Kwaibill

I am somewhat fond of the “ gin gai” , but then again I kept lizards as pets when younger including one fairly large iguana. 
One of our first dates I took my wife rowing on the pond at Lumpini and she was a bit alarmed by some of the monitors who seemed overly curious.

Perhaps make it easier for people whose first language is English to teach it in Thailand.

I got a chuckle during a hospital visit today. Nurses had jackets proclaiming “ nurse”, et alia.

Orderlies were emblazoned “ Moving the patient.”  🙂

52 minutes ago, Hermes Live said:

I was on 200mg of slow release Tramadol in Australia for about 10 years due to Fybromyalgia. I came to Thailand 3 years ago and the only thing I could get was just 50mg (not slow release) so I decided to not take anything. It did take me about 3 months to overcome the "addiction" but now all good. Tramadol is very useful if taken correctly.

I still suffer pains but not all the time.

My doc in the US used to prescribe 90 tabs/ month for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. I rarely used them all because, absent pain on any given day, I did not care for the “ fuzziness” it brings.

Lately it seems more available as “Ultracet” ( sp?) which is a combo with Paracetamol and more effective at pain relief. Glad to have it after fractured pelvis, then broken humerus, etc. Thai doctors seem reluctant to prescribe much in the pain relief department. Sometimes it is interpretation of Buddha’s “ life is pain” as “life should be pain”, perhaps?

Glad my doc at the regional hospital set me up with some to take home until I learn what the current policy in the US is.

On 2/5/2025 at 11:17 PM, Maybole said:

I have about half a kilo of mixed chopped fruit for breakfast every morning. When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (for which I take 80mg of Diamicron daily) I asked the doctor about this and he told me that "fruit is good for you but don't overdo it." Now a relative (who is always right and will not be contradicted) has seen something on YouTube that fruit is Taboo for all diabetics and has tried to forbid me from my favourite breakfast. My Hb1ac reading over 5 years have been stable at 6.0 to 6.2. I would like a second opinion.

Been working with my diabetes for thirty years. Fruit is a valuable adjunct to your diabetic diet, but as with EVERYTHING you eat moderation is the key and only you and your medical team can know what is working for you.

.Half a kilo sounds like a lot, but an A1c of 6.2 is pretty good. Mine just this week had advanced by 0.1% to 6.7. My doc noted it but is pleased if I stay under 7.0. I am given some latitude because of age and co-morbidities. Consult with your health care team on this, please.

On 2/4/2025 at 11:23 AM, impulse said:

 

Why is it that lefties always revert to questioning our IQ or education level?   You know how stoopid it sounds to refer to anyone you disagree with as a MAGA? 

 

Compare IQs and education levels and peak annual earnings, and over 95% of the time, I'd come out ahead on all 3.  I've actually looked it up.  But what does that matter?

 

Lol. You looked it up where, exactly?

No body mentioned IQ or education levels that I saw until you did. Coming from an apparent Trumpian I would imagine it as a default position.

Well, I am 71 now and must admit not as sharp as I once was. Is US social security direct deposited in Bkk Bank likely to be considered  an assessable remittance? The rest of my income is likewise direct deposited on a quarterly basis and is largely from “qualified dividends” or some such and non-taxable US sources. At any rate  I have gotten a no tax liability result since at least 1999 using both professional tax preparers and the FreeTax app.

Worried that the frequent tax forays in either/both countries are going to bite my marginal retired ass.

COPD and asthma, here. Gave me some trouble at 6,000+ altitude back home, and headed back there soon.🙏🏽

Here at close to sea level not much problem. We have an air cleaner machine that we keep running full time, and of course the air conditioners help when it gets over 30C, which is our comfort zone “turn on” level.

I otherwise “ hack up” a lot of mucous crap every day, but that has been pretty much life long.

I have had a few emergencies since living here.
The first was on the occasion of my first stroke in Bang Sare. I did manage to hobble out of my condo room to the lift, and some very kind neighbors took over as soon as they spotted me, calling an ambulance that took me to Queen SiriKit Hospital, where I had great care. The ambulance driver came back into the ER on his next “ delivery” to see how I was doing. 
I don’t recall how much, but it was within my means though I had to borrow a little from my fan at discharge because of timing.

