Bill Miller

Just a few notes on hospital experiences.I am officially a "senior" and have a few chronic conditions, and have also had some "accidents" such as an ischemic stroke.

I went one time to a Bangkok Hospital Clinic for celulitis. I told the doc I could not afford to continue treatment and he kindly referred me to a small provincial hospital at a nearby temple. Longer waits, but about 1/5 the cost..

Later referred to Queen Sirikit Naval hospital for more advanced treatment, including when I had my stroke. Ambulance folks didn't even ask because time is critical and they were closest.

Been admitted a few times to provincials and quite satisfied with the treatment.

3 hours ago, BurgerGung said:

I'm not getting why the stuff was worth 8,000 Baht

They did not give the full list. Just a few items mentioned in particular,  and "...other...".

Doesn't take long to rack up $300 when school "shopping".

On 7/31/2019 at 9:36 AM, fullcave said:

Are you drunk? 

No, but those appear to be beer fumes swirling around your illogical, ad hominem attacks.

Could you at least stay on topic, rather than reverting to school boy "debate" tactics?

You still haven't explained where you get "violence" from in my previous remark, though you are beginning to tempt me away from my better Buddhist principles.

Slowly, and carefully typed in smaller words, where did you find "violence" in my original post?

9 hours ago, Myran said:

More than you, I dare wager. I've spent a lot of time among the poor in Klong Toei as well as rural parts of Thailand, mostly in my wife's province. We're talking people living in literal dumps or in lean-to sheds in the forest. They're not as backwater and disconnected from the modern world as you seem to think, and neither are they too stupid or uneducated to understand how babies are made.

 

It seems your the one with the attitude if you're trying to portray these people as buffoons or animals who don't know what they're doing. You don't have to act the white knight and come to the rescue of the stupid poor people; I can assure you that they are fully aware of what they're doing and that they possess the knowledge and the mental capabilities to take responsibility for their actions.

 

If you can barely take care of yourself, don't get a bunch of children who have to grow up in squalor.

Apparently you missed the part where the father lost his job, and they presumably made it ok when he was employed.

Are you a fan of the "prosperity gospels"? Your disdain for " stupid poor people" suggests as much.

Pretty much makes hash of your entire compassionate diatribe.

On 7/29/2019 at 5:47 PM, fullcave said:

That of course is incorrect as their teachings do not involve use of force. 

Where in blue blazes did you come up with any scintilla of a hint about "use of force" in my remark?

Really, time for remedial reading class? ????

Ipso facto both Jesus and Buddha would likely be considered "socialists" by the genersl run of "conservatives" today, IMO.

I see folks  complaining  here about "nanny states" and the like all the time. Hey, a little help vis a vis "unemployment benefit" might be a helpful, humane alternative.

Maybe all the temple donations could be used in part to help a mom with hungry kids. I think "merit" could be a two way street. A little less gold leaf and a little more of Buddha's compassion.

But hey, I know. These are "socialist" ideas, no matter what Buddha and Jesus said.

5 hours ago, Bill Miller said:

Most of my comment, for those who can read with comprehension, was about my experiences with the TM 30 at two other IOs.

Sorry I did not fit it into the narrow box that apparently comprises your universe.

Other people MIGHT appreciate knowing that it is not always a PITA.

Not intended to be in reply to the post by Brewster, but rather to a snarky remark that the OP was about TM 30 at CW, and I guess is supposed  to be about that only, and don't dare mention experiences at other immigration offices.
Not the first thee that the post I quoted has been changed after the fact. I rather carefully check after hitting the "submit reply" button.

3 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Every Immigration office seems to apply this principle differently. There isn't much evidence that it is being applied by Chaengwattana. In fact, admittedly a month ago, we were told that a TM30 receipt just needed to be on record, and didn't have to be done again unless you move to a new address.

 

Sent from my SM-G930F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

Most of my comment, for those who can read with comprehension, was about my experiences with the TM 30 at two other IOs.

