jhwest

Adhd 15

Yes indeed agree with you, but yes I find the more honest one is and yes we would get charged 150 per cent and yes like many others and yourself got charged NI  contributions for decades upon decades.

Yes never mind if one is British born and raised and paid all your taxes and NI, but illegals ane people flooding in to good ole UK, get free cover for absolutely ZERO  contributions.

It is the same principle regarding our Frozen State Pensions and actually t is blatant thieving on behalf of many  Governments over time.

and we supposed to be in the 22nd Century, not the 17th Century.

Hi Folks and pleased the posting programme now fixed.

1/ Health Insurance in Thailand   2/ Expats living here covered in the UK for emergencies NHS  3/   Thai  local Government Hospital Clinic Card.

1/ The first is about the Health Insurance with Companies in Thailand, with head offices overseas.

Yes the quotes for this insurance is very large indeed, with quotes for emergency cover being quoted as much as 200 to over 300 pound a month.

Nevertheless, there are local based insurers, who provide cover and yes  the quotes are lower and I have or my Thai Family been trying a few times now to get me on  their Thai policy, without success so far and do find this staggering in that one is the provider of most things.

Yes, have heard of people obtaining insurance from these mega large International Companies and just wonder those who have had treatment and any problems with settling.

2/ The second is regarding the good ole  UK NHS and  yes before the last General Election the so called Coalition Government was seriously thinking of restoring the NHS cover to expats to be able to receive free medical insurance, as is what we have paid in to for many over 40 or 50 years, but naturally when the Bill was passed, they conveniently forgot the expats, but put in clauses for refugees , who can claim for zero contributions (supposed to have had to wait 6 months???) and quietly slipped through a bill, as only they could do on many things.

I have been trying for information on the inter net and have asked friends in the UK and yes difficult to get a proper answer, even when Googling it.

Should there be an emergency would the NHS cover this and provide  initial cover and one is deemed not ordinarily resident of the UK and then did see that expats would have to pay 150 per cent more, than those deemed to be residents of the UK.

For Instance, they were quoting a hip operation (since when did the NHS start charging for this) but were quoting a figure, to which was added the 150 per cent. may come in to effect. 

3/  Yes I have a local hospital card  and gives an OPD No and the name of the Government Hospital and a number and the headings in green and my understanding is that they would provide and not sure basic cover and was wondering if anyone has had any experience of this.

I have indeed gone twice for very minor elements and a small cost entailed.

Does this card provide for anything, other the minor care or do they also cover an emergency.

Sometimes as in the case of everything it depends on the policy of the hospital and also I do hear if someone has relatives  who work for the hospital and sometimes cover is extended for a premium???

Yes my Thai wife had to fight for this card and yes had worked for the 2 local schools also.

Thanks anyone who might be helpful on this very very important topic

Thank you , Sheryl and it depends sometimes on who you know, but that is true anywhere and any walks of life.

Really appreciate your help though.

It's strange so many differing opinions, but thank you so much

Hi  Sheryl

Unfortunately I can not post this and yes indeed did work for the local schools, but the card and all the titles in Green   and gives an O.P.D No, my name and age and on the back states this is your permanent clinic card and please bring it, every time you visit the clinic.

I have used it on a couple of occasions and a very small charge.

Yes was told and think that cover is for everything and not sure if only for basic and it was very difficult to obtain, but my Thai wife told  them that I had worked at the local schools and they seemed to change their mind and issued me with this plastic card.

,

Hi All

Just wondering if anyone can help me. I have a local plastic white local hospital card and has my number and name and on the back it states this is your permanent card and everytime you visit the clinic, please bring this along with you.

I am led to believe that I am covered and do not need any extra medical insurance, but thinking of a local Thai one in any case.

Anyone who has experience of this card and have indeed used it and would appreciate any help on this.

I have used it for a couple of walk ins and a few people stating most things are covered. Anyone know please?

Thanks

J West 

Hi All,

Apologies if not in a topic, but wondering if anyone has a white clinic card from the local hospital. I have been enquiring about medical insurance and being quoted huge premiums from the so called International Companies based in Thailand, but based in the UK.

Yes, it appears if one has this white clinic card and gives  an O.P.D Number and name  and states on the back, this is your permanent clinic card and please bring it with you each time you visit.

An insurance company has suggested that I might not even need extra coverage and was led to believe that covered for most things at the local hospitsl.

Has anyone experienced this and indeed had a walk in a couple of times and it appears emergencies are covered. Can anyone help me with this quiestion  please?

My Thai Family have tried several times to get me on the Family's policy to no avail and find this amazing indeed as in the main the expat is the provider.

