andynphuong

On 5/9/2023 at 1:04 PM, Vermillionline said:

Hello all, this is more belated info still, and I'm not sure the OP is still reading this. Times have changed. I'm only familiar with certain hospitals in BKK for psoriasis treatment. Bumrungrad now has phototherapy but it's expensive.

 

Chulalongkorn (sign up for a hospital number in the lobby G floor at the central info booth area and fill out a form and get your photo taken) has it. Phototherapy there costs about 200 baht per session ($6+), there's no one in front of you in line, in and out in about 5 minutes, one person dedicated staff, a quick walk from the Saladaeng BTS station on an overhead roofed walk deck.

 

I know that as recently as last fall - October - Chula offered 2 biologics to treat psoriasis. One was Cosentyx. I can't remember the other but it began with an S - so maybe Scapho but maybe Siliq. One was about $400/mo and the other about $800/mo. Bumrungrad offered biologics but at far, far higher prices. I don't know if biosimilars have arrived since then.

 

The in between steps at Chula are more complicated. You need a doctor to authorize the phototherapy and biologics. You can get a private appointment once you have an HN, but you have to go there to make it since they never answer their phone ever ever ever, and they will try and talk you out of a private appointment and make it months away. That runs about 1600 baht.

 

What they prefer you do is show up for a dermatology clinic. I've avoided this but I believe you have to get in line at 5 am. and wait all day for your number to be called - in Thai. Enormous waiting rooms. No one is remotely helpful.

 

Methotrexate pills are available at most pharmacies near hospitals OTC for pennies. Literally pennies, no Rx needed. Recommended dose for psoriasis tends to be around 15mg 1x weekly followed the next day by 2.5-5 mg folic acid, same drug store, even fewer pennies. I recommend tapering on and tapering off.

Thanks for the reply. Since my post, and the pandemic ending, I've been treated at Bumrungrad with Secukinumab.  Cosentyx, brand name in the US. same company mfgs. Costs for the monthly injection is about $650. Seems this falls between your low/high price given. 

Thank you for taking the time to answer!

This - 

"If your wife is 50 or over she could apply for a non-o visa for retirement and then a extension for being a member of your family. Others have done it. It would require her to show a small amount of money in the bank and 90 days of medical insurance"

Will be what we do.

Thank you!

I just can't find what you are referencing on that link. Looking on the "Thailand's Certificate of Entry (COE) Registration System (for air travel)" page, there is a option for "Non-O, Long Stay Visitor". Wouldn't that be what we'd need, then get her a extension after 60 days in Thailand basing on my OA visa then? 

Or, could I get a OA visa, she travel visa exempt and change to O visa there, basing on my OA?

Maybe will just be easier with OA visas for us both. 

Thanks again for any help.

Thanks for the information UbonJoe.

You were a great help a few years ago, when we got a OA visa for me, and a O visa for my wife. We returned to the US for a visit, and were caught in the US by the covid travel restrictions.

I just figured out how to look back at those posts from 2018. Seems that the strategy we should use is the same as 2018

- OA visa for me, Single entry O visa for wife, with her extending based on my OA visa. Her extension for being my spouse that is based upon my extension without financial proof.

Any reason this is not correct?

Thanks in advance

On 4/30/2021 at 6:29 AM, simple1 said:

I have had psoriasis and psoriasis arthritis for 20 years. Throughout this time I have been taking four 500mg tablets a day of sulfasalazine. The treatment has been very effective. Unless already tried you may wish to review with your GP/specialist. Approx six years ago it cost approx 1000 Thai baht for a months supply.

Thanks for the input. I've not heard of this, will ask my Doc!

On 4/29/2021 at 11:24 PM, Sheryl said:

Tremfya is avilable in Thailand. So is Cosentyx and Scapho.

 

All in imported name brand only, no local versions.

All are from hospital or clinic only, not over the counter.

 

And all will be very expensive. I can't give an exact price but think in terms of the retail pricei n say Canada or Europe plus costs of import and duty (there is tariff on all imported meds). Still less than ful retain cost in US but not by very much.

Thanks for the reply. I know they are very expensive here in the US, upwards of $30k/year. so, think that will preclude me paying out of pocket there. 

