Tazmo

As I worked for the NHS in the UK, I never had Health Insurance. But a few years after retiring in Thailand, I read that Insurance would be necessary to renew your visa. I researched several Companies,then contacted a Broker who insisted that I need Insurance cover. I took out a Policy in 2019 for £2,711.31 per year. Then found out from my Visa Agent that with my visa, no Insurance was necessary. However I continued with the Policy, although the Premium kept increasing each year and I had made no claims. I have been paying for my own hospital treatment, which included in patient for dengue fever etc etc and most recently paid, 28K THB for a colonoscopy and removal of polyps. My excess on my Policy is £2,000. so I am unable to claim, for anything less than that, and reducing the 'excess' will increase my premium! This year my premium has climbed to £3,148.09. I decided to cancel the Policy altogether. I can’t afford it on my pension! I realize it’s taking a risk Incase of emergencies, but hopefully I will return to the UK if anything major is required. Any experience with Insurance cover for the over 70’s?

Yes Kayaking, as mentioned by the previous contributor, at Crystal Lagoon, through the Caves is thrilling, you can get assistance if you don’t kayak, and a nice cool spot for swimming at the end. Railay Beach is a nice day out by the long tail boats. Plenty of walking around if you like. The sunset is terrific, try to stay for that.

My Thai mother-in-law went to a Private Clinic yesterday and was told surgery was not indicated. She got an injection and cost her 1K THB with other medicines. Haemorrhoids are varicose veins and varicose veins in the legs were often injected with good cosmetic effect. They inject a solution that dissolves the clotted blood. Maybe you should try that method?

We went in February to March, mainly to escape the smog and pollution in Chiang Mai. So we explored as much as we wanted and can afford. We had a self catering place, very nice and helpful owners. Explored a few Islands, caves, lagoons, day trips and long tail boat trips. There was more to explore but our budget was tight. Would have liked to do the James Bond Island. The weather was good at that time. Plenty to do, night market is big, good food and booze at reasonable prices. Many places have happy hour, buy one get one, and half price dinners. Good restaurants with plenty to choose from. The beach areas, town and Island largest population are Thai Muslims, so plenty of Indian food, halal, but they serve alcohol. I explored the Al Nang briefly, busy but different life style, Mosques and cheap food at roadside. Cheap laboritory services, if you need blood tests/ check up. I don’t think personally that a week is enough, though you can pack in a fair bit if young and energetic. But watch for the weather as someone else has highlighted, high and rough tides etc.

Thanks to all those who have taken the time to reply. All useful to know. It’s not a ‘ life or death’ situation that I must have one. I got the idea from this forum. Anyway, from one of the replies it would appear that the Amphur that I live in, is the problem in that someone else has been waiting for “ years”! I live in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai Province.

I applied early last year, but my documents only got registered in November. The lady in charge insisted that was the correct date! At first she said that she didn't know about this request and had to consult with her Manager! We made several visits since then. Once I was asked to get a letter from Immigration re my visa, which I did.( then she said it was not needed!). Then I had to get verification of my passport by the British Consulate in Bangkok, which I did. I was told that I had to be resident at my permanent address for at least 60 days! I was told that I would receive a phone call to further process my application. As I hadn't heard, and 60 days had lapsed, I went back to see her. She recognized me immediately and addressed me by my first name! Then insisted that I had to await for her phone call. She explained to my wife that she was very busy with registration of births and deaths etc etc. asked to speak with her Manager. He couldn't speak English and was very abrupt to my wife, with no explanation for the delay or given an estimated time. So we went to see the Head of the Center (Deputy Sheriff). He was apologetic and reiterated that the center was very busy. But promised to call my wife with an answer on the same day. But he never called. So we called again and he promised to speak to the Officer in charge and get back to us. But nothing so far! Except that the Manager added my wife to his Line contact! So I am wondering how long did it take Martin or anyone, from the time of applying to receipt of the book and card? I appreciate it may vary from area to area, but just to get a rough idea. Thanks.

The money in the bank wasn’t a big deal. she just prepared a statement and carried her bank book with her, just in case they asked. The other points are more important I believe.

In my case Last year my wife applied and had no problem. She wrote a detailed letter convincing them that she is very stable here in Thailand, house in her name, has a job, her own business and money in the bank. That she had travelled several times and returned. That she is accompanying her husband for a family reunion and gave an address of my niece, where we stayed. Believe they also checked her Facebook account!

