1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

And riding a MB, uninsured, inexperienced & helmet ?

Must have been riding around in his hotel room.

https://www.dailymail.com/tvshowbiz/article-16068643/casey-james-thailand-accident-father-coma-warren-ginsberg.html

"He was found alone in his hotel room, unconscious, after suffering a serious fall following a sudden brain bleed."

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

KH omitted the fact he 'supposedly' had multiple brain surgeries. And 500k for flight home ... on a private jet w/med staff ... WTF.

It's called a medical evacuation back to one's home country for public hospital system treatment, and to be surrounded by friends and family.

Medevacs are not cheap.

From AI.

"A medical evacuation (medevac) flight typically costs anywhere from $5,000 to over $300,000 depending on the distance, aircraft type, and medical care required.

Cost Breakdown by Transport Type

• Helicopter missions: Range from $10,000 to $40,000+ per trip, often used for regional or rugged rescues.

• Domestic fixed-wing flights: Range from $5,000 to $25,000+ depending on the distance and required staff.

• International or long-haul flights: Often exceed $100,000 and can reach up to $300,000+ (such as an evacuation from Bali to Australia costing $40,000–$90,000, or Europe to Australia exceeding $150,000).

Main Cost Factors

• Distance and route: Longer flights require more fuel, specialized crew rotations, and cross-border landing permits.

• Medical staffing: On-board specialized doctors, flight nurses, or critical care paramedics increase the price.

• Equipment level: Life-support systems, specialized monitors, and ventilators add to the operational cost.

• Logistics: Bed-to-bed coordination, including ground ambulance transfers at both ends, affect the total bill."

Edited August 25Aug 25 by KhunHeineken

30 minutes ago, NedR69 said:

Yes, and it could be even worse than only having a 1 yr permission to stay. I think I read in news today Thailand could go further, such as limiting specific countries and some even based on countries economy.

In relation to long stay visas, I would say they would look at raising the 800k / 65k first, no grandfathering - 12 months to comply, and seriously banning agents, before they start banning countries.

20 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Must have been riding around in his hotel room.

https://www.dailymail.com/tvshowbiz/article-16068643/casey-james-thailand-accident-father-coma-warren-ginsberg.html

"He was found alone in his hotel room, unconscious, after suffering a serious fall following a sudden brain bleed."

It's called a medical evacuation back to one's home country for public hospital system treatment, and to be surrounded by friends and family.

Medevacs are not cheap.

From A

"A medical evacuation (medevac) flight typically costs anywhere from $5,000 to over $300,000 depending on the distance, aircraft type, and medical care required.

Cost Breakdown by Transport Type

• Helicopter missions: Range from $10,000 to $40,000+ per trip, often used for regional or rugged rescues.

• Domestic fixed-wing flights: Range from $5,000 to $25,000+ depending on the distance and required staff.

• International or long-haul flights: Often exceed $100,000 and can reach up to $300,000+ (such as an evacuation from Bali to Australia costing $40,000–$90,000, or Europe to Australia exceeding $150,000).

Main Cost Factors

• Distance and route: Longer flights require more fuel, specialized crew rotations, and cross-border landing permits.

• Medical staffing: On-board specialized doctors, flight nurses, or critical care paramedics increase the price.

• Equipment level: Life-support systems, specialized monitors, and ventilators add to the operational cost.

• Logistics: Bed-to-bed coordination, including ground ambulance transfers at both ends, affect the total bill."

Does your medical insurance cover medical evacuation?

5 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

Does your medical insurance cover medical evacuation?

No. Travel insurance covers medevac.

7 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

In relation to long stay visas, I would say they would look at raising the 800k / 65k first, no grandfathering - 12 months to comply, and seriously banning agents, before they start banning countries.

Why? Just because you retired "earlier than most", consider yourself minted and haven't yet encountered some life-changing personal, financial or medical happenstance that knocked your plans into a cocked hat?

Anyway, aren't you off to Vietnam soon?

Edited August 25Aug 25 by NanLaew

On 8/20/2026 at 10:23 PM, KhunHeineken said:

What's Thailand ever build that is world record breaking, other than a sex tourism industry? I do thank them for that, though. 😂

Another Thai 'world's .... '

Rama IX Bridge ...

... "Significance: Built as part of the Chaloem Maha Nakhon Expressway to coincide with King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th birthday, holding the record for the world's longest single-plane cable-stayed bridge span at the time. " ...

VN ... a cable car ...

vs

Edited August 25Aug 25 by KhunLA

9 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Another Thai 'world's .... '

Rama IX Bridge ...

... "Significance: Built as part of the Chaloem Maha Nakhon Expressway to coincide with King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th birthday, holding the record for the world's longest single-plane cable-stayed bridge span at the time. " ...

VN ... a cable car ...

vs

That is a badass bridge

15 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Why? Just because you retired "earlier than most", consider yourself minted and haven't yet encountered some life-changing personal, financial or medical happenstance that knocked your plans into a cocked hat?

