dlclark97

On 8/29/2023 at 12:05 PM, VocalNeal said:

My first choice would be Bangkok Christian Hospital on Silom. You might have to see a doctor first but not expensive.

 

But there are many small MRI/X-Ray clinics. I once had an MRI done in such a place but I can find the result to look on the envelope.

Also Mission Hospital on Phitsanulok Road in Bangkok.

On 8/28/2023 at 11:48 AM, TravelerEastWest said:

Should I pay cash or use my American visa card (THB to USD) at a large store or hospital?

 

I ask as I was told that there would be no extra charge but I always seem to get a 3% charge.

 

My rate for transferring money is probably just under 1%

A lot depends on the card you have.  My best has no foreign transaction fee (usually 3%) and I also get 2% back on every purchase.  Some Thai merchants (not all) also tack on a 3% fee for you to use a CC.  I tend to use it only for large purchases such as a quarterly hospital visit.  I never use it where it is taken out of me sight to be processed.  Did that once at a gas station here with a card that had not be used in many months.  Two months later I apparently had purchased several thousands of dollars' worth of high-end stereo equipment in Florida.  Issue resolved but a little time and effort was required.  I also build on my American Airlines mileage at 1 point per dollar.  Have an AA card that says I am a 2 million miler.  Other airline cards but not so much.  Have used miles for travel many times and saved a bunch!

Try Bangkok Nursing Home (BNH) on Convent Road.  See Dr Nopparat in Cardio Metabolic Center.  Ulcers sound more like diabetes, painful and long time to heal.  Maybe time for one of those annual specials that pretty much give you an overall health checkup.

19 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

You need to write a will and have an executor - you might need a Will for both here and there... talk to a lawyer. 

I have Thai and USA wills.  Both done by a lawyer and not expensive.  My lawyer keeps one original copy.  A second original should be located where your executor could gain access to it.  A copy should be located in your residence along with a letter explaining where the originals are kept.

12 hours ago, jayboy said:

I've had a similar experience  - I assume you are talking about the English language middle name reference.I'm not sure there's much practical impact (unless Kasikorn is being awkward). The key document is the Thai ID card.She could simply ask the Bank if they would like to amend their records - up to them to decide.

 

I don't think it matters what the passport says as long as the Thai version is correct.Foreign immigration don't care and Thai immigration probably don't either.But when the opportunity arises make sure the name is the same in Thai ID, passport, bank records etc.

 

 

Most important is that any documents used for identification in conjunction with international travel must be the same.  Had the same issue with my step-daughter, phonetic spelling is all too common here.  School/university documents when the time comes could also be important in future employment applications or other situations.  And even processing of such things as a Will.  A name in a Will should match the ID card name.  So many possibilities for future issues when names are not correct everywhere.

20 hours ago, Monir087 said:

Hi how are you all?

I will visit Bangkok within next 10 days. I am looking for a better dermatologist. Problem is with my 8 year daughter, she is having on and off fungal infection on head scalp, dandruff, hair fall and fungal infection in skin.  I am looking for hospital or clinic which has best female dermatologist and experienced. 

I need your kind recommendation for any doctor or hospital to check.

 

Besides, For Aesthetics, My wife is looking for her face skin aesthetic clinic for better skin.

 

I am waiting for your kind reply.

Not sure about the female but I have used a dermatologist at Bangkok Nursing Home (BNH) on Convent Road near the Satorn Road end.  Basically, and even though I must travel from Pattaya, I get all of my health care there, even a surgery and have always been pleased with the care and routine services.  You can check their website to see if one of their dermatologists is female.

On 7/25/2023 at 9:53 PM, advancebooking said:

What sort of specialist would test for 1 and 2. Is it Urology?  I could not tolerate n.o 3

Why could you not tolerate test 3?  Is it the thought of the catheter being inserted in your penis?  I agree, if you have never had it done while you are awake before, it seems to be something many men fear.  FEAR NOT!  It is not a big deal.  A few years back I had prostate issues but was unable to have surgery (a Terp procedure) at that particular time.  I was given a prescription for catheters and a nurse showed me how to insert them.  I used a catheter every night for several months before going to bed to completely empty the bladder.  There was no discomfort at all in doing this.  FEAR NOT!

