Saltire

Thanks to those who have answered my main query constructively.

I had not heard of this scheme and it will potentially save me and my wife a considerable sum, now having cover for a very elderly man.

Not only that but she only found out about it from the hospital admin staff as she was paying the bill. She is now spreading the word around our village via the village chief. At least here, it seems it is not widely known.

We live in a village of about 1500 people, at least 70% are non Thai so hopefully a few more will benefit.

Thanks

25 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

For retirees (by definition older people) it would certainly need to be over 20k. Unlike private insurance it would include people with serious pre-existing conditions and it does so with no limit to in or outpatient care. Quite a few people woild excees 20k worth of outpatient medication alone.

 

There are of course a variety of ways it could be set up that might help control costs. But however done it would require significant work by MoPH health economists and planners and they seem to have thus far been unwilling to undertake it.

I agree, thanks for your, as always, measured input.

14 hours ago, faraday said:

What's the name of this insurance company, do you have any other details?

As mentioned, it is a government scheme administered by each hospital.

14 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

That sounds very expensive but perhaps this is total cost over the last 5 years?  Surgery is normally not that expensive here.  

It does yes and I wasn't around then so can't be sure. It did involve a 6 week stay in hospital though so I guess it all ads up

Someone mentioned keto, I have been on keto for 2 years now. It's not a diet, but I have lost 22 KG and been at my target weight for a year. Now it's just my lifestyle and am never hungry. Google it for info or look at diabetes.co.uk and dietdoctor.com both of which have suggested meal plans. Also look into intermittent fasting, many researchers now advocate this as a healthy option and aids weight loss.

Low Carb High Fat (keto) works for me. And it's a good conversation starter when eating with Thai and you tell them you never eat rice.

As a diabetic type 2 I went through a phase of checking which foods elevated my glucose level the most. Nothing has ever been so high as when I had a Pad Thai.

Good luck

Government hospitals - cover for non-Thai.

My father-in-law is from Myanmar and has lived in Thailand for 50+ years.

About 5 years ago he had treatment in a large provincial hospital for cancer of the oesophagus which cost my wife around 300k Baht whereas for Thai it would have been 30 Baht. This was about 5 years ago.

Since then he has regular checkups at the local regional hospital which have been completely free up till now. He also had a large boil on his foot cut off - no charge.

This week he was admitted for 2 nights to receive several saline drips and a blood transfusion as he was generally in poor health and very dehydrated. We received an unexpected bill for around 4,600 Baht. On asking why start charging now no one could explain this, so we just paid it.

However they did offer an annual insurance (direct with the hospital, not with a commercial insurance company) costing 2,700 Baht per annum which we were told would cover every admission and treatment (only in the one regional hospital)  for the next 12 months and each treatment would be part of the 30 Baht scheme.

Has anyone come across this ‘insurance’ for non-Thai? Is it a new initiative?

Also, if they can offer this to the million or so migrant workers from Laos, Myanmar etc why not foreigners? The area I live has a large migrant population and everyone my wife spoke to in her hospital stay to take care of her father, had the same story, a big bill and in some cases no idea how they were going to pay.

My brother in law hires out himself and his sound equipment for the local weddings, funerals etc. He has 2 setups one he calls small, and one he calls big. The big one takes 4 wiry Thai's to lift one cabinet on and off the pickup. It costs double the hire rate for events and most take this option.

He is forever having the big ones repaired and I keep telling him to turn down the bass. He agrees but claims its the customers who insist on volume to 'impress' the neighbours. One even threatened to not pay him if he didnt't turn it up full bung!

To be honest when he does a local  school outside gig using the small one I can hear it 1Km away. When he uses the big one it sounds like it's in my kitchen.

1 hour ago, Grusa said:

An aged friend decided to make a new will. Thai lawyer with farang "paralegal" associate. He was given  two copies, one in Thai and an English translation. The English version was in accordance with his stated wishes, and he was happy with it.

Nasty suspicious person that I am, I advised him to get an independent translation of the Thai version (the only one that is legally valid).

He did so. In the Thai version the lawyer had written himself in for 30% of the estate, plus the residue after fixed legacies paid. He stood to get about 400,000,000baht!

Never ever trust a lawyer, of any nationality.

Mmm now where can I get my Thai copy proof read? I am generaly both a cautious and trusting person but I believe this happens.

