fiddlehead

On 10/10/2016 at 6:24 AM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

It appears to be a Medicare supplement plan that is only offered to Pennsylvania residents. And to be eligible, you'd have to at least claim to be living in the U.S. as opposed to a foreign country.

 

https://www.thehealthplan.com/Gold/Landing_Pages/Why_Geisinger_Gold_/
 

 

 

Note that that coverage is limited to the first 60 days of each trip outside the U.S.

Just talked to them about this. 
They said: "That's for supplement plan C" which is NOT what you have. I have their Gold  PPO Advantage Plan. 
Covered for emergencies worldwide up to $25,000 per year, but NOT covered for emergency medical evacuation. 

So I hope that clears some things up. 
I suspected I didn't have this Plan C thing (above) that Tallguyjohnin BKK seemed to think I had.

I do live part of the year in Pennsylvania. So perhaps that leaves most of you guys out of luck.
 

12 minutes ago, tails said:

 

 

I hear you there... well mostly... where are these good beaches you speak of in Thailand? I've been to 30+ different beach locations around Thailand and so far Koh Rok south of Lanta was to only beach clean enough and sadly it was just a day trip.

Well, Nai Harn is my favorite popular beach  (close to home)

nearby also: YaNui is good. 
in northern Phuket, Layan is my favorite up there. 

As for the rest of Thailand, we love the National Parks and our favorites are Thai Muang and Chai Mai NP in Trang province. 

Also Taratao. 
We've camped at those many times and are almost always the only ones there and staff seems to go out of their way to help us with comfort.  Bathrooms are clean, and leaves get raked everyday.  A little overkill IMO, but we'll take it. 

We also have a little beach in Phuket that I won't name because I don't want it spoiled. 

As you can see, we like the little "out of the way places" that the mainstream tourists don't go to. 
Just our style, not for everybody and that's good. 

Only problem I have with Thailand is the education system and the pollution. (litter, noise, black smoke from trucks and buses)

The rest is good:  food, scenery, weather, girls, beaches, smiles, prices, and warmth. 

Back home it's hunting season and I know what that means: I have NOTHING in common with those people. 

In Thailand, most of my friends have travelled extensively and are world-wise and know to respect other cultures. 
Almost none of that where I come from (and most of them love Trump!)

I couldn't move back. 

5 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Regarding emergency coverage worldwide, I'm assuming you're talking about the particular Medicare Part B PPO plan that you signed up for???  And coverage from any provider, or just from some list of specified providers?

 

Also, do you have something in writing re that policy that specifically says that, or that's just what some agent or customer service rep. told you re the policy?

 

Thanks...

 

 

Yes, Geisinger Gold PPO supplemental plan. 
Covers emergencies worldwide. 

You can google it. 
 

Medicare basically pays for 80% of the bill. 

But, you can get supplemental plan from one of the medicare insurers. 
I used Geisinger Gold PPO plan

Blue Cross has some plans. 

As does AARP I believe and many others 
When you turn 65, you'll get tons of junk mail from all the different companies.

Yes, Part A is free and Part B is 104.90 a month. 
For the plan I picked (the PPO with Geisinger Gold), they get that $104.90 (which comes out of my soc security payment), and THAT is what pays for the plan I picked. 
There are many plans and they ball have co-pays (like a deductible)

I was lucky enough to find an independent expert when I turned 65 and we tried about 5 different scenarios before I made my decision for the plan I picked.

Someone above said it doesn't cover outside of the US> 
Well, I CAN go to Guam if I want for care

AND it does cover emergencies worldwide.  
I asked how that worked and they said I'd have to pay the bill and they would reimburse me later.   (yeah right, is what I thought, but haven't had to try it yet)

I don't know if a stroke is considered emergency, but for sure, a motorbike or car accident would be. 

I hope that explains things a bit for you. 
I think it's a great idea to try to find an independant expert who can try to show you the different choices that would fit your situation. 

By the way, in a PPO plan, you can choose any doctor who accepts medicare. 

In an HMO plan, you pick one doctor and have to go through him for anything you do in regards to medicare  (the co-pays are lower, but it limits you to who can doctor you)  
So, I picked a PPO plan.

All kinds of different people use facebook for many different things. 
I know people who use it as a business to sell product.

Others share photos with family and friends that are far away.

