The Fugitive

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.

Good that there is an update. Also good result in that the bulk of his hospital bill has been paid. But what will happen if the 4,000 GBP balance is not forthcoming? Unfortunately, his condition does not sound good. Hospital say they will not discharge him without payment in full.

Currency exchange booths don't accept coins. Unless the gent only had (or needed) enough for maybe a beer and noodles is it not likely he did/does have a bundle of GBP?

Why would he have a single five pound note? Or a bag of UK coins?

Many thanks Simon! Good to know that you don't need to be on the UK electoral roll and lived at a UK address for a certain length of time. I understand Halifax permit you to have a permanent address abroad although they won't send renewed/replacement cards to Thailand. At least that is what their customer services told me approx 12 months ago.

Thanks for this! It appears to be the simple solution and proves very useful to know for anyone who has been 'closed out'.

Good point! We have ATM's, CDM's, VTM's and passbook update machines. Another machine required!

Depends if you already have a bundle of sterling cash with you in Thailand? Do you have access to a Thai bank account? If neither, are you contemplating 'wiring' GBP to yourself, converting to THB and collecting the cash?

You don't maintain as much as a library borrowing card from your home country? Seriously, some of us remain registered with general practitioners, dentists, opticians etc. on the basis that if we weren't in Thailand that's where we would be.

Can you provide a UK address? If so, tell them you are returning permanently and ask them to kindly not close your account.

Love it! I'll bet you told them you have more confidence in a vet certifying you remain alive than a doctor. After all, they must be more capable because different animals 'work' in different ways!

100% agree!

Shades of the UK here. Some time ago UK announced that 'we will never legalise/decriminalise drugs'. Being sniffed by a dog when you arrive at an airport somehow makes me think of war films and German POW camp guards. What a welcome for tourists! Clearly something fundamentally wrong with remaining subject to your home Country laws when abroad. They can't have it both ways. Hanging never prevented any crime, per Albert Pierrepoint; hanging never deterred a criminal. ″The noose and the scaffold solve nothing. They can only provide revenge,″ ...