sambum

2 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

“We here in the UK “

 

Says it all. You’re reliant on a cash strapped antiquated medical system that U.K. people complain about in spades, but also claim it to be the envy of the world.

 

In Thailand there’s no problem actually seeing a doctor. Or dentist for that matter. The standard varies dramatically depending on where you seek treatment.

 

For the record, I don’t envy the U.K. NHS at all. It’s crap.

The point about the NHS is the treatment is free - dependent on the urgency of the situation, you may have to wait a while.

In Thailand, I agree that you can get seen by a doctor very quickly, but any subsequent treatment can be very expensive! 

Lawyer Wirasak Nakin noted the family has petitioned the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) over the body's movement, deemed unnatural.

I would have thought that any dead body moving would be "unnatural"?

Nice to see "Security" taking such an active role!!!

9 hours ago, kiwikeith said:

Lunch from 11am to 2pm you would be fissed on the job when you get back to work 

Going back to work at 2pm because after that you can't buy any more booze? If it's the workers getting "fissed" that they're worried about, one would thaink that they would ban booze between 11 am and 2 pm? 🙂 

28 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

My recollection is that there is an exception for commercial trade where you could buy a whole box. 3k for a box of whiskey is a bit dear but 650 for a box of beer is certainly easily handled. Then again, the lao khao vendors are open 24-7. Out here in the sticks, nobody pays attention. the only losers are Big-C and 7-11.

Add Macro and Tesco Lotus to that list!

"Effective June 27, sales will only be allowed during specific hours: from 11am to 2pm, and from 5pm to midnight. This applies throughout the country,................."

I thought those were the rules already for this 3rd World country trying to attract tourists as the figures (according to TAT!!!) have shown a significant drop?

What on earth has the headline pic (The interior of a car!) got to do with the story?

2 hours ago, Cabradelmar said:

It's not an actual place...

 

Bangkok Hilton - Wikipedia https://share.google/EHDargZL0587Zskv1

Yes, it's a nickname for Bang Kwang Central Prison 

4 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Yes, and, strangely, these factors are hardly ever mentioned as reasons for declining tourist numbers. Instead it's 'kidnappings', 'poor economic conditions in other countries', or 'border disputes'... If they cannot even acknowledge decade-old scams, ever changing visa policies, etc., as reasons for stagnating tourism income, how can they ever solve this?

By being honest! 🤣

"Thailand's tourism sector is reeling as foreign visitor numbers slide. From January 1 to June 22, there was a 4.24% drop in arrivals compared to the same time last year, revealed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports."

Must be breaking TAT's heart having to show a DROP in numbers!

I wonder how many "new" probes  and consequent "meetings" will be held before this affair finally gets "put to bed"?

35 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

Rohypnol is seen in the newspaper reports of rapes and attacks on people.

True, but this post is about Cannabis Infused sweets and jellies - why not bring in LSD , Cocaine, Meth Amphtamine, and all other "hypnotic" drugs while you're at it?

"Anticipating future political shifts, Thaksin is reportedly orchestrating a new cabinet composition. This reshuffle would see the ultra-conservative Ruam Thai Sang Chart rise to the second-largest coalition spot after Pheu Thai, replacing Bhumjaithai, who left the government coalition."

I thought that part of the agreement regarding his return was that he stayed out of politics  - Hmmm?

9 hours ago, newnative said:

   I wonder if your Thai wife's friend had her eye procedure done at a public hospital--which, of course, would be cheaper than a private hospital such as what you used, and result in two different prices.  Also, to start with, her standard lens likely cost far less than your special type of lens.  My Thai spouse and I both had lasik done at a private hospital and we were both charged the same price.   

   About 12 years after our lasik, we both had lens replcement, Supersight, done.  Same private hospital.  Mine cost slightly more but that was only because I required a different, more expensive lens, not because I was a farang and my partner Thai.  The service was quick and easy, both of us done in one day, with both eyes done for each of us.  

   Contrast that to my partner's Thai sister.  She also wanted lens replacement but, to save money, she used her public hospital.  When we saw her, she had had one eye done but was waiting to have the second one done because the public hospital had run out of the type of  replacement lens she needed.   Months later, she was still waiting.  I think she has now had the second eye finally done.  

   So, in this example, two different prices, for two levels of medical care, reflecting the use of a private hospital over a less expensive public one.  Frankly, I don't have a problem with Thai citizens paying less at both public and private hospitals--or parks, museums, monuments, etc., etc.

     

 

You are quite right in your assumptions in that she had hers done at a Public Hospital whereas I opted to go to a Private Hospital. However, I got a quote from the Public Hospital where she was treated, and for the cataract removal and basic lens fitted they were going to charge me app 40,000 baht, whereas she paid 6,000 baht! I don't mind paying slightly more, but almost SEVEN times as much is a BIG price differential!!!