Some only post political nonsense (to me it's nonsense, obviously they don't think so)

My ex-wife seems to only post pics of her cat (I unfriended her quickly)

Others seem to only post jokes  (sometimes funny sometimes not)

Yeah, there's the foodies, and the pet lovers, etc. it's not hard to scroll past them without so much as a look.

I rarely go to a Family Mart. 
It is a last resort for me.
They don't have prices listed under the choices most of the time and the staff, is not as attentive as the 7/11 staff. 
(if they are on their phones when you are waiting, they will continue with their phones rather than turn them off and wait on you)

You only have to pull those tricks on me once or twice and I'm convinced of the lack of training that goes into their staff. 

My choices in order of preference: 
Mom and Pop stores (I like the real people and not always mechanical ones)

7/11   (good trained staff, clean stores, can pay my bills there)

Super Cheap:   (dirty as hell, but cheap as chips, long lines at checkout turn me off)
Family Mart: (like I said, bottom of the list)  (I want to see prices, and like to believe my checking out quickly is more important than your phone time!)

I can only hope they'll at least provide some parking at all these new stores. 

6 hours ago, Jimi007 said:

 

There are no leash laws that I've ever heard of in Thailand, please show me I'm wrong. 

My post was in reference to Bear Polar's question asking if someone would explain why family dogs can be more apt to attack than soi dogs as I had some experience,  as I explained. 
Also, a few posters were discussing responsible dog owners.  Which the OP said he was one. 

There are many. 
Also I've seen many who are not. 

Poop and leashes may or may not be on the books.  
I don't know. 
But I know what I consider responsible. 

white vinegar works wonders  (apple vinegar is a close second)

I believe if you mix it with making powder (or is it baking soda?), you'll have the cream cleaner you are looking for. 

I enjoyed reading his story. 
I believe there is a lot that can be learned there if you intend to stay here a long time. 

I have 3 farang friends who speak fluent Thai.

I am often amazed at the doors that get opened to them that would be closed to me. 

I fully believe i am too old to learn to speak Thai now. 
I work for weeks on memorizing a new food sometimes, and then hear someone else (Thai) saying it, and can't believe it's the same word.    
Accents I guess. 
Anyway, I don't see why so many are coming down on the guy. 
He seems to be happy in his decision to do his best to act like  a Thai person.  

(my back wouldn't allow the sitting on the floor all the time. LOL)

On 9/30/2016 at 9:13 AM, bearpolar said:

 

Care to explain how friendly family dogs are a problem on the beach when there's already a ton of vicious soi dogs roaming close to children and snapping at people with food?

 

Should we also leash up children to make antisocial weirdos people feel more secure and comfortable in public?

OK, I'll try to explain (if you care to listen). 

I jog on the beach a lot. 
When I jog near a person who has their family dog with them, many of the dogs (I guess) feel the need to protect their owner. 

The soi dogs who live there tend to ignore me if I don't have food for them. 

I've been bitten twice here in Phuket. 
Both times by dogs who had masters with them. 
One even said: "Don't worry, he won't bite"

Yeah right. 

Your dog should be on a leash. 
And you should clean up after it.   (both of these are largely ignored)

I imagine famous people actually believe that their opinions will sway many followers. 

If I weighed all the ones I like, and then the ones I don't like, would it change my mind? 
I highly doubt it would change anyone's? 
 

I love many of the songs Roger has written, and highly respect him for his songwriting. 
But much prefer his music over his political views.

On 9/28/2016 at 10:17 AM, Kiwiken said:

I personally do not like either of them. But as a Citizen of a US allied Country I would rather have the bureaucrat Clinton who despite all is shown to be level headed.

Than have a reactionary President in the white house. Reagan worried me sometimes, Trump sends shivers down my spine

I agree. 

Have been on the fence for a while. 
My problem is I go back to the states every November, and always vote. 

So, I have to pick one of these undesirables.  (yeah, I know, I could write in Bernie or someone I like)

Both are proven liars and untrustworthy. 
But she just has a ton more class. 

Damn I wish there was a decent choice!

There is a huge difference in fruit sellers that I see. 

That big fruit stand on Mangosteen hill in Rawai sells for 3X more than the private guy who sets up on the side of the road out of his pickup truck, up the road a bit.
So, I do believe you can save money on fruit if you shop around. 