Yes thank you, anyone who might be able to help and yes this pensions and medical insurance area is so very complicated.

J West
 

Lots of things like talk a walk, get a coffee and my favourite is think "does this issue really matter? Is it actually important?" You will come to the conclusion it isn't so let it go and carry on with life.

PS Moderators why does this site use American English as opposed to English English?

Well like in teaching English the Educational people just love the Filipinos , who definitely are brought up studying American English. Yes they think it sounds cool and also the pronunciation is diabolical, let alone the grammar. They are definitely not native English teachers at all

A Director up at the High School at Danmakhamtia was apparently fuming (heard this from a very reliable source) in that why can not the students speak one sentence of English.

He, perhaps should have found out this a long time ago and this is nothing new and to be fair the Thai English teachers simply can not string together one sentence in English and that includes so-called Section Heads LOL.

In any case everyone in High School passes, so it does not matter.

Hi

Interesting topic this and yes it is ridiculous in that I am, married to a wonderful Thai lady and they have tried to put me on the Family Insurance policy, several times without success so far and yes noticed quotes for 5 million baht. and very very expensive indeed. Yes even more amazing in that in general provide for them and children, well a very large part of the costs.

I actually have a white membership card from my local hospital and think that I can (not sure of this ok) obtain cheaper medical treatment and I know sometimes if my wife goes to the doctor then occasionally can get tablets a little cheaper.

However and also not sure and as we all know our names not on the property, apart from our agreed signature on the back of the form.

Some people have advised me that possibly with the yellow or blue house book, one might be able to get cover, but not so sure about this either.

I suppose it depends where one lives in Thailand and who one knows.

Even with insurance one is never is completely sure that it will pay out, but a few people I know have had no problems whatsoever.

It is like general insurance in that no one really knows what might happen in any event, until one experiences it and yes sometimes there is small words listing the exemptions.

Personally and do not know why but have a rough figure of 1mill (sort of) in reserve and yes been getting extremely high quotes on those firms advertised in Thai Visa and yes this includes insurance, just for myself, though of course you can get quotes for any number too.

Yes as an English person, when looking up Google regarding are we covered under the NHS as we have contributed all of our NI contributions and you do hear of people getting basic health care, but also reports of charging, if out of the Country for 5 years or more

Yes when my wife asks are you covered? Well one can not find or get a reply to a quiestion or a letter and yeah same, same never get a straight forward reply.

One can only say I really am not sure and this of course is the truth.

Yes a very very complicated issue this and yes the so called "immigrants" flocking in to the UK get free medical treatment for absolutely ZERO CONTRIBUTIONS. and the same sort of principle as regards the Frozen Pension issue (ie we have all paid the same, some more than everyone but we certainly do not get the same State Pension. else)

Yes very complicated issue indeed.

Excuse me and I totally respect the laws and customs of Thailand, ofcourse I do.

However, with total repect and yes there many foreigners who are teaching without the necessary experience and qualifications.

What is absolutely forgotten is that Thai Teachers trying to teach Thai Students English and yes they may have degrees lol.

I ask you and often the so called qualified teachers lol, think they know how to teach English.

Total and absolute crap and yes a native speaker is English, not Phillipino or American, yet they have the teaching positions.

It does not help one little bit, that it the aim of every single Institution in that everyone passes no matter what.

Believe you me I have taught proper English and the teachers who have still positions getting salary for goodness know what.

They think they know it all and unfortuanately they do not know even a little bit, but think that they do.

Between lol the so called Director and so called Head of Foreign Languages andreally laughing out loud, they are totally useless, yet the so called Director lo goes along with it.

An absolute disgrace and the so called Director and lo theso called Head of Languages, youru really having a laugh, both pateetic, yet still comand a huge salary, for what exactly. Yes absollutely NOTHING AT ALL A DISGRACE

Sincerely

J West

Hi

I was just wondering if anyone can help me and I have a friend who has English silver sovereigns dating back to 1900.

He know that they are valuable and does anyone know who trades these in Thailand

Many thanks for you help

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THAI EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY:

1) everyone passes no matter what.

2) If everyone is unable to pass the required %, you must lower the required % so everyone passes.

Exactly top post and there are better English teachers who have not got contracts, far superior than any Thais or Phiippino teachers . A disgrace and in one High School in Danmakhamtia, Kanchanaburi the Thai teachers say up to you and clean the classroom, or get rid of the rubbish bin and they will pass no problem..

Yes some Farlang just do not turn up on time, let alone teach full classes. It is really Tom and Jerry stuff, it really is.

The so called Director has admitted that Special Event Days take priority over teaching subjects.

