Community Greek Man Stricken by Mysterious Illness Left Without Treatment as Funds Run Dry in Rayong

[Cameroni]

6 hours ago, ukrules said:

 

Indeed, a worthy cause I think. But I would not want to send him to the same place that came up empty.

Surely they did a load of blood work already as a first step and must have some idea of what's wrong with him?

 

Indeed they would have done the blood tests, but it takes a doctor with the will and knowledge to investigate the right avenues. Looks he did not get lucky and find such a doctor. 

 

Such a sad story.

[Stiddle Mump]

18 hours ago, giddyup said:

Might as well stop producing medicines, close all hospitals and sack the doctors then.

Hospitals should be there for accidents.

 

Nature can cure far more than white-coats ever can.

[Scouse123]

17 hours ago, KhunLA said:

"Mrs. Kotchakorn explained that her husband began deteriorating rapidly after collapsing earlier this year."

 

Should have been on a plane, 4 months ago, to Greece as soon as able to, instead waiting 4 months here and spending all their money.

 

Oh well .... Live (or die) with your choices 😎

 

It’s just baffling how people end up in these messes. You sit there wondering—how did it get this bad?

 

The guy had hundreds of thousands of baht at one point. That’s not nothing. He could’ve flown home. He could’ve got himself to Bangkok and accessed proper care months ago.

 

But no. It drags on until he’s out of money, out of options, and now we’re expected to feel shocked it’s come to this.

 

And honestly, I don’t even know if he had health insurance—but I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t.

 

Far too many don’t bother. “Too expensive,” they say. Or “it’s a scam.” Until they’re in a hospital corridor or stuck in a rented room, half-dead, with no safety net and a GoFundMe link someone else is now sharing around.

 

Where’s the personal responsibility? You move abroad, you’re not on holiday any more. You’re not 25 and invincible.

 

You need to have a plan. Not only that, but you need to take care of yourself, because no one else will.

 

I really do hope he gets the help he needs—but sitting in a bed in Rayong, completely stuck, isn’t a treatment plan. It’s a tragedy. And one that didn’t need to happen.

[Ralf001]

17 hours ago, Felton Jarvis said:

Thai health coverage is a cruel joke.

 

It kept me alive.

[Scouse123]

On 6/29/2025 at 5:41 AM, ukrules said:

They will let him die and not bat an eyelid. Nobody cares at all.

This is a warning to all who retire to Thailand....have tens of millions of Baht on hand or potentially end up like this poor guy.

 

Well, good for you. Tens of millions and health insurance—congratulations.

 

But what exactly does that contribute to this discussion, other than a bit of chest-thumping?

 

Nobody's disputing the importance of being prepared. That’s been said plenty. But when someone’s down and out, stating how you’re all sorted doesn’t really help anyone but your ego.

 

There’s a difference between being responsible and being smug.

 

One tries to raise awareness or offer guidance. The other just stands on a soapbox shouting, “Look at me, I did it right!”

 

If you’ve got the means and the experience, how about offering advice or practical help instead of just telling the rest of us how clever you are?

[Scouse123]

7 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

It kept me alive.

 

And me in 2005.

[Addonvalue]

Is there a way to reach them? I would really ask them to go to the Hospital for Tropical Disease. Where the mainstream hospitals fail, this university hospital can be amazing due to their focus on infections and problems caused by chiggers, bites, parasites and other insects that go undetected by the normal hospital's clinical checkups. 

[KhunLA]

26 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

It kept me alive.

 

20 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

And me in 2005.

Add me to the possibly saved by, or at least able to enjoy life much better, due to Thai healthcare.  2006, 2008 & 2022, at a pittance of the price I would have had to pay in USA.   Oops fund comes in handy, and for me, much cheaper than 25 yrs or monthly health insurance premiums.

[Ralf001]

6 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 

Add me to the possibly saved by, or at least able to enjoy life much better, due to Thai healthcare.  2006, 2008 & 2022, at a pittance of the price I would have had to pay in USA.   Oops fund comes in handy, and for me, much cheaper than 25 yrs or monthly health insurance premiums.

 

My private insurance is next to useless.... it covers my 6 weekly doc visit and meds and part of bed (private room) costs if iam admitted... but naff all else, gotta love pre-existing conditions !