My ( now) wife got me set up with an accident policy at least as I am apparently uninsurable for a health policy in Thailand. That took care of matters when I fell in the shower and fractured my pelvis.

Interested in this one as we are preparing to move to AZ for at least three months/year and I have a goodly supply of spices and dried herbs which will otherwise probably get binned. I loathe that kind of waste. Thinking about repacking in heat seal bags and sending maybe one kilo worth. Probably better to put in checked baggage? Just wondering if that would perturb the customs folks. Any experiences appreciated. 
I was excited about the above “aphis” link, but unable to connect.🥴

17 hours ago, atpeace said:

If I was on the verge of becoming diabetic, I would eat poop if it was a cure.  I wonder what the happiness index would be when comparing unhealthy diabetics to healthy people?  

After my thirty+ years of diabetes which brought along four heart attacks, three strokes, and removal of my gall bladder, I wake with a smile and love the company of my dear wife and dote on my newborn grandson born to my adorable stepdaughter.

Probably the happiest time of my life, so far.

On 12/21/2024 at 9:44 AM, Celsius said:

I have all the symptoms but I don't know how to check it or treat it. I don't know if my levels are high or low in the morning.

 

Example. Last night I had buffet. Ate a lot of sweets. Woke up dizzy and sweating at night.

 

For the guys who have this problem, what do you normally eat during the day, especially at night here in Thailand?

I have been dealing with it for thirty years. When I first suspected I might be diabetic ( due to a near psychotic outburst of completely abnormal behavior) I went to the local pharmacy and got some urine diagnostic strips for sugar. Cheap and easy to use. Getting a positive result the next stop was a walk-in medical clinic. The medic was bemused when I told him why I was there but he did a quick blood  test and came back out concerned as it indicated in the six hundred range. Next stop my GP who sent me for a glucose tolerance test at the local lab. “Yep, you are a full on diabetic.”

In the thirty years I have done almost everything… oral meds, insulin, diet, etc.

These days I have my blood formally checked at least quarterly at my provincial hospital, and the doc has been okay with my A1C results , which is the three month average that shows in your blood sample.

Diet wise I am not the best example. I fight a continual battle against my love of high carbohydrate foods. One problem is that almost every Thai cook puts sugar in whatever they cook. I cook as much of my own as my wife lets me get away with. A bit of a struggle as like many she is a take out fan.

I do try to have my biggest carb load at breakfast in the form of minimally processed oatmeal, etc.

The other day my darling brought home pizza which I helplessly ate too much of. That for some reason is synergistically bad for blood sugar. Threw my readings off for two days.

My best advice on what to eat is use the “ plate method”. One half of your 8” diameter plate covered in non-starchy vegetables, 1/4 lean protein, and 1/4 healthy carbs, for example brown rice or air fried potatoes, etc. I sometimes have a slice of my homemade multi grains bread which I make using the minimum of sugar for feeding the yeast and a minuscule amount of salt ( high BP). I eat a fair amount of fruit; apples and pears are good in the sugar department. Popcorn is a good snack so long as it is not drenched in butter… good to limit your fat consumption as well, since if you ARE diabetic you are also at higher risk of all cardiac trouble. I have had four known heart attacks and three strokes.

I would for sure, from your description, get that checked by a doctor. In spite of my less than perfect adherence I will make it to 71 in a couple of weeks and hope to keep irritating my wife for another ten or fifteen years.😃

3 hours ago, herfiehandbag said:

I used to fence competitively - got through to the British Army finals one year, got beaten spectacularly by someone who was in the British Olympic Squad, so that is another story.

 

But of course this bloke won, (and yes he is a bloke, no matter how he dresses or identifies), twice the size, twice the reach and twice the strength. A complete nonsense.

 

Chap needs a haircut too!

I might question your assertion of “twice” in every metric. On what do you base this? I am nearly twice my wife’s weight but certainly not twice her height, my reach is about 125% of hers, not 200%, and though we have not made any attempt to quantify it I am pretty sure I am not ( any longer ) twice as strong.

In my college fencing days I was pretty regularly beaten by smaller, female fencers.

.

Just saying I think it is an area where the usual genetic disparity does not confer undue advantage, similar to the way I have seen  some opinions that women can be superior pilots, e.g.

