59 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

But do not tell DWP that you are coming back to Thailand.

 

I originally told the DWP that I was relocating to Thailand, thinking that it was the right thing to do , now I know only to well , doing that was a BIG mistake that I have regretted ever since .

On 9/20/2025 at 10:32 AM, Canoodler said:

Thanks, My health has always been very good, no real health problems or having to be an inpatient in a hospital, and my blood pressure has always been in the normal range. As for searching for a less expensive health insurance provider, at my age it was sorry , no or the premium cost was far higher than I'm currently paying 

Use a Higher deductible to lower your monthly cost, such as 100,000 thb.

24 minutes ago, Canoodler said:

 

Thanks for your comment, It has gone through my mind about the possibility of trying to generate some sort of income that would help my poor financial situation . My Thai wife of 20 years knows our situation and she is trying to think of ways that we could make some extra money. Personally Ive tried to think of ways to generate some income, but so far any thing Ive found , looks a bit too risky , where I could loose what little savings I have .

 

We have both had to cut back on our spending , and forgo many things that we once enjoyed and looked forward to. While out shopping we tend to only purchase items that have a reduced price tag, or near the end of their sell by date. Ive also stopped buying any foreign food or drinks , due to them being too expensive. Ive stopped drinking alcohol , again to cut back our spending. We take no holiday trips or leave our house , because us doing that only ends up having to spend more money. 

 

My savings are deposited in a Bangkok Bank account which offers virtually no interest , and trying to find a better solution to earn more interest, may be a too risky task .

My financial situation is some thing thats constantly playing on my mind , to a point where now I’m having a great deal of problems managing to get to sleep at night .    

 

 

 

It's good to be aware of risk and to minimize risk.

 

However, it's not good to try and completely elmiinate risk in your situation. You have already done all you can to reduce your costs. However, you are sitting on a big amount of savings that is not put to use. 

 

What you need to do is to use some of that savings to generate income, such as through investments in shares. This can be done relatively safely using an index linked fund if you lack the skills to choose and buy your own shares.

 

The secret to investing and making money is to find the correct balance between risk management and risk taking. It's not to eliminate risk altogether, that way you will not make money and  your savings will just lose value over time.

 

Your one chance is to make  your savings work for you and to put them to work in a way that controls and minimizes risk. But you cannot avoid risk alltogether if you want to make the money you clearly need.

This is the counter argument to those that insist you should have medical insurance. Insurers will happily take your premiums for decades at a time you're unlikely to claim and then when it reaches the point where you are they ditch you by making premiums unaffordable. I made the decision to self insure and now have 11 years of saved premiums in the bank. I would add that I have sufficient capital to cover even an expensive medical issue. Remember insurance companies make a profit from insurance so it's a numbers game. If as I am in good health don't smoke nor drink the odds are more in my favour. Yes there is a risk which I understand, but so is the circumstance in which this gentleman finds himself in. I reckon mine is better as there is nothing you can do to avoid the inevitably of what has happened here. It's a guaranteed outcome eventually. 

8 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

It's good to be aware of risk and to minimize risk.

 

However, it's not good to try and completely elmiinate risk in your situation. You have already done all you can to reduce your costs. However, you are sitting on a big amount of savings that is not put to use. 

 

What you need to do is to use some of that savings to generate income, such as through investments in shares. This can be done relatively safely using an index linked fund if you lack the skills to choose and buy your own shares.

 

The secret to investing and making money is to find the correct balance between risk management and risk taking. It's not to eliminate risk altogether, that way you will not make money and  your savings will just lose value over time.

 

Your one chance is to make  your savings work for you and to put them to work in a way that controls and minimizes risk. But you cannot avoid risk alltogether if you want to make the money you clearly need.

You are advising gambling, in which case he should put his funds in bitcoin for the next few months. Higher ROI than index funds

On 9/20/2025 at 2:01 PM, Lacessit said:

The OP is 75 yo.

 

As I understand it, age 70 or 75 is the trigger point for steep premium increases. Some even refuse to renew.

 

Over 80, forget it. Actuaries would regard me as not worth the risk.

 

Why would I care whether I had a decent wake or not?

 

 

"Why would I care whether I had a decent wake or not?". I agree as those would be my thoughts also as Dead is Dead. Party is Over.

