scorecard

Mine same, both K Bank and BBL bank. When I use either of the cards I get a slip from the merchant. With both cards, I also get a 'ding' sound on my smartphone and an SMS message advising me the card has been used, amount etc.

Good points of course. The dying man's dementia is now quite advanced and getting worse, and he has severe breathing problems. He gave the bank book and ATM card to one of the 4 benefiaries about 2 weeks ago. In his will he leaves equal share of his remaining funds to the 4. But very recently the beneficiary now holding the b'book an ATM card has announced he wants to keep all the money himself to buy a new car to use to travel often from Bkk to Pattaya where the dying man is in ICU. (Truth is he already has a good reliable car.) The Thai lawyer is in the US for an extended holiday with Thai family there and doesn't respond to requests for advice. Further, the hospital holds a signed authority which they take to the bank with their quite frequent bills (not small because he's most of the time in ICU) and the bank manager then automatically transfers funds to the hospital. All of this has been discussed with the 4 beneficiaries. The 3 who are being logical don't want the 4th to just drain the bank and keep all the money. They want their share. I've had a close friendship with the dying man for many years but I'm not the executor of his will, I'm just watching from the sidelines. The executor (a trusted farang) has tried to discuss the whole thing with the dying man earlier without any result but he's now not capable at all of any logical / focused discussion. At the rate the funds are being reduced by the hospital bills the balance will be zero within perhaps 5 or 6 months.

I don't disagree with anything you wrote. I do note that it's just your opinion.

"Tony Woodsome - previously known as fugitive Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - went on Facebook last night." How does that work?

But hold on; maybe they mean their bakery business Puff and Pie has been rehabilitated?

Watch for pickpockets...

Agree. When they announce that there's a totally new management team (never worked before for TG), and announce that 90% of the check-in, cabin crew and Bkk based admin. staff are totally new, then I might start to believe rehabilitation. Whilst the old management team is still there nothing will change. Plus if I take a flight (which I wont ever) and I see/feel/experience a totally different experience of focus on customer, then I might start to be believe the airline has been rehabilitated. Plus if I had a chance to told to the new management team and asked them to (off the top of their heads) list/explain their agreed CSF's (Critical Success Factors) and how they are linked to the organization structure, then I might start to be believe the airline has been rehabilitated. Plus when I see a specific policy that freebie tickets are totally/absolutely banned no matter who it is, plus see a 3 mth / 6 mth etc., report saying clearly no free tickets have been issued then I might start to be believe the airline has been rehabilitated.

Not so sure about that. Plenty of folks who admire him for helping his family.

Agree, 99% chance they will look the other way or will be a valuable part of a system to facilitate corruption and cronyism.

Dr. Sheryl, do you have any comments to share about the very big Nakorn Ping gov't hospital just out of Chiang Mai? Several years ago a farang told me he had a paid member card for that hospital and it provides some discounts, mostly on room and board. He also mentioned that doctors fees, tests, fee for using equipment were very reasonable, both for member card holders and walk-in foreigners. Any comments please? ______________________________________________________ Further, I did go to this hospital perhaps 5 or 6 years ago when they were eroniosly issuing medical cards to all foreigners. The problem was that the ministerial order said 'foreigners' which was interpreted to mean all foreigners. In reality the order should have mentioned itinerent foreigners (workers) from adjoinung countries. The several ladies at the front reception desk all spoke good English. I saw 2 or 3doctors and several nurse to have blood test etc., many spoke intermediate English, some spoke advanced English.

100Baht - cheap charlie...

My guess is that he would respond to any question asking for clarification by saying: "I have a reponsibility to take care of my family". In this scenario 'The Best Person For The Job' approach would not apply.

I'm lost: are you saying 7,500Baht per night for room and board at government hospital, for you and your wife? You also mentioned this saved you 22K Baht. Compared to what?

Before retirement, some 12 years ago, I did many consulting projects in Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzen. Even then I used my smartphone to pay for everything. All of the hotels I stayed in quickly set up my phone for the payments.

Thanks for sharing, you mentioned: '... The same hospital offered me private for 7.5k...' Was that for 1 night, or 4 nights, or ...?

Just for clarity re the DVA: - I don't receive the DVA Service Pension. - I do receive the DVA Disability Permanent Compensation 4 weekly payment, at the highest level. - My DVA Gold Health Card covers absolutely everything whilst I'm in Australia with basically no limits, also covers all dental and all transport (ambulance/taxi/whatever).- - But when I'm outside of outside the DVA cover reduces to: Any health service related to the specific disability items that the DVA has accepted in my case. Some Thai hospitals (not Thai gov't hospitals) have an agreement with the DVA (e.g. McCormick and RAM in Chiang Mai). I have been to McCormick they called a hospital admin officer (perfect English, very pleasant look krueng guy), he got details of the medical issue then calls a hotline to the DVA in Hobart (I was in the room in case more details needed) who give an instant answer: Yes they will accept the hospital sending them a bill for reimbursement direct to the hospital,or no they won't. The CM McCormick guy has mentioned they receive reimbursement from the DVA very quickly.

Like many farang I don't have full private health insurance. I do have full DVA Australia Gold health card cover (total cover for everything inside of Oz, but outside of Australia only for the specific items listed for my DVA Disability permanent compensation cover). I hear regularly that staying in Thai gov't hospitals (pvt room and in ward) is pretty good: room, bed, medical care, bathroom, fridge, food, TV, etc., all quite good. And often plenty of English. Also heard of some farang who have obtained a paid member card, some providing discounts on room and med care, tests etc. On the other hand I've read comments where farang were taken to Thai Gov't hospitals when Ill (ill rather an accident) and we're told that the hospital cannot accept them at all. So, would you please share your experiences, any location in Thailand, but especially interested in Chiang Mai area. This post is general in nature and is not focused on Covid 19 matters. Thanks.

She dead, she used her debit card and it zapped her heart, just like lightning.

You're so sad, what a pity.

Sure, some agents are good, some are rogues. I couldn't fault the agent who helped me with PR, sincere, friendly, focused and never once mentioned extra fees / tea money. On the other hand I'm aware there's a Visa agent in Chiang Mai who has been telling people he helps (helps with new and renewal of various Visas) that if farang hold one of the many typical Thai visas for a block period of 10 years they are automatically entitled to PR. No extra official paper work neded, but very very big official fees. Agent also tells people that they must use the same agent for the 10 years, and they must never personally go to the Imm. office, that would automatically invalidate their PR entitlement. All BS of course.

" Thai Banks should issue debit cards that are touch and go. " Agree, so easy, so simple, so fast, great for both customers and merchants.

Total rubbish. Thai folks are wizards at smartphone use, have been for quite a few years. Look around you'll see many older/much older folks regularly using their phones with ease.

Yawn. That's just not true.

<deleted>. Actually it's very simple.