The Fugitive

Everything that makes life worth living! Plus tea, coffee, wine and lager maybe.

Totally agree. Absolutely no reason you can think of for her doing this other than impatience.

Many thanks UbonJoe. Need to go one day this month myself.

The consensus of opinion seems to be that the guy has sufficient funds and is not terminally ill. Therefore, a longer term view applies? Expunging his immigration record by the method you outline would then be the best option, allowing him to apply for future extensions in the normal manner. That has to be preferable option.

Another (valid) reason why Roojai offer low prices. Their PAI (Personal Accident Insurance) is only available until 65 years. Their cancer insurance until 60 for new customers, renewable until 65. Not saying that's unusual or wrong but indicates prudent 'cherry picking' in reducing their exposure to claims.

Good idea. Guy I knew had similar pre-arranged plan in U.K. for if/when the television licensing inspector visited.

Most considerate and helpful suggestions. If an IO specifically asked the volunteer to get the guy to attend it could very well indicate willingness to do a deal. That would obviously be the best solution.

That's the problem. Elderly with health concerns. Thai climate is keeping some of us alive.

Very true. My Mrs always slips around 300 baht inside my passport if it's not our regular officer. Don't get any questions from them that way.

For my first retirement extension I paid 800,000 exactly into a separate savings account. I forgot about the annual fee. The immigration officer noticed it but granted my extension, advising me, in future, to maintain a balance to cover it. My Mrs gave him a tip on that and on all future occasions.

Totally sound advice! The guy is obviously concerned and seems to wish to get the matter 'regularised'. Given that, it's strange he's let it go for 3 years? As you point out, continuing keeping his head down is safer than surrendering to the Immigration Office even with a prepared explanation, representation and offering some form of arrangement. It all comes down to his personal financial situation.

Good point about free healthcare. If the guy is both elderly and skint he is likely to need treatment at some stage but will be unable to pay for it in Thailand. As regards homeless shelters would anyone who rocked up in Australia be entitled to accommodation?

That's the nub of the problem. Does he have somewhere to stay when he gets there? Unlikely, if he is very elderly and skint he will have sold up long ago. Australia is especially expensive as are air fares in general at the moment. The more we think about it the more sense there is in him throwing himself upon the mercy of his local Immigration Office especially as they already know of his plight and are 'soft pedalling' so far?

Maybe that is the reason his local Immigration Office are 'sympathetic'. As already suggested by UbonJoe the safest course of action is to exit at airport, pay fine and accept a ban. But depending upon how elderly and how poor the guy's health is would it hurt to consult an agent before doing this? Appreciate that it may cost quite a lot. The other option would be a direct approach to an Immigration Officer in the hope that they would be receptive to making a 'special arrangement'. If the guy could find and take with him a Thai person of repute (such as a school teacher) it may greatly improve his chances of success.

Agree! 'VYKE' is another solution. $16 USD per annum to rent a virtual mobile number. Receive voice calls and SMS free. Outgoing at very reasonable rates. International roaming becomes a thing of the past as does changing your number if/when you switch mobile service providers.

Good point, you would think so. A couple of weeks ago my mother-in-law suffered a head injury causing a brain hemorrhage. She was transferred (my wife went in the ambulance with her) from our local community hospital to a more specialised hospital and from there to Provincial hospital. Doctors at all three said there was nothing that could be done. Ambulance brought her home to die. A doctor visited her at home three times over several days. On the final visit he told us that mum had died and that her breathing was now 'automatic' and would continue until her heart stopped. It was a further 48 hours until that happened and we could call the undertaker.

Thanks for the encouragement! I inherited the Honda Wave from my father-in-law but my Mrs has now given it away to a friend in need. The XMAX was not an intentional purchase, she helped out a friends son who was unable to maintain the instalments and it now (sort of) belongs to her so I believe?

Interesting thread. Long story but the wife now has an XMAX 300. I haven't tried to ride it yet but nobody has mentioned this scooter yet. Anything to beware of for someone used to a Honda Wave base 100?

Interesting issue. Most Thai's seem to want their relatives to die at home for the convenience of family and friends and to organise the 'street party'. The ventilator wouldn't keep his 'life' functions going forever. It would be reasonable to want to reuse the machine as soon as possible for someone else who could be helped. We know that doctors can't kill people but this patient was actually dead and the doctor was seeking agreement to 'pull the plug'. I wouldn't expect his heart continued beating for very long after that.

Good and helpful info. Many thanks!

Seems standard. My neice collided with a girl on a moto who was undertaking whilst she was making a left turn in her car. The policeman who attended happened to be a family friend. He ordered my neice to pay the girls hospital bill (we were never sent/given one hence didn't pay), repairs to moto and compensation for light injuries (scrapes and bruises) of 1,000 baht. No action was taken about lack of driving licence(s).

I understand palliative treatment is a relatively new regime and extends beyond zapping the patient with morphine every 4 hours at the very end game. If I was very short of cash and/or didn't have anyone to look after me I would love the peace of mind that I wouldn't suffer unnecessarily when my time came. However, those existing on state pensions only with no savings wouldn't/couldn't buy insurance no matter how low the price. Unfortunately, it is those who need it the most.

Absolutely! The belief that you can always return to your home Country for medical treatment is false security. As I posted if Thai insurance companies offered cover for palliative treatment only (prescriptions and comfort giving/pain relieving medicines only) it could hopefully significantly reduce the cost.

Being realistic is vital, as you say. You may believe that being the wrong side of 65 if from USA (or any age if a Brit) is not a problem because you can return for treatment. But not if you are seriously injured or suffer a stroke for example. It should be possible to elect for palliative treatment only to minimise pain and suffering during your time remaining. In the same way as signing a D.N.R. (do not resuscitate). That would enable health insurance to be obtained at a much reduced rate plus give some peace of mind too?

Definitely agree! It depends upon what, when and where.