dinga

On 11/3/2021 at 11:48 PM, Ashokan said:

I also received quotes from AA for ACS and April, April also being a French company with a presence in Thailand. Looking at Cigna as well as they are similarly priced. The ACS experiences above from Mark and phetphet are quite helpful. 

 

Anyone have experiences to share with April or Cigna, good or bad?

Don't think it's a concern about being French (in relation to Allianz, I had a bad experience with it and it's partner David Shield/Passport Card when they decided to close down an affiliate named Hautevlle -  under UK rules - and "invited" existing customers to move to an EU-governed  policy.  Premiums skyrocketed a year or two thereafter.....).  I said adieu and have coverage now with April International

17 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

Not really. I am quite surprised by the 5-10 year recommendation for colonoscopy.

 

"Any patient who has had curative surgery for a polyp or colorectal cancer has approximately double the risk for developing new polyps. These patients need to have their first colonoscopies 1 year after surgery, a follow-up colonoscopy 3 years later, and subsequent colonoscopies at no less than 5-year intervals. If any new polyps or lesions are found, patient surveillance should be modified appropriately."

https://fascrs.org/patients/diseases-and-conditions/a-z/colon-and-rectal-cancer-follow-up-care-expanded-ve

Thanks so much Sheryl.  I have had quite a few of them at those earlier intervals, but sounds like I'd better move the next one forward pronto (in fact the last one was done 6 years ago).

On 10/29/2021 at 5:46 PM, Sheryl said:

 

Except for  PSA, absolutely not worthwhile - none of these tests are suitable for cancer screening. Many false negatives and also positives due to conditions other than cancer. Private hospitals love these tests as they lead to a lot of other, expensive (and often unnecessray) tests.Not a single public health authority in the world recommends AFP, CEA and CA-199 for mass screening.

Thanks Sheryl.  Appreciate some more general advice.  In 2005, I had bowel cancer which was excised, and I underwent radiation & chemo treatment - thus far as is good with no re-occurance.

Colonoscopies were recommended every 5-10 years (I'm now working on 7 years since the last one), and I check CEA levels every 6 months (I've dispensed with the annual specialist's visit to Bkk and finger up the coit).  Does that approach sound half reasonable?     

G'day

Now looking to undertake Trip 2 on my Enfield.  In the continued absence of Trip Reports in this Forum, appreciate any advice/recommendations including tourist spots and accommodation:

*  am thinking I will take my time (as usual). Can include extra days as timings are pretty flexible

*  Day 1:  Ride Rayong to Korat - O/N

*  Day 2:  Ride to Nong Khai - O/N

*  Day 3:  Ride along the Mekong to Chiang Khan (O/N there or Loei)

*  Day 4:  Ride to Pitsanulok - O/N

*  Day 5:  Ride to Petchabun - O/N there or somewhere another 150km or so closer to Rayong (any suggestions???)

*  Day 6:  Ride to home in Rayong 

Thanks (previous suggestions about my 1st trip were very helpful)

13 hours ago, Olmate said:

Says who

Oh dear, Sherlock

43 minutes ago, tonray said:

Oh dear.. The sky is falling once again on ThaiVisa...when will the misery end ?

Hardly -  it's reality.  Don't bother posting inane comments - just a waste of time to read them 

In answer to the OP's simple question:

*  Yes - I am a Non-Resident for tax purposes, and have maintained a number of bank (and TD) accounts over the years - main one being with CBA.  For all accounts, recorded as Non-Resident, with a Thai address and any interest is subject to deduction of final (withholding) tax

4 hours ago, LoeiI said:

I'm just looking at a quote from April international through AA, just a couple of questions, are April an International company (as the name suggests) or a Thai company and if you develop a condition during the term of the policy would this become a pre existing condition for the remainder of the policy term or upon renewal or both or neither ? I'm quite confused 

Thanks for any replies

Confirm with AA.  But as I (or rather Professor Google) understand it:

• April International is a an international insurance services group created in 1988 - the leader of french wholesale brokers with € 1,017.3 million in sales in 2019

I also understand that "pre-existing" means 'existing at the time you 1st enter into an insurance agreement with April Int'.  IT DOES NOT include any conditions that develop subsequently.  Apart from being illegal, just imagine how folks in the EU (and especially the French) would react if a company tried to pull that stunt.

