Tazmo

I have 800K in a fixed Bangkok Bank account for over 10 years now. My concern is that if I become unwell and unable to access that money, how can my Thai Partner get access to it? Also to 200K which I deposited to the bank so that I can use a credit card. We’re not married but live together for 4 years in a house, paid for by me, but in her name. Do I need to make a Thai Will? Through a Lawyer or just a witness? I already have a Will made here, in English and Thai, but my son is named as the Executor ( that cost me 6K THB 6 years ago)! Now to revise that will it will be 15K. The Bank says that I need a Will, naming my wife/ partner, but then at the time of need she will have to go to a court for approval. Grateful if anyone has dealt with a similar situation to advice please.

Thailand has been well known for decades to promote “Medical Tourism “. Along with this and the popularity with the local people on getting Health Insurance.( Their drugs are paid for by their Insurance). One factor I believe for the rise in prices. Also Tourism as a whole is known to support other aspects of the business. So for instance a Tour Bus to a popular site, will know what restaurants to stop at. And they get tips. Similarly, Doctors want to give business to other departments eg Pharmacy; Laboratory; Radiology etc So you would get referred not needs- based! Their Medical ethics is different from that of the West! The last Government was supposed to have introduced measures in order to prevent overcharging for drugs. They said that hospitals had to provide records of what the drugs cost them and what they were charging the Patients. Don’t know if this has happened! I usually ask for a list or names of the drugs and buy them from the University Pharmacy! I do that for my prostate drug at about half the price ( and not cheap imports).

CM Ram also has a good Urologist. If your PSA is high most Urologists will want you to have a biopsy, which is an invasive procedure and cannot guarantee they may get a portion of the prostate which has cancer. I requested and got an MRI Scan, two consecutive years and it is diagnostic for cancer. Negative results. You can then get tablets to shrink the prostate. It works for some. High PSA is also known to be genetic, so some people live with a high PSA for most of their lives.

I get Chiang Mai stout from Rim Ping, Iron Bridge branch. It’s a good taste, flavor etc though not as smooth as Guinness. I liked the Guinness zero per cent in the UK and in USA, I got home delivery. I stick to the Bars in CM that serves Guinness, there’s about 5 that I know of. but will check out some of the links. I was a regular at No 1 Bar, but not been there in years!

Has anyone ever got one in Chiang Mai, Mae Rim district? visited a few times and got all the paperwork but still heard nothing. Going back tomorrow with Immigration letter. My Thai Partner accompanies me. The house is in her name! I will update if any progress.

They need to do like in the USA and UK, train Nurse Specialists. There are shortages of Doctors everywhere and Specialist Nurses have been proven to be just as effective. In the USA they have a PhD. Their only limitation is their limitation with prescriptions. Unlike Doctors, Nurse Specialists will take a full history, including family history and keep records for reference when needed. Therefore their diagnosis tends to be far more accurate! The Medical Associations tell Doctors to treat the symptoms only. This is dangerous particularly in Thailand where there is Medical Tourism! Personally, I have been wrongly diagnosed twice. Another time the Doctor never even examined me. He just prescribed drugs and a heavy charge for a 4 minute consultation. In the UK they used to call it DC10, Direct Contact 10 minutes (with a Psychiatrist)! The other issue in Thailand is that they don’t accept overseas trained Doctors or Nurses, only Teachers, their obsession with teaching English and allows for visa abuse!

This year (2023) I paid for a 10 year visa for my wife ( not legally married). Last year (2022) she applied and got a one year Visa. No information was retained from 2022, she had to start all over again. All that was required was a letter from me stating that I would take full responsibility for maintaining her financially whilst in the UK, including a return flight ticket. And that we will be staying with my daughter. There was no problem with waiting etc. For Canada on the other hand they required a Sponsor’s letter from a Canadian which my niece provided. The appointment date was long and we wanted to travel sooner. So my wife contacted an agent and got advice on how to get an earlier appointment, which she did and no problem. Based upon my experience you shouldn’t have to worry.

A good English speaking Psychiatrist is Dr Suttipan, I worked with him for a few years. He worked with mainly Foreigners. He is very experienced and works at CMR Hospital and also The Hills Rehab , Huay Sai, Mae Rim.

