British family makes desperate plea for grandfather seriously ill in Thailand

[PythonHouse]

9 minutes ago, orchis said:

surely his wife would know what hospital he is in.

Of course she does, but I didn't ask. 

[orchis]

The issue with being "self-insured" is that when the money dries up
you'd expect someone else to jump in, if there is anyone that is, and that bills for long term problems are never 'final'.

We were asked to bail a friend out; acute appendicitis, after that he decided to go back home, no one got their money back.
Another one ran out of money at 74 with increasing health problems, he killed himself.
Recently I have been asked to help set up emergency funding for another person well in his 80's.

There can be a long time between getting ill and dying. Be prepared.

Edited October 4, 2022 by orchis
clarity

[itsari]

I have read that there is a fund for ex professional footballers in the UK for situations like this that is funded by the professional footballers playing today . Must be 10 years back that i read about the fund . 

 

 

[edogthong]

6 hours ago, mania said:

Sorry 0 Sympathy

Somehow, I'm not surprised. Some of you sad individuals in here do nothing but relish in the misfortune of others.

[Kwaibill]

3 hours ago, JimTripper said:

Not many people refuse treatment when you need to goto the hospital.

 

The article is typically what happens. You end up there and the system takes over. They don't just let you die. Your treated and the bills pile up.

 

What are you going to do if you have a heart attack or are in pain?

Longest I've been in a Thai hospital is six days. Government hospital, so only about $1,000 all in.

Interested to see what the tab will be when my gallbladder comes out in Dec.

 

[richard_smith237]

7 hours ago, mania said:

I am guessing this is one of those "I self insure" guys who always post here

Or the type that always say well if something bad happens I can just fly home & get treated for free

 

Sorry 0 Sympathy????

How does a 77 year old with COPD get insurance  in Thailand ???

 

 

 

 

 

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, ThaSalaPaul said:

What's penciled into your planner?

Another wine cooler .........

[Northstar1]

Thailand is no place for elderly people! Sooner or later the same scenario will haunt everyone!

go home while you still have the means, and your family won’t have to deal with this.

[ThailandRyan]

3 minutes ago, Northstar1 said:

Thailand is no place for elderly people! Sooner or later the same scenario will haunt everyone!

go home while you still have the means, and your family won’t have to deal with this.

So in your view old people should just sit in the lazy boy recliner rocking back and forth as the days wane away in an overpriced and far from happy lifestyle in their home country instead of enjoying life to it's fullest and where happiness is found.....wow your just a sympathetic and caring individual with a post like yours.  More elderly people living a great life here in Thailand.

[Chris.B]

6 minutes ago, Northstar1 said:

Thailand is no place for elderly people! Sooner or later the same scenario will haunt everyone!

go home while you still have the means, and your family won’t have to deal with this.

What about family in Thailand? Forget them?

 

[onthedarkside]

Several "grammar police" posts and an off-topic post have been removed.

 

[nauseus]

5 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I don't follow the European football (soccer), I'm NRL. 

 

I just regularly read the millions and millions of dollars these guys earn. 

 

He was playing about 50 years ago - wages much lower then, even in real terms. I would suggest that the family contact the clubs, so that maybe, they, or their sponsors, might take some financial strain. I wish him all the best. 

Edited October 4, 2022 by nauseus

[Aussieroaming]

I'm sure that they move every farang into intensive care. The medical bill in intensive care will kill you if the illness doesn't.

[damo1967]

5 hours ago, roo860 said:

You know what league both these teams played in? No you don't, It's better sometimes to keep your comments to yourself when you know nothing about the guys past life and what he actually did.

Think we know what if 'didnt' do... that was to get some insurance.. 

 

[Dr B]

4 hours ago, orchis said:

as per his go f me page he has no insurance.

As with many of the other posts, this seems to miss the point. Nobody is suggesting the John has a "Go Fund Me" page. He is in an ICU on a ventilator, and probably knows nothing about this, or the rate at which his bills are mounting up, and is powerless to do anything about it anyway. His family in UK are the ones footing the bill, and presumably trying the GFM option.

