Duke of Earl

Hi,

I am looking for a place to blood test for cholesterol without having to go through a doctor as I understand the results.

I had a panel done at Majaraj and it took all day, I've heard Ram is pricey.

Is there a lab or somewhere I can just walk into and get a basic simple blood test without extras and doctors?

I'd sure appreciate it, this is something I would like to do a few times to monitor my progress.

and Poipet...?

I see either pricey designer luggage at the malls, or stuff that looks like it will fall apart at the markets.

Anyone have tips where I could find a solid stow-away size luggage for a decent price?

It's a one-time use thing, I usually travel carry-on only But want to haul a load of clothes home.

Thoughts that came to mind: abandoned luggage at hotels or airport, a store I'm not thinking of, online classifieds?

Thanks!

15 hours ago, Katia said:

While technically "hours" is true, since it was *two* hours, that wording is a tad dramatic, implying several.

Have you ever sat on a stuffy plane grounded for 2 hours on the tarmac because people were arguing about seats?

Dramatic indeed.

On 4/12/2017 at 11:50 AM, kannot said:

Just so folk know what your'e looking for 

 

Naturopathy or naturopathic medicine is a form of pseudoscientific, alternative medicine that employs an array of practices branded as "natural", "non-invasive", and as promoting "self-healing." The ideology and methods of naturopathy are based on vitalism and self-healing, rather than evidence-based medicine.^[1] Naturopathic practitioners generally recommend against modern medical practices, including but not limited to medical testing, drugs, vaccinations, and surgery.

Rubbish.

I worked with a ND for years who was fluent with "modern medical practices" (western medicine). She was also brilliant in Eastern medicine.

In fact, she has a well-rounded approach to all the modalities.

She encourages her patients to educate themselves thoroughly about all their options. She is a big fan of western medical testing but not a slave to the pharmaceutical industry.

Any good naturopath will encourage the patient to engage all possible options.

On 10/17/2018 at 2:56 PM, R123 said:

 

The OP waited 7 hours and more and I am wondering if there is some ways to ease the boredom of such a wait.

Down load Netflix to your smartphone/tablet and download a bunch of shows. 

Just like a long flight...

18 hours ago, JackThompson said:

I never carry that much cash.  I bought travelers checks just in case Thai Immigration ever asked to see cash.  Where would I spend 20K Baht on in cash - where I could not use plastic, instead? 

 

I never paid condo-rent in cash. 

My last apartment was cash only- first last and security.

My money belt holds the equivalent of 60,000 baht easy, and looks and feels just like a regular belt, no metal either so I keep it on at the airport.

Best exchange rates for cash too. 

This money thing is a non-issue for me. Never a problem in 30 years of travel.

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

No, the islands do NOT have optimal health facilities. Nor do beaches south of Bangkok.

Bangkok and Chiang Mai are the best locales for medical care but neither has clean air.

Thank you for the thoughtful reply.

Any thoughts on Phuket / Krabi area? Just looking at its position regarding the ocean, for cleaner air... Plus they seem popular so was hoping maybe good medical facilities.

Pattaya looks like it might have good positioning by the gulf too, and has a sizable population, although a reputation not interesting.

Thanks for the tips

2 hours ago, Pib said:

And just add, just because a cash advance usually shows up as a "Purchase" transaction on your account because you are "purchasing currency", that does "not" mean it will be handled "fee-wise and interest-wise" the same way as a purchase such as a buying some groceries at Lotus, paying for plane ticket, etc.   Be sure to check your credit card's fees/interest rates for cash advances.

I appreciate everything you've said- yet this one I don't understand. I thought it had to be one way or the other- purchase or cash advance.

For my cc they are dealt with very differently, and very unfavorably for cash advances.

I asked the bank and just got the standard info on cash advances. I want to pay it off later, and if a cash advance registers, it kicks in the monthly apr plus fees which I don't have to deal with if I stick to purchases for a year as I'm now in the introductory period. 

23 minutes ago, mikosan said:

...hardly the shirt to be wearing when you are seeking to portray contrition.  Actually, hardly the shirt to be wearing at any time in Thailand, or many other places in the world.

You are right- very disrespectful shirt for public display. I wonder if he is that stupid (sounds like it) or if they grabbed him sleeping in it and gave no option to change?

He shouldn't even own the dumb shirt in the first place...

58 minutes ago, sanmyintmaung said:

You can also buy Foreign Currency (Not Thai Bahts) at Super Rich Green using your credit card. Fee is 2.2%.

Creditcard purchases are available only in Super Rich Green Branches below. Other branches not in the list below accept only cash.

1. Ratchadamri Headquarters,

2. Siam Paragon

3. Central Rama 9

4. Central Pinklao

5. Paradise Park

6. Suvarnabhumi Airport 

 

Link below is the Announcement post from Superrich Green Official Facebook page. You can press "see translation" to read in English.

 

 

This is excellent. Thank you.

Precisely what I am looking for.

My last question: will this just appear to my bank as a purchase? I suspect yes.

That would be perfect.

Thanks again.

7 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Or, he could ask Superrich.

 

44 minutes ago, VBF said:

As I already said above (#5)...."I take it you're not in Thailand, or you'd have just gone into SR and asked?"

To answer your concerns: no-not near a SR, yes- I tried to look before I asked. I don't read Thai. I also called SR and they were unable to understand my question clearly, and understandably wouldn't know how the transaction would appear to my bank anyway. I wrote on Line and never got a response. I wrote my bank and got a boilerplate reply about cash advances. 