In my District you need a letter from your Embassy (verification of your passport ).

I am a UK Citizen, retired and living in CM with a Thai Partner. We are in the US right now. No problems at Immigration, interview date was a month later than when we wanted to travel for a family reunion, but she managed somehow ( through a friend or Agent) to get an earlier appointment. Interview was less than 3 minutes, just to provide an address of where she is staying. Given a 10 year Visa. Same for the UK, we went twice. Second time we applied and got a 10 year visa ( pricey). She was through Immigration before me! Also no problem for Canada, but my niece in Canada was required to provide an invitation letter. She has traveled to 3 countries in the past and returned to Thailand ( on Uni Scholarships); over 40 and house in CM in her name. I have a feeling that they do a Social Media check, FB etc, so Bar Girls or Ex, or Masseurs tend to get turned down, having said that I know of some that get accepted at first and second attempt, providing Partner has assets in the UK, don’t know about the USA, which by the way I find is the most expensive country in the world to holiday, most recently I think, because I have been here several times over the past 35 years, people very friendly and polite and prices used to be reasonable in the past, the dollar shop, not many items for a dollar. Also the lengthy Tavel hours/ days, not good as you get older!

I choose hospitals with JCI creditation . The Joint Commission International is a group of retired American professionals who inspect and help to improve hospital standards and quality of care. Sadly they don’t control prices so expect a big bill. CMR I have used a lot over the years and took many clients there when I was working. If they haven’t got a specialty they would refer you to the appropriate hospital. Lanna hospital is cheaper and has a good orthopedic service. Maharaj hospital also has a good ortho service. An Australian neighbor/ friend of mine recently passed. He used the government cheap hospitals. I advised him to CMR, he went and was offered to stay overnight for more tests, but his wife declined saying he didn’t have enough money! He died shortly after, she must be happy, says he drank too much alcohol, but has the house, car and his 800K for herself. Insurance Companies has pushed hospital prices up sky high!

How about Police records. They are surely summoned to the accidents and will have detailed records, including nationality. I wonder if they would help or even the Tourist Police? I would also be interested to know alcohol or cannabis/ drugs levels in their blood. I know you could get this in other countries. TAT sadly won’t be interested in this, they weren’t when dengue was very prevalent. Another source could be the Immigration, but as with all agencies there may be an issue with confidentiality?.

I always liked my late father’s: Never curse the bridge you’ve crossed over.

Sorry, I meant CAT Scans

I was offered biopsy a few years ago, but having worked in Urology, I know that the biopsy can be taken from an area that is cancer free. Plus complications as with any invasive procedure. The hospital did not have any alternative. So I went to a bigger hospital with JCI Accreditation and the Urologist there arranged for me to have an MRI which was also diagnostic of cancer and it was negative. I did another follow up one 2 years later and still clear. During the MRI however, although pain free, it can be frightening if you’re claustrophobic. You have to remain still for a very long period. My meditation helped! You have to shop around, I also had kidney stones and declined surgery and went for non invasive, lithotripsy. I have seen 4 different Urologists. I chose the ones who offered options and gave me what I wanted. I know of others who have had their prostate cancer cured but later had secondaries to liver etc. and died some within weeks. One of my brothers who was a Surgeon himself and the other a close friend. Another friend had it spread to his testicles, and had to have them removed.!, Not trying to be scary here, but factual. So if you had a cancer diagnosis and successfully treated, it’s advisable to have car scans, regularly.

Having worked in Psychiatry for many years and with suicidal people. It is a very difficult to stop someone if they’ve made up their mind to do it. Usually it’s after coming out of a depression. When depressed the individual would usually have pyschomotor retardation, making it difficult for them to carry out the act. So in this case it would be valuable to know what he’s been like for a few weeks leading up to the incident. Another point, from experience, a UK Coroners Court would only give a verdict of suicide if a suicidal note is left and forensic proves this as well as proving he wasn’t under any pressure to write such a note. Having said all that, alcohol and drugs, cannabis, now widely available can lead to psychotic reactions/ irrational thoughts. Not sure of all his history! very sad and tragic such events requires sensitive handling and support for those left behind. Often relatives are in a state of denial and look to blame others. Not saying this is the case here, but a fact that I have encountered.

