Is life better in the land of smiles

[AYJAYDEE]

So the Thais raise and educate their kids in the art of patience and politeness ?

yes they do

[duanebigsby]

It's great if you come from a country that's wet and cold.

It's great if you want a younger woman, or just want to go whoring.

It would be a disaster if you came here with a wife and children.

Your children would get a bad (yet expensive) education, no chance of a decent university, and have zero chance of making money in their future.

You owe it to your son to live in the UK until he has started university.

Then you can do what you like, and he will be free to choose his own future, knowing you gave him the best start in life you could.

I somewhat disagree with that. You would have him raise a Thai kid who doesn't speak Thai and knows nothing about Thai culture.

I wouldn't do that to my kid. Not everything is about money and jobs .I'm sure many Thai kids do well in the west after doing some schooling here.

Why the expensive education jibe? Paid for my sons uni education and very reasonable. Suppose you think it was c**p uni?

most units here are c$#p as you put it and i would not want our children going to any Thai university but international schools are excellent

You guys are misreading me.

I never said anything about uni.

The original statement was live in the UK until he has started uni, presumably in the UK.

I suggested a few years in a Thai school would give the kid at least some Thai language skills and cultural knowledge and then get the Western education. I just thought full on immersion in the West would do a Thai kid a disservice.

I never took a swipe at expensive international schools or unis in my post.

[icare999]

I can put my hand on my heart and swear that I am happy here, there are things I miss about the UK and Europe that I want to experience again so I plan to spend some time there each year, but that need is only driven by the fact that I've been here full time for over ten years and I'm nearly 65.

Two weeks ago we were up in Chiang Rai, just a few hours north of us. We were sat in our room at the Dusit Island Hotel, a room in a five star hotel with excellent facilities and views, it cost us less than £46 a night including breakfast. As we were enjoying the view out of the full length windows, the clouds coming in over the mountains, the river, the colors and the simply wonderful overall vista, I thought back to my UK trip in March where I paid £56 for a room in a Traveldoge with a truck park outside and a very expensive Harvester as the sole means of food, drink and entertainment, the contrast was stark

I then thought about how little it costs by comparison to do the "weekly shop" here in Thailand and how outrageous it can be, unless you have cooking facilities back in the UK.

Once back home in Chiang Mai I needed to visit the Emergency Room at a local hospital at near midnight. I was seen and dealt with in the space of thirty minutes, (overpriced) medicine was prescribed but I felt 100% better within the hour, the cost was £15. But the best parts were that the cashier and the pharmacist both smiled, were super polite, one engaged me in pleasant conversation and the next day, the nurse called to see if I was better.

We eat out here frequently, sometimes it's 50 baht food, a couple of times a week the bill for the two of us runs to 600/700 baht but that's for a really nice meal - the UK comparison is non-existent.

We don't ride motorbikes hence no accidents, we never get ripped off by the police, Soi dogs are easily manageable, taxi's are easy to order by phone and the rate is fixed and cheap enough. Road accidents? you need to be alert, just like everywhere else.

Am I truly happy here, you bet I am.

sorry on a lot of things your wrong In Uk you can get a good meal at local pub for 300 baht or a good roast for same although you need to know where to go. Hotels your right. The 50 baht food unless noodles is IMO crap and full of MSG and we spend on quality food not much less than UK. In UK education is free here we spend over 1 million baht a year for our 2 kids actually nearer 1.5 million but they are now finishing. One of great things here however is health care is very affordable and you dont need to be subject to lottery of NHS and get private rooms and rest.

But how much it costs is not really relevant and no measure of happiness. It could cost 1/2 in UK than here to live but id still be here and if need be have a lower standard here than in UK. Overall i find cost of living here except housing about same as UK once school fees, medical and other factors are taken into account but in UK we certainly could not afford or have 2 maids. That is provided your house was paid for in UK.

You can't be wrong about an opinion on where you live which makes you happier.

One cannot say living here or living there is "better" It what suits you at the time in your life. It's pointless to argue about this town, province, country is better than that one. It's too individual.

sorry i said wrong about things he was saying about things being so much cheaper here than in UK and not being able to get good education here etc i never said wrong about wanting to live here or not but wrong to base on surpassed incorrect comparisons of costs education medical and rest

[icare999]

in my experience id trust doctors here much more than in UK

schooling much better here if you use one of excellent international schools but not cheap and much much better than a lot in UK (at least coma red with a lot of UK government schools)

safety in over 30 years i am still convinced here is far far safer for kids than UK or USA but like everywhere you do need to take a it of care

earning here is almost a no go unless you have a job with one of big multinationals

corruption sure but its only got really bad in last 5-10 years IMO due to Taksin and before was more like a tip extortion not really exist unless you call trying to get you to buy or overcharging extortion but then that's as bad or worse in UK and much worse in USA only its from slick telesales and rest

Bad corruption?

What do you call opium caravans going down the main street in Chiang Mai or in 1950 as one of General Sarit's army convoys approached the railhead at Lampang is northern Thailand with a load of opium. Phao's police surrounded the convoy and demanded that the army surrender the opium since antinarcotics work was the exclusive responsibility of the police.

