Tazmo

I never had Private Insurance until I moved to Thailand aged 62. A friend introduced me to his Agent and I took out a policy but the following year they increased the premium even though I didn’t make a claim! So I cancelled it. At 70 I got another policy in error. Thinking that I needed it for my retirement visa, but later found out that I didn’t. The Agent was dishonest. But I kept renewing it for 2 years and again as the premiums kept increasing. I cancelled. I then found another company, cheaper and got a 10% reduction in my premium when I renewed it for the first time last October. I have since had a hospital admission in last December and they paid the bill for 25K THB. The policy covers me for Emergency Admissions only. Company is Coris. D.O.O. Ages 0-100 years old they cover. There is no ‘ deductible’ unlike the previous Company (Axa) Next year I will see how much increase there is! In my late 70,s now.

Google says it’s “ Airborne “, so who’s right? Why hasn’t the Medical Adviser to the Government commented? Just a thought

Brilliant article. Great to have such a detailed and informative forum for health.

What I found interesting in CM is that there are several Rehab Residential Centres in great Resort Settings. They all have Gyms and focus on fitness. I know some Fitness trainers who also work in other Gyms. one or two rehabs used Kick Boxing as a therapy to help your people to take more responsibility and control of their lives, so upon leaving they can find a more healthier lifestyle and use of their dopamine! Also know of Thai Boxing Centres and a School run by an English well qualified owner. They are Shops in the Pantip Plaza Mall which offers visas for training. Lots of Bookshops but most western books tend to be secondhand! Plenty of Yoga Schools, again I know someone who runs one. Many healthy eating restaurants. CM is known as number 2 to Bangkok for Vegan and vegetarian food. Many open air swimming pools, you can chill out for the day! Tourists mainly Chinese compared to Pattaya, Russians. Downside is the “ smoky season “ can be harmful to children and elderly. Hepa Filters are widely used and some cars have them too. From my experience it’s way cheaper and friendly than Pattaya, where you’re hassled regularly on the beach for “viagra”, “ massage”, alcohol, and other harmful substances! You also have to pay a heavy price for renting a deck chair and often the toilets are a long way from the beach! The only plus for me in Pats is the sea air and able to travel to other Islands. But Krabi is similar in that way and have several boxing camps. Cheaper too, you should investigate that option? Medical Services in CM is pricey, unless you’re Insured and under 70. But many Government hospitals, if you don’t mind long queues!

The arrival of Western fast food outlets from the billionaires chain food outlets has increased the obesity problem. You only have to look at the KFC and McDonalds restaurants to see how full they are, not forgetting Pizza joints. These are children’s favorites around the world! Starbucks try to offer plant based milk and baguettes. But trying to find healthy food in some parts of Thailand is virtually impossible. 7Elevens are the worst culprits! They try during the vegetarian week but their alternatives are loaded with additives, only a few healthy snacks. Eating out is popular as in all Tropical countries where it has been traditional because of cooking in a hot kitchen, poor families have no air con and the social aspect of mixing with others and helping others. Quite a contrast from the Pub culture, although many Pubs in Britain now have a range of non-alcoholic beverages and plant based foods ( proven to reduce the bad cholesterol). But sadly the eating out places, markets etc have only foods that will not help to lose weight and lower cholesterol. All working in favour of the Health Insurance Companies. And as in many countries, demand outstrips supply in hospitals. More Thais are now having private health insurance, their policies seem more favourable than Westerners. Many have outlined other reasons in this article for the health concerns eg alcohol; e-cigarettes, electronic devices, lack of exercise etc and true to say that it is a global. Billionaire Companies have the upper hand, except I believe in Scandinavian countries ??, Japan? Cultural factors play a role too.

Thanks BenCrew, I will give that a try. it was MOTD that I usually watch on BBC i player

Has anyone had problems viewing soccer highlights, using a VPN. I have been able to watch until today, when I keep getting a message “ this content is not available “ ! I have tried different search engines but to no avail! Any suggestions? Thanks.

My lower back pain was diagnosed as osteoarthritis, L5. Seen 2 Ortho Specialists. I was given arcoxia (NSAID) which helped but I took it on rare occasions. Tried tiger balm patches, some relief at first. Also tried a Thai mixture of longan seed and laokhao spirits. Some relief at first. Now arcoxia is not very effective! I tried 2 sessions of acupuncture but it made it worse. I then tried CBD oil, not much help either. Now trying diclophenac patches overnight ( 96 baht each) which has been very effective, so far! Good luck.

NatWest Bank UK won’t post cards to Thailand. I need a card because I visit the UK annually and use it for public transport ( tap and go) and paying for everything else. I have had problems at Renewal dates over the past 13 years. I never knew of their policy and kept ordering a new card. Their administration service was based in India and they too wasn’t aware of the policy and kept saying “ your card is in the post”. A long story but I received an apology and some money transferred into my account. A card was then posted to my daughter’s address. Then the next time I collected it from my Branch. The Branch later closed down. So the next one was posted to my Son’s address. Since then I have been going to the UK and ordering a replacement from any branch. They advance me some cash until the card arrives. I have to enquire about a virtual card, although that won’t suit me in the UK as a visitor!

I have 3 Credit Cards from Bangkok Bank. I have them over 10 years now and deposited 200K up front to get them. I have a Thai Air Asia Card which gives me priority in checking in and boarding. have to check my monthly statements and if there is a charge I get my Thai Partner to call them and they waiver the charge. I get cash back for spending large amounts. So far so good.

Shutting the Stable after the horse has bolted! Hospitals have already made billions. I found out soon after retiring here. Sadly I never knew about it and having worked in hospitals for most of my life, I had some trust. But I neglected to consider how “ Medical Tourism “ became popular in Thailand! And I never knew about this forum. Friends never mentioned it because I suppose they had Insurance cover! I have for many years now use a reputable Pharmacy, like the University one. Occasionally the Doctor will warn that “ outside “ drugs might not be effective! But I am prepared to take a calculated risk.

Cheers Brit Man, good shopping tips, if that’s your diet, happy noshing!

I have had lithotripsy twice, the first time in 2011 and again in 2019. As has been said, it depends on the type and location of the stones. My treatment was for stones in the ureter ( the tubes from the kidneys to the bladder) so the treatment was effective. But I still have a stone in my bladder and declined treatment for it. The first time as an emergency it was In- Patient treatment at Chiang Mai Ram and was over 100K. Second time as an Out Patient at Nakornping Hospital ( Government) and the price was less than a quarter of CMR ( Private). Some Urologists work at both Private and Government hospitals. I checked. A third time in 2019 I managed to pass the stone using buscopan and diclophenac. You will notice a blood stain colour urine. But as Sheryl said, you may need to rule our other causes. But kidney stone pain is said to be the worst pain you can experience. You will know if it’s that, I think! You will need advice on your diet and make the necessary adjustments.

If he is eating meals at that price then by the age of 65 he might find it difficult to get insurance cover. Life expectancy of Thais who eat at that price is not too old, bowel cancer from cheap pork offals and the unsterilised fish sauce takes its toll. Maybe he has good genes! Tik Tok is a wind up though!