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!

Thanks “ Gearbox”, I think I managed to sort it, with the suggestion of a previous poster. I inserted my middle name on my WISE account and the transfer went through.

I have had the same problem and visited my bank who assured me it was not them but it was a problem with WISE. They have had a few similar enquiries! I even tried using my partners details for the transfer and it didn’t work. WISE redirected me to my bank for the money! Even though they held my money for “ 2 days “! I will try the middle name fiasco and see if that works, if not then back to TorFX.

It’s interesting and timely to read what the Poster has said, because I had yesterday posted asking for advice on WISE transfer via Bangkok Bank. The transfer has been going well for years, but yesterday the transaction failed and WISE are refunding my money. I couldn’t figure out why? Obviously it was to do with BKK Bank. All I was told was that my banking details were incorrect! Now from reading this, I suspect my account has been blocked. And it could be for security reasons! I have just returned from the UK where I had a different SIM card and used BBL while I was there. So I am hoping that is the reason. I shall go into my Branch today to find out.

I am stuck with transferring my monthly pension via WISE as I have always done for several years, to my Bangkok Bank account. The money was transferred from my UK account to WISE but then “ cancelled “ saying bank account details are incorrect and the money will be refunded to my UK account. I have been reading that some have experienced problems with Bangkok Bank and I am wondering if this is the case? Any advice would be welcomed and also any alternative suggestions. Many thanks in advance.

Psychologists reckon it’s about changing attitudes. One effective way to change an attitude is to impose a financial penalty and implement it! It worked in the UK when the seat belt law was introduced. Many of the Seniors were bragging that they drove for years without wearing a belt and had no accidents and therefore would not wear a belt. Once the then £50.00 penalty was introduced, they all belted up! “Hit them in the pocket”, as a Former businessman used to say!

Agoda is appealing because of being cheaper, but if you make a mistake, you are unable to resolve it straightaway! It happened to me once, double booking in error! After several efforts, I was sent a voucher, which I was unable to use before the expiration! Never used Agoda again for several years now. Expedia was another bad experience with booking a flight from BKK to CM and paying for it. Only to arrive at the Airport and find out that the booking didn’t happen!! And they had a “ no refund policy “! My bookings since has been direct with the Hotels and Airlines.

I read that it’s contraindicated if you have kidney disease or alcoholism. I know people who have taken aspirin as a precaution against cardiovascular disorders, not sure about its effectiveness, as the ones I knew died of other causes. But it was prescribed because of heart conditions. If you want to try a drug without prescription then it’s a risk that you seem willing to take. I hope it’s benefits outweigh any side effects!

Been there recently to buy souvenirs and dried fruits for gifts. All seems to be in full flow. Large underwear shops at good prices. Nice selection of white cotton shirts etc. The fruit and vegetables section was hectic. Lots of fresh stuff. A not so new coffee cafe opened and is very cosy. Quite a few tourists. Parking about 20baht.

You can go to a reputable Pharmacy ( one of the bigger ones ) and speak to the pharmacist in confidence. Many can speak and understand English well enough to hear the symptoms and offer a treatment. They are just or better qualified than Doctors in Pharmacology. In fact people in the UK were advised on this approach instead of flooding the Doctor's surgeries . Another thing you can do is buy a swab ( a long think stick with a cotton wool bud at the end), if there is a discharge, get her to take a specimen and take it to a private laboratory, ask for “ culture and sensitivity “, you should get the what type of organism there is, then to the pharmacy and get the correct antibiotics. Or try what Sheryl has suggested, it might work. If it recurs then you will need to establish whether it is an infection that needs antibiotics. Doesn’t sound serious though. Also bathing the area with good antiseptic could help tolerate the odor.

This is a complex area, and the entitlement of your Thai wife to a "Widow's Pension" from the UK will depend on several factors, primarily related to the specific pension schemes you have and the current UK regulations regarding overseas residents and their dependents. Here's a breakdown of the two main types of pensions you mentioned: 1. UK Government State Pension Your wife may be entitled to a portion of your UK State Pension, but it depends on: * When you (and she) reached State Pension age: * If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 (old State Pension rules): Your wife might be able to inherit a percentage of your basic State Pension and potentially some of your Additional State Pension (SERPS/S2P) based on your National Insurance contributions. * If you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 (new State Pension rules): The new State Pension is primarily based on an individual's own National Insurance record. It is generally not possible to inherit a State Pension from a spouse or civil partner under the new rules, unless certain conditions apply (e.g., if you deferred your State Pension). However, there might be provisions for those who have lived or worked in countries with social security agreements with the UK. * Your National Insurance (NI) Contributions: For your wife to potentially benefit, your NI contributions would need to meet certain thresholds. * Her Age and Marital Status: She would need to be over her State Pension age and not remarried or in a new civil partnership before reaching State Pension age. * Residence: While you live in Thailand, the UK State Pension can generally be paid anywhere in the world. However, certain benefits like Bereavement Support Payment (which replaced Widow's Pension for deaths on or after 6 April 2017) have specific residency requirements. Important Note on "Widow's Pension" and Bereavement Support Payment: The "Widow's Pension" was largely replaced by Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) for deaths that occurred on or after 6 April 2017. BSP is a short-term benefit paid for up to 18 months. Eligibility for BSP generally requires the claimant to have been living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits at the time of their partner's death. Thailand is not currently listed as one of the countries outside the EEA/Switzerland that can claim BSP from the UK. 2. Occupational Pension Most occupational pension schemes provide for a survivor's pension for a spouse or civil partner, but the amount and conditions vary. You would need to contact the Pensions Department directly to understand the specific provisions of your scheme. They will be able to confirm: * If a survivor's pension is payable. * The percentage of your pension that would be paid to your wife. * Any conditions or requirements for her to claim it (e.g., proof of marriage, identity, etc.). * How payments would be made to her in Thailand. Key Actions You Should Take: * Contact the International Pension Centre (for State Pension): * This is the dedicated department for UK State Pension enquiries for people living abroad. They can advise on your wife's potential eligibility for any inherited State Pension benefits or Bereavement Support Payment based on your specific circumstances and NI record. * You can find their contact details on the GOV.UK website. * Get in touch with the Pension Body of the Company you worked for. * They can provide specific details about any survivor's benefits linked to your pension. It's crucial to understand the scheme rules that apply to your pension. * Review your Will and Estate Planning: * While not directly related to pension entitlement, living abroad with a foreign spouse means you should ensure your will is valid in both the UK and Thailand and clearly outlines your wishes regarding your assets. * Be aware of Inheritance Tax (IHT) implications. As a UK citizen, even if you live abroad, your worldwide estate (including assets in Thailand) could potentially be subject to UK IHT, depending on your domicile status. Spousal exemptions for IHT may apply, but it's important to understand the specifics for a non-UK domiciled spouse. Recent changes (from April 6, 2025) relate to long-term residency for IHT purposes. Seek legal advice on this. It's highly recommended to gather all your pension statements and relevant documents before contacting these bodies, as they will likely ask for specific details about your contributions and pension scheme. The above answer is a summary. It’s more or less what others have said.