About sums it up a complete joke.

Not that many Native English Teachers then and the only Native ones are English and not what the schools bullshite to the Thai parents that they employ a native speaker.

Oh yes from the Phillies forgot lol and American English

John West

Well foreign or not and yes where has all the money gone and ofcourse he has spent it, but saying that these low lying Farlang, giving us all a very bad name. Look a bit closer and there are lots of genuine English Genntlemen and looking after their Thai Famiy and glad to do so.

Do not tell me that some Thais do not rip you off and my so called brother and sister in law still owe me 8000 pounds at 2006 rates 73 Bhat to the pound ie 584,000 + interest and yes given money to my niece and why the heck not given back to me. Yes they are all in it and a DISGRACE. Maybe not much money to most, but alot to me

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In my experience, finances rather than anything else will dictate where most end up.

I include Health in that as that is closely linked to finances too. If you have (regretably) an accident or illness the possible financial implications could and does wipe peoples resources out.

That's usually when they start to head for the "home country". Then it becomes a case of not what you "want" but what is the reality of the situation and what is practical.

Going back home, at least to the UK isn't a matter of 'choice' it is a matter of' 'fact'. It is not as simple as some on here would like to think. Here are a couple of points:

1: You DO NOT automatically qualify for health care (except emergencies.

2: In order to register with a GP and get some treatments, you have to be living back there for 6 months.

3: You have to PROVE you are back for good.

4: If you are financially impaired, you will have a long wait to get accomodation.

There is a lot more, I have researched quite a bit, and just received the following from the NHS:

....Those persons in receipt of UK state pensions who choose to live in another country, either permanently or for more than six months each year on a regular basis, can receive, free of charge, any hospital treatment the need for which arises while they are staying in the UK, as long as they previously lived here for at least ten continuous years. This would include if they fell ill or were injured while on a visit here, or if they needed urgent treatment of a pre-existing condition. However, it would not include pre-planned treatment or routine treatment of a pre-existing condition.. . . .

Read the last but carefully, they also went on the say that the 'Free Treatment' that Expats can receive "Is under review" and will be changed - very ominous. GHood luck to all, who may need help - like myself.

Very Good point regarding the last paragraph about NHS Care.

My wonderful Thai wife was asking whether you are covered in the UK should an emeregency occur and did say in my calculations in my mind that I have set aside some monies for treatment here.

Like you Sir I do a lot of research also and the State Pension, Frozen Pension, the proposal of scrapping personal allowances for expats and this was a huge white paper and the Govt. will probably slide it in either the next budget or the one after.

Also there was supposed to be a huge consultancy withthe Govt and NHs and the title was " the possible restoration of expats free health care and the result should have been known in 2014 and can not find it anywhere and probably shelved. This was in a Daily Telegraph article

In any case it stated that if someone had at one point 10 years continuous contributions in the UK, then if the person was over State Retired Age then some free care would be provided.

Also it mentioned the fact that newcomers to the UK would have had to have 7 years contributionns to the NHS Scheme, in order to get some benefit.

Can anyone tell me the answer and searched everywhere.

My take is that it has been totally dropped as do not forget the expats abroad are a very small minority, but who have paid the required NI and taxes throughout their working life and are "treated" worse than 3rd rated Countries.

Also explains why they will not shift on Frozen State Pensions and personal allowances, but believe and very dangerous my opinion re: the personal allowances the possibility of those owning homes in the UK and receiving rental income or those in employment would be targetted.

In any case very easy to tax everything at 20 per cent on ONE POUND and upwards..

Just saying and yes one can look the personal allowance on the Govt uk site.

Cheers and we do not get a hint of a fair deal and most of us paid the same tax and NI all their lives, but get penalised. Well the easy target and all the scum and yes not just Foreigners claiming thousands upon thousands of benefits, without paying one single penny. DISGRACE

Any news of progress on the proposal, announced some months ago by the British government, to allow Brits resident in non-EU countries to receive free treatment under the NHS without having to return to their homeland for six months to qualify?

Many of us old 'uns are taxed at source on their state and private pensions (if they are lucky enough to have one) and are too long in the tooth to obtain medical insurance for Thai hospitals. Under current rules, if we need surgery or other expensive treatment on the NHS we either have fly back and wait half a year - by which time we could be beyond medical help! - or bear the full cost.

We seem to be getting less and less for a lifetime of paying taxes and National Insurance contributions and I have a nasty suspicion that the plan to restore our NHS rights was just one of those pre-election kites that will never fly.