On 10/24/2024 at 11:30 AM, Fiskebolle said:

Hello Folks,

 

A couple days ago, I saw a terrible motorcycle accident happen. Person involved was laying literally 10 meters in front of the doorstep of a private/semi-public hospital.

3 Pickup trucks (Po Teck Tung) arrived at scene to dispatch body/injured to hospitals. To my surprise none of them transferred them to the hospital which was literally 10 meters down from where the accident happened! 
 

Yet this kept me wondering... I'm retired from working in Thailand and have my social security as health coverage (which i only use for minor / OPD issues). I still carry a Private health insurance covering accident/IPD (serious stuff), but as I'm aging and cost of private insurance will at some point become too expensive for me, I may as well just be left with Thai social security system alone. 

 

Now that made me thinking, what would happen *(hypothetically speaking) if I got a serious accident (or heart attack/stroke) and am not conscious anymore to explain (Po Teck Tung or Ambulance) which insurance I have and which hospital I prefer to be brought to?

 

I can imagine the following situation... Por Teck Tung / Medical staff see me (foreigner) and immediately expect this person to have a private health insurance, hence you'll be sent to the Private / best (read most expensive) hospital in the area. Then after waking up from a coma just to realize / shock you are in a hospital you can not afford and stuck with bills/debt you will never be able to cover.

Anyone else here ever though of this?  Or am I over thinking this and my anxiety taking over here? 
Anyway, is there anything that could help the authorities/medical personal to know if I'm covered under SSO by looking at my passport, or best to carry always my Pink ID Card and a note in a my wallet in Thai language explaining which insurance I'm covered with and which hospitals I'd prefer to be brought to in case of emergency? 

Any other ideas / suggestions on this?

Cheers,

FB

I do keep my Provincial Hospital admission card with me usually, so hoping that would give a hint if my wife were not there to give direction. She also has a power of attorney for any such situation  though not sure that would be of immediate help..

I wonder if a medical ID would be a good idea? As a longtime diabetic I should probably have one anyway.

My dear did sign me up for a low cost accident insurance policy which saved us quite a bit when I fractured my pelvis and subsequently a proximate humerus ( shoulder bone ball) , both in falls. The local Chularat hospital did well by me, including the billing. As far as I know they covered everything including several PT appointments afterward.

IMO well worth checking out.

20 minutes ago, johnnybangkok said:

I see the usual brigade are out in droves, pearl clutching to the extremee whilst conveniently ignoring the FACT that many, many sports to include althletics, swimming, rugby, cricket, cycling, rowing and tennis already ban trans althletes. There are a few outlier sports (and I'd include fencing as outlier) that are still trying to work out what to do but I think the majority of sports where 'women who used to be men' is considered an advantage have already adressed the subject and acted appropriately.  

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/transgender-athletes-ban-rules-olympics-b2529369.html

My input is more related to the activity than the gender issue per se. Regarding fencing the sometimes advantages imparted by the male physique in sports activities are much less pronounced with the possible exception of fencing with the cutlass.  Innate strength is considerably less important than speed and agility when engaging with foil or epe’e. In fact too vigorous “thrashing about” can result in scoring deficit.

In my growing-up home town we had a former Olympic fencing coach ( Mr. Jones) and I joined the fencing club at my undergraduate university, so I do have some insight. The “swashbuckling” scenes in films can be faves or vast disappointments when choreographed by subject inexperienced “action” directors.

On 4/2/2015 at 6:41 AM, Tokay said:

I haven't seen many options other than the Farm House whole wheat and the fine whole wheat, but the more I look into bread I am unsure they are that healthy as I don't think they are 100% whole wheat grain, and instead simply unbleached flour as it says on their website (www.farmhouse.co.th).

Has anyone already looked into this or found better alternatives?

Thank you.

I used to buy at a Belgian owned bakery in Bang Saray. Lately I have been baking my own, mostly. Only requires about one hour “ hands on” for two weeks worth. Of course I have years experience, but at 70+ not as if I have high demand on my time anyway.

