I Think I Have A Problem.

[mac.wheeler]

The last month or so I have been moving very small amounts of money to Thailand, simply because of the terrible exchange rate. I've just been transferring the cost of living each month, waiting for an exchange rate increase before I move a large sum.

So... a case of total bad timing all around has just left me with a problem.

3 nights ago my Son was admitted to the local private hospital. Unfortunately our health insurance ran out about 3 weeks ago and we are in the process of switching over to BUPA, one more example of bad timing. I didn't think it was going to be a problem as I had already started my end of the month money transfer from the UK.

Now the hospital are telling me they are going to release him today, but my transfer has not completed, so basically I don't have the cash on hand to pay them today, and my debit card from my bank in the UK ran our a while back so I can't use that, I have a replacement being bought over by a friend in 2 weeks, one more example of bad timing!

So my questions is, what are the hospital going to say/do when I tell them I won't be able to pay them for a few days?

Note to self: Sod the exchange rate, keep a chunk of cash in Thai account in the future for emergencies.

Thanks in advance.

[JUDAS]

A friend of mine had her appendix (sp) removed at Bangkok SAmui Hospital about 18 months ago. Same situation as her insurance had just expired and she didn't have cash available there. Basically the hospital said she couldn't leave until bill was paid so I ended up transferring 160k to her.

I'm sure all hospitals are different so approach them and explain the situation, maybe they would take something of value as guarantee, maybe your bike/ car registration etc. Keep us informed and good luck, hope your son has made a full recovery.

[JAS21]

The last month or so I have been moving very small amounts of money to Thailand, simply because of the terrible exchange rate. I've just been transferring the cost of living each month, waiting for an exchange rate increase before I move a large sum.

So... a case of total bad timing all around has just left me with a problem.

3 nights ago my Son was admitted to the local private hospital. Unfortunately our health insurance ran out about 3 weeks ago and we are in the process of switching over to BUPA, one more example of bad timing. I didn't think it was going to be a problem as I had already started my end of the month money transfer from the UK.

Now the hospital are telling me they are going to release him today, but my transfer has not completed, so basically I don't have the cash on hand to pay them today, and my debit card from my bank in the UK ran our a while back so I can't use that, I have a replacement being bought over by a friend in 2 weeks, one more example of bad timing!

So my questions is, what are the hospital going to say/do when I tell them I won't be able to pay them for a few days?

Note to self: Sod the exchange rate, keep a chunk of cash in Thai account in the future for emergencies.

Thanks in advance.

My wife was in BNH a while back, we have private insurance but could't contact them to confirm that they would pay..they did of course. I had a little problem getting her out but I signed a paper to say that the acccount would be paid within two weeks or I would pay interest at some percentage until it was. The account was for something like 50000-60000 baht not some small sum. You will probably have to be a little firm, but you must stay carm and polite in your dealings. Remember you are in the wrong...it will be ok

[GungaDin]

Talk to the finance dept.

Take a photocopy of your passport main page and the visa section page b4 you go to the hospital.

DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR PASSPORT.

It does not belong to you, if, they argue, tell them to ring the UK embassy for confirmation.

Tell them you will pay them in 5 days but make sure you keep yr word.

good luck

[SaamBaht]

A friend of mine had her appendix (sp) removed at Bangkok SAmui Hospital about 18 months ago. I ended up transferring 160k to her.

Wasn't that her buffalo that need its appendix removed?

[Boater]

I had the same promblem as well 2 years back

Solution

I gave them my passport and a Thai Friends ID card untill the funds where transfered. This worked fine

DO NOT let them keep your son in longer as they will just charge you for the extra days he stays

Hope all goes well

[mac.wheeler]

Cheers folks.

The most embarasing thing is its going to be such a stupidly small sum, it wouldn't be a problem in the slightest if I could use my UK debit card. You live and learn I guess, ever noticed when those times come along when you really could do without a problem for a few days something always happens?

[JUDAS]

A friend of mine had her appendix (sp) removed at Bangkok SAmui Hospital about 18 months ago. I ended up transferring 160k to her.

Wasn't that her buffalo that need its appendix removed?

English girls don't have buffalos, do they?

[Boater]

English girls don't have buffalos, do they?

have you never been to southend or Blackpool

[Maigo6]

Why can't you get your bank in the UK to send money to your bank account in Thailand immediately, I don't know how this works out , charges etc, as I don't live in UK, but it must be possible to get an immediate transfer.

You come from UK, why not get somebody to send you money Via western union, family, friends etc..

[mac.wheeler]

Why can't you get your bank in the UK to send money to your bank account in Thailand immediately, I don't know how this works out , charges etc, as I don't live in UK, but it must be possible to get an immediate transfer.

You come from UK, why not get somebody to send you money Via western union, family, friends etc..

I am not aware that UK banks can send to Thai banks in this fashion, plus lets look at the facts here, it is currently 3am in the UK, banks don't open for another 6.5 hours, by which time it is almost 5pm here, so there is very little possibility that "immediate" would be less than a couple of days, by which time my normal transfer should have completed anyway as it was started on the 30th.

As for friends and family in the UK, I operate a strict never borrow never lend policy, I would much rather take care of this problem myself.