Hi

My wife had been asking this very quiestion this morning and asked before and sorting out my State Pension forms and sending them off, but yes googled under "Brits abroad could have rights to free NHS treatment restored. Daily Telegraph 12 Sept 2013 and a huge consultancy and result in 2014 and can not see anything anywhere, but do remember reading someting about the 7 year of NI contributions and apparantly if you are at State Pension age to quote the article you are entitled to some benefits if you have 10 years continuous contributions in the UK.

Yes still nothing on the Personal allowances and think they will slip it in the next budget 2015/16 when no one notices it (yeah politicians the World over scum) and was under the understanding (my understanding dangerous!!!) that people with rental income or employment income would be targeted, but then thought they might just abolish it completely. So everyone will pay 20 per cent on everything!!!

Thai Government school teachers HAVE to retire at 60, but this generally doesn't apply to foreign staff!

It depends on the school and yes wanted to teach for at least one more year and was not my decision, but a so called High School Diirector in Danmakhamtia, decided to change things around.

In my experience and yes I am a very young 64 yar old, the older teacher is much more committed and also takes time to explain things.

Wheras some, not all 25 year old teachers think they know it all.

Also I found that the so called lol Head of Languages teaching English, well her and other students from other teachers, always used to come to me to explain what they have been taught.

In addition they can not string together one sentence or understand English (the teachers) and a crazy situation, when everyone passes and if you fail the exam just clean the classroom.

Honest have seen this and from Thais and Phillipinos, who lol know it all.

Yeah they do come and go as they please and none other than one Phillipine male teacher at the High School in Danmakhamtia.

Sometimes can not be bothered to turn up on time, yet gets a contract.

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All Politicians do bad things, in EVERY COUNTRY. They over promise and under deliver. they care about lining their won pockets. Yingluck and her ilk are part of the SUPER ELITE and there can be no doubt about it. Give me 1% of the daily interest on their wealth for sure!

So she has had an example made of her. Isn't it time to stop grudges and try to move on?

Somehow I do not think so but I do not see mass riots either. People are sedated now with being paid.

All I can see is this country falling behind the others in the region and personally, I cant wait as the arrogance and costs here need adjustment the same as the idiots ruling and who try to rule. But wouldn't it be nice to see this place actually learn and take a lead again and be the REAL powerhouse of the region instead of pettiness and infighting over past issues?

Yes totally agree and certainly the politicians in the so called Western World ie Europe and yes definately the UK and frankly can not stand any of them and have stated before time and again, they are only interested in lining their own pockets, but the nonsense of it all, the ordinary people follow them, but if they are being offered so much a day!!! Well here, but sure it happens elsewhere this payment for so called service.

Prhaps they should look at the High School in Danmakhamtia and sure there must be a teacher who has not got a work permit and also some Thai teachers not got a degree either.

Hi Simon 43

Yes Simon

This very old chesnut keeps coming up and frankly we all know it stinks.

In my opinion the older teacher is more reliable, has more patience and often spend time out of school teaching not just High school children and prior kindergarten.

Also, yes I know little Thai and the so called LOL Director at the High School in Danmakhamtia, Kanchanaburi stated it did not matter and in any case last year often students of Thai and Phillipine teachers, often came up to me to explain what they have just been taught.!!!!

Infact amazingly enough the so called Head of Languages lol can not put together one single sentence of English, let alone proununciation and all the other ingredients for teaching English.

Yes unfortunately the age discrimination very much in effect in Thailand, but believe you me it also exists very much in the UK and the trouble is you get a 25 year old, who thinks that they know it all and yes IMHO the older teacher is so much more committed and infact has more stamina, than many people much younger. True it is a fact.

Yes I am a very young 64 years old and wanted to teach one more year and not for a huge salary, but the LOL so called "Director" cough, cough and do you know what he did not have one ounce of decency to inform me that I would be not be granted another contract and what a waste and you get this so called Native speaker from the Phillipines (no such thing) turning up when he feels like it and not even having his own classes ( well definately last year) or he had very very small classes and often had a Thai teacher in with him with lessons.

Yes was very very angry about this and yes wanted and loved the teaching and the children, but so few people want to learn.

But as the saying goes "You can lead a horse to water, but you can not make it drink, after it is full"

Finally I am still teaching at home and also do still help University students, when they ask me, but it sickens me, when teachers who are inferior and if you like crawlers or arselickers (yes it is in the Oxford Dictionary) manage to crawl to the Head of Department and Director. The last 2 at this school a real joke.

Cheers

John West

Hi

Well you know about the Thai tradition and a little bit and every 20 minutes lol.

Yes she has and always asking you sure you have had enough and often I say definately no dinner tonight and yeah often go for a walk in the evening and occassionally enjoy some snacks of the Western variety.