As a long time diabetic and cardio patient there are a number of advantages vs “store bought”. Very little sugar or salt in the end product or other health damaging additives. I enjoy playing around with various whole grain options and “add ins” such as seeds, nuts, what have you. A little cinnamon, not really enough to taste, but it helps keep it fresh. Portion control because I bake smallish loaves of what is, after all, a high carb food. And by golly, the flavor of my homemade breads beats anything from the grocery store. One exception is the “Emperor” designation bread. They make an okay whole grain type, and I think one called “Cubic” that Mrs. Kwai has brought home a couple of times, but they still tend to additives I have trouble remembering how to spell. And cheap! Amortize the cost per loaf of a ten kilo  bag of AP flour or Indian atta ( whole wheat) and you’re talking in the under a dollar  range.

My mother at one time baked and in high school we had a great ( also diabetic) baker who made our daily bread, along with fab cakes, etc.

I really do not have any love for Trump but he is the next POTUS and such threats are, IMO,  in no way acceptable.

On 11/17/2024 at 10:45 AM, Phillip9 said:

 

 

 

No way to know what will happen in the us over the next year.  It will probably be quite a sh_t show.   Best to just extend your current Thai visa for another year and see what happens before committing 100% to the US. 

 

I certainly wouldn't want to be relying on public assistance in anyway.  You did sign an affidavit of support for your wife, and be very careful not to violate that.

 

I do, however, plan to take advantage of any programs available to elderly such as myself.  If a food bank is available to me why not? I am not in Elon’s bracket, for sure!

20 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

The only extensions of your current permission of stay is 12 month extension (you refer to as "get new marriage visa"

OR 60 day extension to visit wife.

 

I would obtain 12 month extension prior to travel.

Keep in mind an "under consideration period" is required.

You should do that as soon as possible.

Are you using income method or money in bank method. 

Remember to also obtain reentry permit. 

That can be done at immigration or airport.

Which is office? 

The only other option would be obtain the 60 day extension to cover period to exit Thailand.

Then subsequently return to Thailand visa exempt and obtain a "new" non O at your immigration and then couple months later the 12 month extension 

Thanks for the advice. I was leaning in that direction anyway as we are not 100% sure of our plans; our first grandchild is due imminently and yay wants to be available here some of the time commensurate with her residency requirements to keep her green card active “ over there”. A whole ‘nother kettle as who knows what the next administration is going to do?

I do worry some about my wife’s status as a non-white immigrant and some of the alarms raised about possible financial repercussions re: tariffs, deportations, etc.

My wife has her US visa approved and the time frame for entry is Mid March, so we will be heading out soon. My problem is that my Thai visa based on marriage expires in mid January. 
Our plans include staying for at least three months stateside then various scenarios of one or both returning to Thai. We will by then have our first grandson here, so there is a natural draw on that front. We are negotiating on a new homestead there which will require some attention, plus I  will exercise my Medicare options for among other things a cataract procedure, one already done.

I seek advice on my visa options; can I get an extension to cover the gap, or just go ahead and renew (get new marriage visa)? Of course some uncertainty arises with the latest US election. Will my dear wife encounter difficulty as a non-white immigrant? Will announced Trump economic goals, such as steep tariffs and cuts to social programs ( about half our income is from Social Security)  sink our tentative plans? I do currently ( and barely)  qualify for some low income programs such as our anticipated local food bank.

All opinions/ thought welcomed. Majors in theology and philosophy perhaps were not the best academic choices in this regard.😀

Cute kids dealt a bad hand.  Does “ go-fund-me” operate here?

My wife for some reason wants to go to the US anyway, and is willing to go back to work to make it happen.

I’m not sure frankly if we can afford it anymore, and a bit concerned about tomorrow’s results should a non-white-person  discriminatory administration take root.

I tried to interest her in thinking about Costa Rica, but no sale.

I wonder if a month vacation every six months in someplace like Laos would get the revenue junkies off of ones financial back? Maybe even just a couple of weeks. 
Anybody know if/ how the “ residency clock” can be reset? I haven’t seen a lot of discussion along those lines. 

I did have a card once upon a time when living down Satahip way. Lost along the way but the local here didn’t require it when shopping on line or when I (rarely) went in. Been to a couple of others in other towns as well. It seems to obviously not be a hard and fast rule. I seem to recall similar at a Sams club and one Costco (?) and a few other outlets that have discount card setups, though some of those were an individual cashier using their private card to help out customers.

I pretty summarily quit after a helicopter ride to a cardiac hospital. Took to chewing sugarless gum quite a lot but haven’t heard of anyone “ coding” from that.