 

Luckily I have SS which covers most everything else.

 

[hotchilli]

On 6/29/2025 at 9:32 AM, BritManToo said:

Everyone dies, no point in wasting money trying to stop it happening.

Tend to agree with that up to a point... no matter how much money you've got something will get you in the end.

However in this case it seems strange that he's spent several thousands of baht and as yet no clear result ?

[SOTIRIOS]

...Poisoning...(?)

[impulse]

13 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Luckily I have SS which covers most everything else.

 

If you're referring to Thai SS scheme, that's one of my biggest regrets.  I should have kept making the paltry monthly payments to keep it alive after my contract ended and my WP expired.  But I had left Thailand and didn't really expect to come back.  I still haven't come back full time, but now that I'm considering it, I wish I had kept up the payments which would have probably been a few hundred USD over the past 5 or 6 years.

 

To anyone whose work in Thailand is finishing up, I'd encourage you to look into keeping the SS payments active so you're covered for health care.  I wish I had. 

 

I know it's not comparable, but a couple of my Canuck former co-workers are currently paying over $1,000 USD a month for private coverage in Thailand.  No problem for either one of them who have long ties to Thailand, Thai families and lots of dosh.  (And pre-existing conditions)

 

But my heart goes out to the guy in the OP because $1000 a month doesn't look like it was in his price range.

 

[Nickcage49]

Why in the world doesn't government healthcare services offer assistance to people like this who are poor?

[Purdey]

Shouldn't he return to Greece? Why stay here if he can spend a little money on a one way ticket? I realize his funds are low but does he have no children or relatives in Greece to help?

[Gottfrid]

18 hours ago, save the frogs said:

 

There are Western doctors that can provide a diagnosis via Skype in this day and age. 

 

No there are not! If you find one, please give me a link, as Skype has discontinued their services.
 

16 hours ago, save the frogs said:

 

Yes, don't rely on crackpots on AN.

And ... don't quit your day job, boy. 

 

Sure, you are the right person to say a thing like that, looking at you post above. 😂

Guess it doesn´t matter how many jobs you have. Ain´t gonna do nothing regarding improvement.

[BritManToo]

25 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Tend to agree with that up to a point... no matter how much money you've got something will get you in the end.

However in this case it seems strange that he's spent several thousands of baht and as yet no clear result ?

Not strange at all, Thai doctors aren't that good.

Thai doctor says, gall bladder out or you'll die, I didn't and still here 13 years later.

Thai doctor says, prostate out or you'll die, I didn't, 6 years later still here.

Thai doctor says, son's appendix out or he'll die, I didn't, 10 years later, he's still here.

[Gottfrid]

11 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

 

And you are not ready for reality.  Hence you spout nonsense and claim Thais (who aren't helping) will definitely help (even though they aren't).

Please, point out where I posted that Thais will help? Alternatively you can stop read between the lines and actually understand what´s written. Life is going to be less complicated for you that way.

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

No there are not! If you find one, please give me a link, as Skype has discontinued their services.
 

Sure, you are the right person to say a thing like that, looking at you post above. 😂

Guess it doesn´t matter how many jobs you have. Ain´t gonna do nothing regarding improvement.

 

Ok, not Skype ... sorry I haven't used them personally but AI confirms there are online platforms that do exist. 

 

[Gottfrid]

16 hours ago, Stiddle Mump said:

Of course the above is an example only. If one is sick; go see a medical expert.

Ok, so then we can just disregard the 200 words above in the same post, right?

[Gottfrid]

1 minute ago, save the frogs said:

 

Ok, not Skype ... sorry I haven't used them personally but AI confirms there are online platforms that do exist. 

 

I know there is online consultation. Never posted against that

[The Fugitive]

9 minutes ago, Nickcage49 said:

Why in the world doesn't government healthcare services offer assistance to people like this who are poor?

He probably would be entitled to free healthcare in his own country.

[Stiddle Mump]

21 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Ok, so then we can just disregard the 200 words above in the same post, right?

I stand by my post. But, just to protect it I'll say, if one is sick go to see a medical expert. Oh yes! Don't forget to take yer ATM card.