Some pharmacies don't carry aspirin (Aspent). Keep asking and you will find 81 mg.

I've seen:

10 pack - 7 baht

60 pills - 39 baht

Interested in your thoughts on where the safer places in Thailand and beyond might be for someone with heart issues. 

Near a hospital, sure, and preferably a government hospital as any expenses would paid cash (ineligible for decent insurance as a pre-existing).

Hoping that people who have given this thought will suggest safer nice places with clean air and accessible competent medical facilities in an emergency.

Hoping to get away from big cities. Do any of the islands have decent facilities near? Beaches south of Bangkok?

What about other places nearby, to be looked at or avoided? (Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia). 

All recommendations are greatly appreciated.

On 10/16/2018 at 3:14 PM, xtrnuno41 said:

Watch your skin where you are bitten. If you have within 3 days a red lining around the bite, you maybe infected with Lyme disease. Then you have another big problem. As lyme causes many issues in your body, which at first you wouldnt think about the tick bite. If you have them, take them out with a pincet. Be aware you also take out the head when pulling them out. Then you need antibiotics as soon as possible.

I've an interesting story about the bullseye rash, bitten by a deer tick who was embedded for hours. I went to the hospital the next day upon noticing the bullseye rash, and the doctor immediately diagnosed "early Lyme's disease" and a course of antibiotics.

(I had also not fully removed all the parts of the tick, they found, further increasing the liklihood of infection)

I asked for testing, and he said no there's no early test but you definitely have it, everyone with the bullseye rash gets it.

That is not necessarily true.

I did some research, and found a facility that does DNA testing on ticks, (always save it after removal), and got it to them within 2 days.

The result was negative, no Lyme's disease (or several other tick pathogens) present in that tick.

The moral of that story is: the bullseye rash is not necessarily definitive of Lyme's disease.

Also: beware doctors automatic diagnosis, you are your own best advocate.

That said, better safe than sorry, and next time I would probably do the antibiotics again. Then I would look to natural protocols. There are several holistic protocols that have high rates of success in dealing with Lyme's disease. It's much easier to treat in the early stages.

4 minutes ago, Dustdevil said:

If the guy has frontal lobe tumours that cause injudicious behavior and seizures, and his family lives hand to mouth, what on earth is he doing on vacation in Thailand?

You forgot to add 'drinking excessively'

14 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

What's wrong with it being a cash advance? 

All of these reasons:

https://www.thebalance.com/why-you-should-avoid-a-credit-card-cash-advance-960036

I'm not looking to pay it off right away, also.

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

It doesn't sound a particularly good deal. I use my CC and get the Mastercard rate which is very good and no charges. How much higher is the SR rate vs CC rate?

I agree, when able to use the cc, but often it's cash only in Thailand. 3% is nothing to celebrate, but I need cash.

My current visa cc has no foreign transaction fees, no apr till next year, and gives almost the live exchange rate. Better rate than SR or Vasu exchanging cash even. I don't know how they make any money.

I'd love to find a way to draw currency off my cc without it looking like a cash advance to my bank. 

3 hours ago, jackdd said:

It does still work this way, but OP asked specifically about "doesn't show as cash advance, but as purchase", which won't work because somebody has to pay the about 3% fees involved when "making a purchase" ????

Right. But who pays that 3% and how it shows makes all the difference as a cash advance has a higher Apr that starts immediately, and a purchase does not in my case.

So I pay a lot less if I pay that 3% myself.

2 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Or, he could ask Superrich.

 

Assuming I was anywhere near one. Since I'm asking here, it's more logical to assume I'm not.

8 hours ago, scorecard said:

And if he has mental / decision / learning difficulties (words from his mother) why was he not accompanied by an adult family member with full faculties?

Why is he drinking excessively with brain issues then? 

Mumsie's statements are suspect.

The court should send him to a hospital to verify his brain condition. If true, just ban him and toss him out. 

If not, make an example out of him. Then, 6 months from now when it's been forgotten, kick him out forever.

Look at that shirt. He has zero respect for the Thai people. 

20 minutes ago, Bob12345 said:

Agree, we asked once at a gold shop and they were willing to sell gold on a credit card payment as long as you paid the fees on their side also 

By chance do you remember the extent of the fees?

If it were 3% and treated as a purchase (not a cash advance) I would do it.

My cc has no foreign transaction fees and deferred apr for the nexr year so 3% is doable provided the exchange rate is good.

Lock them up. Give them extra time for breaking the dress code.

They afforded the airline ticket and the vacay. Mumsies waiting with her checkbook teaches them nothing. 

If just a fine, then this will be the crime they will always laugh about getting away with.

10 years possibility is scary but they won't get max.

6 months sounds good, in concert with public confessions.

Public service washing the streets while doing the time is better yet.

9 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

Suspect you mean government hospitals are cheaper than private, which is true, but they are not designed for tourists so unless major expense are likely not worth the waits and need to have someone help translate/walk you through as you seem to be talking about check and leave.

 

But perhaps more important is what you expect to test and how?  Most hospitals will be able to provide a basic treadmill stress test at a reasonable cost if that is what you are thinking. 

Thanks, I'm looking for stress test, blood work, EKG, whatever else they deem necessary.

I do mean gov't hospitals, and I've no idea the range, so "cheaper" isn't super useful.

Recommended places and price quotes would be greatly appreciated.