures administered. Given the nature of this crime, we believe that all of the customer data accessed could have been taken by the criminal. We currently believe that the criminal did not access: Credit card and banking details Primary identity documents, such as drivers' licences. Medibank does not collect primary identity documents for customers except in exceptional circumstances, and for international customers Medicare card numbers for Medibank customers Health claims data for extras services (such as dental, physio, optical and psychology) We will continue to send personalised communications to all customers, to let you know exactly what data we believe has been accessed or stolen, and to provide further advice on what steps you should take. Medibank is required by law to retain certain customer (including former customer) information for particular periods of time, generally for 7 years from when a customer leaves us, but in some instances longer. Support for customers We have further extended our Cyber Response Support Program to now include: Cybercrime health & wellbeing line (1800 644 325) – staffed by counsellors with specific training to support victims of crime, and issues related to sensitive health information Mental health outreach service – proactive support service for vulnerable customers, and through referral from our contact centre teams Better Minds App – new, tailored preventative health advice and resources specific to cybercrime and its impact on mental health and wellbeing, with additional phone based psychological support available Personal duress alarms – for customers that are particularly vulnerable, or face safety risks And as we announced last week, the program continues to include: Specialist identity protection advice and resources through IDCare’s purpose built Medibank page - this is available for all customers (current and former) Free identity monitoring services for customers who have had their primary identity documents compromised in this crime Reimbursement of government replacement fees for customers whose primary identity documents have been compromised by this crime Hardship support for customers who are in a uniquely vulnerable position as a result of this crime which can be accessed via our contact centre team on 132 331 In addition, we have extended our contact centre opening hours, and have established specialised teams to support customers. Details of our latest opening hours can be found on the Medibank incident hub. Your online security We recommend you remain vigilant with your online security, especially suspicious phone calls, SMS and emails. There are a number of resources online that help explain how you can protect your online identity including the Australian Cyber Security Centre and ScamWatch. If you do receive any suspicious communication, please forward it to [email protected]. As always, Medibank will never contact you asking for your password or other sensitive information. Safeguarding our systems We have continued to prioritise preventing further unauthorised access to our IT network. This includes continuous monitoring of our network for any suspicious activity. We have added further detection and forensics capability across our systems, and scaled up the support we are receiving from specialist third parties. Normal business operations have been maintained during this cybercrime event with customers continuing to access health services. No further suspicious activity inside our systems has been detected since 12 October 2022. I recognise the significant responsibility we have to the people who rely on us to look after their health and wellbeing and their data – and I unreservedly apologise to every person affected by this cybercrime. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we continue to respond to this cybercrime. Regards, David Koczkar Chief Executive Officer, Medibank

You're right, as a reader I have no way of knowing the intentions in the writer's mind! I shouldn't make such a statement, instead just follow your lead in interpreting everything literally. Can you detect what literary technique I'm using here?

The only theory that makes sense came from Gomangosteen early in the thread. I guess some expats earn money any way they can. "from Postsen News Pol Lt. Gen. Surapong Thanomjit, Commander-in-Chief of Provincial Police District 8, further said that From the investigation, it is believed that the foreigner may be involved in the sale of firearms using online media."

Bondi is known to Australians as a place to which thousands of New Zealander expat flock when they flee their own country. It has a large population of NZers. The poster was using irony.