13 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

As David Shield are the only insurer that I know of who will actually cover my pre-existing condition, I will stick with them as it's cost for the premium vs the outlay/benefit suites my situation thanks.

 

 

Of course - everyone's circumstance is different.  Coverage for pre-existing conditions (or not) are a major consideration.  In my case - after some dramas with very large proposed DS/Passport Card premium increases - April International offered not just very competitive premiums (both current and projected) as well as optional coverage for existing conditions at a 25% loading.  

In summary - see if options are available that meet your personal circumstances (there is no "one size fits all")  

On 10/14/2021 at 3:27 PM, 4MyEgo said:

David Shield through AA Insurance Brokers, I am heading out for a few hours now, if you would like the contact I deal with, PM me and I will provide the details to you, all done via email for me, no pressure, no sale pitches whereas the others were just contractors who said they worked for the companies, but did not, commission, commission, commission, which I don't mind, but one lie is enough for me to move on,  

Suggest you get AA to give you the Comparative Premium table, showing current premiums against Age Categories for a lot of Insurance Policies.  I had an unwelcome experience with David Shield/Passport Card premium increases when the underwriter, Allianz, closed its previous UK-based Affiliate and moved clients onto policies subject to EU requirements for its French-based Affiliate.  

On 9/28/2021 at 5:38 PM, dinga said:

Thanks everyone (especially Banana7).  I've ordered a replacement S/S tank via Lazada - hopefully that'll keep the pump operating for a few more

years.

Update:  Replacement S/S tank arrived in a couple of days, and has now been fitted and the pump reconnected.  Famous last words I know, but everything is performing perfectly (long may that continue).

Thanks again for saving me around 7k !!!!

Thanks everyone (especially Banana7).  I've ordered a replacement S/S tank via Lazada - hopefully that'll keep the pump operating for a few more

years.

35 minutes ago, Banana7 said:

I had the same problem with a Mitsubishi pump. The pressure tank was replaced with a new stainless steel tank from lazada. Also replaced the plastic straw and washer that goes into the tank, along with new gaskets on the intake and outflow.

Great - thanks.  Did the parts come with the tank - or did you have to get them separately?

Am 99.9% sure there ain't no option but to replace - but worth a check.

Our 13+ year old Mitsubishi Water Pump (connected to standby tank) has been used for watering our smallish garden (every 3 days or so) and to supply household needs when the government water supply is off.  So it hasn't had much use over that time (has a cover over it to protect it from the elements), but we are very close to the sea - which I reckon is the cause of the problem.

The pump's pressure tank has sprung a leak through a rust spots (I had thought the spots were only surface ones - clearly that is wrong!).  I reckon repair is out of the question - especially given the age of the pump.  Correct????

7 hours ago, fredscats said:

Nah!  have already indicated my (insured ) way  21 quid a year,basic medical provision ,then earliest medivac out of it,  but does your medical ins have that?   no,what a pity

 

Stated before the finest for me and the best medical care and by far the cheapest    two hours away from BKK

Last comments on this subject:

*  Everyone makes choices based on their personal circumstances.  Arrogant in the extreme to strongly advocate them for everyone else

*  Self-insurance (in the case of cars, houses; income protection; accident etc as well as for health) is certainly a choice for those that can afford it.  However, often that position seems to be the facade for those who can't afford buying insurance coverage and take a risk that the gods will be kind to them

*  In my experience, First Class medical treatment is available in Thailand - at variable costs according to the hospital of choice.  Of course, in some cases doctors/specialists/technicians in other countries may have greater experience in certain fields 

*  Therefore, for me, Medivac consideration does not enter my thinking - especially as Thailand is my home.  Also, I have heard stories of Medivac not actually turning out to be the neat solution it was assumed  -  perhaps due to reasons like (a) being medically unable to be transported; (b) Policy limitations/exclusions on exactly what is covered; (c) Ineligibility to the "receiving" country's universal healthcare system for folks judged to no longer being Residents

Chok Dee to all of us! 

