Liquorice

TerryLH, on 03 Jul 2014 - 17:08, said:

Faz

"It would be nice to know what the position is for Healthcare for expats under the current situation."

While it would be nice, why do you think the Thai government should subsidize your health coverage?

I think what you will find when you use the hospital, is that you will pay the standard price that a Thai or anyone else using the hospital would pay, if they aren't there under one of the three government plans. 4 if you count the migrant worker plan.

Many expats think they are getting some kind of special deal because for most things, it's very inexpensive compared to where they come from.

The card you got is just registering at the hospital. They use the number to find your file when you go there for service.

There was some talk several months ago about offering some kind of plan to tourists. I haven't read anything about that for a long time.

Just where did I say I expected subsidized Healthcare?

I expect to pay the same as Thais, but not a separate Farang price.

If you can get decent affordable Healthcare under the Thai system, why waste money on private Health Insurance, which has claim limitations, especially as you get older.

Thanks Sheryl,

It would be nice to know what the position is for Healthcare for expats under the current situation.

Sorry Sheryl I couldn't attach the files here. I sent you a message with the files.

Health Doc Page 1.pdf

Health Doc Page 2.pdf

Oops, think I sorted it?

Hi Sheryl,

I have a number of Thai friends who are often charged 30 baht for hospital visits. I'm also told by a farang friend who holds a 'Health Card for Foreigners' but attends regular visits to a hospital for physiotherapy treatment, that he also pays 30 baht for each visit.

I didn't hold a current 'Health Card for Foreigners', hence my visit today to get one. I took all my documents and expected to pay 2,800 baht and get a full medical check.

The reception initially said 'No', it was confusing because of the language barrier. I had a Thai interpreter with me during the visit.

We were directed to the main Admin Office where staff spoke perfect English to fully explain the situation. At first I misunderstood and thought Foreigners were being refused any subsidised Health Care.

What they explained to me, was that from 27th June 2004 (5 days ago) new orders were received and the 'Health Cards for Foreigners' scheme was scrapped from that date.

Under the new scheme, a Foreigner could now merely register at the hospital and receive the Hospital registration ID card that all Thais have, without the need for any medical checks, nor the need to pay a 2,800 baht fee.

I asked in detail what that meant and gave examples of possible future treatments. In each case they told me I would only be charged 30 baht for each treatment.

They even phoned the office in Bangkok who issued the orders to confirm the facts as it's new to them.

I asked if they could give me a copy of the new orders, which they promptly obliged.

I have hard copies, I'll scan them in and post ASAP.

Maybe something was left out, but that was what I was told.

Hopefully the order can be translated and you can clarify the situation for the benefit of everyone.

After arriving back from the Embassy so distraught with being refused a Visa, it would be understandable if you left your Passport in a trouser pocket which then went through a Washing Machine cycle. Oh Dear! I've ruined my passport...........need to get a new one.

Not suggesting anything.........but I know what I'd do in your situation.

Sorry if I missed something elsewhere on the forums, but I just found out today that the scheme for Government Health care for foreigners ceased on 27/6/2014 by order of the Government. I have copies of the new orders (in Thai) if anyone is interested.

This is the scheme where you pay 2,800baht for Medical tests and get 12 months health cover for the same cost as Thais.

Foreigners received a card 'Health Card for Foreigners'.

Bad news I thought............No!

It's good news...........Foreigners need only to register at your local Government Hospital and get the registration card to receive any Medical Treatment for the same cost as Thais. No Medical examination, no fees.

Fitzpaam

I've been worked in Thailand for 30 years as Technician and now retired.

You will need a non-immigrant B visa and a work permit to work.

You can not get a work permit on a retirement stay.

There is no regulations that requires you to have a degree to get a work per,it, although your employer might want to see one.

@ Poor Sucker; You can also get a work permit if your on an extension based on marriage to a Thai.

I apologize if this has been covered already I haven't got around to reading the whole 4 pages yet.

So I have downloaded TEST 1,2, and 3.There are about 30 questions on each test but some one told me that there are 1000 questions.

Is this true and is this just a sample.If so how and where do you practice the other 930 questions.

The new test has a data base of approx. 100 questions.

You can be given any 50 questions to answer at random selection.

You need to answer 90% correctly to pass.

You might also find these links useful.

http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0140_5.pdf (Originally posted in #60 by Tywais)

Thai Traffic signs.

http://www.huahinexpat.com/thai-traffic-signs.htm

I saw a beggar on south pattaya road

A one armed apartently legless man in the gutter

I gave him 20 baht.

The dirty bastard didnt even say thank you nod, acknowledge me in anyway but just counted the money.

