Increasingly more positive posts here. Much to my delight. But....

All Farangs must be "rich" as they can pay for a 500$ Private Health Insurance/month, even more once past 70, or self insure (the limit is the sky).
My conclusion is therefore that all Farangs must be "rich". Unfortunately I do not qualify, otherwise I would still be in Thailand, paying my $ 500 monthly just for health coverage.

During my stay in Thailand (5 years) I have seen the other side of the coin. On 3 occasions, the Farangs ended up in hospital. Their cash reserves dwindling fast. Even faster dwindled the support of their "Thai-Families". An extremely sobering experiance for me. A Thailand "game changer" for me, under the motto "something like that will never happen to me". Clearly, such devastating "occurrences" seldom find their way into "Thai Social Media". For the very simple reason that the Farang is dead and can't post anymore, much to the delight of the predatory Thai Family.

Remarkable: An European Insurance guy in Pattaya once told me " Most Farangs here think they will die of a merciful quick death, completely disregarding the fact that most people die in hospital". End of quote.

Certainly not wanting to spoil anyones party. So, stay healthy and/or stay rich. Amen.

Life is overrated anyway. Life or die. Who cares.

Some time ago I read that in average the last year of every person's life (I think it was in Europe in general) cost the health service 20,000 EUR. In average for the last year of every person. That is a lot of money. And only for the last year, in average!

 

So coming back to above post, often paying more money doesn't really save a life. It prolongs life a little longer.

Let's say the farang spends his last 3 million THB on his health. Would it make sense that the family (any nationality) scraps together another million to prolong the life of one person a little longer? And then the family doesn't have any money anymore.

 

Obviously there is no fixed rule, and maybe one operation for 100k THB is a life saver and the person will live 10 years longer. On the other hand, maybe that operation only adds 3 weeks more in a hospital bed. Is it smart to spend money that way?

32 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Some time ago I read that in average the last year of every person's life (I think it was in Europe in general) cost the health service 20,000 EUR. In average for the last year of every person. That is a lot of money. And only for the last year, in average!

 

So coming back to above post, often paying more money doesn't really save a life. It prolongs life a little longer.

Let's say the farang spends his last 3 million THB on his health. Would it make sense that the family (any nationality) scraps together another million to prolong the life of one person a little longer? And then the family doesn't have any money anymore.

 

Obviously there is no fixed rule, and maybe one operation for 100k THB is a life saver and the person will live 10 years longer. On the other hand, maybe that operation only adds 3 weeks more in a hospital bed. Is it smart to spend money that way?

Finally it's a lottery. The point is: Farangs remaining in their home country receive "free healthcare", one way or the other. Mostly ceasing when laeaving "home country".

After that, it's only $ 500/month Private Health Insurance in Thailand. Thai State run hospitals, although "cheap" is not a place where a Farang wuold like to end up. I have been there. Forget it!

1 hour ago, swissie said:

 Increasingly more positive posts here. Much to my delight. But....

All Farangs must be "rich" as they can pay for a 500$ Private Health Insurance/month, even more once past 70

 

No. About 300 - 325 a month at age 70 -75.  Doesn't hit 500 a month until around  85-90 and that is pretty much the max. 

 

(Speaking of good intetnational expat policies).

 

Certainly this cost is not negligible but no need to exaggerate it asmuch more than it is. 

26 minutes ago, swissie said:

Finally it's a lottery. The point is: Farangs remaining in their home country receive "free healthcare", one way or the other. Mostly ceasing when laeaving "home country".

After that, it's only $ 500/month Private Health Insurance in Thailand. Thai State run hospitals, although "cheap" is not a place where a Farang wuold like to end up. I have been there. Forget it!

I use the University Hospital here in P'lok, and apart from long waiting around, the treatment has been good.

Going for Gall Bladder out next week, Bht 50,000 for laparoscopy job, 2 nights in.

19 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

No. About 300 - 325 a month at age 70 -75.  Doesn't hit 500 a month until around  85-90 and that is pretty much the max. 

 

(Speaking of good intetnational expat policies).

 

Certainly this cost is not negligible but no need to exaggerate it asmuch more than it is. 

Hardly. Insurane companies featuring such (low) quatas have their domicile in Panama. Hard to file any claims agaist a P.O. BOX in Panama. Wake up Sheryl. Unless you want to give me a similar quote originating from a established European Insurer. I would jump at it. Surely, your effots will be in vain.

57 minutes ago, swissie said:

Finally it's a lottery. The point is: Farangs remaining in their home country receive "free healthcare", one way or the other. Mostly ceasing when laeaving "home country".

After that, it's only $ 500/month Private Health Insurance in Thailand. Thai State run hospitals, although "cheap" is not a place where a Farang wuold like to end up. I have been there. Forget it!