Ditch the insurance and save the money to pay over the years for any treatment you may need . Try to look into the best hospital for treatment that doesn't cost a fortune or just go to a government hospital for any treatment. They may not have all the bells and whistles of other places , but from what I gather the treatment can be just as good.

12 hours ago, atpeace said:

OK, I think you are confusing me with someone else 🙂 I don't think I stated they had anything to do with an agent.

Nope.  This shows the confusion with forums that happen when people start making comments not associated to the original posters situation. The op said that they may want to go with an agent to not have to tie up their money. My replies to him were about the use of agents.  Then you and others jumped in with comments without reading the whole thread.  You're not using an agent so your situation isn't the same as the OP.

I was quoted from previous insurance brokers on average 40000 baht a month

I am 75 years old  this does not include pre-existing medical conditions 

Decided I can't afford this 

So pay cash last operation kidney stones cost around 300000 baht a couple of nights over stay in hospital 

Still works out cheaper than having insurance cover 

Hopefully no major issues in the future 

15 hours ago, Dan O said:

This shows the confusion with forums that happen when people start making comments not associated to the original posters.

As you did yourself.

13 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Good choice

 

 

You must be on commission

You have savings so ask Cigna what your premium would be if you paid your policy in full on the renewal date, you could then replenish your savings monthly.

I have a Pacific Cross policy through a Pattaya agency which I do pay in full, when I asked what it would cost to pay monthly I was astonished how much they loaded the cost.

 

Been with WRLife (sic) for a number of years and they paid the Suranaree Hospital in total my bill for 15 days/14nights for "Respiratory Failure" following a bite on my leg.  Pay quarterly for inpatient only and cost is way below the most Popular/Known insurers.

 

4 hours ago, henryford1958 said:

 

I agree GG. Many Brits think that the great British NHS can solve all your health problems and you will live forever. Once you are over 75 you are basically finished and at best medical intervention can ease your pain or extend your life for a while. Spending millions on health insurance is useless. One farang i know got cancer at 77.  He smoked and was in bad health. He had good insurance and must have spent millions on treatment, chemo, ICU the works. He was dead within a year.  Far better to accept your fate and give those millions to your loved ones.

 

This is so true.

The vultures hold out false hope to the dying.

They tell the false narrative that if one the dying, or their insurers, are willing to pay a fortune, then a miracle cure is possible.

 

However, they do NOT often make the odds against this miracle clear enough.

This causes needless pain to all.

And, this also enriches the companies that benefit by spreading these lies.

 

On 9/21/2025 at 11:43 AM, Canoodler said:

I will only have one last request. I want to pass away during the night after I have gone to sleep .So when my wife finds me laying there in the morning stone cold dead with a smile on my face ,

 

Unfortunately, this happy ending which you describe is not for sale in Pattaya, nor anywhere.

 

Someday, it might be, if laws can be made to reflect reality of life and death.

I am speaking of euthanasia and well-informed decision-making.

 

1 hour ago, The Fugitive said:

As you did yourself.

Nope I was addressing the OP's issues he raised and you jumped replying to me. 

On 9/20/2025 at 10:28 AM, Canoodler said:

 Thanks, The idea of investing some of the 2 million Baht in my savings account , has gone through my mind, but it felt a bit scary.

Unfortunately, all I can say is: I've been in Thailand for 20 years and have seen many foreigners rent out individual properties! Besides the endless hassle, it will cost you more than it brings in. Whether you're renting long-term or vacation rentals! Rentals are only profitable with multiple properties, but don't expect a maximum return of more than 5%. More likely, less!

1 hour ago, shackleton said:

I was quoted from previous insurance brokers on average 40000 baht a month

I am 75 years old  this does not include pre-existing medical conditions 

Decided I can't afford this 

So pay cash last operation kidney stones cost around 300000 baht a couple of nights over stay in hospital 

Still works out cheaper than having insurance cover 

Hopefully no major issues in the future 

300k! What hospital?  In 2015 spent a month in the hospital. 2 weeks in intensive care.  Multiple MRI's, surgeries and a private room after they let me out of the ICU.  Around 120k all in and covered 100% by insurance.  I assume you went to a top hospital and had a incredible room which is great if 300k is not a big concern.  Maybe prices  have increased dramatically the last decade.  