Had my Turp done in the USA.  I know it's a long way to go but other treatment and surgery I have had done at BNH hospital in Bangkok went perfectly.  I get a quarterly checkup for other health issues and make the 2 hour drive to BNH instead of local treatment in Pattaya.  Great doctors and staff there.  Only a suggestion and I realize it is well beyond your local facilities.

BNH (Bangkok Nursing Home on Convent Road has an excellent clinic for this.  Just used earlier this month.

Have been in Thailand many years.  I have an account with Fidelity and trade via the net on a frequent basis.  They also facilitate money transfers to Thailand.  A quick phone call and my money usually arrives in 2 days with no fee by Fidelity.  There is also Vanguard with similar services.  If you are from the USA should be very easy to get set up with either service.  

11 hours ago, Sheryl said:

The best spinal specialist in Thailand is Prof. Wicharn Yingsakmongkol who can be seen privately at the BNH Spine Center.  https://www.bnhhospital.com/search-doctor/entry/4093/

 

He is also  at Chulalongkorn Hospital ( Bhor Por Ror Building, 5^th Floor, Mn-Fri  8:30 - 4 PM), but going through the public channel there may not have much direct contact with him as he is in a teaching/supervisory capacity. Given the seeming discrepancy between the MRI report and the severity of the clinical signs it may be worth paying for a private consultation initially.

 

Before going, make sure you have the MRI on DVD, not just the report as Prof. Wicharn will need to directly review it.

 

 

I have had surgery (not the spine) at BNH.  Artificial arteries were needed in the upper legs due to extensive blockage.  Absolutely top care.  I have seen Dr Wicharn for back issues but so far have not committed for the surgery.  However, I have been seen in several different clinics (Bone and Joint, and Cardiometabolic) and I have been so impressed with everything and every medical professional there that I drive from Jomtien for my appointments when for many of them I could see a local or Pattaya hospital.  Good luck!

I have been able to get various reports from my bank for my own accounts just by asking and completing a form and paying a small fee.  For one special report they went back 10 years.  It was not one of their standard reports and it took just over 1 month.  I believe the fee was 500 THB.  Never attempted to get a report for another person and I would assume a court order would be required.

Well, I am 83 and not quite ready to check out.  Recently I moved to a condo in Jomtien and after observing the locals, the first thing that came to mind was that all the senior citizens in the area appeared to be having their lives rejuvenated.  Many seniors walking, jogging, swimming, riding scooters (both electric and the old-style using foot and leg power).  Seems few here are wasting time in their rocking chairs.  I have been fully retired since my late 60's but various things keep me busy, sometimes too busy.  I do miss it but what will likely be my last SCUBA diving trip was in May last year.  From about mid-October until early March I am busy volunteering with the VFW doing administrative work for the annual charity golf tournament.  I design the posters and registration forms each year, many 1-meter by 3-meter banners that are put on the course advertising our many sponsors products or services.  I have written, sent and replied to 100's of emails to sponsors, teams and players each of the last 7 years.  Over the months leading to the tournament, I log in all the teams, players personal data, keep track of payments made and so much more.  I use a fairly complex Excel spreadsheet that I developed specifically for this starting 7 years ago.  Each year I have found and changed things in the spreadsheet to make my job easier.  It is now about as easy to use as intend to make it.  About 5 years ago I started to learn CAD (computer aided design).  For my purposes I only needed the 2D versions.  Mostly my designs were of accessories to be used with underwater camera systems.  I would make custom mounting trays for various cameras and lighting systems.  I would take my design on a memory stick to a local CNC shop where they would cut it from high grade stainless steel.  Very satisfying to see the final product.  I could go on, but I have the weeks laundry done and it is hung out to dry.  I have other things to do, places to go and people to see at the local coffee shop.  Enjoy your lives, I do!  