How do you know he wasn't deaf and dumb as well as his other disabilities.

Maybe he was absolutely overawed by your generosity.

I believe normal Thai TV channels 7/8 will show only 22 world cup matches.

I have PSI with about 300 Thai channels.

Does anyone know which channel on PSI will be showing the 22 matches.

All 64 games are on free-to-air Thai TV, following an agreement made this afternoon. But only (I think) to subscribers with a standard aerial. But if you have PSI (ie a satellite dish and a set-top box) you may find the free football broadcasts blocked.

In that case, you need to go to your local shop and buy a PSI O2 HD box, (somewhere between 1,700 and 2,500 baht), plug it in, and turn to channel 333.

If you want to watch via Internet, try wiziwig.tv or Sports360.tv or thaiexpat.tv. Those streams can be watched on your computer or fed into your TV via an HDMI cable.

Hi Rick, thanks for your very useful reply.

I found out Thai TV channel 7, is channel 331 on PSI. I believe they will show 22 matches on this channel, but your quite correct I was told for an extra fee I could watch all 64 games on PSI channel 333.

I might try the internet links you provided............cheers. Enjoy the games!

I believe normal Thai TV channels 7/8 will show only 22 world cup matches.

I have PSI with about 300 Thai channels.

Does anyone know which channel on PSI will be showing the 22 matches.

I also started this thread as it would also be handy for anyone to provide links, such as for laptops where the matches can be viewed live, or recorded.

Some good replies, but some miss the point.

With any International transfer your funds must be cleared through an International Clearing bank.

1. Your UK bank will clearly state a transfer fee for the transaction.

2. Bangkok bank do not charge any fees for receiving. They charge a small fee for exchanging your currency to Thai baht (200 - 500)

Most UK banks use either HSBC or Lloyds International banking services to transfer your funds to Thailand.

Previously they made no charges, but it appears that HSBC are now charging a £20 fee for transfers to Bangkok bank which they call a 'Correspondence Fee'

It is not clear if they are charging this fee to other Thai banks.

It is this extra charge to which the OP is referring.

When you complete your transfer application, it will give you options to choose from which account the transfer fees are to deducted..

Your UK account, Thai account, or split between the two.

There is also a 'disclaimer' warning that other banks (may) make a charge.

In my case I elected all charges to be charged to my UK account.

My home bank charged the standard £25 transfer fee.

Bangkok bank charged a 200 baht fee for exchanging the currency (Not a transfer fee)

3 weeks later my UK account was hit with another £20 transfer fee from HSBC.

During my enquiries at Bangkok bank, they gave me a copy of the whole transfer notice (maybe they shouldn't)

It gives detailed information of your UK bank including your full name and UK address. Details of your Thai bank and HSBC as the Intermediary bank but with no details.

Unless you are fortunate enough to already bank with an International clearing bank, then extra charges for International transfers could become the norm.

It's an easy way to make extra money from you.

For UK account holders use the Bangkok bank in London to do transfers and avoid the extra fees now being imposed by some Interim banks.

as to Bangkok Bank charges i recently visted their site and there wer to Charges one at £15 and one at £20 for two different transactione but the same outcome basically

The £15 transfer fee is for using the Faster Payments option which can take 3 days.

The £20 transfer fee is for using the BACS option which is the following day.

Some of the images need to be clearer, more defined. They just cause confusion.

I certainly don't think I'd have passed at a first attempt.

I just spent 2hours at my Bangkok bank branch.

They make no charges for transfers other than for exchanging the currency.

Their maximum charge for any amount is 500 baht.

Transfers from the UK go through an intermediate bank (HSBC)

It would appear that HSBC have now started charging £20 as a correspondence charge.

Bangkok bank are not responsible.

Bangkok bank suggested I do International transfers from the UK to Thailand through their BB branch in London using either the Faster payments method or BACS.

Cuts out Intermediary banks and the transfer charges are lower.

No charges from your UK bank as it's not an International transfer.

Lower charges by BB in London to transfer to Thailand.

For anyone who has a UK bank A/C doing transfers to a Bangkok bank A/C, you may find this link very useful.

Transfer money from UK to Thailand.

http://www.bangkokbank.com/bangkokbank/personalbanking/dailybanking/transferingfunds/transferringintothailand/receivingfundsfromuk/Pages/ReceivingFundsfromUK.aspx

Correspondent bank charge would have been made in UK rather than Thailand and is the route your home bank uses to transfer the funds. The charge in Thailand is only a fee of between 200-500 baht for the exchange service based on a fee of 1/4% on foreign remitted currency. Are you sure funds were not converted to baht prior to sending to Thailand in this case? Suspect that may be the reason for large additional change. Thailand would not be charging a fee in pounds.