(I opted to go to a Private Hospital because (a) A couple of farang friends had been there and recommended it highly, and (b) the Public Hospital did not stock the type of lens that I required.) 

Regarding your point re  "parks, museums, monuments, etc., etc.", I wonder how Thais would feel if, for instance, they had to pay £50 to visit London Zoo, whereas the locals only had to pay £10? (Figures for illustration points only!) 

2 hours ago, Espanol said:

 

Concerns?
We're just happy.

I wish the Indians would disappear too and Thailand would be a nice place again, especially Pattaya.

 

 

Nice place? Pattaya? Again?

Ah, the "FAMILY FRIENDLY RESORT"! 

"Yuttasak Supasorn, former Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), has outlined six key reasons excuses behind this trend:"

2 hours ago, captain_shane said:

You live in a scam area then. I got a toe nail removed at the hospital here and it cost 200 baht.

Good price! I live in a tourist area and that was at the most expensive hospital on the island. They were going to charge me "up to 500,000 baht" for a spinal operation because I had a very sore shoulder! Cleared itself after a couple of days and my local clinic doc reckoned it was probably a trapped nerve!  

1 hour ago, unblocktheplanet said:

THB 50 extra. I just can't afford to get sick!

I would like to know where you get the 50 baht from!

At one of our local hospitals they were going to charge a "farang" 19,000 baht for ONE stitch in a cut finger!!!

4 hours ago, save the frogs said:

 

More BS ... it's a bit of paperwork and no big deal.

Compared to what? Doing visa runs every 60 days in Vietnam?

 

"A bit of paperwork"? 🙂

You obviously have never applied for an extension based on Marriage!

My first application required 147 (Maximum Break!) photocopies, and several years later the annual requirement is still well in excess of 100!

"A bit of paperwork"? 🤣

37 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I wanted to take just these two particular points because many of the others are largely subjective. That said, I broadly agree that Thailand stands out as a significantly better destination for foreigners compared to its neighbouring countries.

 

However, healthcare remains a serious concern.

 

First, there's the issue of dual pricing. At the lighter end of the scale, we see it in places like national parks - and while it's objectionable in principle, most people aren't too bothered. In the private sector, we have the freedom to take our business elsewhere. The real problem arises with state-sanctioned dual pricing in government hospitals. If we fall seriously ill, we're can be charged substantially more than a Thai citizen would be for the same treatment (i.e. long term cancer treatment and operations costing 2 Million Baht instead of 1 MB.

In my view, this is indefensible. When it comes to healthcare, there should be an option for long-term residents to pay into the system and receive equitable care. For me, this is where dual pricing becomes genuinely troubling - it's the big stuff that matters.

 

Secondly, while the quality of treatment is generally excellent, there's a troubling lack of accountability when mistakes are made - a factor that certainly helps keep costs down. Personally, I’d prefer to be in a private hospital in Bangkok over most places in the world. But the question is - at 80, will I still be able to afford the premiums? And that brings us full circle, back to the need for a system that ensures long-term, affordable care.

 

I can’t say whether neighbouring countries offer anything better in this regard, but this remains a major red flag when considering a long-term life in Thailand, especially if one hopes to grow old in comfort with the security of health care.

 

 

 

"When it comes to healthcare, there should be an option for long-term residents to pay into the system and receive equitable care."

Couldn't agree more on that one! At 80 years young, health insurance is virtually impossible to acquire, and IF you can get Insurance, the "pre existing conditions" section makes it worthless, (They might pay out for a broken toe, but anything major - forget it!) and the annual premium price would be in the thousands of pounds - I checked when I was about 68, and a basic policy was £3500 per annum.

43 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Put 400K in the bank and you don't have any visa worries. No need to be a millionaire.

I've heard (no proof, but fairly reliable hearsay) that if you are married to a Thai national and suddenly "snuff it", your spouse can sometimes have a nightmare trying to get the bank to release the money to her - even if rhe details are specified in a will.

6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Although many expats have already noticed this and talked about it here on the forum, Thailand is refusing to listen.. This is the result of outdated and conservative laws, and requirements and lack of changing .. Welcome retirees and expats instead of chasing them away, because once they are gone they will never come or come back again.. 

"...........once they are gone they will never come or come back again.."

This is very true, and also a pnoit which should be mentioned is the fact that these disillusioned retirees and expats are bound to mention the fact to their friends "back home", and many people who still think of Thailand as "The Land of the Smile" may well be put off by the realities passed on to them by people who have first hand experience of the place!