CRUNCHER

I don't blame you for testing. A good idea. I wonder how many others are doing this giving the Government a false impression of the success of Thailand Pass. 555. I won't need this until next year and I am monitoring the situation hoping that by the time I need it at least some of the issues are resolved. I am not confident.

You asked if she was mad. Not a pleasant comment. The difference in her posting a clear indication of the mess that Thailand Pass is in.

Don't shoot the messenger. Sheryl is smart, switched on and well versed in Thai ways. If she has a problem then there is a big problem. You do not need to be a rocket scientist to work that out. When she gets it worked out, and I am sure she will, a lot of us will learn something; I am already. I follow her posts with interest. Good luck Sheryl; you deserve it.

The general frustration in this thread (as well as others) is palpable. It is not a question of the Government's left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing; the left hand does not know it has a right hand. This insurance issue has been bubbling for over 2 weeks and it is about time the Government gave a definitive answer. I can dream can't I.

That sounds like Bangkok. M&S Pattaya is inside the Central Department Store on second floor.

Perhaps buffaloes should have health insurance.????

I have been looking around, but there are too many restrictions relating to travel insurance for somebody who lives in Thailand. As for health insurance, I am 74 and can get insurance for this year. But next year, when I hit 75, even if I can get insurance, premiums lose touch with sanity. I would have thought that there was something of a niche market here (older long term residents). I am not an actuary, but I find it hard to believe that local insurance companies can't work something out. They did when only Covid insurance was required. For example a mandatory excess/deductible would eliminate the plethora of small claims that individually do not amount to much, but collectively cost insurance companies a lot of money. Not including things like death cover and repatriation of mortal remains would again reduce cost. Having arrangements with specific hospitals could benefit the insurance companies, although there might be costs relating to transfer after initial admission. Just my thoughts.

Something interesting came up in a conversation recently. I was told (but haven't check it out yet) that if husband and wife took out a joint health insurance policy there could be some saving on premiums. My question at this time is has anyone had experience of using a joint policy for Thailand Pass and were there any problems?

Thanks for taking the trouble to post. It could certainly be useful to some people. Unfortunately this policy is not available to anyone actually in Thailand. See the website FAQ. Fine if you plan a long trip out of Thailand you can apply in the place you are going to. Anyone going for a short trip really need to sort out insurance and Thailand Pass before they leave Thailand, It is only available for those under 75 years. This will eliminate a lot of elderly retirees in Pattaya currently feeling trapped. It only has limited benefit to those to whom this thread applies.

Not having a problem and not wanting to be ripped off by reason of age are not the same thing. Some people have the money because they did not pour money down the drain.

Absolutely right. I am lucky. At 74 I enjoy good health and am fit for my age. I am a better insurance bet than a man 20 years younger with diabetes and hypertension. But I would be ripped off because of my age. I am not naïve. I could have an emergency tomorrow. That is why I keep cash in the bank (4 million at the moment). I have more overseas if necessary. I have three overseas credit cards, that I seldom use, but which can give me about 1.3 million baht. All this is to cover emergencies, medical or otherwise. Yes there are risks, but not great. I take them willingly. And I do know not everyone is as lucky as me, however, I didn't get that lucky by pouring money down the drain. The money I have saved in premiums over the years would go a long way to covering medical expenses. But pleeeeeeese don't tell me I have to leave Thailand because I do not want to be ripped off paying for insurance I do not want and do not need.

Of course you are right. I was just sowing a germ of an idea. It would need fleshing out. The Government has set the bar at US$50,000 so 800,000 baht would need to be doubled. It would need to stay in the bank full time. If you had to dip into it for medical treatment there would need to be a grace period for top up (lighting does strike twice in the same place, but seldom) and you would need to produce medical receipts when renewing your extension. Just some thoughts; more are needed. At least I get to keep my money rather than pouring down the drain with expensive insurance I do not want and do not need.