 

Nature has all the answers. And it is free.

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

 

My private insurance is next to useless.... it covers my 6 weekly doc visit and meds and part of bed (private room) costs if iam admitted... but naff all else, gotta love pre-existing conditions !

 

Luckily I have SS which covers most everything else.

Young buddy of mine got diagnosed with terminal cancer ... they dropped him, sue us was their response.   He did  ...  as the diagnosis was completely off.   Didn't even have cancer.

 

I had to sue insurance companies 6X for them to honor their policy.  Won every time.   Why I'm in the 'untrusting' crowd.

 

What insurance premiums would have cost me for 50 years of fairly healthy adulthood, compared to my actually cost, is mind boggling amount.   Especially after ACA, and what it doesn't cover to begin with.

 

My healthcare has cost less that one oops of deductible in the USA now, and that's not counting the monthly premiums.  Most policies don't cover the first $10k+.

 

Some folks paying 30-40-50-60k a month here/TH for health insurance.  Then the coverage ends, at an age when you actually might need it 🙄

 

Don't think I can get that sick.   50 years of no premiums, I'm way ahead on that curve.  Only tapped my oops fund once in 50 years.  Do the math.

[Ebumbu]

This sounds absurd -- I am well aware -- but he really should spend some days with Chat GPT, explaining symptoms and test results. It's incredibly informed about medical stuff. OK, flame away. It also has a "deep research" feature,  which usually delivers shockingly insightful results. 

 

I'm thinking parasitic infection from his look. wasting away but has a distended abdomen. An accurate diagnosis would be interesting to find out. There's also telehealth, all over the world, including Japan. Make some hour-long appointments to present all known data. A local, village hospital might not have the best diagnostic abilities. Good luck. At least his wife hasn't left him. 

[Ebumbu]

1 hour ago, Addonvalue said:

chiggers, bites, parasites and other insects that go undetected by the normal hospital's clinical checkups. 

 

Right. His physical frame has the look of a parasitic infection. Big stomach, but bone thin. Needs a comprehensive stool test for starters. It's solvable, but not from Rayong. 

[Ricky HKT]

If he had contributed to his (Greek citizens) "AMKA" National health plan, he would be covered. But might have to repatriate?

right?

[Peterphuket]

21 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

The hypocritic oath must contain milk the Farang to death here🤔

I think that hypocritical oath only applies to doctors working in private hospitals, as opposed to doctors working for the government, this is particularly applicable to Thailand, having gained more than 25 years of experience.

Without naming names, there is one hospital in particular that managed to double them prices sinds the tsunami.

[Peterphuket]

13 hours ago, Cameroni said:

What a sad story to see such a loyal wife in a helpless state.

 

It is not uncommon for a patient to have a disease that many doctors cannot diagnose, this is the case not just in Thailand but also in many Western countries. It's basically a roll of the dice, with doctors it's like with professional footballers, only a small minority are any good. Plus you need to have one that has the right speciality.

 

It's very sad, because he's only in his 60s, if a proper diagnosis could be reached and effective treatment could be provided perhaps he would be able to live another 30 years.

 

What if we all pitch in with 500  baht? Set up a Go Fund Me?

This is a good idea and would certainly contribute to it.

[Stiddle Mump]

13 hours ago, Cameroni said:

What a sad story to see such a loyal wife in a helpless state.

 

It is not uncommon for a patient to have a disease that many doctors cannot diagnose, this is the case not just in Thailand but also in many Western countries. It's basically a roll of the dice, with doctors it's like with professional footballers, only a small minority are any good. Plus you need to have one that has the right speciality.

 

It's very sad, because he's only in his 60s, if a proper diagnosis could be reached and effective treatment could be provided perhaps he would be able to live another 30 years.

 

What if we all pitch in with 500  baht? Set up a Go Fund Me?

I'll pitch in; no sweat. Sort it out Cami.

 

However. The man has not got a disease IMO. He is very sick for sure. If I was his white-coat I'd be looking at the obvious root causes.

[Ralf001]

32 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

 

Without naming names, there is one hospital in particular that managed to double them prices sinds the tsunami.

 

The tsunami was 21 years ago..... you think the hospital is a bit cheeky increasing prices since then?