Firefan

Green; Iherb DO ship to Thailand. Here is what you should do:

1. order for no more than (about) USD 50/order to avoid Thai customs and for sure less than $80 in order to get the below shipping option.

2. no more weight than 4 pounds (about 1.8 kilos)

3. then 1 shipping option costing only $4(!) will pop up (the no shipment options are the full courier services that you don't want to use anyway as attract customs fees like bees to honey! ) It is called: Global Priority Mail by DHL.

Then just order more than 1 package ($4 shipping) if needed. If your first order use code YOQ460 at check-out for an additional $10 of your order -order over $40 - and $5 if less.

The packages take 2-4 weeks to arrive. I have had more than 20 packages delivered over the last 2 years - all arrived safely.

Hope helped! Cheers!

I find it quite cool. Especially if ones rims are well worn out anyway and the alternative would be new ones. That said I guess one could also just use normal paint? What is the actual difference?

As for color - one does not have to pick screaming pink - but to each their own!

Cheers!

Generally on Thaivisa OBVIOUS advertising will be removed by the mods, but since the OP states he does not work for the company it is not advertising but simply a good experience.

The other reason to be a bit hesitant about posting specific company names (or person names) here is the rather strict laws in Thailand about "slander" - but as I mentioned; in this case the OP has nothing to fear there as a positive experience!

Back to the subject; I can certainly see the logic for people that are old and/or have tons of pre existing problems that will never be covered anyway; to focus on best possible accident insurance (and add whatever "riders" one can get for sickness Etc.). It's cheaper and will cover the same.

In fact; many that live here without any health insurance whatsoever(budget reasons/self insured or whatever reason), would be wise to at least pick up an accident insurance - ensuring immediate treatment in an (accident) emergency. Some here are on a very tight budget - and doing sports (or just walking the streets!) can easily end in injuries that they can not afford to fix - or worse; the extra time lost in an emergency by not having a recognized card - could mean the difference between being cured, and being a vegetable...

Accident insurance with covers from 5000 Baht up to 500.000 Baht exist - the one I just got from AXA pays 62500 Baht per accident and cost just 2000 Baht a year! - I cut 1 beer/month and got that instead! (double win!).

Before somebody point out that 62.500 Baht is way too little - I fully agree - BUT its better than having NO card in the pocket. Treatment will start no matter what.

Personally I have seen a measly 200.000 Baht health insurance cover (AIA) being accepted at Bumrungrad intensive, and treatment being performed till person stabilized - with the first 1-2 weeks costing 1M Baht (full time in intensive,special dialysis machines and high end auto immune meds) and only when stabilized did the hospital admin come to discuss the further financing. Now; an accident insurance would not cover in that case of course - but we are more likely to get in an accident than coming down with a 1 in 100.000 rare auto immune disease.

Cheers!

Actually; there is nothing wrong in mentioning the company the insurance is with - since a positive experience there is no risk of "slander"

Cheers!

Agree no need for broker - but it does not cost extra, and it adds an English speaking contact that can be worth much more when trouble arise. Peter from AA set me up with an AXA accident insurance costing 2000 Baht/year with medical treatment a 63000 Baht cover pr. accident. (after which my international insurance will cover rest).

I know from personal contacts that Peter/AA insurance have even been a big help for foreigners who did not even have insurance with AA at all. The foreigner needed to be moved to ok but cheaper hospital and AA helping him - so sending a bit of money their way - to have a local insurance expert contact - is well worth it for me.

As for your comment on motorbike cover - you are misunderstanding the policy. They all cover motorbike accidents to the level of medical treatment mentioned(some subject to wearing a helmet though). Where you are right is that some of the life insurance cover is reduced when motorbike accident - but I am not buying this for the life insurance cover.

Cheers!

Thank you for the reply - but in reality all I want is an accident insurance that cover around 60.000 Baht per accident - rest my more expensive health insurance will take care of. So do you have any that covers in that area, like the Kasikorn one, for as little as them?

