music065

I’m looking for the answer to this question: let’s say you have no pre-existing conditions when you first take out a health insurance policy. Then a few years later you get cancer. Will most non-Thai insurance companies then classify the cancer as a pre-existing condition when it is time to renew the policy?

11 minutes ago, isaanbanhou said:

 

What would it cost in the west?  Thailand is a bargain compared to America

 

 Having a stent put in a coronary artery without surgery averages $28,000 US in America.  No surgery and  released from the hospital next day. 

 

Heart bypass surgery typically costs about $70,000-$200,000 US or more, and heart valve replacement surgery typically costs $80,000-$200,000 US or more.

 health.costhelper.com/stents.html

 

I had a stent put in this past May after having a heart attack.

 

Of course in my home and native land, we have universal health care so I paid nothing. 

Yes it’s definitely inexpensive compared to the West. I was simply commenting on some I’ve come across some here who seem to think anything medical can be done here for under a few thousand dollars. 

4 hours ago, HullyGully said:

Sorry, should have read 1 million Baht

 

Since this post my father in law need a 5 x  heart by-pass and 2 valves replaced

Cost at Sirphat was USD 29,000 total

I’m sorry to hear that, I hope he’s better. Whoever thinks medical expenses are cheap in Thailand needs to see these figures. 

On 4/6/2016 at 7:30 AM, HullyGully said:

May wife and DO NOT have insurance

Its all about risk and can you afford to pay

Insurance Companies want you when you are young, as you get older, the premium are expensive and when you are OLD, they do not want you

Based on say a yearly premium of GBP 4000/5000, we decided to self insure, we have lived in Thailand 13 years, had some general hospital costs, however we are well in front

I estimated a major op would be around 1M USD

FYI - we are 66 and 48yrs

1M USD is a new high for an operation here!

People 65+ that have broken their hip are twice as likely to die in the following year compared to similarly aged people without a broken hip.

Tom was 66 with a broken hip. One could argue that the broken hip was the root cause of his death. 

“On the same day as his death, Petty had been informed that his hip fracture had progressed to a full break.” 

-Rolling Stone

So many musicians continue to die way before their time due to OD: Tom Petty, Prince, Michael Jackson. Goes to show that the wealthy are not immune from some things. 

Do you think that living in Chiang Mai in your retirement will shorten your lifespan (due to smoke, pollution, etc)?

Good point, I will think on this.

On 3/2/2017 at 5:30 AM, Khon Kaen Dave said:

cheapskatesam

You aint in kansas any more Dorothy. You really cannot be serious.This beautiful, wonderful,Thai creature, who lets you sleep with her, goes through all the motions of enjoying sex with you? Why on earth should she have to pay even harsip for you having he pleasure of her company.Listen mate,girls over here pay SFA.get used to it.And the kicker is, that youve only been with her a month??? did you expect her to start shelling out dosh in the case of a 30 day relationship.Relationships with Thai ladies take time to bear fruit. My Mrs and i worked  together for 7  years, in the bar trade. We were partners in every thing. But i still paid for our nights out and meals,and the odd dress or shoes. That what men do, its what is expected of us. married now for 5 years,she helps out with stuff. She will buy shopping,and cleaning stuff, and she will occasionally treat me to a meal, or a night out in KK, or when we go on holiday.

And you want all this after a month?

Sorry my misguided friend, you've a lot to learn.

 

So you married a bar girl?

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

No sure what or where your read that but it absolutely incorrect.

There has never been a limit on staying in the country on tourist visas. Perhaps you were reading about the 90 days in 6 months rule for visa exempt entries that was rescinded in 2008.

ok thank you

3 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

 

If you don't have the "money in the bank" to pad the income, you could live here some/most of the time on Tourist Visas.  Each is good for 60-days, and can be extended for 30-days.  Do NOT confuse with "visa exempt entries," which follow different rules. 