I made a dual-language will with a company in Pattaya which covers ONLY my assets in Thailand (bank accounts) at a cost of 5000 Baht. They have a Thai lawyer and an Australian partner. The Australian is joint executor with my brother back in the UK, nothing can be done without joint agreement. Cost of probate at the court will of course incur a legal fee, in the region of 20 to 30k, which I find acceptable. Access to my Thai bank account should be complete in a week or two. I make sure her account has enough to tide her over when the worst happens.

My UK assets are covered by a completely separate will there, with my brother as executor with instructions to sell property etc. and arrange transfer to my wife when sold.

I read here a few months ago that all banks now need a passport to withdraw in branch. My bank started asking me for my passport about 5 months ago, even though they know me well. Photocopied and signed visa page and picture page and then added to my ever-growing file somewhere in a Krung Thai warehouse. They had a sign up (in Thai) as I recall.

I prefer to go in the branch rather than use the ATM, and get the book marked up each time. Some banks only give you a summary transaction if you leave it a long time without updating.

I am sure I would do as you did and return the cash.

36 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

I am living in Chiang Mai, and I did not fancy 2 trips to Bangkok, so

I sent my old passport to my daughter in UK,with filled in form,she

paid money at P.O. and sent it off, a new one,together with old one 

was returned to her,she sent them off to me,by courier,about 3 weeks all

together,the only small problem i encountered was I did not have the

letter for Thai immigration, to ask them to transfer stamps,but e mailed

UK embassy BKK, and they sent me one in couple of days.

regards worgeordie

 

Thanks, that's an option I'd not considered though posting my passport would make me anxious!

Are you saying immigration will not transfer extension stamps without the letter?

If not I will do as you did, but I assume an alternative is just to carry the old one.

On 12/12/2019 at 10:19 AM, worgeordie said:

I have been doing it successfully online,then I had to renew my passport,

and now I cannot do it online, understand I have to leave Thailand and re enter,

for me to be able to do it online again,so until I leave and re enter,I just do it

by post,returned in 3-5 days,so not a great hardship.

regards worgeordie

 

I heard about this recently as I was planning 2 trips to Bangkok VFS to renew my UK passport. I have a long, 320k return trip to my IO so I decided it was a good time for a quick trip home. The cost of a trip home vs 4 nights and travel to Bangkok was not much different by the time I factored in hotel and eating out costs. Haven't been home in a few years so will get a passport at my local office and a new TM6/30 on the way back. hopfully the 90 day online will continue to work.

Just done my latest 90-day this morning online, again no worries using Macbook/Safari. Now showing PENDING, so, as before I give them a week to APPROVE and if they don't I will give them a quick call, and as several times before they take my passport details etc over the phone, and do it while I am talking to them. Greeted by a friendly 'that's you approved'. I always do this 2 weeks before it's due incase I one day have to go in person.

Only issue now for me is I have to go in person end January (320 Km round trip) to show I still have 800k in the bank since my November extension renewal. Can't win sometimes ????

On 12/10/2019 at 6:45 PM, Huckenfell said:

Get away from that display cabinet and look in the upright freezer  where they have the Bacon packs, look for KING BRAND in clear packet.

Cheers,

I will have a look next visit.

6 minutes ago, barryw52 said:

I know this ben said before. The 90day Online reporting only works with Internet Explorer which is still available even with Windows 10 in the Windows Accesories area. I believe I.E. it can be downloaded for Apple Mac but not being an Apple user I never tested this. I have been using ever since system went live for Bangkok (CW) and only had issues when the sysyem went down for seveal months a few years ago. 

I have done 7 consecutive online 90-day reports on my Apple MacBook using both Safari and Firefox. No problems.

I order ground beef (and lamb) from paleorobbie.com. It cooks up nicely, not so much water, though i've never measured it. Gave up on Makro beef yonks ago.

Apologies if this has been mentioned but I have only read page 1 and 20 ???? life is too short ????

I wonder why the authorities don't lighten up on allowing volunteers in government schools legally.

If they allowed each school to apply for one or two volunteer (NES Only) visas with minimal cost and paperwork, I am sure there would be many who would teach, or at least supplement the English teachers, a couple of days a week, focussing on listening and speaking. No contracts, no salary, no work permits, zero cost.

Couldnt find the ones you mentioned in my local Makro but I did find the Bucher Brand which are also good and meaty. They had 3 - Bratwurst, Herb and Chilli (but sadlly the Chilli was sold out). Had not seen them before either.

In the photo they are in the black packaging one row down from the top. Sorry destroyed packaging but they have a FB page https://www.facebook.com/BucherThailand