[jayjayjayjay]

Why can't you get your bank in the UK to send money to your bank account in Thailand immediately, I don't know how this works out , charges etc, as I don't live in UK, but it must be possible to get an immediate transfer.

You come from UK, why not get somebody to send you money Via western union, family, friends etc..

I am not aware that UK banks can send to Thai banks in this fashion, plus lets look at the facts here, it is currently 3am in the UK, banks don't open for another 6.5 hours, by which time it is almost 5pm here, so there is very little possibility that "immediate" would be less than a couple of days, by which time my normal transfer should have completed anyway as it was started on the 30th.

As for friends and family in the UK, I operate a strict never borrow never lend policy, I would much rather take care of this problem myself.

I do electronic transfers from Aust to Thai, both accounts in my name. Not more than three weeks ago a transfer at 8pm was in my Thai account at 10am the next morning. You will need to set internet banking up with passwords etc (which might require you being in the UK), but this is for you own reference to avoid future problems. PS these were the same transfers that took 15 days, 15 years ago. Banks ANZ to BBL. (BBL recommended as it's the main clearance bank for all banks in Thailand, that's how I understand it)

[ballpoint]

Would this be the Ruam Phaet private hospital in Surin? I had my gall bladder removed there a good many years ago (the whole business came to 16,000 baht, which shows just how long ago it was). I had up to a week to pay the bill afterwards. Things may have changed now, but you might be pleasantly surprised.

[mac.wheeler]

I do electronic transfers from Aust to Thai, both accounts in my name. Not more than three weeks ago a transfer at 8pm was in my Thai account at 10am the next morning. You will need to set internet banking up with passwords etc (which might require you being in the UK), but this is for you own reference to avoid future problems. PS these were the same transfers that took 15 days, 15 years ago. Banks ANZ to BBL. (BBL recommended as it's the main clearance bank for all banks in Thailand, that's how I understand it)

My UK bank tells me 5-7 working days, which in a perfect world is a week, but once you take weekends, public holidays either end and general tardiness into consideration it can be anything upto 2 weeks. Although the few times I have actually called them and asked why the transaction is taking so long it has always been the Thai end (SCB) that is draggin their feet. I never thought of using internet banking though, I never considered it might be quicker, just easier to instigate a transfer, I'll give that a try next time and see if it speeds things up at all. Cheers.

[mac.wheeler]

Would this be the Ruam Phaet private hospital in Surin? I had my gall bladder removed there a good many years ago (the whole business came to 16,000 baht, which shows just how long ago it was). I had up to a week to pay the bill afterwards. Things may have changed now, but you might be pleasantly surprised.

Yep that's the place, this could be very good news indeed thanks

[t.s]

The last month or so I have been moving very small amounts of money to Thailand, simply because of the terrible exchange rate. I've just been transferring the cost of living each month, waiting for an exchange rate increase before I move a large sum.

So... a case of total bad timing all around has just left me with a problem.

3 nights ago my Son was admitted to the local private hospital. Unfortunately our health insurance ran out about 3 weeks ago and we are in the process of switching over to BUPA, one more example of bad timing. I didn't think it was going to be a problem as I had already started my end of the month money transfer from the UK.

Now the hospital are telling me they are going to release him today, but my transfer has not completed, so basically I don't have the cash on hand to pay them today, and my debit card from my bank in the UK ran our a while back so I can't use that, I have a replacement being bought over by a friend in 2 weeks, one more example of bad timing!

So my questions is, what are the hospital going to say/do when I tell them I won't be able to pay them for a few days?

Note to self: Sod the exchange rate, keep a chunk of cash in Thai account in the future for emergencies.

Thanks in advance.

credit card?

talk to the financial people before discharge, it is likely they will give you a couple of days leeway.

Edited February 3, 2009 by t.s

[mac.wheeler]

quote]

credit card?

Nah I don't use them, I have a bad habit of treating their money as my own Cancelled them all a few years back.

Although a certain friend of mine who lives on Koh Phangan saw this post, emailed me asking for my bank account details and transfered me enough to cover the bills.

Thanks man, I won't name you here, but much appreciated See you next month when I'm back on the island for a holiday!

[Maigo6]

I operate a strict never borrow never lend policy.

Glad your problem is solved.

[donna]

what a kind soul to help you out of this sticky situation. glad it has been resolved.

[mac.wheeler]

I operate a strict never borrow never lend policy.

Glad your problem is solved.

You can't look a gift horse in the mouth can you?

[dave111223]

Nah I don't use them, I have a bad habit of treating their money as my own

You're telling us you are so financially irresponsible that it's not even possible for you to have a credit card without using it?

Get a credit card, keep in the cupboard for just this kind of emergency...

[mac.wheeler]

Nah I don't use them, I have a bad habit of treating their money as my own

You're telling us you are so financially irresponsible that it's not even possible for you to have a credit card without using it?

Get a credit card, keep in the cupboard for just this kind of emergency...

I have a terrible track record with credit cards, but your statement makes perfect sense, I'll ask my bank to re-issue me one next time I am in the UK.

Thanks for all the advice though folks, much appreciated.

[Lite Beer]

Nice to see a happy ending.

CLOSED.