(and yes; I am aware I WILL have to pay the deductible 60.000 Baht/$2k if I get sick and it is not an accident - but am fine with that - accident is by far the most likely - and hopefully a sickness/surgery will be less time sensitive than a typical accident).

Cheers!

Just received my Iherb shipment. USD 52. No customs charges. Straight to my door. It is important to keep the amount at no more than that to avoid customs. Offhand I believe that they use 2000 Baht as the cut off point but better safe than sorry as I did have a USD 63 package charged - and that becomes about 33% on top after all fees and taxes.

The shipping was again only USD 4, and weight was up to 1.8 kilo max.

They still do not allow other modes of shipping, but the USD 4 deal is anyway by far the best, and avoids customs fees as long as amount around USD 50.

Expect the shipping time to be 2-4 weeks with the average being 3 weeks (so don't panic!).

I used code YOQ460 at payment which will get you $10 of first time orders, or $5 of smaller orders. (code giver gets some points for it - you will get your own code at first order)

So in short: Iherb.com:

Keep amount at max USD 50

Weight can be max 1.8 kilo

Chose the USD 4 option (currently no other options)

Use code YOQ460 if your first order for discount

And don't forget to pick up a "freebie" with every order - see top of Iherb.com package

Finally; wait 2-4 weeks.

Cheers!

I have health insurance with Health Care International with cover for $500.000 but with a deductible of $2.000 as saves a bundle in premiums, and this is to cover the "big stuff" (that I hope never happens!)

Now; I would like at least a card in my pocket besides the above that is Thai and recognized here - and even if it only cover accidents - I would still be fine with that.

I have researched the different bank related accident insurances, the one with the highest cover (pr. accident) I could find was Kasikorn at Baht 50.000/accident (fairly close to my deductible of $2000 above btw) for a measly 2500 Baht/year.

Does anybody know of similar accident insurances with better rates or cover?

Cheers!

Ok - look at that picture Nomadjoe kindly posted. Huge part of the traffic jams in central BKK are CAUSED by taxis - and now we should increase the fare, attracting even MORE taxis......hmmmm.... I have seen the same situation in both Sathorn, Silom, Rama 4, Sukhumvit, Ploenchit, Petchburi Etc. Packed with taxis almost all with free sign shining.....

No; instead simply keep the fares as is - it is obviously still a great business for most (not just the rip-off taxis standing waiting for tourists), and let supply/demand handle it. Yes, it might get a little harder sometimes to get a taxi in case some go back to Isaan or find other work - but that is how it should be.

Cheers!

Lop; Thanks.

Sheryl; reason I ask is that my international health insurance cover (up to USD 500.000) - for any hospital except Bumrungrad where one has to pay a 30% co-pay. Reason is apparently some bad episodes where crazy over charging was done. They literally only have about 8 hospitals or so on that list on a global basis, so Bumrungrad can not have impressed them!

I fully agree with you, that if I have the time to research doctors I will pick (among the top tier hospitals-that have best facilities) the best doc I can find. Meanwhile if acute/urgent/accident/knocked out - I want to have that hospital card in my wallet, and tell sports mates, friends Etc. where I prefer to go (leaving out too long a trek logistically of course).

Cheers!

Besides Bumrungrad, which seem to rank high for many reasons (Incl. goo marketing and posh rooms), if money is not an issue, which private hspitals are considered the best in class, as a general hospital, here in Bangkok?

I am well aware that some hospitals have specialization, or a brilliant doctor in one area, and also that even a top hospital can have a crap doc partly due to the way doctor are working as "independents", not hired by the hospital,, but I am talking in general.

Cheers!

Phronesis; could you please protect me, as you said, by informing me the answer to your 1-2-3 questions? Cheers!

Believe it was first approved for use in teenagers, but later the age group was expanded. Cheers!

Does anybody know what happened to the movie streaming service ilikehd.com? One paid with a True money card and since the servers was in Thailand the service ran well, and the movie descriptions, link to utube trailers and even changing language/sub titles on many of the movies,

They also streamed some tv which might have gotten them into trouble?

Any info appreciated as I still had many months worth of subscription...

Cheers!

