gguy

The glucosamine/chondroitin supplements are not really effective and studies have shown it is merely a placebo effect. Google it. For me they did not work even over an extended period of consumption and honestly the products do not come cheap. Five months ago I did the hyaluronic acid injections for OA in my knees and had reasonable results. I definitely can walk 18 holes of golf completely pain free which I could not before. Studies have shown that it works reasonably well for those without advanced degradation of the knee or what would be considered a younger cross section of people with OA. I am 51 and it helped but there is precaution to be taken which I was not made aware of nor did I run across in my online research prior to starting the treatment. The skill and care with which the injections are given is quite important as I later found out. Fortunately I did not have any lasting adverse effects but if the hyaluronic acid is injected anywhere outside of the knee pocket, it can cause severe and permanent damage to the ligaments or tendons. For me what happened was a tightening around the outside of the knee extending to the top (injection site is on the outside). It was not possible for me to fold my leg all the way due to this tightening. With time this subsided but I would recommend caution in doctor selection and to look for any such symptoms during the treatments and stop them if this happens. I stopped after 4 weekly treatments skipping the 5th. Evidently, the treatment range is actually 3-5 weeks anyway. You may be safer off and have the same results with 3 weeks of treatment as well as saving a bit of money. Shots are 2000 THB each so I spent 16000 THB for the four weekly rounds. Good luck.

Asked several of my docs and none would recommend.

Best choice would be cheap policy with very high deductible.

Most insurances cut the prices changed by providers by 50% or more. Insurance company would just review and adjust the claim. Most claims would be under deductible.

You still pay the bill but the price should be reduced dramatically.

BUPA has an office in Pattaya.

Also has website with info.

Do any reputable insurance companies offer high deductible health insurance, 1,000,000 Baht?

The main reason for the policy is to have the insurance company handle the claim and reduce the amounts to the contracted amounts negotiated between the hospital and the insurer.

I would pay the medical bills but hopefully the bills would be reasonable. In the US, most insurers discount bills by 50% or more.

What is the typical discount seen on bills for the currently insured for Thai claims?

You won't be able to convert to an O-A visa in Thailand.

O-A visas are only available in your home country or in your case the U.S.

Now you probably CAN get a non immigrant O visa (not an O-A but an O).

You can then extend that O in Thailand for a year at a time if you meet the financial requirements.

You will have to do 90 day reporting with that extension, but that's usually not a big problem.

OR you can wait for month or so until you get proof of your annuity, and then go for the O-A.

If you do decide to wait for the O-A you will also need to have a doctors check and a local Police Records Check for the O-A in addition to the other financial and such documents you will also need for the O in Thailand.

At any rate you shoudn't have to worry about a return tticket, because almost always that problem is only for those who travel without a visa.... if you can show a valid visa to Thailand the airlines won't bother you.

Also, just by the way, the requirement to travel without a visa is never a retuen ticket as a requirement, it is only a ticket out of Thailand (to anywhere) after that 30 day stamp you get on arrival without a visa.

Any kind of visa, even a 60 day single entry tourist visa will make the airlines happy to let you board.

The advantage of an O.A. visa versus an O visa is that you get one year from an O.-A on arrival in Thailand immeadiately.

O-A visas are not normally issued for a 90 day period, because you get that one year stay on arrival in Thailand.

However, they cost more to get in the U.S.

Anyway, how "well past 50 are you?" Do you qualify for Social Security?

If so, you should file for that FIRST.

Although they will tell you you'll have no problem fileing here in Thailand through the embessy and /oe through the Phillipines fiekd office, you're very likely to experience delays when you do.

So, if you do qualify, file for Social Security benefis BEFORE you leave the U.S. or expect delays,

Been there, got the (dirty and sweat stained) T-shirt.

I have found getting a non-imm O in America and converting to retirement visa is the best way to go. Getting an O-A from the Thai embassy is a very big hassle.

Will be arriving at 9:30PM at international airport and need taxi to Pattaya.

What is the best taxi service? Please include telephone and reservations email if known.