If she refuses to go to a hospital for treatment, in an emergency you can call the Police, they will get her to the hospital. Some people have no insight into their illness ( a psychosis), if she believes and is convinced that nothing is wrong, you will have no choice but to involve the Emergency services. Otherwise follow the advice given here, all good, she will likely need an assessment, followed by medication and or counseling from a Psychologist. All available.

Intelligence is the ability to pass an intelligence test! That’s all. We are all beings, but humans have more intelligence, difference between us and animals. Academics might be bright but emotionally a dunce! I have seen many can’t form a relationship in the West but come to Thailand and buy their way into a relationship! For me it’s about knowing your true self; inner self; able to live peacefully. Living a way of life to not be reincarnated again. I Struggle with that but try to. We’ve all got inherited plus accumulated karma!

My wife is Thai and is suitably qualified to teach your housekeeper. She’s done it before with domestic; gardening and other staff at an International school and now has a range of students. If you’re interested let me know further details eg location; hours per week etc

English is a bastardized language made up with words from Latin, Sanskrit; Greek etc etc originating from the different races that originally emigrated, invaded and occupied both countries. Accents, pronunciations, interpretation and some spelling are different! Slangs and colloquial expressions are everywhere! E.G Duke is pronounced as Duuk, but Duchess is pronounced as Duchess! wicked means bad, naughty, but also used to mean great’ Black means bad, black listed; black magic ; etc etc. A former African President said he didn’t care as long as he used white toilet paper!

I usually chat to them on Twitter, ( now changed name to X ). They reply and answer all my questions. Not a robot, but a person.

Trump was obviously successful in Business and steered his own ship, hence the learnt dictatorial style which he has brought into politics. Skills, knowledge and attitude can be transferred from Business to Politics, Thaksin has done it in Thailand, and others. Deviousness is inherent in his success, dishonesty, tax avoidance by using the tax system in a way that suits him to pay less tax. Power hungry in order to impose his own ideology. Pathological Liar, people who have no insight whatsoever in the fact that they tell lies! He will always deny. Denial used as a form of mental defence mechanism (MDM), usually an unconscious process, to protect yourself ego. Projection, another MDM, blaming others,’ judges are useless’, whereas he himself is! Rationalisation, another MDM, where you try to justify your behaviour or wrongdoing. EG, you avoid paying your bus fare, but you rationalise it by saying, oh the bus was late anyway, and I had to stand! Displacement, usually of anger, eg you’re angry with your wife, so you kick the dog! Or vice versa! How many people he’s sacked?i There are a few more, Trump uses them all, and has a long list of labels behind his name, indicating his mental instability and he loves others who are similar, like “ The Rocket man”. Borderline Psychotics. We all use these mechanisms according to Freud, but the length and depth varies.

Don’t forget the sugar in alcohol! Just as harmful. And in countries where alcohol is banned, except for a special license, like the Middle East. Diabetes was or still is the highest in the world. They eat more sweet stuff during Ramadan, breaking their fast with a feast. Some eat all night, until daybreak, especially those in traditional areas, where they do not work during Ramadan, restaurants including Mac D are all closed! I am sure that India is not far behind! It is said to be ‘ familiar’ ( occurs in families) as opposed to genetics?

I had the very same thing this morning. Rejection was based on the fact that they didn’t have a T30 from me! Was told by the said Immigration a while back that I don’t need to do a T30 anymore. There is a document in my passport confirming my residency. But this could not be disclosed online! I was asked to report to CM Immigration. usually I do it on “the drive through “ service in CM. Hope I don’t have to pay a fine. My 90 days expires on 2 April!

In my situation, the House and land that me and my Thai partner live in, is as usual in her name. However we visited the local Land Registry Office and applied for me to continue living there if she passes before me. We had to submit several relevant documents. In conclusion, I have a document that states, if my wife passes before me, I can live there indefinitely. I can also rent the property. But I cannot sell it. This is all very recent. My Partner will get the document translated into English and I would be happy to post it here.

