i just had an eye problem sorted out at Ram hospital--our first medical experience in Chiang Mai--and am now officially in love with private Thai health care. i'm not sure what to do for ongoing coverage, however. if anything serious happens--including, possibly, having a kid here with my fellow expat wife--i can see expenses mounting very quickly.

do people maintain foreign health insurance as "traveller's insurance" while they're staying here? are there any reasonable local medical insurance plans available to expacts without residency visas? we should be on educational visas by the end of next month.

See the ad they tacked on just below your post.

Drat I see they changed it.

If you go into the Ram I believe it is in the far right hand corner on the entry level they have an office for finances. I believe they have a list of several insurance companies.

Someone recommended Bupa to me today. He estimated coverage would be 10-20k baht for the year and said it was a popular expat choice.

however. if anything serious happens--including, possibly, having a kid here with my fellow expat wife--i can see expenses mounting very quickly.

.

Sounds like you may need accident insurance as well.......

...sorry...it was just teed up perfectly for the "comeback"

Sent via tin can and string after pigeon shot

Try talking to Andy Williams at Thai Visa Assist in Chang Mia Land-he specialises in this area

Try talking to Andy Williams at Thai Visa Assist in Chang Mia Land-he specialises in this area

This place?

Address

420/4 Changklan Rd., T Changklan Muang, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand

Phone

053-272-293 - 053-272-294

Website

http://www.assistthaivisa.com

Bupa CM office across from Wat Jed Yod. English and service is par excellent. 4 years now and nothing but good things to say.

I'm with Bupa as well but I pay about 45,000 annually. Apparently it is the best plan they offer. The cost goes up for me once I hit 50, which just happened. I worry I may be over-insured and may start a new thread on that before renewing next February.

Try talking to Andy Williams at Thai Visa Assist in Chang Mia Land-he specialises in this area

This place?

Address

420/4 Changklan Rd., T Changklan Muang, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand

Phone

053-272-293 - 053-272-294

Website

http://www.assistthaivisa.com

you gottit

I'm with Bupa as well but I pay about 45,000 annually. Apparently it is the best plan they offer. The cost goes up for me once I hit 50, which just happened. I worry I may be over-insured and may start a new thread on that before renewing next February.

Yes I came to that conclusion as well. After one year I dropped down to the 2 million plan from the 5 million plan. I am 55 and pay about 45 k for this plan. Save about 10 k on this alternative.

You can get accident insurance at most banks fairly cheap. At least You can get it at Siam Commercial bank.

I'm with Bupa as well but I pay about 45,000 annually. Apparently it is the best plan they offer. The cost goes up for me once I hit 50, which just happened. I worry I may be over-insured and may start a new thread on that before renewing next February.

You can never have 'too much' medical insurance as should you ever need to call on it for something serious you always wish you had bought the next plan up.

With BUPA you cannot be over insured as the max they can offer is 5m Baht which, at today's rates, would cover you for most things but will not be nearly enough when you get older and will need to call on it.

Bupa CM office across from Wat Jed Yod. English and service is par excellent. 4 years now and nothing but good things to say.

Cheers