4 hours ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

This is certainly something to be aware of if considering changing insurers:

 

https://www.insuranceinasia.com/wrlife-health-insurer-investigated-uk-thai-asean-authorities/

Well done for finding that 👍 problem is for the customers on this forum ignorance is bliss. @brewsterbudgen

@simon43

@jerrymahoney

@newbee2022 you lot probably aren't concerned by the link above?

4 hours ago, angryguy said:

You are advising gambling, in which case he should put his funds in bitcoin for the next few months. Higher ROI than index funds

 

No, gambling is when you throw a dice and hope for the best. Investing is when you make informed decisions and stack the odds in your favour.

 

You would do so when you invest in bitcoin, and indeed when you trade Forex, for both the risk is very high so reward is very high. But it's not gambling in the true sense, of just throwing a dice in the air.

 

For both you can stack the deck in your favour with information, which you can't do with real gambling.

 

Obviously neither bitcoin nor Forex is not for him. Whilst it would provide higher returns, you're quite right, he does not have the skills to manage the risk for these two asset types.

21 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Well done for finding that 👍 problem is for the customers on this forum ignorance is bliss. @brewsterbudgen

@simon43

@jerrymahoney

@newbee2022 you lot probably aren't concerned by the link above?

That one's been around for a while and they still it seems haven't got enough complaints for a class action.

2 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

That one's been around for a while and they still it seems haven't got enough complaints for a class action.

Not seen it before, not on the other threads. Maybe you and the others can get together when the time comes

11 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Not seen it before, not on the other threads. Maybe you and the others can get together when the time comes

What time is that?  From SEP 7, 2024:

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

problem is for the customers on this forum ignorance is bliss.

et tu, Brute? From a recent post on MedPark note at the bottom:

 

This topic is not brought up enough and is a good reminder for most of the long-term foreigners staying in Thailand as well as the ones who want to live here forever. 

The only option on top of my mind is to use a visa agent for around 15k thb a year and invest 1.5 mil thb in a short term US treasury bonds ETF (I would use UCITS accumulating in US currency). 500k I would keep in a Thai bank.

 

From the bonds you would get approx 60k thb a year and from 500k thb in a Thai bank you would get around 7.5k a year. 

 

Adding this to your monthly income you have 35500 a month and when paying 18500 thb it is 17000 thb. However, you must cut 1250thb a month for the visa agent so you stay on roughly 15k thb. 

 

Please keep in mind that this is just a first scenario that came into my mind and if you would dedicate some additional time in researching you may do better. 

 

Good luck!

The main reason I think about canceling my life insurance is because it has so many exclusions it is basically just accident insurance.  It wouldn't surprise me if they tried to exclude that too.

 

I just sent you a private email let me know if you received it

ditch it - way too expensive...cheaper to fly back to uk for treatment if anything crops up - providing you can get accomodation or just pay for medical incidents as and when it pops up

20 hours ago, Dan O said:

Nope I was addressing the OP's issues he raised and you jumped replying to me. 

Suggesting the OP could ' lose his permission to stay' by using a visa agent to satisfy financial requirements is hardly addressing his issues. Who has been deported for doing so?

Which visum do you have?

CAnt find it, mentioned by you.

As I understood there are 2 types of visa, NON O and a NON OA, could be working.

One without insurance and the other one with in demand.

Obvious you cant have the one then with insurance, NON OA, if you stop. IF you have NON OA.

If you have this one and you stop, you need to change NON O. 

Dont get me wrong, I dont know what you have. Just pointing out.

 

Of course you can do NON O married, less money in bank for it. Popping up with 400kbaht, but gone in 2 years time when having the insurance.

Or stop then and keep money separated for emergencies,  emergency account

The amount you pay now and stop, put a 9000 baht/month or less on the emergency account, so you built up.

9000 to have and the other in the pot what ever amount you can afford. 

If your wife may die before you, surely hope she will stay with you long time, you have to go back again on visum NON O retirement. Again stress for changing visum. So worth while? You are growing older and not always everything is looking easy then.

 

Maybe you can also find better conditions or other company and have that insurance.

You can lift your "own risk" and therefor pay less.

You are getting older and paying will rise more and more.

Yeah it is the idea, you stop and then you need it. You cant tell.

But just the idea, same as you play lottery years, never win and it could pay out when you stopped.

However you are living now!