Truly enjoyed the show too! Saw it via Thaiexpattv - and while the best song DID win, I really liked the Malta song too. Very surprised about the Greek song even getting into the finals! What a bizarro song! Lol! Political votes...

Really liked the Dutch song and agree it can really get stuck in the head! Not a typical Eurovision song of course - so did not win.

Finally I was surprised to see the Irish song do THAT bad. Was a bit cheesy but good melody and active staging for sure.

Cheers!

My experience with shipping in lots of supplements and having some charged custom duties (adds about 33% more on top of product price on supplements) and some not.

1. As Sheryl mention; use normal/air mail - not courier/DHL Etc.

2. Keep the (stated) amount under 1500-2000 Baht (the official number seems to be closer to 1000 Baht but hard to verify when I asked at post office)

I had packages with stated amount (in USD) of up to USD 65 come in with no issues - but keeping it around USD 50 is probably safer.

Cheers!

Sinbin; do not take this analysis of how yellow book can/can not equal free health care too personal mate!

Sheryl obviously did not state that YOU asked anybody to lie, and I am sorry to keep asking the same question over and over, but as we found out from my last question it turned out that most having received "free" health care on this thread are actually under the government SS health care via their spouse.

That still leaves some cases (as mentioned seems mostly in smaller/less foreigner packed cities) where people somehow got the 30B/free/gold card/cover anyway. We now know how yours slipped through - and congrats with that!

I doubt I will succeed going up to Chula hospital with just yellow book and PP and get that card! (I have private insurance anyway btw, but would have been glad to have the free one as a back up).

Cheers!

Kris, Bunaag, Thetefl thanks for your replies which all fitted with the public servant health insurance that covers (also foreign) spouses and children too - even if the public servant is retired. This is not the 30B/free/gold card a we all know.

Any foreigner out there having free health insurance NOT fitting with the above and NOT actually having the social security health insurance (from working currently or before)?

If so; by method of exclusion, that must be the 30B/free/gold card.

how did you get your cover?

Cheers!

Check out the insurance forum mate.

One thing; only really high end health insurances (normally international companies) pay for preventive medicine, vaccinations Etc. and you will be paying accordingly in return.

I have only in-patient and use thaihealth.co.th but am looking into adding a higher cover international(company) insurance.

Cheers!

The confusion on this subject is understandable. There is the 30 Baht(now free) gold card and then the social security health care plan that one can keep after having worked 12 months - against continuing paying for it.

One thing I found often cause the misunderstanding is that foreigners married to a Thai government worker (teacher, medical, police whatever) are covered under the government employee health insurance where spouses and children are included. - So that is a THIRD option from the 2 above. Often the foreigner is unaware as to WHY he/she got the card as all docs in Thai - so they THINK they got the 30Baht/free/gold card - while in reality under the government employee insurance.

Also noticed in this thread, that some posters imply that having "registered" with a hospital must mean they have free health care - most of those cards are just to simplify paper work at future visits by having your details/patient number readily available - so better check the small print before believing that they are covered.

So any single( or not married to government worker) not working (or still under the SS health plan after having worked) foreigner out there receiving free health care here? How did you obtain the cover?

Cheers!

Inspiring story Theblether! And well done for taking those first steps!

AS for the ever ongoing carb/no carb, high fat/low fat discussion there will never be a "correct" answer as our bodies react differently (be that from genes or enviroment or even mental) - but since veggies/legumes/mushrooms/fruits Etc. are carbs ALSO - we most certainly are build for carbs.

Totally processed white flour/breads/sugars/breakfast cereals Etc. are also obviously not normal human foods - neither are things that is overly processed in cans/boxes or sugar coated/deep fried crap. Or anything that can keep on a supermarket shelf longer than you! Commen sense.

Personally I do well with a limited amount of whole grain, fiber rich foods like oat meal/brown/black rice - and dark pumpernikel style breads. Anything above that (pastas, whole wheat toast style bread Etc.) just makes me bloated and tired. I'd rather eat a ton of veggies!