 

Many people live here nearly all the time using this method.  Each "visa run" to a Thai Consulate in a nearby country requires at least one overnight stay - apply on the first day, receive on the 2nd.  Currently, only airports and the Poipet border crossing will give you any trouble when entering, provided you always have 20K Baht in cash or travelers checks on your person (most times, they don't ask).

 

BUT - be aware that it is always possible the rules will change, and some sort of limit/year could be imposed at all points of entry.  IOs at airports have told people there is a "180 days/year" rule - which does not exist - but is certainly a rule some in "the system" would like to impose - no matter the harm to countless Thais who rely on income from the many people who stay here longer than that/yr on Tourist Visa entries.  You mentioned 90-days out - not sure how that might play into future rules - we can only speculate.

 

Another option would be to "go frugal" in Cambodia for awhile, until you can save some money from your existing income, then use the combo-method to qualify, as UJ suggested, above.  Rent in Phnom Penh can be under 2000 baht, if you can live without air-con.  Meals can be well under $1/each - fresh fish and veggies from the market, cooked at home.  A 1-year visa there is ~$360 (USD) / year - no financials needed.  Vietnamese visas can be even cheaper, depending on your nation of origin, but I don't know the living-options.

This is great info for me, this outlines the exact strategies I've been thinkng of. 

Just now, JackThompson said:

Yes - oft repeated, and based on a defunct police-order which only ever referred to Visa Exempt entries - never applied to those entering on Tourist Visas. 

ok great!

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

There is no 90 day limit on staying in the country. You can use a tourist visa to get a 60 day entry, extend it for 30 days then go out for a another visa and come right back.

Huh. That's good. I read a website that said after staying in Thailand 90 days, you have to remain out of the country for 90 days before coming back in. So i guess that's wrong?

Would this work: use a tourist visa or multiple non-immigrant visa & extend to stay the maximum 90 days. Then from what I read, I'd have to leave Thailan for 90 days, so say I go to Cambodia for 90 days. Then I return to Thailand.  Rinse - repeat - keep doing this indefinitely.  Possible?

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Well for retirement extensions there is an easy way.

Say your income is 600K.

Put 200K in a Thai bank account and you still qualify for retirement extensions.

Another option is one of the "Elite" options where you are basically buying an amount of time to stay. But that money is spent and you're not sound very elite. (No offense.)

How dare you, guvna

Thank you!

Let's say my income drops below the minimum required to renew my retirement visa. Are there any other options I could use to stay long term in Thailand? (ie making continual visa runs etc, though I'm not sure if i would be allowed to renew indefinitely?).

Basically I'm looking for a way to remain in Thailand long term with something other the retirement visa.  I was even thinking of perhaps going to Cambodia when my visa expires, stay there for 6 months or so, then return? Not sure if this would help.

I'm open to any suggestions that might work, including bouncing around other SEA countries if that might help. Any ideas?

This website claims the life expectancy for westerners in Cambodia is age 57. Still much better than homeless people in the West which live to age 47 on average! And I do know some expats that had that as their other retirement option. www.khmer440.com

Thank you!

Hi, a couple of questions regarding the minimum monthly income for the retirement visa:

1.  I will be receiving a pension as well as social security. Can I combine the 2 to meet the minimum or must it be pension only >65k baht?

2. Do they look at the pretax income or post tax income? i.e. if my pretax (gross) income is 100k baht per month and post tax is 70k  baht, which figure do they use to compare it against the minimum requirement?

thank you!

It's kind of weird how they always show the photos of these victims. Pixelated of course. But still, really, no need to see it. Would you want pics of your son's  dead body all over the internet?  Extend the poor guy, his family and friends a modicum of privacy and respect at this difficult time. 

Ah, that makes sense. Yeah actually I wouldn't mind deleting this thread. My bad, please disregard. 

All my friends are Thai, I fit in so well with them because I have a deep understanding of their culture. As a matter of fact I am an honorary Thai and we hate farangs. 

Am I the only one who finds it kind of hilarious when seeing women's names like "Porni," "Pornmarij" etc? lol