HAPPYNUFF

If anyone knows of, or can tell us , of a poor Insurance Company, please advise all of us. Like many, I am too old to be offered health insurance, in Thailand. In my own country, Australia, no problems, I had it before coming here, with a 30% government subsidy on my premiums because I was then more than 65 years of age (rising to 35% at reaching 70) total cost then just over A$1000 per annum, on unlimited cover, medical, optical, dental, (not pregnancy, thank god) in a private hospital, doctor of my choice etc. no waiting lists. Now, Im stuck here, in the land of smiles. Should I choose to leave, my private Australian Health Insurance would kick in again, as I merely "suspended" it, but unfortunately, I could not return here, as travel insurance, or overseas health insurance is not an option. So here I am, stuck in the middle with you, as they say. PS.. Should I wish to ever cancel my private health insurance in Australia, I would then revert to free public hospital treatment, for any and all health problems, the major difference being, there being a long wait list for "elective" surgery.... Again, endlessly, I would point out to those who post "if you dont have health insurance in Thailand, it serves you right"", there are many of us who are simply over the age limit set by Thai insurance companies to obtain any health insurance at all, we are quite prepared, and will pay our own way, when and if needs arise, thank you. Dont forget, you will join us one day, sooner than you think!!!!!.

My eldest son is an accountant. He went to the UK, could work as his grandfather, my dad, was a Pom. He stated the work ethic for the English is rather strange. As an accountant he was paid on a "points" system.. What you do is what you are paid. He would get to work 8am and start. The locals would roll in about 9am, stand around drinking tea, then off to the grindstone,,later. Stop for lunch 12 noon, come back maybe 1.30PM ,, stop again 2 or 3 Pm for afternoon tea. My son ignored both tea breaks and took 3/4 of an hour for lunch. By 5pm the office was deserted. My son would knock off about 6pm. He states he was earning twice as much as the locals, his work output was that much higher. He bought a small car while there, rented his own apartment, led a good life. Came back to Oz after 2 years. Its what you put into to it is what you get out of it. Had no complaints about the place, enjoyed his time there.

Tries posting this in Health Forum but couldnt....Anyone know the Thai name for Magnesium Sulphate, commonly known as Epson Salts, and how to pronounce it.' Have heard a strong mixture is good for joint pains when a hot towel is soaked in the liquid and applied to knee joint..

Dont know where you live in Oz, but to give some examples...my former, old neighbour, a retired Insurance Company Exec, who laughed at Insurance as just a "scam", needed eye surgery. Waiting time at Royal Perth Hospital, or other large public hospital, over 12 months he was told. His eye surgeon suggested he go to Mandurah, a town some 60 kms south of Perth and have an eye examination there, at the public hospital. Did so, was booked in for eye surgery there, within three weeks and behold, his same surgeon did the op. who explained there is far less waiting time in regional hospitals. As in Thailand, doctors in private practice have to devote a portion of their time/service in public hospitals. Also my brother, lived in small country town in WA needed cataract surgery b oth eyes. Doctor in his towns small hospital, referred him to Albany Public Hospital, on the south coast, quite some distance away.. Op undertaken 2 weeks later, one eye at a time. The moral of the story seems to be, waiting time in large cities is extreme, not too bad in regional centres. As your Doc. about this.

If 1931 refers to possums use by date, he sure is dreaming about his ability, to do anything.

Our Vet back home told us that dry biscuits, either cat or dog variety are very bad for animals, full of salt and has adverse effects on their liver and kidneys. I still give our dogs small amounts, , mixed and softened with a little milk, but make sure there is plenty of water around for them as well. They have tinned sardines, chicken bones, chicken liver,,rice and bones on different occasions. I try to stop the wife giving them those tins of dog food, after reading about the junk in them on You Tube. Has anyone bought those packs of frozen dog food I see in the freezers at Macro, and whats their opinion of them??

Anything, even Der Fuhrer, would be better than this present lot.

It must be because Im "hansum" at least all the girls tell me I am, and they wouldnt lie,,would they?

Will it ever be possible these "generals" may one day engage what small brain they may possess, before they open their mouths.?

Immediately after pressing the speak button on his mobile he noticed the brakes on the vehicle were not operable.

And the devastated parents of the young girl, Mr and Mrs Retard, are wondering what they did wrong.

