The Fugitive

The difference, I guess, is the medium of transmission. If one chooses to go to a National Front, Combat 18, Column 88, Ku Klux Klan or whatever meeting they are there by their own choice, the meeting is private and the audience is limited. Putting the same content onto the internet brings it to the attention of everyone?

That's interesting. In most Countries AFAIK water is metered (I'm assuming your's is?) but there may or may not be added charges for rainwater drains and foul water disposal (sewerage). Sewerage charge is proportionate to water consumption in U.K. Some remote rural areas don't have sewers or even rainwater drains so don't have to pay these additions. $183 AUD per quarter equates to £35 GBP per month which is more than enough, but not scandalous by U.K. standards depending upon consumption.

That is my experience too. Although, I have to admit, I've not been 'under the knife' in Thailand yet nor been admitted to a public ward in a Government Hospital although I've visited several. Thai Mrs chose to pay 1,000 baht per night for a private room in our Government Provincial Hospital whilst undergoing surgery for removal of Schwannoma tumours. Surgery was under local anaesthetic by the same doctor she saw at the outpatient's tumour clinic. Most satisfactory advice given and surgery performed.

Totally agree. From personal experience some NHS staff need to stop talking to patient's as if they're doing them a favour by treating them. I was told that 'You can have anything you want if you go private'. Damn cheek coming from an NHS employee.

Brits refer to; 'Queen and Country'. In reality they are referring to; 'Queen, Country and Empire'. The Queen being Queen Victoria of course.

That is possible!

In the ideal World I would agree that 'doctor knows best'. My nose wasn't bleeding at the time the doctor cauterised it 51 years ago. Today, a doctor tells me that it can't be done. Be interesting to hear what my Thai specialist makes of that when I tell him!

Exactly the same as a doctor did for me in 1971. Very quick and painless cauterisation. Prevented further bleeds until now.

In U.K.at the moment, soon to return. Had a heavy nosebleed. Took 3 goes pinching for 15 minutes each time to stop. Didn’t want a repeat. Went to local walk-in centre. Told them I’d had similar decades ago and cauterisation proved most effective. Doctor told me he couldn’t cauterise now because I’d stopped the bleeding and he wouldn’t be able to tell where it was coming from. Told me to go away. Strange, because the doctor in 1971 didn’t have that problem. I suppose it was a success for the N.H.S. in saving money by getting rid of the patient without having to treat them. I’m sure my local E.N.T. doctor at his High Street clinic in Thailand will quickly and cheaply fix my leaky nostril?

The individual below; Name R Vuctor - Phone number (+373)76937601 Address POST-TERMINAL 000050062024, Chisinau, Kihsinau, Moldova, MD2001 has ordered many items on my account using my credit card. Fortunately, only six dollars worth had already been despatched before I noticed my emails. He/she seems to be building a computer and installing solar power too!

Just to be absolutely clear, if you are legally married (registered at the amphur) your widow being next of kin has complete control and making a will (Thai or in home Country) is not necessary. As I understand it, as a foreigner she would have to notify your Consulate in the first instance?

I like it. Are you a Yorkshireman Jim?

The U.K. N.H.S. has been cash-strapped, short of beds, doctors, nurses, equipment and facilities for as long as any of us can remember. I recall hearing expressions such as; 'N.H.S. is practically defunct' from employees as long ago as the late sixties. The annoying thing is it isn't, it never was. All the problems are caused by their accountants.

The text read; 'My interest at the time was to obtain a death certificate'. I read that as obtaining a copy and not referring to the original documents signed by a doctor which, (in U.K.), the next of kin collects from the hospital with instructions to take them to the local council registrars office. Raises a question, if you didn't do that, would the death ever be registered? That is assuming Thailand operates same as U.K.

Thanks for that. When the time comes some of us definitely won't be in a private hospital. However, from what I've seen, even in Government hospitals, palliative care continues under the supervision of a doctor (as it should) and the patient is only brought home at the final stage with pain pump in-situ. This is usually preferable for relatives and friends to pay their last respects and from the 'street party' point of view. It also avoids transporting the deceased on the flat bed of a pick-up with unpleasant result.

In U.K. where patients are supposed to be their prime concern, the N.H.S. gets around such issues by insisting that they need to free the bed in order to treat patients who can be treated. It’s difficult to argue against such rationale. I was called into the hospital and advised that they had discontinued treatment five hours earlier because my Mother ‘just wanted to die’. True, she had metastatic disease and her condition was intractable. There was no discussion with next of kin (that being me). As she was conscious and deemed to be of sound mind I believed that to be in order.

Six temples in my small town South of Khon Kaen. All wood burning. Know of one temple in another town (actually situated in the town centre) that has an electric cremator.

Need to tell my Mrs that. She proudly presents me with 'bargain' laptops she's sourced. Now have 3 twin core 2.1 Ghz machines all with 4GB RAM dating from; 2009/2011/2012.

Thai's claim that their trains are very slow and you have to book weeks in advance. Sort of puts anybody off!

Don't forget the Royal Mail are going on strike and the railway strikes are continuing. Fancied a cottage pie in Tesco's the other day. When I saw it was priced at £8.50 I put it back on the shelf.

Again, thanks for this valuable information which I'm sure will help others too. Might seem callous but can't blame the hospital for doing so. Presumably, if he had no savings or his account ran out then he would have been denied further I.T.U. treatment and moved onto a basic ward with other patients who were not expected to survive where he would have died sooner from his condition.

Thanks for the useful information. Interesting that in the U.K. anyone can apply for a copy of someone's death certificate because it's a public record. That does make you think! Sorry that the guy was a long-term friend. Also very sorry for the trouble that the Government hospital staff would have been in for allowing him to rack up such a bill.

Makes me ashamed to be a falang. I don't believe that his brother should be held liable for the sins of his oaf brother though. However, neither should the burden be placed upon the Thai's. Makes a case for compulsory insurance of some form IMHO.

Top comment!

Very tough. I sympathise greatly. Thanks for the warning.