[phetpeter]

I tell people all the time sign up and make payments into the social sercuity scheme, about 450 baht per month. after several months you will be able to get free medical services and tablets. plus when you paid in for years you can get a pension or lump sum too, plus child beneifit etc.  I had a heart attack got taken to hospital had a stent and ongoing treatment and tablets at no cost. Don't believe then pop down to the office or local government hospital and check it out or check it out on line. If you are working direct with a government school they are meant by law to put you on the scheme, pay towards it and when you lose your work, you will also be able to claim unemployment benifit for a period of time.

[nauseus]

1 minute ago, phetpeter said:

I tell people all the time sign up and make payments into the social sercuity scheme, about 450 baht per month. after several months you will be able to get free medical services and tablets. plus when you paid in for years you can get a pension or lump sum too, plus child beneifit etc.  I had a heart attack got taken to hospital had a stent and ongoing treatment and tablets at no cost. Don't believe then pop down to the office or local government hospital and check it out or check it out on line. If you are working direct with a government school they are meant by law to put you on the scheme, pay towards it and when you lose your work, you will also be able to claim unemployment benifit for a period of time.

I believe you but is it not so that to be able to contribute then you need to be employed here?

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, phetpeter said:

I tell people all the time sign up and make payments into the social sercuity scheme, about 450 baht per month. after several months you will be able to get free medical services and tablets. plus when you paid in for years you can get a pension or lump sum too, plus child beneifit etc.  I had a heart attack got taken to hospital had a stent and ongoing treatment and tablets at no cost. Don't believe then pop down to the office or local government hospital and check it out or check it out on line. If you are working direct with a government school they are meant by law to put you on the scheme, pay towards it and when you lose your work, you will also be able to claim unemployment benifit for a period of time.

So how does a retiree here, who has never worked in Thailand get onto the SS Scheme, Answer: You can't

My GF pays into it and when Covid hit she could not obtain one red satang as she is a Myanmar National, even though she owned her own salon...her Thai employee's however obtained all of the payouts they could grab.

[Old Croc]

I don't understand why he is described as an ex professional footballer unless it is to garner more Go-Fund money from his soccer mad home country.

Between his days dribbling and head butting a ball around a paddock in Shrewsbury and his retirement in Thailand, I'm sure he had a work career which would more likely define him. I'm a couple of years younger and have been paid to play football (AFL variety) in the 1960s and 70s, but under no circumstances would I ever be described by that.  I had normal employment all my life. 

My mother (and stepfather) smoked like chimneys until it killed them. He from lung cancer in his late 60's and the mother from emphysema after her lungs filled up with black tar. She only stopped smoking because of the explosive danger a naked flame posed with the oxygen machine next to her bed.

I believe one of the attractions S.E.Asia has for smokers is the availability of cheap cigarettes when taxes elsewhere made the habit very expensive. 

I've heard of quite a few people here, on this forum and elsewhere, who have died from throat cancer or similar. One of the hazards of retirement in paradise.

I have nothing against crowd funding for those who have no other option. It's not compulsory to donate.

After I moved to Thailand, and looked at alternatives, I made the decision to self-fund my medical needs. I have more than enough growing assets in my home country to cover any eventuality. People who deride this option need to think beyond their own limited circumstances.

[bkk6060]

7 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I would disagree, I don't expect (nor desire) to live to age 77.

But I would like to choose where I die, which is not in a UK nursing home.

No need to run up expensive medical bills, accept death when it comes.

 

I don't 'self-insure' or have any insurance, and don't intend to pay for long term medical care. It's not required, at 66 I've already had my life.

You got almost 40 positive responses, so obviously others agree.

I totally disagree especially at age 66 jeez, I certainly have lots of life left just as active as when I was 40 and thinking about the future all the time.  The average age of death for males I believe is the mid 70ś.  If I got sick and died at 66 I would feel somewhat cheated that is still not an old man in my opinion.

[Raphael Hythlodaeus]

7 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I would disagree, I don't expect (nor desire) to live to age 77.

But I would like to choose where I die, which is not in a UK nursing home.

No need to run up expensive medical bills, accept death when it comes.

 

I don't 'self-insure' or have any insurance, and don't intend to pay for long term medical care. It's not required, at 66 I've already had my life.

Hmmm, easy to say if you are not in that position (like I am, but with funds)  and have a Thai family. It's not s eslk in the park.

