The Fugitive

Thanks for that! I don't drive. Mrs very rarely goes to DLT for motor tax, safety check and insurance. She says she has a shop to run and such things must wait. Usually takes a road block fine to spur her into action.

Top answer! No point in chasing (or worrying about) postal items that have not been delivered or may not even exist. The additional 1,000 baht non-payment fee would be a 'stinger' but, hopefully, won't apply. My Mrs received one speeding fine a couple of years ago which she didn't pay and all was well next time at DLT. Last year my stepson borrowed our car and we received five postal speeding fines. We haven't paid them. Fingers crossed!

There is perhaps more of a case for compulsory cover for end of life treatment and care plus funeral expenses! Seriously though, last year I received once only pneumococcal vaccine and a flu jab whilst in UK. First benefit out of UK NHS this century for me.

If I was broke I would head back to UK for the free healthcare. Alternatively, remain in Thailand and hope it never happens?

I intended to take out a healthcare plan. My collapse came shortly after entering Thailand. I would, of course, be ready, willing and able to furnish a cash security deposit against any future medical treatment. Anyone (including myself) unable to do either is an accident/illness waiting to happen and likely to leave unpaid bills behind them.

Got a quote for $6,500 USD per annum some years ago. Then I realised I'd have to disclose receiving treatment for raised blood pressure during the mid eighties. Since then had an unexplained collapse due to low blood glucose for which received A/E treatment (in Thailand). So no health insurance plan for me. Mrs has taken a life insurance plan out on me to cover funeral costs!

Very good point thanks! Makes sense to convert this amount each month. Until now I've been using my UK debit card where possible as it earns 1% cash back. More beneficial to do things as you suggest.

Not at all. Following on from foreigners who HAVE to use agents due to lack of funds and almost certainly won't have made any provision for their healthcare. Being unable to pay for your funeral caused by your own over indulgence absolutely takes the biscuit in my view. Time for some compulsory healthcare scheme and/or deposits prior to allowing admittance.

Not only Government hospitals but their Thai wives too. Three guys in our locality recently died of alcoholic poisoning having spent whatever savings they ever had. They did, however, apologise to their wives for not leaving any money for their funerals.

If you have to attend for a deskcam photo anyway then you can get away with the IO VIP service (tip to IO only, no agent involved assuming you have the funds).

For me it is good to keep 800,000 baht in an instant access account continuously available. I never know, from one minute to the next, what will be required e.g. my neice may decide she needs a 'new' car or my Mrs spots a pick-up she likes the look of. Fortunately for me, the family is satisfied with old vehicles (Mrs has a 1995 Mighty X and niece a 2003 Honda City). Otherwise, as a previous contributor has reminded us, interest rates have risen at home and now cover agents retirement extension renewal fees more than twice over.

Or are decent. There are certain people who appear 'submissive'. Officials (not only in Thailand) love to kick such people around. Because they can.

Absolutely spot on! My Thai niece riding a moto when aged 15 collided with a lamp post. She had to have her great toe plus a diagonal section of her foot amputated. People make fun of the way she walks. Not nice.

Agreed! Seems to work in EU. The right to live and work where you wish. Border controls only serve to delay and antagonise law abiding citizens. Stolen vehicles, wanted criminals and drug shipments by the lorry load manage to cross between countries in all continents.

Thanks for taking the trouble to report back! Expensive and aggravating (for what it is) but could have been worse. Anyway, when new tickets available you will have peace of mind which is the most important thing.

Most disappointing (and frustrating). Terrible customer service. At check-in if the agent has any common sense they sould recognise what has happened and put it down to a typo. However, unless someone has had exactly the same experience with Emirates it's difficult to be sure.

100% in a nutshell!

Was advised a long time ago that it’s important to know how to deal with police, not only in Thailand. If you get arrested for something ridiculous e.g. wearing shorts on a Tuesday afternoon, don’t offer a bribe. They’re having a laugh, and will think you’re totally stupid and keep going. Stand your ground and mention Embassies and lawyer friends. If you definitely have broken the law then is the time to get out the cigarettes and say “let’s sit down and talk about this”. You can almost always reach an agreement to avoid prosecution.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/550135-fire-ignited-by-cell-phone-spark-razes-filling-station-in-badagry.html?tztc=1

Known Nationally as; 'The town that lorry drivers love to avoid'.

As regards mobiles, my Mrs was talking on her's whilst driving, her speed continuously dropping. When she got down to about 10kmph I couldn't stand it any more. I tried to explain that other road users don't know what's happening and are making desperate overtaking attempts. She responded; 'Don't you know it's very dangerous to drive quickly when you're on your mobile?'

Yes. First time I'd travelled in a LPG powered vehicle (that I know of).

I genuinely hope she only receives a Community Sentence. Better still it was self defence hence no charges (justifiable homicide or whatever).

My Mrs point blank refuses to switch off the engine when the petrol pump attendant is pumping. Fortunately, she doesn't smoke! Must admit I was surprised when a taxi driver told me to exit his vehicle whilst it was being refulled.