Not recent but my Thai wife was driving our daughter to school.  As she slowly went through an intersection that had STOP signs for vehicles to enter the intersection from either her left or right sides an older man with his wife on the back of a motorcycle passed other motorcycles that had stopped for the stop sign and ran straight into the side door of her truck.  There were several witnesses.  The man was knocked unconscious as his head hit the truck.  He had to be taken away by ambulance and spent many weeks in the hospital.  His wife had minor injuries.  He was quite old, no helmet, no license, no road tax and of course no insurance.  He had run through the stop sign without even slowing down.  Police and an insurance adjuster on scene both determined my wife was not at fault.  However, the police held my wife's driving license for many months as the injured family insisted on 300,000 baht compensation and would not mediate.  The wife was given a paper allowing her to continue driving.  The family constantly harassed us over their compensation demand.  The day before the man was to be released from the hospital the family called and insisted she appear at the hospital with 300,000 baht.  She did not go.  After many months the family came to mediate and my wife offered 25,000 baht or go to court where she was told she would surely win the case.  How much for the lawyers?  Luckily the family settled for the 25,000 baht.  Not right but that was how it went for her.   

Not cheap but myself and another friend have used them and they saved up lots.  Using again this year.  New address than shown below but right in the next building.

Client Manager

American International Tax Advisors

140 One Pacific Place, Unit 1804, 18th Floor

Sukhumvit Road, Klong toey Bangkok 10110

Phone: +66 81-890-6097

[email protected]

www.aitaxadvisers.com

BNH on Convent Road.  Dr Nopparat.  Chief Cardio Metabolic section.  4th floor.

A friend on mine from the USA died last month without a will.  His legally married wife in Thailand and USA is having a very difficult time getting any of the money in his accounts.  Government has asked for copies of his parents death certificates (a request previously unheard of).  Apparently according to legal advice his father if still alive, would be first in line to inherit.  Next would be any of his male children and finally the wife.  Not right but appears that's the way it is done here.

I have been using True TV, phone and internet for many years.  Basically very few interruptions of service and quick and efficient service when there is one.  I have not recently compared the program content between True and 3BB but the GIGA package sounds great.  Last time I did check, 3BB boxes do not support PVR recording but my True box does.  Very convenient for me but I do feel program content could be better.  Maybe I need to look and see if they have any better packages now. 

On 7/23/2022 at 11:52 PM, arithai12 said:

You state that you need one week... amazing, but perhaps you want to share what city and branch?

I have since years a BKB 800k fixed deposit for retirement extensions, it takes no longer than 5 minutes to get the letter duly stamped, Immigration always happy with it. Chiang Mai.

Agree on the letter but some IO's require a 12 month statement that does take about one week to receive from their head office.

At one time 'The Mall' in Korat had several western named shoe stores and I was able to find 46/47 sizes.  On line is the BA Mason shoe company, every size you could want and many styles.  But, you have to access their catalog with a VPN and need a US credit card for purchases. 

When compared to the adherence to the traffic laws and regulations - who is listening/enforcing? 

9 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Without being prepared to obtain a non O you would next opt for a tourist visa. 

It depends on how long you wish to visit Thailand.

 

A tourist visa provides 60 day stay and can be extended by 30 days.

In addition you can obtain 60 day extension to visit wife 

So that's 5 months approx.

 

For a non O you only require 400k in a Thai bank account in your name only on day of application.

That provides a 90 day stay.

 

As for driving license you can obtain one on a tourist visa but difficult in Bangkok as a residence certificate is required and you need to have made a 90 day report. 

 

As for residency rights ..Dream on.

We (in the main) are living in Thailand on temporary permission of stay.

That includes married guys. 

 

The multi entry reference is bit irrelevant since if that is required you purchase a reentry permit. 

 

I like the expat discount price bit. Visit a national park and see how that works for entry fee. 

 

You could look into multi entry Non O marriage.

 

All depends on how long you wish to visit Thailand.

 

 

Koh Chang Marine Park fees.  Foreigner 400 thb, Thai 240 thb.  Some discount!  More of same almost everywhere.