I'm even later to this thread. I was prescribed topicals at Bumrungrad until the end of 2019, when we returned home to the US for a visit. We got stuck here by the covid travel ban, and due to Dr. availability, insurance stipulations on coverage, my psoriasis spread. I've been on Tremfya for a couple months, and it works! Is there any new information concerning Tremfya (guselkumab), or Otezla,  or maybe other biologics in Thailand.

Thanking in advance!

Everyone stay safe

Andyh

11 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

As there is no 'seasoning period' required

Peter, Thanks for the reply. 

So, when applying for the OA visa in  the USA, the 800K Baht/equivalent money does not have to be "seasoned" for a specific amount of time?  I've not found anything stating so. 

I was going to open a account in her name, but if the monies had to be there 3 months before applying for the visa - well, that's a long time out, and would like to do sooner.

Again, Thank You for taking the time to help everyone out, it is appreciated!

Andy&Phuong

Maybe not the correct thread to ask, but is a OA visa application  question. I have the monthly income requirement met. We have enough in a joint account to cover the requirement for my wife. Will a joint account be acceptable for the application, or would she need a separate account in her name only, which would need to have the required amount parked there for 3 months? I know this info is there somewhere, but I can't find.

Thanking y'all in advance!

We got OA (myself) and O visas in Nov,2018. Seems the visa rules started changing the week after that. We both had a stay in Thailand until late 2019, returning to the USA. We got caught here by the virus, (and a few other things) and visa's expired. This thread has been very informative on what is needed to return, which we are looking to do soon. Insurance has been question mark for me on planning. Found this thread today, it has answered much, thanks for everyone's input. Peter Denis, sent you a PM last night requesting your information on insurance. 

RIP Kev. Found his videos a couple years ago. Brave man, sharing his illness, and telling about his decision to forgo insurance. Hindsight is always wiser.

Her 90 days are up March 11, 2019. So, we can go to immigration before March 11 and apply for her a extension (even though her visa is valid until Nov, 2019)? My current 1 year entry ends Dec 11.

Thanks. I'm getting my head around the O/A visa requirements, language used, now. 

My wife's "O" multi entry visa. Is it correct that she 'has' to leave the country before/on the 90 day date? or, just do the 90 day report.

Just wanting to make sure we get this correct. 

I already do enough things "wrong", lol.

Thank you all. I was typing as you posted Ubon Joe.

Vietnam visa exemption is so easy, compared, it seems

3 minutes ago, Justin Side said:

You can apply in the US the same as you did last time.

Don't forget that the OA Visa gives you a 2 year stay.

So, the Embassy in the US would not grant a extension, I'd reapply all over again? O/A visa - One year visa and one year extension? 

Hi,

The wife and I got our visas - me O/A retirement, her O multiple entry.  Expires 11/2019.  We were told yesterday by a expat that we can extend our visas back in the US, at the Thai Consulate. And by doing that, will only have to have a letter confirming my pension deposits/amount (along with other required documentation). Is this correct?

If that isn't possible, guessing we'll have to open a Thai account and deposit funds in advance.

Thanking in advance

Thanks to the information and help I received here, we received our O/A & O visas yesterday. When we dropped the applications off, the woman checking over our application in the consular office looked at my income letter, grabbed a calculator, started punching the keys, held up the calculator and told me; "we have a income requirement, it is 800,000 baht. You do not meet it".  My letter was my monthly pension amount. I quizzed her, and she realized her mistake. (After all the income issues I've been reading here, worried me for a second)

We got the O/A visa for me, and my wife got a multiple entry O visa.   WE will have to return to the USA around mid-May.  Our visas are valid until 11/07/2019. A few more questions, please.

1. While we are in Thailand, we be subject to the 90 day reporting, correct? What is the easiest/fastest way to do this - at the office, by a agent, or online? (I'm a bit wary of the mail method)

2. When we leave Thailand, prior to leaving, we both will need to apply for and receive a "re-entry permit", correct? Easiest option, agent?

3. The thinking is, since we have to leave Thailand around mid May, we want to return in time to extend our visas - we will be able to extend for 1 year, correct? What date should we be back to Thailand by?