Some form of self insurance would be useful. Keeping money in a locked bank account would help some older retirees, although of course not all. After all many of us keep US$ 25,000 in a bank account for 6 months for the extension (I keep mine there year round). Some adjustment in this area could be the answer. This could go some way to help us old folk who do not like the idea of being ripped off by insurance companies by reason of age I thought that the reason for money in the bank or income requirements for extensions was to satisfy the Government that we had the means to maintain our selves. Now they are having two bites at the cherry. Having said that I would not mind some Covid only insurance until the pandemic dies down.

Friday is the 12th

What about Thailand?

Covers treatment could be interpreted to mean only covid. Includes suggest full insurance part of which covers covid. Semantics I agree, but this could easily cause confusion. From posts in other threads a few people still believe they only need covid insurance.

I agree. Confusion. I think what they mean in 1.4 is "...which includes treatment..", but this is not what they said.

Has anyone gotten round to using vaccine certificates issued in Thailand? A bit early perhaps.

True. Not everyone is over 70. This thread is about elderly retirees many of whom are over 70. As to the Post Office insurance here are the conditions:- Please answer all questions honestly and to the best of your knowledge as any incorrect information provided may invalidate a claim or your policy. You agree that you and anyone to be covered by this policy: Are UK residents and registered with a GP (Doctor) in the UK (a UK resident is a person whose main home is in the UK, Channel islands or Isle of Man and has not spent more than 6 months abroad in the last year) Have not already started a trip Are travelling from and returning to the UK Are not aware of any reason why you may need to claim Are not travelling against medical advice Are not travelling to get medical treatment or knowing that you will need treatment during a trip How many retirees can meet the the first requirement not to mention the second or third? Not everyone is in my situation, but a great many I know are. I am definitely not a UK resident. I cannot register with a GP as I am not eligible under NHS. I have not been in UK for more than 2 years. I have not spent 6 months in UK for over 25 years. I am in Thailand so I have started my trip. I will not be starting and ending my trip in UK. Remember this thread is a bout elderly retirees. Those who have a bee in their bonnet about travel insurance being of use to elderly retirees, especially those on Non O visa/extensions, need a reality check.

I must correct myself. To those who pointed out that travel insurance can be for one of more years, you are indeed right. It is the individual trips than can only be for 30 or occasionally 60 days. I should have been more precise. Still no good for anyone who needs to be stamped in for three or more months such as many retirees.

Why should I go to the expense and trouble of keeping a residence in my home county just to get travel insurance when I live in Thailand? As to using a relatives address since I do not live there would be making a false declaration to get insurance; undoubtedly a criminal offence. Submitting a false statement to the Thai Government to the effect that I have valid insurance when I do not is definitely a criminal offence. Travel insurance is usually valid for 30 days or, sometimes 60 days. No good if I live here all year round. I do not know how many people were denied entry because of too many visa exempt or tourist visa. Certainly more than a handful just from reports on Thai Visa over the years. Further, many who relied on tourist visa from surrounding countries were denied them for having too many. At best they got a stamp in their passports saying "no more". The reports on Thai Visa were likely the tip of the iceberg. I am certainly here for the life style, but that does not mean that the money I have contributed to the Thai economy can be so easily dismissed. It is a two way street. I pay my way, but that does not mean that I have to take out insurance I do not want and do not need. I never said I expected gratitude. I only want equitable treatment.

You miss the point of this thread. Travel insurance is not available for retirees who live here. As to the suggestion of using visa exempt or tourist visa think again. A couple of those and retirees will not be allowed in. That has happened before. For those who got insurance when they were younger, there is no guarantee that their policies will meet requirements, especially since none of them will specifically cover Covid 19. I can easily cover US$ 50,000 with money in the bank, but I object to being forced to pay for insurance I do not want. Self insurance is not on the list of requirements. Also the money I have saved in premiums over the years would more than cover the US$ 50,000 requirement. The problem is that the Thailand Pass is geared towards tourists, which Thailand so badly needs, but has failed to take into account the plight of retirees. Some I know are here on a shoe string, but many of us have brought a lot of money into the country over the years. Now we are being ripped off.

What a good idea

One wonders how many of the foreign arrivals were genuine tourist and how many were long term residents trying to get home.

For those over 75 you might like to look at this link. Health Insurance for Retirees - Pacific Prime Thailand I have not fully researched it yet as I am not yet 75, but it seems they are targeting retirees.