But must award the main gov Siriraj Mahidol University Hospital in BKK top marks, 5* for my recent 5 day stay for a major op. But very difficult to navigate without a Thai speaker.

[bt2017]

I'm an 80 yr old British/Australian expat without health insurance and it really annoys me when posters comment on what others should do or haven't done with regard to health cover. Before turning 75 I decided to apply for ins. I live a healthy life style not smoked for 45yrs only drink on special occasions and i'm practically a vego also don't eat dairy products and up until 2 yrs ago walked about 30klms a week - despite this I have moderately high BP and have had a few ops. the medical for the ins. was all good with the BP exception. the response from the insurer was a list of exclusions which covered just about every health problem I was likely to face in the future  plus they upped the projected premium by some 15000bt. even the broker said he woudn't accept it. I also fail to understand why all health cover offered is International I live in Thailand and that's the only country  I require cover for! The positive is I've paid nothing to these money grabbers and I'm pretty sure I never will!!!

[Cardano]

6 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I don't follow the European football (soccer), I'm NRL. 

 

I just regularly read the millions and millions of dollars these guys earn. 

 

He's 77 years old for god sake, probably 50 years ago when he played football earning threepence ha'penny a week.

[DogNo1]

Most of us will face body deterioration and illness before we die.  Statistics show that most of the. money spent on healthcare is done in the last few years of life.  We can't all go out as Queen   Elisabeth did.  For some of us, hospice care is more appropriate than hospital care before we die.

[TKDfella]

8 hours ago, South said:

Whilst I have some sympathy for the guy and I hope he quickly recovers, these types of stories are becoming too frequent.

Bottom line, if you don't have the funds (to cover your medical/emergency bills), you shouldn't be here.

That doesn't take into account some situations. I was married to a Thai Head of Ward Nurse and got free health coverage. When we divorced I was already too old to get insurance and I would not have got automatic health care leaving Thailand and returning to my native country. Going somewhere else would give the same result.

[Isaan sailor]

8 hours ago, South said:

Whilst I have some sympathy for the guy and I hope he quickly recovers, these types of stories are becoming too frequent.

Bottom line, if you don't have the funds (to cover your medical/emergency bills), you shouldn't be here.

Your point is well taken.  It does, however raise the question: How much is enough to self-insure?

As we age here in Thailand, it seems that health insurance premiums rachet up every year.  And they're only too happy to slap exclusions on your policy whenever they can.

 

We've asked this question of several ICU nurses we know--in both public and private hospitals. For emergency services and many surgeries, I wouldn't self-insure for less than 500,000 Baht.  And would feel comfortable with 1,000,000. in a health savings account.

[Orinoco]

32 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

If I got sick and died at 66 I would feel somewhat cheated

That's well funny, 

 

 

Edited October 4, 2022 by Orinoco

[Nong Khai Man]

9 hours ago, South said:

Whilst I have some sympathy for the guy and I hope he quickly recovers, these types of stories are becoming too frequent.

Bottom line, if you don't have the funds (to cover your medical/emergency bills), you shouldn't be here.

Bottom line, if you don't have the funds (to cover your medical/emergency bills), you shouldn't be here......How Bloody Cheeky of YOU,Who do YOU Think YOU Are ??

[Cardano]

5 hours ago, connda said:

If he goes back the the UK, the NHS will put him on an 'end of life pathway.'
That is, if he can find a bed in an NHS facility. 
As a 70 year old all I can say is that he should have thought this out way before this.  77 imho is the span of a good life.  He should get his affairs in order and seek to check out as painlessly as possible.  Heck, 70 is a good life span.  I just want to be relatively comfortable before I go.  No asking family in the US to 'save me.'  My chosen family is here.  I'll die here. 

But, best of luck to Mr. John.

So your from the US and have the gall to slander the UK NHS. From your inane comment you obliviously have no idea about the NHS and the amazing service it provides. He would get a bed instantly and be provided with the best possible treatment "free of charge", he would be put on end of life care only if his condition deteriorated to a point where nothing else could be done.

[Nong Khai Man]

11 minutes ago, Cardano said:

He's 77 years old for god sake, probably 50 years ago when he played football earning threepence ha'penny a week.

Yes, They were on a Maximum Wage of 11 Quid a Week,NOT A LOT Was it ??