I have used Mr. T taxi in the past but it was five years ago.

Thanks.

Plan to be visiting soon.

Does Pattaya have generic Lipitor?

Currently paying about 1300 baht for 100 of the 80mg tablets. Price of non-generic is about 12 times higher about 15,000 baht.

I will decide when I turn 60 (in 4 years).

At the moment, I plan to keep an appartment in Belgium and "overwinter" in Pattaya November thru April. Don't fancy the very hot and wet season in Thailand and May thru October is the best season in Europe.

All depends on financial and health situation.

There is a retirement home at the Dark Side, run by a Belgian or Dutch guy. Perhaps that's an alternative in 20 years.

Anyway, when I get a serious health problem, I want to return to Belgium so they can take care of me here.

Medical costs are the biggest factor. Unfortunately, you can not plan a heart attack or kidney stones. Costs in the private Thai Hospitals keeps going up and up.

I was wondering if member board members plan to return to their native country before they die.

If I started to have serious and/or expensive health problems, I would be forced to return for financial reasons. Also I wonder what it would be like to live in Pattaya in your 80's or 90's.

I would be interested in other people's plans.

Ate at Sizzler at Royal Garden and noticed that prices are up and the quality and variety at salad bar are down.

Mostly farangs eating.

Do you tip the pizza delivery guy if the restaurant adds a delivery fee to the purchase price???????

Topp's is out of Coke Zero.

Any other places????????

I wonder if ++ pricing.

Pizza Company is CRAP, tried one time and never again.... baking a pizza with mayo on top... <deleted>.

Just order one that does not have mayo. There are plenty on the menu.

Pizza sauce is crap.

With the end of the world in 2012 according to the Mayans, any new year's resolutions?

Friend ate at Pizza Company at Royal Shopping and was very disappointed. Food was cold and overpriced. ordered the bread sticks and they were black from over cooking. asked for new order and they were out.

i saw item on menu. will try next time. do they charge for more sauce???????

also no ++ pricing that a rest. in Jomtein

I've noticed the menu in this place a few times when walking past but have never actually got round to going in as it has always been the wrong time of day. Some of the menu specials seemed less meaty than others, and I prefer having less meat. Prices are similar to 18 Coins and Le Katai before the letter increased them so much recently, not that I have been to either more than a couple of times.

What were the chips like? Decent chips would certainly tempt me in.

Le Katai--prices up and quality down. Heard a new owner.

one guy at a bar was talking about a drugging in Pattaya. it happened to him or a friend. hard to tell with the loud music.

sophon just keeps getting better and better

Any good pizza places near elevated railroad?

Ate at Pizza Company--Very Bad Food.

Still prefer Pizza Company, best value for money in my opinion and consistent good quality - unlike some of the pretenders.

When I go to the Pizza Company you always get a new menu with the new HIGHER prices.

The prices are comparable to Pizza Hut maybe 10 to 20% lower.

They put a lot of cheese on the pizzas. Pizza ingrediants are expensive.

I used to like Pattaya Pizza delivery but the quality has gone done the last 6 months.

The takeout customers seem to be previous customers. Most ordered without looking at the menu.

Had the thin crust double pep. at NY Pizza House.

Excellent.

Dined In.

Good sauce, lots of pep. on top, cheesy, and crust was not ultra thin but crispy.

Does alot of take out and delivery business.

I was the only one eating in.

You should have refused to sign and asked to see the manager, but to be honest unless it was a massive bill the loss would be small compared with the hassle.

The practice of always selecting the home currency conversion rather than asking the customer which currency he wants to be charged in seems widespread, it's certainly not limited to one or two groups or outlets.

I suspect it's because many staff are not fully trained in what to do with foreign cards and just select the default (which appears to be home currency), at least an increasing number of places are asking for the PIN on a chip and pin transaction rather than just hitting 'pin bypass'.

Do note that the outlet gets the same amount of Baht whatever you select, it's VISA or Mastercard who make the $$ on their poor exchange rate.

I did talk to the manager. He refused to reverse and redo the transaction.