Archers, down the road from Zoe’s in Yellow, an English Guy who also runs The Moat House; Next to the Moat( they also do a vegan breakfast). OMG opposite Rasta by the Iron bridge ( during cricket tournaments, most of the cricket teams use it), highly rated! also they do the best cod and chips ; O.Malleys Irish Pub in Anusarn market; The Score Sports Bar, across from the UN Irish; Crustys down the road from the holiday Inn. These are also places where you would get a roast turkey dinner at Christmas! UN Irish and Butter is Better have their own bakery with a wide choices of bread and fresh! Happy noshing!

In England they say sex is like snow! You don’t know how much you’re getting and for how long 555

Depends on where you live? I use a local Clinic and the Doctor does not charge ( unless you go for a Consultation). Clinics tend to be in the Evenings, as the Doctors work during the day and the Clinic is usually at the ground floor of their home ( my area is semi rural). You will most likely need either a Thai Partner or a Translator. let the translator do all the talking. But provide her/ him with your list of medication names; dosage and frequency. Maybe you can google clinics near to your location? Should’nt be a problem. Good luck

https://aseannow.com/profile/11421-neeranam/ I had a few years of poor sleep and tried all that has been mentioned in this forum. So I decided to see a Specialist who prescribed tramazone 50 mgs at bedtime and if required 1 mg Lorazepam. I tried the tramazone on its own and it didn’t help. So I started adding the lorazepam and it has worked. Tramazone apparently can take up to a week or more to work! I have a follow up appointment in 4 weeks time and by then I will decide whether to continue or not. It was a 900B fees altogether for Medical, hospital and medication. But IMO it has been well worth it.

No hatred in my blood, I think, Retired to enjoy life and remain open minded, but 5 observations and maybe more : 1. Ex Pats who brought their racism here from the West, when I thought I escaped it from leaving a Western Country. Yes, it’s common in all races but the degree varies. 2. Ex pats with more money than social skills and would never have a Western relationship with a woman. 3. Old Ex Pats with money who come here for young boys. 4. Ex Pats Clubs with Racists, totally unaware of their racism and are quick to say “ I am not racist, I have a Thai wife”, but living like their British Colonial ancestors. 5. Addicts, Sex, drugs, alcohol, Ex pats again who find a haven here, yet their fellow compatriots never acknowledge this but moan about Thais way of life (“ moaning minnies “, ‘ whingeing Poms”).. social skills

I have checked your records and I can confirm that the Life Certificate has been received, and it was processed by our offices on 18 July 2023. Pension payments were reinstated and issued at this time and no further action is required. Please note, payments can take up to 5 working days to clear into your account. ( this was after my phone call on the 18 July……last payment was in March!)

Correct reply that Widows Pension has been phased out. It is now known as “ Bereavement Pension “ with a different set of criteria. I am yet to read it all.

PaoloR you need to repeat as before and send with a tracking post. Then it seems like they genuinely believe you’re alive when you phone and speak to them. They will ask you to hold for a minute while they check if your Certs have been received. Once you told them that you have tracked it. They will confirm same and then They will ask a few questions for identification purposes. Then politely inform you that your pension suspension has been lifted as of “today “ and you will receive your backdated and future pension as before. This will be confirmed by an email the same day.

I would just like to update on this topic which was covered before. I was in the same situation as a few others. Not having received a Life Cert by post, so surprised when I didn’t receive my pension as usual. My email was answered and a LC sent which I completed and returned by registered post with a tracking code. I found out it was delivered but still no pension 3 months later. So as I am in the UK I rang and all was acknowledged and the suspension lifted and was told I would receive it the next day. Followed up by an email, confirming the lift of the suspension but stating it could tayup to 5 days! But I am satisfied. I also confirmed that my pension rate will be adjusted to the local rate whilst I am in the UK, providing I write with supporting documents ( air tickets), which I have done. One question I have is about Widows pension. Would my Thai Partner/ wife be entitled to this or does it not apply nor exist? I could only find “War Widow’s Pension “ on their website!!