(depending on what is in season of course)

But yeah, worrying about the best price for fruit for a wedding in Phuket seems a bit strange. 

Phuket weddings aren't cheap and there would most likely be many ways to save on one. 
Fruit being low on most people's list, I would think. 

But, to each his own. 

Try one of the farmers markets. 
There are many.  Just ask a local, wherever you are. 

Lately, in the person to person conversations and discussions going on, I've been hearing a lot more complaints about the poor political choices in the US than I have about the problems in Thailand. 
Seems to me there's a plenty to complain about everywhere. 
I think this guy (OP) gets paid to write so must think of something to complain about. 
So he complains about the complainers. 
 

I just bought a power washer and power washed mine. 
Dirt, mildew and grime came right off. 

Slapped a coat of paint on after it dried and it looks great. 

Would I trust some Thai workers to do this? 
Probably, as it was pretty easy. 

Although you can adjust the spray too strong and do damage if you hold it too close. 
Takes about 5 minutes to get it figured out. 

Headline made me think they are going to crackdown on these tiny pipes the kids put on the little scooters.  

Or the Harley dudes with their straight pipes.   (you know, the "Look At Me" folks)
 

Of course, they wouldn't enforce it anyway. 

Maybe someday. 

We're witnessing a changing retail world. 
Only 10 years ago, there was 3- 7/11's, no supercheaps, and no family marts within 2 miles of my house. 
Now, there are 8- 7/11's, 4 supercheaps and 5 family marts in that area. 

Mom & Pop stores: 10 years ago they were aprox every block or two. 
Now, there are only a few left, and dying out every year. 

Supercheaps sure are cheap. 
But, man are they dirty,  with untrained staff, boxes blocking most of the aisles, and mostly junk quality goods.
(but I still go there, as I love a bargain) LOL

What's next? drone deliveries from online ordering?  Amazon in Thailand?  

Probably. 

I have a (man) friend in Issan who was also duped by this scam. 

And lost aprox 200,000 baht I believe it was. 
He showed me ALL the paperwork he had as far as emails and letters and official looking documents. 
I proceeded to google the name of the company that he sent the money to, and immediately saw that his was far from the first. 

Always research anything like this. 
The girl who duped him spent a lot of time (over a year) sending long, love letters to him, so apparently, he was a bit in love. 

But Google can be your friend as it is apparently a  common scam. 

Making a Uoo-ey in front of a bus is never a good idea. 
Even more so in Thailand. 

RIP

I'd say it's mostly culture.

I bought furniture for my wife's family up in Issan and they just used it as shelving. 

They slept on the floor and piled the clean clothes on the sofa, love seat, etc. 

They eventually sold it.   
I didn't buy them any more.

The sister who lives in Bangkok eats street food exclusively. 
 

They all dress nicely, even though they can't afford it. 
Spend their money on makeup, whitening cream, clothes. 

Brother spends his on booze and cigarettes. 

It's the culture. 

I'm OK with it, and no longer try to change their minds. 

Just enjoy it.

On 8/12/2016 at 6:32 PM, Shot said:

A lot of your local mom and pop Thai restaurants will deliver, but they don't advertise it. Find a M&D you like and ask.

Yes, my wife's friend has a small Issan restaurant and they deliver. 
She said they charge 10 baht for delivery. 

It's on Sai Yuan, across from the yellow and black sign "Diva Beauty" shop.

I know of an acupuncturist here in Phuket. 

I'll PM you his phone no.  

He is American and I believe properly trained in a few different avenues for helping your problem.   (???)

There was another one, that I went to when I had similar problems and he helped me out immensely, but he has since retired. 
His name is Garnet Symons but I don't believe he is taking any customers anymore. 

Good luck with your injury. 
 

I, for one,  am glad to hear they are going to make the effort.

I don't know if I feel more sorry for the kids that don't get good teachers, or the expats who make fun of it all.

10 years ago: Makita was the brand that me and most of my construction peers were using as it was the best. 
Last few years, when I go back home, I notice they are mostly using the DeWalt brand now. 

My Thai-bought 11 year old Makita cordless just died and they said they could no longer get parts for that model (too old)

So, I bought a Dewalt cordless hammer drill. 
Works GREAT so far with lots of power. 
But then, for 6,000+ baht, I would expect it to

Good luck in your decision.