QuantumQuandry

Was curious after your post (as I lived in the Philippines). Google seems to show many options: https://trip101.com/article/private-pool-villas-philippines-1 https://villaswithprivatepool.com/palawan/ Palawan is particularly nice.

Investigating further, it appears you were right to question it. Unfortunately, it's still not as small as 4.9mm but it turns out it is 2.9 cm rather than 4.9 cm. One paper said 4.9, one said 2.9 but after calling them, it looks like 2.9 is correct. So...better...but still an issue, perhaps? :)

I don't know...this logic sounds a lot like the logic of "If that foreigner wasn't walking down our sidewalk, I wouldn't have hit him with my car.". Like yes, technically true but...probably not the right answer.

The reason you are confused is because nobody knows. Lots of people have an opinion. But it hasn't happened so no-one knows what the implementation will actually be. So go back to the other threads and freak out with the people there Can they find your money? Yeah, if you have a visa, they can just make it part of the visa process. Already is for retirement visa. Will they? See above. Will you be affected if you make less than the taxable amount in the U.S.? See above. If you really want to know as much as possible, read the dual taxation agreements in detail. But mostly...nobody knows.

1. Your initial point was that the apps aren't safe. Now you have switched to "Government and Companies are all bad", switching the bad guy from the hackers to the banks (and throwing in government as a bonus). Your message would be cleaner if it was a single grumpy-conspiracy rant. 2. While you are right that banks don't usually do things out of the goodness of their hearts, you seem to rule out the idea that making things easier for me can also benefit the bank. Making electronic transactions easier and more widespread means I keep more money in the bank that they can loan out, rather than keeping cash under my mattress.

I find that not worry about small change is better for my stress and anxiety. Not saying it's wrong to do so. My nature is to very much to worry about money. I am always on the lookout for sales. But the older I get, the less inclined I am to worry about it, too much. But yes, I think it has to happen in the moment, if it's going to happen at all.

I do have the report on paper and images on a disk (not that I actually have a disk drive to access the images). The doctor didn't mention it being unusual. I asked about surgery vs. wait and see. The doc said if I was going to travel a lot in places without good medical care, I should do the surgery but otherwise, it's more or less '50/50' on what I should do. I hope a mistake was made. At least if it is that large, though, I will have a paperweight with a very interesting story. Sounds like an excellent recommendation.

I can see where it *might* make sense if you go home a lot, anyway. As I don't go back home, for it to make sense, for me, I would need to: - Have a condition that isn't an emergency and that I can fly with. This is probably the biggest reason I would never use it. - Pay for hotels and increased food prices, as well as a business class ticket, round trip, plus miscellaneous items like transport and re-entry. Possibly buy some weather appropriate clothes, too, depending on where I needed to go. Food/hotel could actually add up to a large amount, if there is significant recovery time before flying back. - Be willing to spend 20+ hours on a flight with a problem that may or may not be causing pain/discomfort the whole way. - Make arrangements for my significant other to be taken care of, while I am away. - Have someone there to care about me, if things go wrong. Or to help in the recovery phase of whatever the problem is. That said, there ARE a few big ticket, catastrophic non-emergency items that could make it worth it. Basically, something like cancer...or maybe end stage kidney disease?

First, let me thank you for an extensive and knowledgeable response. I moved here two years ago with my fiance (now wife) and it's been difficult to get quality discussion on medical matters that are Thailand specific (such as Thai hospitals and doctors). I appreciate your evidence-based approach, as well. I agree 100%. However, not knowing a good doctor already and it being a specialist area (compared to a general GP), you kind of end up going with whatever info you have, which is usually the general reputation of the hospital. Which does not always match personal experiences for reasons that you mentioned. I am 0 for 3 in having good experiences with BKK-Pattaya hospital, for example, whereas most people recommend them. Understood. However, in my case, due to the size of my stone, I am more concerned about finding a high skill level surgeon. I have been to Sirikit and I have certainly experienced what you mean, in terms of wait time and ease of use. My girl needed an endoscopy (which we knew from previous doctors) and it took 3 visits just to get scheduled. First GP, then Internal Med, then finally the gastroenterologist to schedule it. And then several months wait time to have it done. On the upside, being asymptomatic, I am not in a big rush at the moment (knock on wood). Thank you for the specific recommendation. It was more than I had hoped for. What made you decide to use him, in the first place, if I may ask? That's what I have read. I am more concerned about the recovery and discomfort than the price but either way, I understand that's a possibility. A concerning one, for sure. Understood. Sadly, unless my Ultrasound from Pattaya Memorial is wrong, it is indeed 4.9 cm (not mm). An unusual size, I am told. Thank you, again, for the detailed and evidence-based reply.