I also agree that there is alot of sauces and salt in Thai food and yes indeed I love Thai food.

Yes she is only cariing for you and yes I certainly like a beer or two, but really love my Family to bits and yes my weight has gone up and my waist expanded.

Relax and enjoy and do you do any exercise and in any case just relax a little and no your wife is not trying to kill you. One has to remember to enjoy every single day and do the best you can for your Family, so enjoy and none of us knows, when we will not be on this planet.

Fact we all have to die of something sometime.

Cheers

Well amazing 10 years overstay and think there is a maximum, but the trouble is it appears that you have already lent monies from what your parents and what about this friend of yours, is he not getting his pension sent to a bank in Thailand and oh he probably has none. How the hell does he exist.

Also yes I am afraid many people been taken advantage of and my self (always know in hindsight but now in my NINTH YEAR and loaned to my English Brother in law in Uk and still have not been paid a rather substantial sum 8,000 pounds and at 2006 rates 73 to the pound.

You know what his Thai wife came over just recently and I promised not to bring it up, at least, until after the King's Birthday as a mark of respect.

I have asked in person when in the UK, written to him several letters, seen him twice in Thailand and still no effort to pay me back and yes more fool me, but helping someone out of a debt situation and he is still out here and really do not know how he survives, having given her well lives in the UK his debit card!!!!

Yes brought it up with her newish boyfriend and she is fully aware and stating some cock and bull story, that monies given to my wife's niece.

Yes when push comes to shove some of the Thais try to save face and try to make you out to be the guilty one. So much for helping someone out and this Thai thief then proceeds to swear every other word, because she has been found out and this niece says no money, but they can buy new cars, businesses, land and more houses, but can not give me back my monies. Scandeleous!!!

How is your friend surviving then.

Hi there

A huge problem, well like most in the Western World then age discrimination comes in to play and the long time argument against experienced and very dedicated teachers, against thos who recently got degrees and seem to know it all. Also arselickers being an ordinary teacher or a Director. It does make me wonder if they have ever taught.

Also the parents at certain infamous High Schools think that they are getting native English speakers.

This is definately NOT the case and it is all down to putting bums on seats.

Believe you me have seen it first hand.

Not going to happen. Never seen a crackdown like this. But salary haven't risen in my 16 years here. Shortages of teachers come and go. Salaries stay the same. Plenty of schools get rid of experienced teachers when their salary gets too high or they're too old.
Young, handsome / pretty and cheap- works for 8 out of 10 schools. Bodies in classes.

Johninbkk Thai visa what is this all about wait 6 seconds and then try again. Do not post much.

Top post and totally correct in that very good experienced English teachers are being get rid of, because of age and yes relative high salaries. Same, same in the Western World in that if one is over 60 then you are past it.

Total and utter rubbish and so called "Directors" and Heads of Foreign Department want bodies in class and it reflects well on them.

Older people with or without degrees are more committed, loyal and very good to the collective group and to individuals too and always ready to help in and out of the classroom.

Yes not my choice, but not teaching at the school I taught last year and no one could be bothered to tell me to my face.

Yes have and still am getting students asking me to explain what has been said by English by both Thai and Filipine teachers and also ex students too and also ones who have/going to university.

ASEAN 2015  and Thailand going to be way behind, but until the the top people in Authority wake up, then it will never change, but it their schools!!!!

Not going to happen. Never seen a crackdown like this. But salary haven't risen in my 16 years here. Shortages of teachers come and go. Salaries stay the same. Plenty of schools get rid of experienced teachers when their salary gets too high or they're too old.
Young, handsome / pretty and cheap- works for 8 out of 10 schools. Bodies in classes.

Spot on post johninbkk 71 Totally agree with you regarding getting rid of experienced foreign teachers and yes same, same in the real World regarded as too old at just age 60Plus and yes agree with the so called "Directors" aim to get bodies just in to the classroom. It looks good for them ha ha!!!

Also the more experienced teacher has more committment, loyality and give so much to every student, both as a collective unit and as individuals have so much more go in them, then the so called 25 or 26 year olds who think they know it all, yet get a renewal of a WP, even though they do not deserve it and turn up when they feel like it.

In my experience and unfortunately my experience has been thrown out of the window, but the choice of so caled "Directors" and Head of English Departments can not understand a basic English quiestion, let alone explaning in English to the students.

Yes indeed many ex students and current student come up to me and please explain what my English teacher has taught, be it a Thai, Filipino and yes often help those students who have or have been to University.

ASEAN 2015  really Thailand needs to wake up or rather the so called top levels of education. Never going to change though and also they think that they know it all, but it is their system and schools and it sucks.