Unpaid Hospital Bills

[Kilgore Trout]

1323425965[/url]' post='4901206']

They have a photo copy of my passport. I'm not really looking to just bail on the bill either. I'm more looking to know what happens if 3 months pass before I pay it off in full. If jail time or other serious consequences are in store I'll find the money. If nasty interest rates are all I'm looking at I'll just pay the bill when I can manage it myself.

What would the consequences be in your home country,and would you do the same thing there,that's what I would be asking myself,although as I stated in the UK it's free so I would have just flown home,why would one consider having private health care in a foreign country and not having the means to pay,it's nonsense.

It doesn't matter what the consequences are in his own country, in Thailand being in debt is a jailable offense. I have seen people jailed for bouncing checks, so you better bet that owing a hospital 130 k will land you in jail.

Good luck

[dave111223]

I have seen people jailed for bouncing checks.

Do people actually use checks in Thailand? I can honestly say in all my time here i've never seen a hand written check (only printed cashiers checks from the bank). Do businesses here accept checks? Do banks issue "check books"?

[Soutpeel]

I have seen people jailed for bouncing checks.

Do people actually use checks in Thailand? I can honestly say in all my time here i've never seen a hand written check (only printed cashiers checks from the bank). Do businesses here accept checks? Do banks issue "check books"?

Yes

[CanInBKK]

I have seen people jailed for bouncing checks.

Do people actually use checks in Thailand? I can honestly say in all my time here i've never seen a hand written check (only printed cashiers checks from the bank). Do businesses here accept checks? Do banks issue "check books"?

Yes! I've cashed a few myself here in Thailand. They're called "Current" accounts.

[somchaismith]

If you do return to the hospital, I hope that they understand and you don't end up like this bloke...

Google, Charlie Tiyu.

[ludditeman]

It doesn't matter what the consequences are in his own country, in Thailand being in debt is a jailable offense. I have seen people jailed for bouncing checks, so you better bet that owing a hospital 130 k will land you in jail.

Good luck

In Thailand

Bouncing a check is a jail-able offense.

Defaulting on a loan, or being in debt isn't. The worst they can do is get a court order to seize property, vehicles or money in a Thai bank account and block you from obtaining credit. That court order expires after 10 years and the debt is written off.

[MJCM]

The OP should have purchased a return ticket to the UK,where any Tom,dick and Harry is entitled to treatment and then flew back,would have been much cheaper.

I doubt it that the OP is from the UK, his nick sounds more like that he is from a German speaking Country. But as the OP has already left this thread (not posted for a long time), what's the point. The word t...l comes to mind.

[OZEMADE]

If you booked your return flight on a credit card, some credit cards offer medical/accident insurance and loss of luggage etc for 3 months on a Gold Card and up to seven months on a Platinum Card. I have a Westpac Platinum Card and that is what they offer both me and the wife when we book a return flight from OZ only. It is not offered if you book from Thailand return. Worth a try if you booked that way.

[GentlemanJim]

I am pretty sure you will not end up in jail, however as has been stated if you write a cheque and it is not honored they will jail you. That system is used a lot by people who give out loans. As an additional security they get a cheque post dated for when final repayment is due, if you do not pay, the present the cheque and if it bounces a lawyer will have an arrest warrant for you asap and you will be banged up.

For the OP, the advice about going in with some money is sound and then sit and negotiate repayments over a realistic achievable term. You could do a runner, but potentially causing entry/visa issues at a later date is a high price to pay for $4K. Good luck, and as you have had advice from sooo many people, why not give everyone an update.

[astral]

UK citizens who have been non-resident for over three months are NOT entitled to free treatment. It seems in England this is 182 days. Anything over this and you are expected to pay for other than emergency treatment.

That may be the rules but not the actuality.

I was hospitalised with a strangulated hernia a couple of years back.

Taken to emergency from Heathrow airport.

No questions were asked,

and I have not lived in the UK for over 20 years.

[elektrified]

I have seen people jailed for bouncing checks.

Do people actually use checks in Thailand? I can honestly say in all my time here i've never seen a hand written check (only printed cashiers checks from the bank). Do businesses here accept checks? Do banks issue "check books"?

Yes of course.

[elektrified]

I have seen people jailed for bouncing checks.

Do people actually use checks in Thailand? I can honestly say in all my time here i've never seen a hand written check (only printed cashiers checks from the bank). Do businesses here accept checks? Do banks issue "check books"?

Yes! I've cashed a few myself here in Thailand. They're called "Current" accounts.

Not necessarily. Current accounts are usually accounts where settlements take place, be it sales of shares or what have you...then the funds are usually transferred to savings, investment, or checking accounts.

I've received checks here as well; both personal and ones issued by insurance companies.

[elektrified]

I am very surprised that you were released from the hospital with a bill of that size and no secured payment option. My friend in BKK was removed from an airplane before take off at Suvarnabhumi because they thought he was having a heart attack. He was taken by ambulance to a BKK hospital where he was treated, placed in the CCU and tested for about 3 days. His bill was also about 140K THB as I recall. Before he even got inside the ER they debited 70K from his credit card. Upon his discharge he was escorted by 3 guys in a mini-van to an ATM to satisfy the other 70K. He said they were very serious about getting paid then and there.

[marstons]

plenty of checks but is it not Cheques, get it right chaps,

would suspect OP is already on immigration computer at every point of exit, and deserves every thing he has coming as he has just made it that little bit harder for the rest of us that remain here, thats why people get left to die when no proof of ID or way of paying.

[endure]

It doesn't matter what the consequences are in his own country, in Thailand being in debt is a jailable offense. I have seen people jailed for bouncing checks, so you better bet that owing a hospital 130 k will land you in jail.

Good luck

In Thailand

Bouncing a check is a jail-able offense.

As it is in the UK. It's contrary to section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006. The maximum penalty is 10 years in gaol.

[endure]

I have seen people jailed for bouncing checks.

Do people actually use checks in Thailand? I can honestly say in all my time here i've never seen a hand written check (only printed cashiers checks from the bank). Do businesses here accept checks? Do banks issue "check books"?

Yes! I've cashed a few myself here in Thailand. They're called "Current" accounts.

Not necessarily. Current accounts are usually accounts where settlements take place, be it sales of shares or what have you...then the funds are usually transferred to savings, investment, or checking accounts.

I've received checks here as well; both personal and ones issued by insurance companies.

A 'current' account in the UK is what you would call a checking account in the USA. The Thais may be using the word in its UK sense.

[Kilgore Trout]

It doesn't matter what the consequences are in his own country, in Thailand being in debt is a jailable offense. I have seen people jailed for bouncing checks, so you better bet that owing a hospital 130 k will land you in jail.

Good luck

In Thailand

Bouncing a check is a jail-able offense.

As it is in the UK. It's contrary to section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006. The maximum penalty is 10 years in gaol.

Gaol, is that where the UK is sending its prisoners now? The new Australia perhaps...