The Fugitive

My occupational pension provider uses Western Union to convert currencies. I don't know if they receive special rates for volume as a 'business'. Don't know how DWP convert U.K. State Pensions.

It can only be that your current account was costing them too much. Banks used to charge for every transaction. Then free banking was introduced. Then interest paying current accounts. Thai banks charge to issue cards. Then they charge annual fees. Not so in U.K.

Yes, both Mrs and MIL have blue/white cardboard covered hospital books that they keep and take with them each visit. You are spot on about the check in and doctor arrival times! The reception where you check in is opposite A/E, hence you can get to it at anytime. I guess people drop off their books for the next day well in advance. As already mentioned my Mrs has contacts and they will ring her when her turn is almost due so she doesn't have to wait all day in the hospital.

I totally agree! Something I've always hated seeing and having it done to me. My Mrs does the same whenever we go to Immigration Office. I take a turn ticket and wait. She stuffs money inside my passport and flings it over the glass screens. Moments later we get called. She says it's the 'Thai way of doing things'.

Oh dear! No excuse for not performing an X-Ray. Our experience has been good though. The GP looked as though he was on Youth Training Scheme but he was superb, asked many questions and thoroughly reviewed my MIL's medications, tweaking some doses and prescribing some alternative drugs. She steadily improved thereafter. Unfortunately, yesterday she fell again, suffering severe bruising once more. She insisted that the only doctor she wanted to see was this same young man!

My Halifax account I've had since the 1960's. Santander (was originally an Alliance and Leicester account) for over 20 years. Both opened in person at U.K. branches.

As an alternative and possibly more convenient for you, are there any private High Street clinics nearby? I can't read Thai so have to rely on my Mrs. I have been to an ear, nose and throat specialist doctor's clinic twice when I had ear infections. Superb service, consultation, prescription and medicines for only 1,200 baht. This particular clinic is always rammed with Thai people. That speaks for itself!

Mrs just returned moments ago from our local community hospital. Fortunately, my Mrs knows staff there and they allow my Mother-In-Law to jump the queue (today by 110 people). However, I understand that the one and only GP stays to see everyone. At least you do get seen the same day without having to make an appointment.

Exasperating is the word. The nurse has traditional British mentality. What on earth are you doing here if you aren't ill? You only go to a hospital (or consult a GP at their surgery in UK) if you are already ill, have been for some time and you're getting much worse. Go away you hypochondriac timewaster!

Very sensible advice thanks! As you stress, you don't know if/when regulations may change and whatever system you had for years may no longer work!

Wow! Thanks for the warning. I'm in same position. Have you looked at virtual cards and Google Pay etc.? I can't set up Google Pay because you need a debit card to begin with and I only have a UK credit card. There has to be an easier way!

Only works for U.S. numbers when sent from U.S. or Canadian mobiles apparently. As I posted above, VYKE is only $16 USD per annum and offers mobile numbers (not landlines) for a few other Countries too. https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA34884/how-do-i-receive-sms-text-messages-in-skype

How about a simpler alternative? I'm from U.K. and have the same issues. Many U.K. outfits insist upon sending OTP's to a U.K. mobile number only. For under $16 USD per annum you can rent a virtual mobile telephone number from 'VYKE'. Mine works very reliably for both voice and SMS.

Exactly, Santander require you to download a change of details form and post it to them as hard copy. Halifax are more modern!

Halifax and Santander permit you to have a Thai address. Santander have no issues sending replacement/renewed cards to Thailand. However, Halifax won't.

United Kingdom also!

Unfortunately very true. All doctors admit that 'the devil is in the diagnosis'. I was told this decades ago and it remains true. Sometimes CAT/MRI scanners do not reveal tumours, endoscopy (both visual and biopsy) report negative and blood tests (the most reliable indicator) can return normal results even 4 weeks before death from metastatic disease. In the case I am referring to, the blood samples only recorded 'abnormal' at three weeks prior to death.

Very good point about lack of experience with skin cancer. A relative who was 90 at the time in U.K. was diagnosed as having skin cancer on the top of his head. However, another unusual growth was not picked up and was later revealed to also be skin cancer. Nevertheless, the good news is that both were operated upon and, as skin cancer is slow growing, there was no spread. It will encourage the OP to know that my uncle is now 96 and doing very well.

You state you live in Thailand. What you need is an extension (of some sort) for 12 months but, failing that, for a minimum of 6 months in order to get your passport renewed. Suggest contacting Visa Agents to obtain quotes. If the quotes are less than your return air fare (assuming you have no other reason to return to UK), then that would appear to be the way to go.

Brilliant. Connecting with knowlegeable and helpful people is the key. We only paid 80,000 baht for her Mighty X. 70,000 baht for an unnecessary control unit is ridiculous. Could be that they didn't know about the sensors but I would doubt it!

Funny you should mention Monk's. My Mrs has two Uncles who are both senior Monks, divorced guys with children who became Monks later in life.

Seat repositioning is an obsession with my Mrs. I cannot understand why because she is the only driver yet feels the need to alter the positions each time she enters the vehicle.

Good point! Thai's do seem to only worry about what they're doing today.

Like that very much! I shall remember it for future use! Talking about petrol, I do hate wasting it. My Mrs will leave home, sit in her car outside the house with the engine running (because she likes the air con) and then commence to check both of her mobiles. They both have dual SIM's installed. Plus, of course, checking Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Line and all her other messaging APP's. Why not do that in the house which was already cool due to running air con overnight?

Interesting! Never realised that the mechanics must have to cancel (or reset) such warning/advisory lights when changing engine oil. Thanks for the info!