When I first started working in the Midlands in the late 60,s, colon cancer was common. Also in the North of England. It was related to diet, in those two regions, they ate lots of Offals. In the South of England they didn’t, or very little, a steak & kidney pie would be the most, one in a while. Have’nt really followed up on that, but I believe the diet everywhere has changed. Burgers can have all sorts of Offals to make it tasty! But in Thailand where colon cancer is common in the North, I am told by a Consultant Medical Doctor that it is due to eating lots of fish sauce ( non-pasteurised)! Using it with papaya salad is a craze! Again, I haven’t seen any stats.

Sorry, the new App in London is “ Gett “

We’ve been in Krabi for almost 40days now and use Grab all the time. They are half the price of taxis; minibuses; tuk Tuk. The longest you wait is 5 minutes. Pay be scan or cash. Decent cars, mostly new and clean. Used them also in CM, but not so often. Mae Rim to town or to Airport or to Lamphun. Reliable and decent prices. Also tried inDrive, using their App. You’re given the standard price and usually no driver responds until you increase your offer. Bargaining. Used it once and it was successful. in London, Uber has been the best, used them for years. Tried Bolt, but found their drivers first language is not English and? Some illiteracy. They arrive at the wrong place, then drive away, won’t respond to phone calls or messages and then you get charged a cancellation fee! Deleted their App. I heard there’s a new travel App now in London “ Getting”. in Canada and Florida, Uber was fantastic. Prompt, reliable and value for money.

I have been going in for several years now. It’s a lot easier and quicker! 1-2 hours waiting including waiting for a ReEntry Permit.

Endoscopy refers to investigations at either end of the body. Mouth : gastroscopy ; bottom end : sigmoidoscopy; colonoscopy. Gastroscopy is a painless procedure but can feel uncomfortable. You might have seen at Circuses, men pushing long swords down their neck. But they practice it. One problem is your cough reflex during the procedure and anxiety, plus discomfort. For this you’re given minor sedation for pain relief and sedative effects. The needle will remain in your arm until you’re discharged. They can top you up if needed. Everyone pain and anxiety thresholds vary according to several factors. Anyway it’s merely an investigative procedure to rule out cancer. They will take samples and later reveal a bacteria, helicobacter pylori. But the symptoms that this causes don’t match yours. With colonoscopy however they can perform treatment at the same time if they see polyps on the colon, by removing them painlessly, under sedation of course. No harm in having investigations done as you get older. Once a year Health Check up is usually enough for most. You get a shopping list of procedures and you can add or subtract. If your PSA is high and MRI shows no cancer you will be advised to not bother with further PSA checks! But in your situation, there were two other suggestions made that you should pursue: Firstly, get checked for the GERD, and secondly if all fails,it will be worthwhile to see a psychologist. It could be psychosomatic, in that your symptoms are real but their origin lies elsewhere. And you won’t be able to figure it out yourself and will needlessly be distressed.

Good for genuine holiday makers with their UK partner. But sadly I know for a fact that many Thais work during their holidays there, cheap labor. There are thousands of Thai restaurants and street markets vendors with long queues at lunch time. I went to one in Reigate, £1.00 for one spring roll!! Some Thais there are married and waiting up to 5 years for their permanent residency. Some I met have been married to a Farang and living there for years! Cameron is after his prudency lark! Thatcher did it the the 80’s. Important hundreds of Filipino Nurses so she then cut the budget for Nurse Training in the UK. Then later, European nurses.Communication with patients was poor due to comprehension and the quality of care deteriorated. I dealt with most complaints as a Manager. Extra training with no training budget! why isn’t there a reciprocal arrangement for healthcare and pensions. Our pensions here are frozen! It could also be a financial nightmare for the Banks. I know it used to be easy to get a credit card and some other nationalities ran up their cards to the limit then cleared off. That was around the time of the financial crisis. you can’t do that in Thailand, you have to pay upfront a large sum of money ( depending on the credit limit you want) before they will issue you a credit card! Well the Government banks anyway and they guarantee you 1 million return of your savings if they crash! UK won’t do that, would they?

You need supplements only if you have a deficiency in them. Your body ( liver) will excrete any excess. For instance if you take iron, your body will only accept 1mg per day, the rest will be excreted, sometimes in your stools, black color. You might find this after a lot of Guinness! The suggestion of a full blood test is a good idea. Go from there. But in general we do need supplements as we age and in particular if vegan or vegetarian, but not strictly so, if you eat the right foods or smoothies.