Is Thailand too much for an 80 year old?

[robertson468]

14 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

That's the point of course.

But as you described him he is mentally and physically fit to do and enjoy the trip.
Of course you should make the trip as comfortable as budget allows.

Either business class flight and/or consider flying with the Arabs (6 + 6 hours better to my opinion). Local long distance in taxi/limousine.

If flying economy:

at arrival he is entitled to use the fast track at the airport.

Otherwise pay and book the AOT fast track service for all of you (about 1200 per person).

 

Depending on any medication?

Travel health insurance is a must.

 

 

Also make sure he wear compression socks on both legs and takes a small asprin before the journey to prevent blood clotting.  Blood in the more senior citizens tends to be thicker and prone to developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT).  I'm sure he will have a wonderful time, once he has rested after the journey and aclimatized.  He will be regaling all his pals down the pub when he gets back to the good old UK!

[wwest5829]

15 hours ago, mrblonde said:

 

as we've just got back, and have to sort him a passport etc we were thinking between early May and November next year, if any of those months are cooler than others?

High season is November through March for a reason. Best weather wise. Last couple of nights here in Chiang Mai it was 17C with a low of -1C on Doi Inthanon reported. Anytime of the year without clouds and you can hear your skin crackling in the mid day sun. The high season time is what 

I recommend for friends wanting to visit.

[Sheryl]

Why pay for fast track ?  Tell airline he needs a wheelchair and he will go straight through !  Unlikely to get travel health insurance at his age.

He can get travel insurance, which as a UK resident is all he needs. There are policies specifically for older people. Some will even cover acute flare up of pre existing conditions.

If he were moving to Thailand it would be a different story as then he'd need a full policy. If still healthy, not impossible but quite costly.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[David in the north]

If you are concerned about delays at the airport - book him a wheel chair in BKK. Where the UK planes usually dock, is a long walk - especially at 80 years old + there are no delays at immigration.

[worgeordie]

Just make sure he doesn't fall in love with a bar girl,or you

could see your inheritance gone.

regards worgeordie

[Ninni]

Go for it!

I took my mother with me her every year for 3 months until she was 92!

No problem at all! She loved it!

[Jonnapat]

15 hours ago, Sheryl said:

December  and January. Sometimes into first half of February but not always Just started cooling off this week.

 

Don't fail to have him get travel insurance. This one will cover older people

 

https://www.goodtogoinsurance.com/travel-insurance-over-65/senior-travel-insurance

Back to a heatwave next week according to the weather forecast 

[Gillyflower]

Well I'm 80+ and just got here a few weeks back.  So think I'm reasonably qualified to answer!!  I had to get up at 5 a.m. to take a 2+   hour bus trip to airport.Three planes to get to CM.  At B'kok I usually go to  the transit gate where I am of the only one to go through Immigration, but this time I had a separate ticket for CM so had to go through normal Imm.  There is a big sign up PRIORITY for Seniors,Preg ladies, ladies with kids, and handicapped people.  When I got there, two lines, with about 6 people waiting in all.  A young couple were told to let me in front of them and I was out in 5 minutes.  I did not pay anything forthis.  When I got up to Check- In desk for CM, I again was put in a priority lane.  All very painless.  

The main flight was Economy.  I had an aisle seat and no problems.  And an absolutely charming man beside me.  That helped a lot!!!!!  I also ordered a special menu.

I am in a GH with lift.  I don't use it all that much, but it is handy.

This year I find the heat a bit much in the afternoons.  I go to lunch and shopping and usually take a red taxi back (20 baht).

I still go out drinking with my friends in the evenings.

I have only recited the above with the idea of helping.  I don't usually bore people with my routine.

 

By the way, the Blue Bus in CM is a great idea, cheap and air-con.

 

My only problem seems to be the heat in the PM.

 

Having been here for years, not interested in elephants, trekking, rafting bungy, etc.  Seen it all, done it all.  Can't help you there.

[Thingamabob]

15 hours ago, Spidey said:

A friend of mine lived and worked in Thailand for many years. He has now retired to the UK but still spends 3 months every Winter here. Earlier this year I celebrated his 80th birthday with him. The evening culminated in a visit to a notorious Walking Street gogo. What goes on in a gogo, stays in a gogo but I can assure you that he put just about everyone else in there to shame.

 

You're never too old.

Well done by both you and your elderly friend. Keep it up.

[Mac98]

15 hours ago, mrblonde said:

 

as we've just got back, and have to sort him a passport etc we were thinking between early May and November next year, if any of those months are cooler than others?

The rainy season, August and September, can cool things off. Just don't force march him around in the hot sun. I'm 77 and have a great time by having a flexible schedule. 

[neeray]

24 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Just make sure he doesn't fall in love with a bar girl,or you

could see your inheritance gone.

regards worgeordie

Too funny Geordie (I knew sooner or later somebody would say something like this).