Sorry I did not fit it into the narrow box that apparently comprises your universe.

Other people MIGHT appreciate knowing that it is not always a PITA.

I got bapped at Chonburi Immigration (Jom Tien) last year because my landlady had never filed. Cost me a fine, about 2,000, plus 500 baht to the lady at the condo who sort of phonied a lease up for me and hand carried it through as my landlady lives somewhere in Europe, and IF she agreed to deal with it, it would have been pretty cumbersome.
Having (sort of) learned my lesson I went to Jom Tien IO again a few months ago after exiting and re-entering the Kingdom. The young lady at the "check your papers" desk assisted in filling out the form, had required copies made, and hand carried it through for cane propped "papa".
I think it took less time than to write about it. I know I was done by the time my wife had parked the car.

Big thumbs up. Oh, and I only had to pay 20 baht for copying.
Fast forward, we had moved to Mai La Noi, staying with relatives pending our civil marriage. Nearest Immigration is Mae Sariang What a gem!
We arrived after normal closing in the afternoon, but the officer in charge waved us on in to the AC environs of his office.. A pleasant hour of back and forth,  enabled by my (now) niece in law, who is a lovely young woman as is her sis, who is also a nurse. They both take very good care of "loong Bil". ????
On the way to the province we had stopped for several days to visit relatives in Chiang Mai, and had goofed off for a couple of days during Songkran. From my understanding this might have earned me a fine in some jurisdictions, but not only did the IO get me properly TM 30ed with no fines, he also us gave some fairly lengthy advice on our (then) upcoming marriage.

I am going stateside, with my  brand new marriage certificate and MFA stamp because the US Embassy Bangkok declined to authenticate it for us, the day befofe my permissuon to stay expires.

What do I do to return to my wife? Fly to Laos, e.g., and request a Non O based on marriage at Savannakhet?

On 5/24/2019 at 12:07 PM, Bert got kinky said:

 

When the news broke about the 'possible' insurance requirement for ex-pats, this idea was suggested by a poster on Thai Visa. 

 

Is someone from the Ministry of Tourism & Sports reading Thai Visa in order to pick up a few tips. ????

 

 

I am one of the folks who suggested something of the sort.
Since we long term, retirement types, etc., are still considered "tourists" for most practical purposes, can we get by on this as well?
Most of the available commercial policies I have seen thus far are on the steep side.
Make the program available to us as well, but more than 100 baht per head would be needed for the idea to work.
I would have no problem kicking in say five thousand baht each 90 day reporting period.  The US charges me about thirteen thousand baht each three months, total, for a policy I cannot use, even though it would be far cheaper to payout for Thai medical care, and Medicare is becoming increasingly useless, largely due to the opaque and byzantine billing requirements.
I have been getting by with cash, as the usual cost at Thai government hospitals is about equal to my Medicare co-pays.
I know, because I have been averaging two admits per year during my five years here.
Really meant to edit an additional comment/question... it would seem to make double sense, as the max period Tourist visa is ninety days anywho.

On 5/24/2019 at 12:07 PM, Bert got kinky said:

 

When the news broke about the 'possible' insurance requirement for ex-pats, this idea was suggested by a poster on Thai Visa. 

 

Is someone from the Ministry of Tourism & Sports reading Thai Visa in order to pick up a few tips. ????

 

 

I am one of the folks who suggested something of the sort.
Since we long term, retirement types, etc., are still considered "tourists" for most practical purposes, can we get by on this as well?
Most of the available commercial policies I have seen thus far are on the steep side.
Make the program available to us as well, but more than 100 baht per head would be needed for the idea to work.
I would have no problem kicking in say five thousand baht each 90 day reporting period.  The US charges me about thirteen thousand baht each three months, total, for a policy I cannot use, even though it would be far cheaper to payout for Thai medical care, and Medicare is becoming increasingly useless, largely due to the opaque and byzantine billing requirements.
I have been getting by with cash, as the usual cost at Thai government hospitals is about equal to my Medicare co-pays.
I know, because I have been averaging two admits per year during my five years here.

