Startmeup

Is there any place in particular that I should go and ask, One of the revenue departments I presume?

Im thinking about buying a scooter/bike to give me more freedom. The Yamaha Aerox seems quite good. Ive also seen some bigger types of scooters that are around 300cc. What recommendations can you give when making a purchase? It seems second hand prices are almost as high as buying new. What are the best websites? Whats the best showroom/garages to go and view different options in Bangkok?

I have a Bangkok Bank account. I have gotten interest and paid withholding tax. According to the rules I should be a Thai Resident for taxation. How do I go about getting the taxi ID? I spent over 180 days in Thailand last year because I was on an STV visa. I intend to spend at least that length of time here again this year but I dont have any visa to show that right now.

How did you get a Thai Tax ID without paying tax? "Nonresident aliens are subject to a dividend tax rate of 30% on dividends paid out by U.S. companies." https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/06/nonusresidenttax.asp I think it depends on the tax treaty between the two countries. From what I can see, Thai tax resident would be subject to 10% withholding tax on US dividends. https://www.orbitax.com/taxhub/taxtreaties/US/United-States/TH/Thailand/e6fcc9ca-bbb9-488c-b827-90b95ad5aa1f/-Dividends_ARTICLE-10

Seems like good value. From Samitijev Hospital for future reference for anybody "Fotofinder which includes Total Body Mapping and Individual Mole Analysis costs 6,500 THB including doctor's fee but exclude service charge around 500 THB."

I have already had a response from BPH today and they will forward my pathologists report to Dr Anna for assessment.

Flights are an absolute nightmare right now back to where I need to go in Australia, I dont know why. Singapore air booked out until he middle of Feb, after middle of Feb they are 41,000 baht. Cost in Australia would be out of pocket around 23,000 for three excisions. What do you think the charges would be in BPH for this? I have still no written off going back to Australia to do it but would rather not. I also have to get a skin check every three months for the next two years so what go back to Australia every three months for the next two years? I have no worries about scarring, my back, upper arm and stomach are location of the three excisions.

In Australia it would be carried out in the same place the biopsies were carried out, basically a local GP office that is dedicated to skin checks using a localised anaesthesia split over two days (because there is three excisions) due to local anaesthesia limitations. The doctor also said if he felt it was an aggressive or has spread quite alot then he would recommend I returned back to Australia to carry it out

That's quite the statement, how can you say that with confidence? MOHs by definition infers they are skin cancer removal specialists, whether they have experience doing it is a different matter. The same can be said for any professional. Again I dont need MOHs which is a much more delicate procedure but the fact that in a hospital where there are 30+ dermatologists and only one is qualified to carry out a MOHs procedure shows to me it's not simply a matter of doing a course. This is what Im booked in to do Saturday. Depending on how I feel they respond to things my doctor has told me will decide whether Ill be comfortable going forward with the excision here.

Nah Ill happily change where I shop before I support companies that enact these things.

I Will always use the check out lady when doing shopping just like I will always use cash to pay for it. I don't get paid to clock up my bill and Im happy to continue using cash like I have since forever. New does not always mean better.

Extended my tourist visa at Buriram immigration. Absolutely seamless the two times I have been there. Went in, they took my passport, waited a few mins to be called, signed a few forms, got photo taken, paid 1900 baht and back on my way. Hasn't TM30 been postponed for now? I haven't filled one out the last two times I have entered Thailand over the last few months.

Stayed in Ray hotel twice and it's quite good if you like to use pool/gym. Rooms are fine too. Food from menu was good the first time not so good the second time and breakfast is ok, egg station the best part of it for me. can pay anywhere from 800-1000. It does get busy at times with meetings and weddings and other events on around the city.