As for the fats it is again not a question of low/high - but rather GOOD fats (from coconut oil, flax, egg lechitine, fish/krill oils, free range/organic meats Etc.) rather than crap veggie or animal oils.

Just a quick google on coconut oil and weight loss is an eye opener there. people actually use it for losing weight! Personally I consume a lot of coconut oil (maybe 3-5 table spoons a day, in foods, hot cocoa, for cooking, in home made raw chocolates and so on) as well as krill oil supplements, organic eggs, flax seeds - so calculated in calories I should be one fat blob! I am 185 cm and weight is 83 kilos and fit (feeling and looking), a weight I have kept since army days 20 years ago.

I DO work out or swim occasionally,play some football and some casual muay thai - but it is the diet that is the key to my weight stability and health level.

Cheers to all!

Jayman and Tropo; thanks for the tips!

Tropo I do not have anything specifically for Thailand; but any conventional (not talking raw/organic) milk have the same issues some described here by (medical) Dr. Mercola: http://www.mercola.com/article/milk/no-milk.htm

He mentions both antibiotics and hormones, but not too much about pesticides (from the cheap ass feed most cows get....sorry, but cows are supposed to eat GRASS!). He also mention dried milk powder issues, which is the base for several of the "fresh" milks you see in super markets here. I am no expert there since do not drink milk(directly..I eat cheese and butter milk), but there was a good thread here couple of year ago about it.

Anyway; it will not stop me from making kefir also from milk as I believe with good milk the benefits out weight the negatives - will use the "Little farm" (or something similar..forgot) brand which apparently have organic/free range procedures(even if not certified yet). There are also some small bottles with organic milk in the fancier super markets - but they are rather over priced.

Now; anybody in BKK got some kefir to share?

Cheers!

Jayman; thanks for that update - I prefer the "fresh" coconut milk from the cooler in bags - is that the one you used (and did you dilute it with water as rather thick) or did you just use the UHT boxed ones? Also presume you added no suger/honey then?

Tropo; yes, most of the lactose will be gone - and I am not lactose intolerant - but the milk we get here in Thailand (when it IS milk - and not just milk powder in water as many brands here are!), the milk comes from conventionally raised cows being overly exposed to pesticides and antibiotics. Some studies have indicated that the fermentation ALSO help with eliminating some of that - but if I can get it to work with something like coconut milk - why not?

Now; anybody in BKK that can help me with some kefir grains?

Ps. The "butter milk I find in villa and foodland SOMETIMES is the closest to proper fermented milk/yoghurt I have found here - try that if you get the chance. In white bottles with red cas and very little text on it - often next to the soy milk.

Cheers!

I send a PM to Tropo to obtain some kefir grains, but am based in Bangkok so if anybody here in the big city have some, it might be easier - I am in the Sathorn/Silom area but will go anywhere. I am also interested in water kefir grains, should anybody have same - some people above indicated same.

Finally; I want to try to use coconut milk rahter than normal milk - I did a trial before with probiotic capsules (whick make decent drinking yoghurt out of milk), but with coconut milk it did not really work. I think the lack of lactase was the problem - being a milk sugar - wherefore I will add some coconut sugar or honey in next trial.

Any help/ideas/grains/comments appreciated!

Cheers!

RHCP; that is where the sales tax documents come in. I.e. they have to reflect the sales price (which naturally will include any profit) and tax should be paid upon same. Therefore it is important that the sale is NOT done "Thai-style" where taxes are paid on a lower value than the real sales price (at least if there are profits involved).

John; you might have to pay SCB a fee to go through archives but they might be able to help. At Bangkok Bank head office Silom they charged me 500 Baht per year for print outs and I then high lighted all wires in over the years, after which they issued a letter confirming same. That (their own!) letter they accepted for wires out up to the same total amount - even though some of them were several years old.

You mention wires IN to Thailand - they will not give you letter automatically. You got to ASK for letters confirming same at the same time you receive the wire.

If you bought in a foreigner name (condo) you would need the TT3 (now called Certificate of foreign currency transaction) in order to get condo in your name - and that would suffice too.

All above has nothing to do with how you handle things in the USA.

Cheers!