Wonder how many similar cases have resulted jn the plethora of "foreigner" failure to pay reports?

2 hours ago, robblok said:

I doubt many in Thailand need supplementing for D as it comes from the sun. Though 100.000 IU is quite a bit. 

You haven't noticed how so many Thai women avoid sun exposure at all costs? Tan skin is only for Loso, poor people!

So far great experience at the dental department in Mae Hong Son hospital. Looking forward to getting partials. I left the previous ( poorly fitted US made) set at a former girlfriend's house, and she declined to return them. ????

No helmets in evidence either.

May not have changed the outcome but pretty much guaranteed what did happen. Hoping the youngster recovers, and RIP for the driver.

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I believe gardeners, they're just trying to grow crops and have little political agenda.

Odd to see you think people with greenhouses would need different CO2 levels over a 5 year period.

Lets see you link to any greenhouse growers sites claiming 3x the CO2 does't work.

I'm just gonna put you on ignore, I've never had much luck convincing flat earthers the world is round.

 

Thank you. I consider "ignore" from persons of questionable reading comprehension attainments somewhat of an honour.

On 4/30/2019 at 8:36 AM, dotpoom said:

For the life of me I cannot see why people would enjoy living in a "buoy" in the water (3 mtrs. in dimension) compared to a nice hotel room, condo or house?

Perhaps for similar reasons of the many folks who spend time on boats? Many actually live on boats.

The usual group is out denying that anything is happening;

"Its hotter because of the season!"

The article is, in part, about the fact that the hot seasons are hotter than they used to be. I don't know any way to state it more simply.

As to other deniers, if some are yelling emphatically that your house is on fire, will you take that as a reason to sit back snd continue watching "Duck Dynasty" or whatever is now popular on the aptly named "Boob Tube"? ????

13 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Average atmospheric CO2 is 500ppm, best for a greenhouse is 1500ppm which may increase yields by 30%.

So the plants would like 3x the current CO2 levels to grow at their best rate.

 

It isn't hard to check this stuff out before posting complete BS!

https://fifthseasongardening.com/regulating-carbon-dioxide

I aree it is not hard to check this stuff out before posting <deleted>, Mr. Britmantoo

Your citation is Primus, from a gardening site rather than a scientific source, and Secundus , dated from 2014. Not exactly au currant, eh?

It is a popular theme with climate change deniers and resource robber barons, sll of whom also neglect my point that increased CO2  levels make little beneficial impact on a vanishing plantscape. The deliberate eradication of the rainforest ecosystem has more import than an outdated theoretical benefit of increased carbon dioxide concentrations; when the plants are torn out by the roots, cut down, and/or burned in situ where is your net gain?

https://news.stanford.edu/pr/02/jasperplots124.html

CO2 can only be utilized to a certain extent by plantlife, which daily is being reduced in enormous amounts to further the search for mineral wealth. and pasture lands to produce more billions of burgers, Mr. Trump. At least that is who I first heard spouting this simplistic and entirely incorrect drivel.

22 minutes ago, White Christmas13 said:

wrong the guy who killed 53 people in New Zealand was not a Muslim

The guy who gunned down all the people in Las Vegas also was not a Muslim.

6 hours ago, RotBenz8888 said:

So rare that it's big news?

I think because both parties were fined., or in this case apparently all three.

46 minutes ago, toenail said:

Poor workmanship on building.

Not a fluke. I remember being amazed to see some guys using a six foot level last week on a road construction job. Measuring tools of any sort seem to be an unknown concept. Rebar seems to exist for making furniture, primarily.

I am looking into a prefab house kit....made in China! I will perforce hire a Thai crew for much of the assembly, as my ability for solo house construction is sadly declined, but you can be sure I will keep a close supervisory eye on the job.