Exactly right. Alot of what you are saying is what my Doc in Oz told me over the phone today. If you read my post above he is of the opinion if they are good enough to be MOHs qualified (dedicated skin cancer surgeries specialists) then a normal excision should not present an issue. I don't need MOHs procedure. In regards to the pathologist this is something we talked about on the phone also. Not all pathologists are equal. He said it's so common in Australia that basically all the pathologists could be trusted. Thailand might be a different scenario. It's something I intend to bring up on Saturday at the hospital but im not sure how I can do anything in this regard? Would I somehow be able to get in touch with Dr Anna to ask her where I should get it sent or will the hospital even entertain this? There are international guidelines regarding excisions, according to my doc, I would think between a team of dermatologists in a big hospital that has done this before that they will be sufficiently qualified, especially one who done a fellowship at Yale with a MOHs qualification. "The surgeon will need to adhere to the international guidelines on the recommended margins:Invasive melanoma should have a 10mm margin, and for SDN, we recommend a 5mm margin." What are the costs for a skin check or anything else you might have encountered while seeing Dr Anna at BPH? I have to get a check every three month for at least two years going forward so I might have to book in with her soon. Ive also had a recommendation of Dr Pamela at Bumrungrad which is why I emailed them in the first place. Are you aware of her in any way? https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Pamela-Chayavichitsilp

You got a quote before carrying out the procedure and that was accurately reflected in final bill? Ive read many people saying quotes from Bumrungrad have come in over 50% more than quoted. Do you mind asking how much you were charged? Who did you see in Samitivej? Was there was a follow up appointment after outlining the results from a pathologist report stating all the cancer had been removed?

Name and shame, what's with the secrecy? Must be on an island to be able to price gouge like that. My guess Bangkok hospital.

I asked my Aus doc about this Fotofind machine that I have seen mentioned in a few places on Thai websites. He said he doesn't use that but has heard of it. He said it's not any better than anything else available and it's only really good if the user is able to use the machine proficiently. He said it still comes down to the professional to spot any issues. I thought the same as you, see a dark/suspicious spot, press the gun against it, get the pic on the screen and look at it closely to identify if it's potentially risky or not. Beats me.

This guy was up there towards the top of my list when I done research of who to use if I wasn't going to fly back to Australia. Bumrungrad just seem to be a nightmare to deal with. Still waiting for cost estimates back from them which I doubt I will get. Have not had one response after emailing three days ago but with Samitivej I have had about 15 emails back and forth answering my question over that same period. Speaking to my Australian Dr today. I forwarded some names to him to look at their bios to see what his opinion was. He wouldn't comment on specific doctors but he said if a doctor/surgeon is qualified in MOHs surgery such as the guy you have linked and such as https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/doctor/detail/paritas-sukriket Then they should have no problem in carrying out a normal excision procedure. He said MOHs surgery is far more delicate, usually reserved for sensitive areas such as face/neck etc and its specific surgery for skin cancers. This shows they are experienced in this realm. I sure hope so anyway.

What are the issues regarding BPH, what does Dr Anna/BPH charge for a skin check, does she do surgeries and why do you hold Dr Anna in such high regard?

I was back in Australia at Christmas. I had three biopsies after carrying out a skin check. I think the skin check cost $180 excluding rebate if you have medicare. Less than $100 for me. Since I have come back to Thailand I have been informed one of them is a melanoma and two are pre-melanomas. All three need to be cut out with the melanoma needing to be done with urgency. I have been weighing up options of what to do. Right now I can't see flights for less than $1000. The cost to cut out is $350 each, so that's another $1000.Depending on your personal circumstance it could be another couple $k in expenses while there. So min 50k baht to fly back to Australia in my case excluding any other costs and loss of income etc. I dont have health insurance to cover any of the costs in Thailand. Does Dr Anna do surgery herself? If so, dependent on the urgency and her schedule and she is very highly regarding then it would make sense to get it done with her, surely? Im just off the phone with my Australia doctor today and he said the hardest part is to recognise that there is an issue in the first place. The surgery after that should be the easier part for any surgeon with experience in skin cancer issues/surgeries. I am booked into Samitivej for an appointment this weekend. I have been given a recommendation for Dr Pamela at Bumrungrad, link below. She has western experience. Bumrungrad have not responded while Samitivej has been very responsive. https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Pamela-Chayavichitsilp Reading the reviews on both hospitals on google, this checks out that Bumrungrad in general see patients as walking ATMs that they want to extract the most money from. Would be interesting to hear experience of others who have needed these types of check ups and surgeries and how they found it