[kansasdoll]

My mother lived in Thailand in her late 80s and loved it. She lived on Phuket. I agree the Nov.-Feb. months are probably the most comfortable.

[KhunBENQ]

4 hours ago, Emster23 said:

May I suggest breaking the trip into 3 segments, with a couple days stop overs after each leg? Being a yank, not sure where exactly each leg might break as I fly across Pacific.

I think a stopover in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi with some 2 to 3 hours connection is enough. But again that's individual. Some people just can sit down and sleep over most of the nonstop (12 hours from UK).

The countries in between (central Asia, India) are quite exhausting or having strict visa requirements etc. Bloody cold in winter.

 

[Lacessit]

2 hours ago, PerkinsCuthbert said:

Consider a hotel with an iron bedstead, a chain and a large padlock if your father's longevity is a concern.

Spoilsport.

[1FinickyOne]

18 hours ago, mrblonde said:

Thats what i'm thinking, hes worked hard all his life and doesnt holiday now, other than a weekend in bournemouth with all the other oldies...  I want him to see what Thailand is like, he madness, the noise, the food and the people.  He's a bit deaf but thats probably an advantage in parts of Thailand ???? 

There is an old story from Pattaya of a fellow bringing his 90 yr old disabled dad to live here as it was cheaper to get full time care... when the dad got here and saw all the old men with young female companions, he said, "I wish I came here when I was 80." 

 

 

[balo]

Good health is important at that age , he can travel anywhere he wants. I've read about a 100 year old guy parachute from a plane , so why not Thailand . 

 

[khunPer]

20 hours ago, mrblonde said:

I know everyones different, but wanted some opinions on taking an elderly relative away for 2 weeks to see what we love

Especially the "everyone is different" part. My dad had a great time with two weeks round-trip to Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya when he was 90 years old; including among others a forest walks up to water falls, the stairs up to the mountain top temple in Chiang May (Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, today there's a lift), walking the Ayutthaya ruins, walking inside a deep cave, and swimming from the islands (Koh Larn) outside Pattaya.

It's certainly not impossible for older people to have a great time in Thailand, depending on mobility, health, and the right choice of places to visit and things to see...????

[sawadee1947]

20 hours ago, mrblonde said:

Would the flight be too much for him? Or the heat/humidity?

Maybe not that but the girls 

[Thaimike370]

I think when he gets here he probably won't want to go back.  I came here almost 11 years ago, I went back to the UK 8 years ago for a two week holiday and wanted to come back after 4 days!  I am 86 so I'm sure your father will handle it no problem.  You could do a 2 stop flight if you are really worried.

[lvr181]

23 hours ago, mrblonde said:

but wanted some opinions on taking an elderly relative away for 2 weeks to see what we love

If his health is cleared by his physician - take him.

[GTgrizzly]

You DO realise that once you have bought him here once , he will want to come back every time you do 

[AlexRich]

If your father is in good health he would be absolutely fine. 

[MickeyR]

On ‎11‎/‎28‎/‎2018 at 7:43 PM, mrblonde said:

 I have a feeling thats what my father will be like too...... in fact i know he will haha

If he comes here not 100% he will go home 100%plus

 

[balo]

I've seen some 50 year olds in Thailand that looks so out of shape I don't think they will last many years.

So Thailand can be too much even for them . 

 

[Saladin]

I am over 80 and have been living happily in Chiang Mai for four years. I enjoy good health and 3 or 4 glasses of vino each day. I swim 400 metres nearly every day and have a 50 year old fiancee who looks 25. We have an ice cream and smoothie business that she runs. As I don't have a work permit, my contribution is telling her and her staff what they are doing wrong, which is something I am very good at. Why anybody who doesn't need to, chooses to continue living in the colourless West, is one of life's mysteries.

[Hoppyone]

On 11/28/2018 at 6:49 PM, kenk24 said:

My parents came to visit when they were 84 and not in good health... and cranky. They even went up to my village, well away from tourist areas and loved it... 

 

If he is in good health, why not?

Will make him feel 50 yrs old again

[lvr181]

8 hours ago, Hoppyone said:

Will make him feel 50 yrs old again

And if he feels like a 50 yr old he can probably get one there. 

[sanmyn]

I am 83 and have lived in Thailand since relocating from San Francisco 23 years ago. I love it here. Never too hot for me.

l live alone in a condo I bought eight years ago.

 

i just returned from two weeks traveling alone in Singapore.

Go for it. It will keep him mobile & active,

 

Gary Hacker

Naklua near Pattaya

 

[KhunFred]

Pattaya is too much for a THIRTY YEAR OLD. My first trip, I left glassy-eyed and could not wipe the smile off my face for two weeks. DANGEROUS!!!..  LOL

[yogavnture]

air conditioning