Strange comment.

I'm usually posting the 1 year retirement visa / extension is nothing more than a 1 year tourist visa. I certainly don't feel "minted" here. Quite the opposite. I would feel "minted" with PR or citizenship, but there's no reasonable pathway to ether here.

What has one's personal circumstance got to do with the Thai government eventually raising the 800k / 65k? It can't stay 800k / 65k forever. Are you suggesting these amounts will NEVER be raised?

15 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Anyway, aren't you off to Vietnam soon?

No. I love Pattaya. Vietnam is my Plan B.

If Vietnam announced a Thailand style retirement visa next week, I'll still stay in Pattaya.

Plan B is only for when Thailand makes too many hoops that I refuse to jump through.

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Rama IX Bridge .

Nearly 40 years old.

This sums up Thailand's tourism industry. Living off it's former glory and reputation. No investment in tourism infrastructure. No wonder it's in decline now.

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

Nearly 40 years old.

This sums up Thailand's tourism industry. Living off it's former glory and reputation. No investment in tourism infrastructure. No wonder it's in decline now.

Which makes it that much more impressive.

2 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

That is a badass bridge

Just an old worn out relic of Thailand's form glory.

Talking about bridges and world records, Vietnam has the world longest glass bottom bridge for pedestrians.

3 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Which makes it that much more impressive.

No.

It shows they've done nothing in the last 40 years. 😂

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

No.

It shows they've done nothing in the last 40 years. 😂

Except build a very good country wide highway network. A wonderful public transportation system involving trains, monorails, skytrains, and subways in Bangkok. A great budget airline system, and hundreds upon hundreds of great value hotels in all tourist destinations.

You are now beginning to troll too hard. Day after day, week after week and month after month on the same topic. Its like a .............................

5 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

No.

It shows they've done nothing in the last 40 years. 😂

Really? You don't get out much, do you?

3 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Nearly 40 years old.

This sums up Thailand's tourism industry. Living off it's former glory and reputation. No investment in tourism infrastructure. No wonder it's in decline now.

Tourist need good infrastructure and that includes ...

... roads

... electric & water

... internet

... telecommunications

All have great improved since I've been here. VN at least a decade behind in most things. You really have no idea what you're talking about, living in your 15 minute, sexpat city that you hate so much but you enjoy so much, as it's all you got.

Live in your little box (if even in TH), and get an occassional rub now & then. A great life for those that can't function or afford to live in home country.

Keep trying to convince us other wise, or how so much smarter you are with your stats instead of life experiences. Too funny, and why I just chuckle at most of your post.

To state ... "No investment in tourism infrastructure" ... shows your totally ignorance, or you're simply not in TH, or been burned, and explaines a lot of the hate, or just never been.

Keep posting though, always good for a chuckle.

Edited August 26Aug 26 by KhunLA

9 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Just an old worn out relic of Thailand's form glory.

Talking about bridges and world records, Vietnam has the world longest glass bottom bridge for pedestrians.

Oh, building tourist attritions.

5 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Oh, building tourist attritions.

Are these designed to wear down the tourists?

13 minutes ago, marin said:

Except build a very good country wide highway network. A wonderful public transportation system involving trains, monorails, skytrains, and subways in Bangkok. A great budget airline system, and hundreds upon hundreds of great value hotels in all tourist destinations.

You are now beginning to troll too hard. Day after day, week after week and month after month on the same topic. Its like a .............................

Yeah he was a broken record when he was Leaver, same subject

36 minutes ago, marin said:

Except build a very good country wide highway network. A wonderful public transportation system involving trains, monorails, skytrains, and subways in Bangkok. A great budget airline system, and hundreds upon hundreds of great value hotels in all tourist destinations.

You are now beginning to troll too hard. Day after day, week after week and month after month on the same topic. Its like a .............................

How much of what you mention is built to cater for the tourism industry?

Have you been to Phuket? Where's the great transport system on that island?

Where's the sky trains etc in Pattaya?

Tell me about the great transport options from BKK to Pattaya. 😂 😂

As for budget airlines, one of them is Thai Vietjet, which is Vietnam owned. 😂 😂

The hotels are privately owned, not government. Are you claiming the Thai government built The Hilton Hotel? 😂 😂

29 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Yeah he was a broken record when he was Leaver, same subject

That is really all I need to know. Proves my point, as do the other reply's from people who love living here. Only have one poster on ignore now going to have two. You really are a one trick pony. Seems you are in Pattaya for one reason. How is that reason in Vietnam and where does plan B have you living?

2 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

How much of what you mention is built to cater for the tourism industry?

Have you been to Phuket? Where's the great transport system on that island?

Where's the sky trains etc in Pattaya?