Just feels weird to have a preventive surgery for something that hasn't bene a problem for 20 years. But I understand. Not sure about Samitivej. I know Bumrungrad is 260k and Phyathai is 210k. Is there a quality difference? Would you feel comfortable having it done at a place like Qieen Sirikit or another government hospital, as opposed to Bumrungrad? And do you think they can do laparoscopic cholecystectomy for a 5cm stone? I have read that if you get the stones removed, they will likely just come back. But I have also read of what you are suffering. Some people have no symptoms, some have temporary symptoms and some have permanent. I don't know what the odds are of each. Scary. See, this stuff is what makes me not want to get the surgery done, given that I have no symptoms (but an abnormally large stone). Makes me wonder if am trying to fix something that isn't broken.

How about the common...ahm...stool changes, shall we say? :)

What about large asymptomatic stones? From what I had read, the size of the gallstone was less of an indicator for intervention then symptoms? Asking since I have a very large gallstone (almost 5cm if my last ultrasound is correct). I had two attacks many years ago and chose not to deal with it at the time and haven't had an attack since then (my dietary habits changed a lot since then). Not sure what the size was at that time. Still, considering having it done as I would like to go on Ozempic and I have some concerns that weight loss will lead to aggravating the gallstone. So considering having it done pre-emptively. Couple follow up questions along those lines... Any idea if the size will make laparoscopic removal a problem? I am far more willing to entertain laparoscopic removal then open surgery, given the current lack of symptoms. The part I would really like your advice on...based in Jomtien, I can consider having it done at Queen Sirikit naval hospital (at government rates, I think?)...or going to Bumrungrad in BKK and paying 260,000. I haven't lived here long enough to know if there is a big difference in quality. I have read about incomplete gallbladder removals leading to sepsis or other complications (like cystic duct stump issues). I would hate to get an operation for something that isn't clearly needed...and then make things worse. Would love some thoughts. Thank you for the update. How's the post-op pain and/or discomfort? Considering having it done.

Pretty sure shotcallers don't spend all day on forums, making pointless threads with no substance.

I thought it said "pretty criminal" and I was hoping for pics...

Fixed.

I don't. But I think that's beside the point. Neither one is about Asia/Thailand, usually, which is what I would prefer to read about.

Ahmmm...the interwebs aren't really 'new'. And it's not an either/or thing. It takes time to find online sponsors and the pamily needs money today.

Again, if it was accepted, she wouldn't have been arrested and we wouldn't be having this discussion. You can say whatever you want but nothing has changed that fact.

Yeah, true, I am not a researcher, like you...

I have Tinnitus/hearing loss in one ear, as well (though not Hashimoto's). Wish you the best of luck in finding out more.

Don't care about noses but I love the big old fake tits. Especially on a tiny girl. I am whispering in their ears "Maybe you have more drinks if you have nom from doctor"

No need to do research. It is clear from the fact that we are having this discussion about a girl who was arrested...that it is not anywhere close to accepted, to Thais.

It's actually not a case in point. You always have a right to an opinion (the first sentence). You don't always have a right to act on it, though (the second sentence). And with conspiracy theorists, it's a reptile-man lol Thanks, think I will stick with people who source their facts. Surely not 100% right but I am not of the opinion that there is a global conspiracy that employs every fact-checker and social media outlet in the world.

I assume you are also not a 19 year old Thai girl. What is 'well known' to foreigners isn't relevant, imo. Or even necessarily correct. Either way, Thais get to decide what age Thais should be held accountable. It doesn't take advanced maturity to understand basic consequences for actions, in any case. Lastly, prostitution may be accepted but underage prostitution certainly is not. Otherwise, we wouldn't be having this discussion in the first place.

Adult or not, I understood the consequences of violating laws that had extreme consequences, like pimping UA girls.