SymS

I don't have to see a doctor that often, but when I do I'm usually satisfied by the service here in Thailand. But what I find odd is that I'm not usually given access to my own medical data. I've just been to the dentist and they did an X-Ray. I asked if I could get the file, but they told me they could only print it at cost. The first time I went to the hospital with social security coverage, I got a free health check, but once it was done the doctor just looked at the data on his computer, told me everything is OK, and I was never provided with the actual results. I did not ask for it though. Not directly related, but I've noticed when we are given medicines at the hospital, there's no breakdown of the cost, it just shows the total cost for medicines. So we don't know how much we've paid for each. Are there any laws that govern medical data, that would allow me to be given access to my own data, or is it just up to the hospital/doctor?

Out of town in Lampang province. Around 100m2, but basically no furniture (bed + one aircon), so I can to spent around 60-70K Baht to add another aircon, buy furniture, a kitchen sink, and setup and office. The land is fairly small considering the house size, but enough to have a small garden and park two cars. The landlord has also decided to take it easy with an attitude that can be described "if you can stay, you can stay, if not you can leave". The first month we had some small issues and she fixed it, but a few months ago, we realized it was raining inside the house during heavy rains, and she doesn't seem to care having not done anything in four months.

That's a local insurance optimized for Thailand. As such I would only be insured outside of Thailand for up to 90 days. I would know I have already used it when my ex-wife was on the same policy, and had to be hospitalized.

@ubonjoe is amazing always here to answer any questions about visas and work permits.

Do you really need international coverage? If not, switch to a local insurer. I've been with AXA Insurance Thailand, and while they have increase premiums over the years it's not that high percentage wise. You would still be covered if you travel overseas (excluding USA maybe?) for less than 90 days.

I was thinking about upgrading my dwellings to something better, but no thanks. I'll just stay in my 4,500B/month two bedrooms house and ride a bicycle wearing T-shirts with a few holes here and there...

I prefer to take the train before I consider flying to be torture (for somebody tall).

They could achieve the same with *only* 37,500 rich businessmen applying for the 40 million baht scam program to purchase a land. Actually, even less since my calculation does not include the price of the land and house.

I spend about about 45k per month, but that includes renting two houses, plus some office space. If I just rented one house and no office space that would be down to about 25k/month (in the North of Thailand). I don't go to bars though, instead drinking at home or with friends, and I don't have my own car, since my girlfriend currently takes care of car related expenses...

I consider garbage along the street to be obscene. Should I call 1212?

But if the occupation is different, that would surely require an additional work permit, or does it not matter?

I believe the correct technical terms is the "rules for thee but not for me" international order.

Some hotels in Bangkok already had a policy to charge a 100% markup for foreigners. I was with a Thai person, when she called to book the price was 700 Baht before, but they asked whether a foreigner would stay as well, the price went up to 1400 Baht. To be fair that was at least 10 years ago, and things may have changed, especially with online bookings.

Wait. Did that ever happen?

There's no fee on ATM cards withdrawals if used within the same province. But now we can't do completely without ATM cards (saving on the small annual fee) using the cardless ATM function in the bank app.

I'm always trying to explain I'm a "ผู้ใหญ่" and not an "adult", but in most cases it does not cut it. Sometimes the pink card works, but in most cases, it doesn't...

I used to pay around 600-700 Baht for a meal for two at the restaurants we usually go to. I concur that the price is now about the same or even lower, but that's only because we take away the food to eat at home, and handle the rice and drinks ourselves...

I've never had that experience in Thailand, but when I traveled in Cambodia tip was often expected or they would even get angry. I started to call it the land of the $1 smile ????

They did not use the best of words, but they probably mentioned that because that was also the price at one point in 2007.

I also had problem with high packet loss while tethering from my phone with a DTAC SIM card, but only after a while. I ended up using a 4G LTE WiFi dongle that's much more stable. https://www.cnx-software.com/2021/08/21/review-of-4g-lte-wifi-modem-hotspot/

Aircon set to 26C, I'm allergic to fans.

I simply avoid zebra crossing, too dangerous. Better cross the street at random places like everybody else.

Wait... Where are the selling times (like alcohol) to protect the public? They haven't clearly thought this through!

The problem is that the most locals don't seem to be bothered by the garbage, they don't view discarded packages and plastic bags as dirty. In some case, even close to government areas (e.g. amphur) the place is not cleaned up. The cleanest places are usually locations like beaches and parks managed by the military.

The lack of trash bins may be a problem. An alternative is to do what Japan does. They have very few trash bins, but the place is usually very clean, because they bring back their trash at home.