Local expat Richard Valentine was in a traffic incident on his motorbike recently and is currently getting treatment in a Phuket government hospital. The bills are mounting up.

 

“Help needed.

 

As many of you know I was the victim of a hit and run accident on 31st March which left me with a leg broken in 4 places with no-one, that was responsible, to get their to insurance pay.

 

I am still confined to a bed in a Thai Government Hospital who offer a great service but are not free like the case in my home country of UK.

 

4 operations later the insurance money has run out and there are a further 2 options required

 

Full story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/phuket-news/local-expat-needs-help-after-motorbike-incident/

 

-- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-04-28

 

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Sad story.

30 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Help needed

This is becoming a regular article, foreigners needing money from motorbike accident 

1 minute ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

This is becoming a regular article, UK guy needing money from motorbike accident 

Not just UK surly.

Sounding like a broken record, but yet again another case of someone not sufficiently insured (under-insured), albeit at least he had partial cover. And yet another plea for financial help to be bailed out of this predicament. 

 

Many expats here have insufficient or no insurance at all and usually not enough personal funds to cover costs.  I have had chats with guys who admit they aren't sufficiently covered/not at all, but just don't really want to think about it.  The cheap policies that often expats opt for, are capped at low-end amounts that won't cover most ICU, critical care and complex issues.  

 

I feel pity for the guy, but I won't be contributing as I need my money to pay for my own proper insurance cover, which, yes is bloody expensive. 

5 minutes ago, fasteddie said:

Not just UK surly.

Dont call him Shirley! 

2 minutes ago, aussienam said:

Sounding like a broken record, but yet again another case of someone not sufficiently insured (under-insured), albeit at least he had partial cover. And yet another plea for financial help to be bailed out of this predicament. 

 

Many expats here have insufficient or no insurance at all and usually not enough personal funds to cover costs.  I have had chats with guys who admit they aren't sufficiently covered/not at all, but just don't really want to think about it.  The cheap policies that often expats opt for, are capped at low-end amounts that won't cover most ICU, critical care and complex issues.  

 

I feel pity for the guy, but I won't be contributing as I need my money to pay for my own proper insurance cover, which, yes is bloody expensive. 

Spot on assessment! Por Ror Bor cover is inadequate in this case (assuming that's what he took out). 

6 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

This is becoming a regular article, UK guy needing money from motorbike accident 

Not just UK, but they seem to be the nationality with the connections that get them into the media for fundraising.  My German friend had a very nasty accident on his 'big bike' and spent several months in hospital accumulating a huge bill. Didn't get reported in the media. Had to make a major call on family back in Germany. Sadly ended up with a severe and permanent disability and returned back to Munich.

Another expat mate of mine was killed in Saraburi in October last year. Out on his bike on a Saturday morning and an SUV just drove clean over him.  Its all too common. Almost exactly the same kind of 'accident' that killed my wife's uncle in Udon. I'm a lifelong biker and ran DSA Direct Access riding courses for a time back in the UK also was IAM Car and Bike Observer and Examiner but I stay off two wheels in Thailand - getting on a bike here is attempted suicide...

If you're going to ride a motorcycle here then at the very least you should have good accident insurance. 

 

And I'm sure, if they could be bothered the police could track down to hit and run driver...

2 minutes ago, HauptmannUK said:

Not just UK, but they seem to be the nationality with the connections that get them into the media for fundraising.  My German friend had a very nasty accident on his 'big bike' and spent several months in hospital accumulating a huge bill. Didn't get reported in the media. Had to make a major call on family back in Germany. Sadly ended up with a severe and permanent disability and returned back to Munich.

Another expat mate of mine was killed in Saraburi in October last year. Out on his bike on a Saturday morning and an SUV just drove clean over him.  Its all too common. Almost exactly the same kind of 'accident' that killed my wife's uncle in Udon. I'm a lifelong biker and ran DSA Direct Access riding courses for a time back in the UK also was IAM Car and Bike Observer and Examiner but I stay off two wheels in Thailand - getting on a bike here is attempted suicide...

Depends where. Some places it is dead quiet and safe as a bank.

13 minutes ago, aussienam said:

Sounding like a broken record, but yet again another case of someone not sufficiently insured (under-insured), albeit at least he had partial cover. And yet another plea for financial help to be bailed out of this predicament. 

 

Many expats here have insufficient or no insurance at all and usually not enough personal funds to cover costs.  I have had chats with guys who admit they aren't sufficiently covered/not at all, but just don't really want to think about it.  The cheap policies that often expats opt for, are capped at low-end amounts that won't cover most ICU, critical care and complex issues.  

 

I feel pity for the guy, but I won't be contributing as I need my money to pay for my own proper insurance cover, which, yes is bloody expensive. 

My friend goes to Patts no insurance. Doesn't ride bikes but still something happens got no coverage. 

4 minutes ago, HauptmannUK said:

Not just UK, but they seem to be the nationality with the connections that get them into the media for fundraising.  My German friend had a very nasty accident on his 'big bike' and spent several months in hospital accumulating a huge bill. Didn't get reported in the media. Had to make a major call on family back in Germany. Sadly ended up with a severe and permanent disability and returned back to Munich.

Another expat mate of mine was killed in Saraburi in October last year. Out on his bike on a Saturday morning and an SUV just drove clean over him.  Its all too common. Almost exactly the same kind of 'accident' that killed my wife's uncle in Udon. I'm a lifelong biker and ran DSA Direct Access riding courses for a time back in the UK also was IAM Car and Bike Observer and Examiner but I stay off two wheels in Thailand - getting on a bike here is attempted suicide...

