The Fugitive

Thanks! Agree, what is 10,000 baht when purchasing something that you'll probably use most days and want it to work and last well?

Thanks for your information.

As they always have; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghassan_Kanafani

Absolutely! Even riding pillion on a moto taxi is safer. Alternatively, there are car taxi's. In our town the 9 baht bus to the next larger town (with both a bus/coach and railway station) was unfortunately discontinued during Covid times and, as yet, hasn't been reinstated. However, we take a 'Skylab' for 200 baht (each way).

Agree! On the subject of guns, in this case, only one is needed together with a marksman.

Absolutely agree! What would a Hamas soldier have to look forward to? Life imprisonment in an Israeli jail. Netanyahu will not stop until; 1) Hamas surrenders 2) Hostages are released 3) Palestinians hand over the Hamas leaders who orchestrated the 7th October strike. Israel doesn't do deals with what they term 'terrorists'. The Israeli hostages will die either way.

Whatever temperature (or mode) I set the Mrs changes. I go for 27 dry continuous operation. Just checked the remote in the bedroom, it's on 25 cool so changed it back again.

My father-in-law had two basic 100cc Honda Waves. He needed both because one was always under repair after he crashed them when riding under the influence. When he died, I inherited the running one. It was totally reliable. One day it disappeared. Mrs said she'd given it to a couple who had nothing. Mrs spotted a Honda Click with 63,000 km on the clock for sale at 15,000 baht. We've spent as much again on repairs. Could never be sure it was going to start so she bought another moto as back-up. I suppose the moral of the story is 'hang onto your Waves'.

I'm in the same boat. Last week I found a policy that was for both travellers and ex-pats. Age up to 100. However, the maximum pay-out was only 100,000 Euros. It is available to those already abroad which isn't normally possible. The problem is that as it is essentially travel insurance, coverage ends when you are fit enough to travel. Therefore, you couldn't remain in Thailand and would have to return to your home country to continue treatment under whatever scheme operates there. Previously existing conditions (whether diagnosed or not) wouldn't be covered. The policy is issued out of Slovenia so for any disputes you would be dealing with their ombudsman. I haven't taken it out.

Thanks for that! I guess nobody appreciates the pain and possibly permanent injuries that can be caused if you come off your moto until it happens to you.

Stayed at the Royal Phala Cliff Beach Resort and Spa at Ban Chang in December 2023. Decent hotel with large swimming pool. Good restaurant with food being available all day. One block was under refurbishment. Situated upon the beach but not recommended due to plastic, waste and broken bottles. A few small bars/cafes within easy walking distance.

Combined with alcohol/substances in your bloodstream?

Agree Sheryl. Many thanks for your attention, time and advice.

E mail reply received 15/02/2024; 'If the treatment was for arterial hypertension, the diagnosis of arterial hypertension only would not be covered'.

That is pretty wide! Could refuse your claim even if you were totally unaware (no symptoms) at the time of taking out cover!

Thanks for your information. I supplied the info that they (SBC) request upon their website to give a quote and added detailed explanations of my two 'pre-existing' conditions. I was surprised that the broker came back with a positive response, no mention of my pre-existing conditions and also quoted the exact premium payable.

It's all been said really. 1) Did the 'Top' shop produce a correct prescription? 2) Did they make your new glasses correctly to this prescription? I was experiencing headaches at one time. I went to a new (different) optician. He asked me; 'whose glasses are these?'. He advised me that a) They were too strong for my needs and 2) A prism had been incorporated which I did not need. Mistakes can be made.

Very well spotted and thanks for pointing this out Sheryl! I have sent an email asking whether my previously raised BP has been regarded as falling under Article 6 or 8? You may be interested to know that my BP was around 165mm/110mm at age 29 in 1986. My GP prescribed Frusimide for three months only on a gradually reducing dose. Since then my BP has remained normal without any treatment/medication. However, Doctors to whom I've told this tale insist that's nonsense.

Thanks again! Thinking of the ten day in-patient hospital limit already mentioned above. This policy does seem strictly time limited. For those of us with somewhere to stay and free National Health Service treatment in our home countries this is less of an issue. Unfortunately, for those of us for whom this does not apply, this policy is less than ideal!

Thanks for the clarification. It's important therefore to consider this insurance to be annual travel insurance but with the trip duration limit (sometimes 31 days) removed plus the ability to commence cover whilst outside your home country. It is disturbing that the 100,000 Euro limit would be inadequate in a worst case scenario.

Many thanks for casting a detailed eye on the conditions for me. The premium was only one third of that of other insurance companies which made me think! I gave detailed explanations of my two 'pre-existing' conditions. No mention of them in their email. It just simply said 'we can provide cover for you'.

Wow! Thanks for the tip! My Mrs uses SCB because it's the only bank in our town. Our branch has the three usual machines outside (ATM, CDM and PassBook update). Just waiting for them to add a VTM and maybe that'll be curtains for the branch. Although from what you've said they took the ATM away when they closed your favourite branch!

The General Terms and Conditions are just that of course. Not tuned to my individual quotation. Attached to their email stating; 'yes we can offer cover' were these two .pdf files. (EN)Zurich-Coris_61+.pdf Zurich Travel 01-TI-11_2023.pdf

Anyone with experience of SBC insurance office on Koh Samui? Just got a quote for ‘More Than’ Health Travel Insurance by Coris (Zurich). Appears to be a combination of travel, health and personal accident cover suitable for; families abroad, pensioners abroad and travellers. Even includes motorcycle accidents providing you hold the appropriate licence of course. Cover of up to 365 days can be taken out whilst already living/travelling abroad. Age up to 100 years. Maximum cover amount is only 100,000 euros however. They are able to provide cover, in my case, for the 9 months each year I spend in Thailand. What rang alarm bells was that I disclosed being previously diagnosed with raised blood pressure and also suffering an unexplained collapse due to low blood glucose. I would have expected premium loading and/or exclusions to be specified but there was neither. Too good to be true?

Israel knows who the Hamas commanders are who orchestrated the 07th October 2023 operation. The key is Rafah crossing. They've tried to insist upon taking control but Egypt refuses. Personally, I hope Mohammed Deif and his deputy Marwan Issa have long gone and can fight another day.