The Fugitive

Good point. Wouldn't the murderer have to keep watch in case the next expected train was delayed or cancelled? Suppose it depends upon the chosen location and frequency. Makes me think of the 'troubles' when there were suggestions that people were murdered and the blame placed on an IRA bomb. However, the IRA had codewords, allegedly gave advance warning and/or claimed responsibility afterwards.

That's interesting, didn't know that. A Portuguese cafe proprietor told me that their cafes use Italian coffee machines that apparently make all the difference.

Must depend upon where you are? There are a few in my small town. We are always the only people there. They keep going so must get other customers. We have friends who are motor dealers and are also coffee distributors with a wrapping and postage franking machine. They have a coffee shop onsite. Pre-Covid they had a range of cakes in their fridge but not any longer. We go in whenever were are passing and, again, we are always the only customers. I've never tasted coffee in Thailand that compares with Portuguese cafes.

Originally I thought it was OK. Small town with everything I need within 1 km. Reliable water and electricity supply and fast fibre internet. Unfortunately, as you say, no bars, cafes or restaurants as we know them. Nearest live entertainment is in nearby larger town (11 km so not too far). North East railway line passes through there too. I'm in two minds whether to stick it out or go for a change.

Very true! Lager isn't the best and is relatively expensive in Thailand. Coffee is poor and decent bread non-existent.

Texas?

My next door neighbours when I was in UK had two sons who formed a duo playing in pubs and clubs. After one gig a guy approached them. He was a talent scout for cruise line entertainment. He said he was looking for an Everly Brothers tribute band. He thought the two brothers would be most suitable and asked them if they would be interested? However, one brother was at university at the time and the other said he preferred to do his own thing, songwriting and recording. So they said; "Thanks but no thanks". Wow! If that'd been me!

Spacious luxury apartment in Lisbon. Preferably overlooking the 'Golden Gate Bridge'. Not have any gardening or maintenance to worry about. A lady to do my laundry, dusting and vacuuming. Home hairdressing and manicures/pedicures. Send her out for any shopping or extra items I may need not covered by supermarket deliveries. I prefer having seasons but don't want to suffer discomfort because of them. Therefore, forced air ventilation, central heating and/or air conditioning running at optimum settings 24/7. Any paperwork that I cannot easily do myself on-line to be collected from my door and returned completed by same method.

My daughter-in-law is a tatooist, however not in Pattaya. I've told her I like her drawings but why doesn't she do them upon paper instead of indelibly upon people's skin. She says; 'Can't make any money doing them that way'.

That's a good question. Can the hospital have it both ways i.e. keep him prisoner AND bill him for the time he's captive? In any event, he will be deteriorating same as everyone who remains immobile for any length of time.

You've hit the nail on the head here! Certainly for RTA's and also for such as falling off balconies when heavily intoxicated. As far as I can see, the only solution would be free universal A/E plus all necessary follow-up treatment. Cannot see that happening and many would argue why should it?

Thanks for this. I agree, there is great value and satisfaction in cleaning and making things work/run again.

True statement. I’m a Brit. Beliefs are just that, not based on experience or rational thinking. Expressions such as; ‘They’d never do that, it wouldn’t be allowed’. These people obviously haven’t been on the receiving end of the UK NHS when there’s a bed crisis or witnessed patient’s notes go missing following inappropriate care and communication failure. Such people will never accept that treatment of a casualty would ever be delayed or discontinued due to lack of funds.

Good advice thanks. I was using my Chase UK debit card because of the 1% cash back on spending. Until I had that I was using my Santander, Halifax and Zopa credit cards and still do occasionally just to keep them alive.

I'm intrigued as to what actually triggers the banks to close our accounts? Last year I opened a couple of accounts with the new neo banks whilst I was in UK. Chase say; 'If you're moving abroad, it sadly means that we won’t be able to keep you as a customer. Our bank only operates in the UK'. They can tell that everytime I access their APP I'm doing so from Thailand. Plus, their debit card is being used physically and on-line solely in Thailand. The address upon my account is my house in UK. I gave them my UK virtual mobile telephone number. It will be interesting to see if anything happens and, if so, how long it takes.

True. There is likely to be some history and, of course, things do change. Back in the days of chequebooks, paying-in books and cheque guarantee cards (remember them?), our banks admitted that current account customers cost them money. They were ever hopeful of us investing with them and taking out their insurance products. Today, we have neo banks with no branches and all they physically provide is a debit card. At least for those inconvenienced by account closurers and with no other options there is always Wise (see above warning from Liverpool Lou). With the increasing numbers of digital nomads there needs to be improved ways of operating our home country bank accounts internationally.

It's people's fixed beliefs (especially the Brits) that need to change. Most would never accept that a hospital could 'keep you prisoner' or, that in the 21st century, any hospital would do (or not do) anthing that would not be in the best interests of the patient.

Also to be considered is that Thai citizens don't receive free/30 baht medical treatment if their injuries were caused by a road traffic accident. They are supposed to have motor insurance to pay for that. Thai National Health Service couldn't provide free treatment to foreigners injured in RTA's and not their own citizens!

Those three subjects certainly invite discussion! Having said that some of us want to see simple solutions which would operate to the benefit of all. The right to live and work anywhere (like a Worldwide European Union) would solve two out of three. UK style National Health Service would solve the third.

The irony of the USA visa refusal was that my Mrs was going to work in her Auntie's Thai restaurant in Amarillo. Long established family business. Aunt splits her time between USA and Thailand. My Mrs only went working illegally in South Korea because USA turned her down for legal work. I agree that people should be responsible for their own actions. However, once the damage has been done the humane thing to do would be to fix the patient and not delay or discontinue treatment until payment can be made.

My Thai Mrs was refused a visa for USA. Her sister was refused for Australia. My Mrs went working in South Korea. However, she was arrested and flown back to Thailand handcuffed to a female immigration officer. Sister now works in Mumbai, so far without incident.

Completely agree! UK citizens already pay more than enough. They shouldn't be expected to bail out uninsured and/or reckless tourists abroad. Brits abroad without insurance probably believe; a) It might never happen, b) If it does they can't refuse to treat me (or discontinue treatment) just because I haven't got any money because they wouldn't do that in the UK.

Totally agree! The young man had options which would have avoided him being in this situation. However, he is in a bad way now and it's only a matter of time before we see another repeat. Something has to be done, either way.

Yes! Agree. Unfortunately, if the accidental injuries were excluded by the insurers e.g. drunk driving/riding, failing to wear a crash helmet etc. this young man would still be in the same position. Richard is advocating universal healthcare for all without questions as in the United Kingdom.

As we agreed recently, very valid financial and also humane solution for Thai Government (Tourist Industry) to pick up the bill for treatment of accidental injuries to everyone. It just needs agreeing and implementing. Of course, the alternative viewpoint is that travel/motor insurance should pay or the young man shouldn't have exposed himself to such risk. However, he did, this situation occurs repeatedly and will never ever end.