The Fugitive

100%! Several times I attempted to donate blood at our local mobile collection sessions. Each time my diastolic reading was over 100 and, of course, I was rejected. Same day I went to the local nurse who used an ordinary looking automatic machine and got 85. Next time I went to donate I noticed that the large machines (where your whole arm goes in) weren't there. Instead, staff used the small automatic machines. That has been the case ever since and my readings have been acceptable. When I returned to UK last year my doctors receptionist insisted upon a BP check. She told me to use their large whole arm machine. The reading was outrageous and I was ordered not to leave the surgery until I'd been seen by a doctor. When another reading was taken upon a small automatic machine it was 128/80. It worries me that the Thai hospitals all seem to use those large whole arm machines!

Know exactly where you're coming from! We were brought up in awe of our powerful and respectable banks and building societies. It was a privilege to be allowed a bank account. Tellers spoke down to their customers as if they were idiots and thorough nuisances. Then we learned what they were really all about, adding charges and fees wherever possible whilst trying to sell financial products to meet their targets and earn bonus. Now, agencies have entirely vanished, many branches closed and those that remain reduced to a handful of staff.

Your visa agent will advise.

Absolutely! This is what I did. Bangkok Bank insisted that I bought their 12 month 'one-off' accident insurance policy. I was previously advised that the policy was worth buying anyway as it included personal accident if I 'came off' a moto. I noted that cover for moto injuries went up to age 65 only. This avoided my having to walk around risking refusals and, to this day, I consider it money well spent.

Point taken, life expectancy generally increases between generations but there are always exceptions. Coughing your lungs up and dying of pneumonia aged 67 was the norm for my grandparents. I have an uncle aged 95, lives by himself, cooks his own meals and keeps his house and garden immaculate but admits 'I forget things sometimes'. Most definitely a case of 'Your Mileage May Vary'.

Debateable, doctors who have seen my record and I've told them this story shake their heads saying; 'Blood pressure treatment doesn't work like that'. 'Either you never really did have raised blood pressure (faulty equipment) or the staff didn't know how to take readings'. As you know, a history of high blood pressure does you no favours at all!

Agreed, diastolic readings over 90 were/are regarded as abnormal. I received treatment in mid-eighties (was 165/110). However, the dose was gradually reduced to zero. My BP reduced to normal and has remained normal since. Never taken any regular medication since. Present day reading; 128/80.

Thanks for this. At almost 50 years of age your unmedicated BP readings would not be a cause for concern to most in UK. Your Resting Heart Rate may raise an eyebrow. Unfortunately, we in UK weren't brought up with preventative medicine and believe that 'you're OK until you aren't'. Also, that 'no medicine is the best medicine' and we musn't bother our doctor's unless we have some serious complaint that we've put up with for a long time and it's been getting worse. As you say, it's all a recipe for disaster. Possibly the fact that all consultations and treatment are completely free puts us off spending any money on additional health care/prevention. When many British tourists won't even take out travel insurance, what hope for private healthcare plans?

That's wonderful. Very pleased for you! Somethings obviously change (and for the better). At one time your history would have precluded such (or even most) employment. Employers must now recognise that conditions which can be kept well under control should be no bar to employment?

It was the PEA that cut all the ISP's data cables. I couldn't believe it when I saw the guy with a huge pair of bolt cutters/shears hacking away at our fibre communication cables. Maybe the PEA don't care and regard the data cables as just a nuisance hindering their own work? It took three visits by AIS engineers before our new cable was strung and we were connected again.

A cautionary tale indeed! Would be useful to know exactly what the private hospital did for the gentleman? Would his condition have resolved naturally by itself? Or, was his $13,000 AUD actually well spent in that he avoided surgery due to the superior knowledge of his doctor who used special equipment, techniques and exotic medications?

Repeatedly rejected from donating blood aged 30 and referred to my GP. BP readings were around 165/110. GP prescribed Furosemide, advising she would gradually reduce the dose to zero. My BP would return to normal and remain normal without medication. Absolutely correct! I was then able to recommence donating blood plus plasma and platelets and have also participated in many clinical trials. Current BP readings at age 66; 128/80. What is mystifying is the tutting and shaking of the head by doctors when they read my history and I tell them this story. According to them, this method of treatment cannot work. Either the sphygmomanometers were faulty or the staff weren't reading them correctly?

Enjoyed reading this very much! Our shop had umpteen severed fibre cables dangling over the awning. Mrs climbed a stepladder and chopped them. Since then several more have 'appeared'. A few months back PEA rerouted their cables onto new poles because of road/pavement improvement work. They simply cut all the fibre cables on their old poles. Naturally, we and others in our road complained about loss of internet. It took several visits and promises to call back from all the various ISP's before everyone's internet was restored. I'm guessing the PEA did that because they had no way of knowing which data cables were redundant and which were in use?

Thanks for your report. Yes, I think Mitsubishi are very good. Apparently there are two 'brands' 1) Mitsubishi and 2) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Sounds like they are aimed at domestic and commercial use respectively. I only have experience of the one unit in our shop which is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Very quiet and powerful. As you state, advances have been made over the years so a newer unit would almost certainly cost less to run.

I was advised by call centre staff (Talk Talk) to always remain 'in contract', that way my/their router would be replaced free of charge if it failed. Also, I would benefit from whatever introductory offer applied at time of renewal.

Thanks! I was thinking UK where your router is covered only whilst you remain 'in contract'.

Perhaps (like my own router at home), it transmits 2.4Ghz only?

Some guys know (or at least strongly suspect) from their family history what's in store for them. Once they've decided 'I'm not going to see many more birthdays' that more than likely would apply.

Hit the nail on the head! Many retirees lured by warmth, sea and lower cost of living etc. They hope it'll never happen.

My nearest city, immigration office, home to many hospitals and, of course, Khon Kaen University. Otherwise, just another busy city best avoided IMHO. Decent enough restaurants and entertainment especially Tawandaeng Mahason although haven't been there for 4 years.

Shrewd and timely selection of policy! May I ask whether you had any pre-existing conditions and/or were prescribed regular medication prior to taking out this policy?

£140 per month sounds great. However, no doubt they would have increased your premiums or cancelled cover following any claim. Also, from what you say, sounds like there was an upper age limit.

Very good value! We all know there are foreigners here that couldn't find 220,000 baht. As Sheryl has advised on many occasions, if you have no healthcare plan, as a yardstick you need a minimum of 3,000,000 baht available in an instant access account to cover accidents/illness.

My grandparent's generation appeared old in their fifties and were on their last legs in their sixties. Males died around 67, females mid-seventies. My parent's generation fared better, males reaching early seventies and females early eighties. I believe we should reckon on reaching at least 85?

Can't stop laughing at this!