Other day at Makro, chicken breasts at 45 baht a Kilo. My son tells me there nearly $15 ( about 360 baht)a kilo in Australia. My wife got talking to the lady sells those fried banana or potato things at a roadside stall, the lady was saying everything she has to buy, cooking oil, bananas, coconut, gas, etc has gone up, but she is afraid to raise her prices, as she will lose customers.

Never mind putting me in a category, Im just terrified of being put in a box, especially if Im not yet dead.

With the average Thai parent having the common sense, and brain, of a demented buffalo, letting kids race around the streets on motor cycles, without license or helmet, you really think they are going to lash out and by baby seats for their car??

I recently, out of pure curiosity, did a Google search on Mongolia. Does that mean I now intend to migrate there???

Both mran66 and leaver make good, though opposing points of view, while imxcredt gives a younger persons view, also good. Its the uniqueness of Thailand that attracts,( please dont go to the "Thainess" point). I dont want shiny, slick and modern, I can get that in my own country., I want the difference that exists in parts of the country here, and cleanliness, decent footpaths, sensible and enforced traffic laws ( thats an oxymoron that will never happen here). Having visited here numerous times since 1988, and lived permanently for many years, I see the decline in numbers of western tourists, though reasons for which I can only surmise at, but for an example, my three adult children, their spouses and children, numbering 12 in total, no longer come to this country to visit me, my wife and I go to a mutually agreed third country to visit with them. Their reason, and with my encouragement, being, its simply not farang friendly anymore.

Please do not say anything negative about Thailand, you upset the Thai lovers. There are some Australians that make me feel glad I left that country, unfortunately, some of them seem to have followed me here. No where is perfect, here or there, I find most criticism here to be constructive and helpful. Like another reader here, my wife now openly criticises things she objects to, whereas before she would remain silent, like the rest of the Thai herd.

I have fairly good results just using cinnamon powder, from the herb shops. Was recommended to me years ago by an old established nursery guy.

I bought some grass runners with me from Australia, took a while to get established, patchy , but OK now, except I have a lot of clover type weed now, though when that dies off in the hot season it is supposed to put nitrogen back in the soil. The lawn I have is called Palmeto, a variant of the good old "buffalo grass" from Australia, only more drought resistant and softer, so it doesnt give you itches from lying on it as buffalo does. Have yet to find a good quality lawn fertiliser there though.

Well at my advanced age, Ive found that all the wrong parts get stiff now, but luckily, Ive still got most of my marbles up top, like to laugh, enjoy the world most times, just regret it doesnt go one forever, though I do say, all things being equal, and ignoring the chaos around the world, this is the most peaceful time of my life. Have had two bad turns, thought it was the end each time, and strangely enough I wasnt scared, confused a little, but not scared., full of regret I was leaving my wife .

Obviously, staff from the Tourist Authority of Thailand assisted in compiling this little fairy tale. While Im on my high horse, I get a bit weary at the "insurance experts" on this forum who keep spouting about ''If you cant afford insurance you shouldnt be here".. Have they ever stopped to think,,, a difficult concept for most of them , I reallize, in that its not a matter of affording, but the fact that every insurance company I know of, here in the land of smiles, simply refuses to insure a person once they reach 70, and in some cases 75 years of age, unlike my own country, where age is of no concern, and in fact the government gives a generous subsidy to aged persons to assist paying their premiums.

Now , their not "bars" anymore, they have gone all swish and "upmarket" and call them selves "clubs", whereby they only have a doorway for the entrance, and you have no idea whats inside, or what the prices of a drink are till your a captive. I liked the old style bars, nothing more pleasant than a quiet afternoon perched on a stool having a cold beer while watching the world go by outside. we arent all skirt chasers.

Second entry, the best beer I have tasted was the one someone else paid for. Hauf Brau House,(or similar spelling) on Beach Rd, Pattaya has draught wheat beer, excellent when Im visiting Sin City.

Lao beer, of any type is my favourite, but at over 1200 baht a carton, only buy it on birthday/christmas, when Im feeling rich. The new Chang Cold Brew is nearly equal to Lao, and thats what I drink now., at 35 baht a carton more than regular Chang, I can afford it.

If the pickup has, as stated here, damage to the side, I assume the Thai swerved into a passing vehicle??