1 hour ago, fredscats said:

No no no  pls do not close,  Gottfuced or whatever its name is,has insurance   me? 20 years behind the mast,  no insurance   well the sort u have    well done...to me

Yep - and join the Go Fund Me bludgers when your "fortune"

changes

12 minutes ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

youre  gonna  die either way so hey why waste  time with insurance

Reminds me of the anti-vaccers pleading - from their death beds -  for similarly-minded folks to get jabbed.  Lot of nonsense vomited when not in those dire straits

2 hours ago, LarrySR said:

Looking forward to the following topic:

I paid for the land in her name.

I paid for the house. I own the house, right?... but now......we are getting divorced.

Can I dismantle the house & take it with me?

Her brother threatened to have me killed. 

Does anyone here know a good lawyer?

 

No doubt plenty of Bush Lawyers & Bar Stool experts will chime in to the contrary, but my clear understanding is a formal divorce process usually involves a 50 : 50 division of real assets obtained during the marriage ie.  the house & land should either be sold or your (ex) wife pays you 1/2 the value of it.  This is regardless of (1) whose name is recorded as the "owner" at the Land Office; (2) any declaration made about the source of the funds to purchase the land; (3) whether or not any Habitation Agreement and/or Usufruct  has/have been registered.

Certainly go see a lawyer to get your legal position confirmed based on the FACTS

Chok Dee 

1 hour ago, BKKBike09 said:

Also make sure that the name of the owner on the chanote matches the name of the person selling. Sometimes Person A sells to Person B, but Person B doesn't want to pay the transfer fees so takes the chanote but doesn't register the transfer. You have to pay whoever is listed on the chanote even if there's a sale and purchase contract between Person A and Person B showing that A has paid B in full for the land on X date.

 

What Land Office? If Phuket or Samui, be particularly wary because of issues with non-development zone land illegally used for building and re-titled with "assistance" from the local Land Office.

 

There's a good online system for looking up chanote on Land Dept web site: if you have the title number etc you can search for the plot.

 

https://landsmaps.dol.go.th/

 

 

Thanks for all the responses - especially great advice from blackcab and BKKBike09.

Land is in Rayong, so hopefully there shouldn't be a high risk of illegality (unlike Samui and some other places).

The "seller" sent us a screen shot from the DOL link - which while useful (shows a recorded Owner and a Chanote Number) doesn't replace the surety from seeing the actual  Chanote. 

We won't proceed unless the Chanote is produced (I'm kind of expecting that there is a mortgage involved, and the document is with a Bank).  

Understand it is usual that the land owner holds the original Chanote and a duplicate copy is held at the Land Office.

We are interested in a particular block and have asked the owner to see the Chanote - still waiting.  Separately, we have been told the Land Office does not have/cannot locate the duplicate copy.

Seems very strange to me (perhaps I'm overly suspicious) - any ideas about the implications - especially what happens if a deal is agreed and we turn up at the Land Office to transfer ownership?

7 hours ago, jomtienisgood said:

And all these taxes apply on the cost of transport too....

Again - to be clearer - import duties and taxes are payable at the CIF level (ie. Cost + Overseas Freight + Overseas Insurance)

35 minutes ago, elgenon said:

You are correct of course. I misread mr google.

To be clear, in addition to Customs Duties and VAT, imported goods are also subject to the same excise taxes that apply to similar, locally manufactured goods