Can't put it more plainly, many thanks. Sympathy for the poor guy but it was his choice to ride a moto. There are alternative and safer forms of transport available.

he should probably when able return to the UK for the long term treatment he is obviously going to need and cannot afford here. 

 

If riding a bike people should get medium level insurance at least. If no bikes basic at least. If riding daily get comprehensive insurance.

He is working, he gets free health care.

What is this guy going to do if he can't walk, or is mobility impaired, and he is stuck in Thailand with little funds and no support system?

 

That's going to be a big problem as there is nobody around to help you out or family to step in for support, to deliver meals and what have you.

Feel sorry for the guy, but if he is living here, and probably owning the motorcycle, rather than here on holiday on a rental bike, he should have proper insurance.

 

Insufficient detail about what insurance he has, and what costs have been incurred at the hospital. Leg broken in 4 places is nasty, but not life threatening; seems he wants to go straight to donation status, without putting his hand in his own pocket …. good luck with that buddy, because most people on here have had their sympathy folder emptied by countless similar stories.

23 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

Feel sorry for the guy, but if he is living here, and probably owning the motorcycle, rather than here on holiday on a rental bike, he should have proper insurance.

 

Insufficient detail about what insurance he has, and what costs have been incurred at the hospital. Leg broken in 4 places is nasty, but not life threatening; seems he wants to go straight to donation status, without putting his hand in his own pocket …. good luck with that buddy, because most people on here have had their sympathy folder emptied by countless similar stories.

You don't know that. He could be skint broke. As for blaming the victim, my insurance caps off at a reasonable amount. I could see a hospital going through that fairly easily if I'm just stuck there. So just get an unlimited insurance plan? That must not be cheap. People on here are trying to get off the O-A visa just to not get insurance. I guess it's not to common to be completely covered for anything.

I remember 22 years ago some guy wrote a book called "Private Dancer".

Should have been compulsory reading for every Farang entering the Kingdom.

Would have been an opportunity for the author to write another on the hassards of the Thai roads!

1 hour ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

Feel sorry for the guy, but if he is living here, and probably owning the motorcycle, rather than here on holiday on a rental bike, he should have proper insurance.

 

Insufficient detail about what insurance he has, and what costs have been incurred at the hospital. Leg broken in 4 places is nasty, but not life threatening; seems he wants to go straight to donation status, without putting his hand in his own pocket …. good luck with that buddy, because most people on here have had their sympathy folder emptied by countless similar stories.

If you read the link he has already had four operations and requires two more.

 

An earlier thread April 10 on this forum was appealing for blood donations, as he was at risk of losing his leg and two operations were required.

What will happen if he cannot pay for the two further operations plus associated care/physiotherapy? Would it be possible to fix him up at minimal cost so that he can fly to UK to continue treatment for free?  

1 hour ago, baansgr said:

He is working, he gets free health care.

Good point, he is (or was) in business. He should have been contributing to Thai Social Security? 

If they don’t have insurance, don’t let them in!

period!

we will be reading of yet another victim tomorrow!

when will people wake up?

1 hour ago, JimTripper said:

You don't know that. He could be skint broke. As for blaming the victim, my insurance caps off at a reasonable amount. I could see a hospital going through that fairly easily if I'm just stuck there. So just get an unlimited insurance plan? That must not be cheap. People on here are trying to get off the O-A visa just to not get insurance. I guess it's not to common to be completely covered for anything.

I agree that I don’t know much about his situation. That is because although he has written the post himself, he has proffered very little information, other than that he wants people to give him money.

 

I don’t know how old he is, if he lives here permanently or for just a few months each year. I don’t know if he owns a house or a condo, or a car here, because he has not disclosed much at all apart from the fact that he wants monetary donations.

 

People need to take responsibility for themselves, especially if you are living in a foreign country. You need to have sufficient insurance if you drive or ride in Thailand, or sufficient personal funds as a safeguard.

 

You cannot just live here hand to mouth as a foreigner, and then expect everyone else to bail you out if you have unexpected expenses that you have not made provisions for.

I have now also looked at the full story from phuket GO and this is his quote from there. I still can’t find the quote you are referencing

 

 

“4 operations later the the insurance money has run out and there are a further 2 options required, one of which will be tomorrow.

I am asking for any monetary help that can be given through the money funding link below”

i biked all over the realm and never had a spill .lucky me 30,yrs of biking , a few close shaves tho

you need to be quick witted esp in phuket on the bad camber sois

Bickering posts between posters have been removed as well as a Flame post. Remain civil to each other, the next time suspensions will be given.

Not many expats can afford the exorbitant rates charged for insurance premiums. Especially given the likelihood that the insurance will never pay off. National Health Insurance is the answer, but Thailand will never create such a program.

1 hour ago, 3NUMBAS said:

i biked all over the realm and never had a spill .lucky me 30,yrs of biking , a few close shaves tho

you need to be quick witted esp in phuket on the bad camber sois

The majority of trained and experienced bikers could probably ride for 100 years and not be killed. But a few will be.  Its statistics, isn't?  "Do you feel lucky?".  Here in Thailand its 'the other guy'. Being quick-witted doesn't help when an SUV drives right over you from behind.

My wife's younger son is currently driving around in a Ford Everest (belongs to his girlfriend's family). He has NEVER had any kind of formal driver training and never even attempted a driving test, let alone passed one. 

My wife's sister bought a brand new D-Max last year. Attempted driving test two times and failed both. Bought a licence for ฿2000. My blood runs cold every time I see her get in the thing.

 

riding a motorcycle he should have ensured he had insurance, he surely knew the risks he was taking. it's pretty sad if he genuinely has no family or friends prepared to help him out, it's not a huge sum he requires.