Tell me about the great transport options from BKK to Pattaya. 😂 😂

As for budget airlines, one of them is Thai Vietjet, which is Vietnam owned. 😂 😂

The hotels are privately owned, not government. Are you claiming the Thai government built The Hilton Hotel? 😂 😂

Why should a county focus investments on tourist attritions rather than what is good for the people?

Thailand just does not care that much about sexpats in Pattaya.

Why do you, as an expat retiree care about tourist attritions?

3 minutes ago, marin said:

That is really all I need to know. Proves my point, as do the other reply's from people who love living here. Only have one poster on ignore now going to have two. You really are a one trick pony. Seems you are in Pattaya for one reason. How is that reason in Vietnam and where does plan B have you living?

You probably meant to quote Leaver

58 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

No.

It shows they've done nothing in the last 40 years. 😂

Here's a fun fact for you, the very basic infrastructure ...

I don't think they are washing dishes & utensil, along with fruits & veggies in bottle water in VN ...

Edited August 26Aug 26 by KhunLA

5 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Here's a fun fact for you, the very basic infrastructure ...

I don't think they are washing dishes & utensil, along with fruits & veggies in bottle water in VN ...

Yeah, but they're building tourist attractions

12 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Why do you, as an expat retiree care about tourist attritions?

At least for me because then you know places to avoid. Like this shot from Hanoi: BTW I sent this as a Christmas greeting 2019:

Hello -- If there could be one picture why I do not travel much these days, this would be it.

Edited August 26Aug 26 by JerryM

21 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Why should a county focus investments on tourist attritions rather than what is good for the people?

Errrr, maybe because tourism is around 20% of Thailand's GDP. 😂 😂

23 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Thailand just does not care that much about sexpats in Pattaya.

Is Pattaya Thailand's only tourist destination?

23 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Why do you, as an expat retiree care about tourist attritions?

I don't. The topic is a comparison between Thailand and Vietnam for retirement. I'm merely point out that Thailand's tourism is down 7% and Vietnam's tourism is up 15%. Some of those tourist are tomorrow's expat retirees. It's tourism that advertises the place as a retirement destination to people.

28 minutes ago, marin said:

That is really all I need to know. Proves my point, as do the other reply's from people who love living here. Only have one poster on ignore now going to have two. You really are a one trick pony. Seems you are in Pattaya for one reason. How is that reason in Vietnam and where does plan B have you living?

Putting me on ignore says more about you than me.

I like living in Pattaya for many reasons, but yes, one of them is the nightlife. No shortage of that in Vietnam either.

Plan B is Danang - Vietnam.

27 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Here's a fun fact for you, the very basic infrastructure ...

I don't think they are washing dishes & utensil, along with fruits & veggies in bottle water in VN ...

Same Same Thailand. 😂

Drinking untreated tap water in Thailand can cause gastrointestinal illness and infections, though severe chemical poisoning is rare and usually limited to specific rural or industrial areas.

Pathogens and Illness

• Bacterial and Viral Risks: Tap water in many areas can contain pathogens, bacteria, or coliforms due to aging infrastructure, low water pressure, or compromised local treatment systems.

• Common Symptoms: Ingestion of contaminated water commonly leads to diarrhea, stomach cramps, and traveler's diarrhea, especially for visitors whose digestive systems are not accustomed to local microflora.

Chemical and Heavy Metal Concerns

• Infrastructure Issues: While municipal authorities treat water at the source (such as in Bangkok), old building pipes, rusty holding tanks, and dirty cisterns can re-contaminate water with rust, sediment, or low-level heavy metals before it comes out of the faucet.

• Rural and Border Areas: Studies in remote highland or border communities have occasionally found elevated levels of heavy metals like iron, lead, or arsenic, as well as high fluoride or agricultural runoff, which pose long-term health risks if consumed regularly over many years.

• Safety Advice

  • General Consensus: Most locals and expats on community platforms like Facebook Thailand Expats agree that tap water should not be consumed directly without boiling or filtering.

  • Daily Uses: Tap water is generally considered safe for showering, washing dishes, and brushing teeth, but bottled water or filtered water is strongly recommended for direct drinking.

  If you are planning a trip or staying in a specific region, tell me where in Thailand you will be staying (e.g., Bangkok vs. a rural province) so I can share more tailored safety advice.

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

Yeah he was a broken record when he was Leaver, same subject

You called it going back 7 years.

4 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Errrr, maybe because tourism is around 20% of Thailand's GDP. 😂 😂

Do you think parents would rather have their children working at automotive plants or in tourism?

4 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Is Pattaya Thailand's only tourist destination?

Apparently it is the only one you've seen

4 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I don't. The topic is a comparison between Thailand and Vietnam for retirement. I'm merely point out that Thailand's tourism is down 7% and Vietnam's tourism is up 15%. Some of those tourist are tomorrow's expat retirees. It's tourism that advertises the place as a retirement destination

But the topic is today, not in the thirty years from now when today's twenty something's start retiring.