Yes, I went back to my home country I pay nothing for health care I went to hospital twice and it cost me nothing, Medication is dirt cheap 

Keep Calm, and Carry On...

 

Positive Words to Live By...

 

And, very healthy advice, too...

 

 

1 hour ago, swissie said:

Hardly. Insurane companies featuring such (low) quatas have their domicile in Panama. Hard to file any claims agaist a P.O. BOX in Panama. Wake up Sheryl. Unless you want to give me a similar quote originating from a established European Insurer. I would jump at it. Surely, your effots will be in vain.

 

I have no idea what you mean by "quota", what on earth does a quota of any sort have to do with it?

 

I am also not aware of any expat policies domiciled in Panama or at a PO Box.

 

The insurance policies I refer to are  solid EU based.

 

 Personally, For 1 million in cover, with a $500 excess, my rate in age band 70 - 74 is $4.073 a year.  April Global.  ACS Asia policy would likley be a bit less. So might Cigna Glo=bal.

Which are the policies you refer to that cost so much?

2 hours ago, still kicking said:

Yes, I went back to my home country I pay nothing for health care I went to hospital twice and it cost me nothing, Medication is dirt cheap 

but the bad news is you are in your home country and not Thailand

$700 a month for me and my American wife. I'm 70, she's 60.

11 hours ago, still kicking said:

Yes, I went back to my home country I pay nothing for health care I went to hospital twice and it cost me nothing, Medication is dirt cheap 

Thanks, that's interesting. In U.K. even medicines (prescribed by a doctor or nurse) are free for over 60 year olds.

Good information about health plans in this thread, many thanks to the contributors! The OP was concerned about the number of retirees who shouldn't be here. I agree. Whilst taking a tour with a friend of the economical apartments available in Central Pattaya we were told that many of their long-term residents were elderly and some very rarely left their rooms. Those who had severe mobility problems i.e. wheelchair bound were allocated ground floor apartments. One resident emerged as we were passing his door. We said 'Good Morning' but he didn't/couldn't respond. He looked as if he should have been in a care home. Maybe the apartment staff keep an eye upon such residents and do what they can to help? Such residents are most unlikely to have healthcare plans and the end, when it comes, isn't going to be pleasant for them, the other residents or the apartment staff. 

2 minutes ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

good idea for a grilled cheese and falafel fanatic ????

We're trying to arrange a falafel-driven Chiang Mai-wide meetup. For you, at least they have Chang.

11 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

but the bad news is you are in your home country and not Thailand

What is bad about that?

10 minutes ago, still kicking said:

What is bad about that?

Cold, wet, miserable and expensive versus warm, friendly and economical.

15 minutes ago, The Fugitive said:

Cold, wet, miserable and expensive versus warm, friendly and economical.

Cold miserable? we have last day of winter, and it is 29 degrees friendly people and not expansive and no false smiles.

32 minutes ago, still kicking said:

What is bad about that?

The reasons hundreds of thousands have moved to Thailand, come on you can list them

2 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

The reasons hundreds of thousands have moved to Thailand, come on you can list them

I lived in Thailand for many years take your coloured glasses off

1 minute ago, still kicking said:

I lived in Thailand for many years take your coloured glasses off

You'd still be here if it wasn't for medical costs

Just now, scubascuba3 said:

You'd still be here if it wasn't for medical costs

No, Thailand send me bankrupt.

2 minutes ago, still kicking said:

No, Thailand send me bankrupt.

Poor decisions? lady? many make the same mistakes

17 minutes ago, still kicking said:

and no false smiles.

Gosh you are bitter---but never mind , it's a terrible country, but you can still live on ASEAN........(regularly I see) nearly 2,000 post in 11 months  just to tell us all how bad it all is here...............thank you.....

 

 

.

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

Poor decisions? lady? many make the same mistakes

No women involved I am still married to a Thai lady for 20 years and we are happy in my home country 

1 minute ago, oxo1947 said:

Gosh you are bitter---but never mind , it's a terrible country, but you can still live on ASEAN........(regularly I see) nearly 2,000 post in 11 months  just to tell us all how bad it all is here...............thank you.....

 

 

.

I am not bitter at all just quoting facts 

3 minutes ago, still kicking said:

No women involved I am still married to a Thai lady for 20 years and we are happy in my home country 

so why it send you bankrupt?

22 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Cold miserable? we have last day of winter, and it is 29 degrees friendly people and not expansive and no false smiles.

Reads like you have a chip on your shoulder, did you really go back alone...?????

14 hours ago, still kicking said:

Yes, I went back to my home country I pay nothing for health care I went to hospital twice and it cost me nothing, Medication is dirt cheap 

 

12 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

but the bad news is you are in your home country and not Thailand

Not if they are getting medical treatment!

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

so why it send you bankrupt?

Many things, business, burglaries, burning down my units and many other things