Many thanks for all the information. I've read around, but still would like some confirmation of what I think I understand. So far, I've not been able to find a copy of "Thai Visas for Dummies"

That is what originally confused me - Sheriff is local, but is a state LEO. I had read here that a sheriffs check sufficed for some, and not others, at different Thai Embassy locations. When I inquired at the local Sheriff's office, was informed they only do a "county you reside in check", and that is through the Clerk of Court office.  In North Carolina at least, to get the State Bureau of Investigation records check, it's required to have you fingerprints done at local law office on proper form, and submitted, along with SBI form, to the SBI. Fingerprints cost $5.00, SBI fee is $14.00.  Fingerprints, and form, on the way to the SBI now!! Thanks to all the help!

We really thank everyone for their insight to this process! Don't want to muck it up, want to get it correct the first time. Following Ubonjoe's link to the SBI information, I have contacted the Sheriff's dept, and am going for fingerprints today!!.

Thank y'all for the rapid replies.

The FBI check appears to take up to 4 months. Think may apply for check now, and apply for the O visa, and extend. Then return to the US when background check is done, apply for O/A visa then.

That will get us out of the cold for this winter anyhows!

Got most all my documents for the application. The Thai Embassy visa instructions state for the criminal background check that the background check  "must be issued from a state or Federal Bureau of Investigation only". Does a State Background check for the county I reside, issued by the Clerk of Superior Court, with raised seal suffice? It states it only searches the county that I reside in.  I've read that maybe the different Thai Embassies may, or may not accept this background check. I see the fee is non-refundable, would hate to drop $200, only to be refused because of the background check. Thanks in advance for any insight!

Thanks for clearing up the O/OA visa question. Wife is Viet, so will need visa for her too. I had read about the SS/citizen info in another thread. appears not factual. Wife is a decade away from SS anyhows. Seems we'll probably keep our next visit around  a six month duration due to a variety of reasons.

Thank you for your help!

We've been back in the US and other countries a while now. Now trying to arrange things, and get visas, get back to Thailand before end of year. Some things I found, and some questions to clear things for me.

My BCBS insurance (Teamster retirement benefit) will cover us, no time limit, well at least until I turn  65. It's possible that they can set up direct payment to a Thai hospital. Seems that would be on a case by case basis, at least according to the representative.  There are about 10 facilities in Bangkok listed as in their "network". (Thanks for the BCBSGlobalCore Link!)

What kind of cash/credit "reserve" would anyone recommend keeping in case of a medical emergency? I guess we could bring a lump of cash and open a bank account - kinda hate carrying a lot of cash though.

Also, on the OA visa application, the arrival flight, where we will stay, a local contact information is required.   At the time we submit the application, we won't have this information - does this matter?

My wife could apply for US citizenship, as she's been in the US over 12 years, she's not been too interested so far. Probably will soon though, for future SS benefits if nothing else. Going to speak with a immigration lawyer soon about the "6 month rule" concerning her being out of the country, and Immigration declaring her abandoning her permanent resident status . According to US immigration web site info, there is no actual "6 month" rule. We do have a house, grown daughters. A couple cars, bank, credit cards, etc, in her name. This is why we were going to limit our stay to a bit less than 6 months a time. Anyone have any practical experience with this?

Thanks for all the information, it's been a great help!

I'm sure I'll think of more questions.

We're ready to get back to Thailand.

Andy&Phuong

On ‎6‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 3:20 AM, ubonjoe said:

1. It has to be separate incomes if both of you apply for extensions of stay at immigration based upon retirement. Your wife can apply for an extension for being your spouse that is based upon your extension without financial proof.

2. After getting your extensions you will need re-entry permits to keep them valid if you want to travel.

3. You need to check with your insurance provider to get the correct answer.

Another option is to get a OA long stay visa at the Thai embassy or one of the official consulate in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. The OA visa is multiple entry visa that allows unlimited one year entries for one year from the date it is issued. You can get almost 2 years of total stay by getting a new one year entry just before the visa expires.

Info is here: http://thaiembdc.org/consular-services/non-immigrant-visas/non-immigrant-category-oa/

I get a bit confused on the visas - I'll apply for the OA visa for myself. I apply for OA visa for my wife,  or the O visa?  If the  O visa for her, then before the end of 90 days, apply for a extension to match my OA visa? Or, if I apply for the OA visa for my wife,  the income requirement on her application will be waived as she is my wife/dependent?