My bank called me yesterday after I e-mailed them. Money was sent in Pounds Sterling. I agree with what you say that a Thai bank would not be charging Sterling, but my bank insisted it was a charge levied by the Thai bank.

I'm with same Bank (Bangkok) and was also charged an extra £20 through my account.

My UK bank have a standard charge of £25 for any International transfer. Previously I was only charged approx. 200 baht by the Bank of B for conversion of sterling to baht.

It would seem they have now levied an extra charge of £20.

I'll be taking the matter up with the bank and if this is to be the norm for the future, then I'll be changing banks.

They should be grateful we are investing thousands, millions of baht with them. Not the way to treat foreign investors.

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No, the extende questioneers are only for those who apply for the first time. However, what is new is a mandatory one hour view of a safety tape and therefore one can no longer just walk in and have the extension done. The office has some predefined slots for that.

I just extended my five year license for a new one.

What documents were required? Thanks.

Whether renewing or applying for the fist time I advise you take the following documents.

1. Passport

2. Existing Licence

3. Certificate of residence

4. Fee.

Copies of 1-3 including current Visa stamps in your passport.

I read quite a few topics where members state a Certificate of Residence is obtainable from Immigration.

Some pay a fee, others don't. Theoretically CR should be supplied free.

I got my Certificate of Residence from the local Cop Shop

Immigration is 2 hours away by car.

Some will mock me now and say the Police can't issue CR's.

Have you tried?

They have templates already set up on the computers..............no charge.

Ooops! Documents required: 5. Medical Certificate

No, the extende questioneers are only for those who apply for the first time. However, what is new is a mandatory one hour view of a safety tape and therefore one can no longer just walk in and have the extension done. The office has some predefined slots for that.

I just extended my five year license for a new one.

What documents were required? Thanks.

Whether renewing or applying for the fist time I advise you take the following documents.

1. Passport

2. Existing Licence

3. Certificate of residence

4. Fee.

Copies of 1-3 including current Visa stamps in your passport.

I read quite a few topics where members state a Certificate of Residence is obtainable from Immigration.

Some pay a fee, others don't. Theoretically CR should be supplied free.

I got my Certificate of Residence from the local Cop Shop

Immigration is 2 hours away by car.

Some will mock me now and say the Police can't issue CR's.

Have you tried?

They have templates already set up on the computers..............no charge.

At the same time another farang was renewing his licence from 1 - 5 years. He didn't have to take the full test either.

The new rules only apply to those applying for the first time.

And I did not find any official source saying this has changed.

Renewing from 1 to 5 year license is different from obtaining a license for the first time.

Same applys (applied) to conversion from international DL to Thai DL.

No full test, you have (!) a DL and just convert it formally,

No indication that these rules have changed.

Color-, eye- and reaction test was usually required in the above cases too.

Maybe sitting and watching some video, but no fullblown theory not driving test.

There are no changes to renewing an existing licence, so you won't find any official source stating otherwise.

You are only required to take the 3 simple practical tests I mentioned and maybe watch a small video.

Incidentally a lot of Thai's failed the theory test.

You need a pass rate of 90% of the 50 questions.

In the practical tests a lot also had to do the Reaction test 2 or 3 times to pass.

The new regulations went into affect June 2, 2014 that is this week any thing that happened last week was under the old requirements. Need reports from June 2 onward...

Correct.

The new Driving Test requirements only came into effect this week. 50 questions and a 6 hour class.

I obtain my first 1 year licence on Tuesday this week, under the new rules. (3rd June)

Fortunately because I already had a motorcycle licence from the UK, I didn't have to sit the full test.

At the same time another farang was renewing his licence from 1 - 5 years. He didn't have to take the full test either.

The new rules only apply to those applying for the first time.

Under the new rules those already holding a valid licence will still have to do 3 simple tests.

1. Colour blind test. Watch a set of traffic light colours and state the colour as it changes.

2. Peripheral Vision test. Put your head in a frame and look at a centre spot. Traffic light colours appear at the side, just shout out the colours again.

3. Reaction test. Put your foot on an accelerator pedal, when the light changes from red to green , hit the brake.

Although your also required to watch a 2 hour video under the new rules (a refresher) this was only available in Thai, so we were therefore excused this ordeal.

Hope the information clears up the OP question.

Thanks for your advice Ray,

Unfortunately they don't have practice computers here.

I'm still searching for that link.

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help.

I want to take my Thai Driving Motorcycle Test before the new tests come in on June 1st.

In particular I was looking for the link to do the Theory Practice test online.

Found a couple of links on TV but they appear to be broken now.

Does anyone have the correct link.

Thanks.