When the army refused and threatened to shoot its way through to the railway, the police brought up heavy machine guns and dug in for a fire-fight. A nervous standoff continued for two days until Phao and Sarit themselves arrived in Lampang, took possession of the opium, and escorted it jointly to Bangkok, where it quietly disappeared.

http://www.akha.org/content/drugwar/mccoy/30.htm

come of it thats I'm 50's and in London we had Krays totally corrupt police men and recently money for MP's and rest

[ultimate weapon]

The issue of currency exchange rates comes to mind. My country's exchange rate to the thai bht is around 1 dollar to 25-26 thai bht so it's easy to estimate how much i am paying. My country is singapore. I have heard of ppl from my country just paying a flat rate of 100 bht when they take a taxi so it's $4 to travel to various places in bkk. It doesn't apply to me because i always insist on the meter at the chagrin of the taxi driver.

When it comes to meals at fast food restaurants say macdonalds, kfc and so on the deals are around 200 bht for them so it is $8 SGD and 8 bucks for a fast food meal is probably too high. Street food doesn't cost that much obviously. A bowl of noodles at a road side stall for say 20 bht is possible.

Anyway the question here isn't on the exchange rates but if they cost cheaper. Let's say something costs 6USD in the US and it costs 192 bht in thailand that is the same cost as it is in the US. You see my point. A fast food meal at around 200bht in thailand would be more expensive in my country since it would be around 8 dollar SGD. See if you can get a 100bht meal in a fast food place.

[benalibina]

The question was:

"please elaborate about the 2 things we westerners can learn from the thais"

it was not:

what two things have westerners learned from Thai's!

As a general rule, all the above attributes are fading away slowly in western cultures, particularly in the UK, at least here in Thailand those attributes remain strong.

Actually CM, I think you are wrong.

The question "please elaborate about the 2 things we westerners can learn from the Thais" referred specifically to the final sentence of a post that read:-

"I submit that the West could learn a thing or two from Thailand about how best to raise and educate children."

Personally, I can think of nothing westerners could learn from Thais about raising/educating children.

Do you think otherwise ?

If you narrow the focus to raising children, I confess I don't immediately have a view, I suspect there are trade offs but I simply haven't thought it through.

My earlier comments refer to the broader spectrum of life, the humanitarian aspects, not just the odd coin/note in a charity box. For example, I'm pretty sure that Mrs CM would do and/or sacrifice almost anything for her mother and close family, I get the idea that is not the case everywhere in the UK where greed and lack of care of the elderly seems to be opposite in an increasing number of cases.

Mrs Benalibina has the same attitude as Mrs CM. She does and sacrifices everything for her mother and close family. Even the emotional wellbeing and future of her kids.

Her mother taught her that well.....very well indeed.

[watso63]

Most people in the UK are working to live. Free health care...just isn't. The last time I checked, my eyes and my teeth are part of my body. I bought a pack of omoxycillin yesterday for 40 baht. I would have had to take time off work, paid a premium rate phone call to make a doctors appointment and pay a prescription charge to get the same in the UK because Joe Public can't buy anti-biotics off the shelf. Old people have their life savings stripped from them if they are put into care...which, from some of the videos I've seen are not very caring places. The polititicians rattle on about poverty in the UK. There simply isn't any. The "cost of living crisis" boils down to the cost of housing, council tax, high taxes and duties placed on owning and driving a vehicle, enjoying a drink and a smoke. People out of work and on benefits (too many benefits to mention) are simply given money, for doing nothing in return (unless they give birth, where they are given even more money) get a lot more money than I live on comfortably here in Thailand. I hate the British winter time, my injuries caused me severe pain. If you, like me enjoy a tropical climate follow the Tropic of Cancer around the world and look at how many countries you would like to live in.

[thaibeachlovers]

I'm in a similar boat as the op.

Living in Australia, 39yo, Thai wife, 1 small daughter.

We often ponder packing up and moving to Thailand.

The main issue would be income living there. I would still need to earn enough to be able to save for retirement. No idea how that would go in Thailand. Would mean re starting a whole new type of career, from the ground up.

Visa issues...well that's maybe ok with a Thai wife, but who knows in the future. Here in Aus, Thai wife has no real visa issues.

Schooling for daughter...sounds a little worrying from all I have read on here.

Safety of daughter. Maybe I'm over reacting on that one, but I know she's safer here in Aus, and I trust Aussie doctors more for that matter.

Then let's not forget slimey things like Thai corruption, and extortion from locals trying to make a quick baht even though their bike hit yours.

All in all, as much as it sounds great moving to Thailand, think staying put here, schooling the kid here, earning here, saving here etc etc etc here is probably for the best. Then one day, Thailand here we come!

Maybe some longer Thai holidays are what's needed!

in my experience id trust doctors here much more than in UK

schooling much better here if you use one of excellent international schools but not cheap and much much better than a lot in UK (at least coma red with a lot of UK government schools)

safety in over 30 years i am still convinced here is far far safer for kids than UK or USA but like everywhere you do need to take a it of care

earning here is almost a no go unless you have a job with one of big multinationals

corruption sure but its only got really bad in last 5-10 years IMO due to Taksin and before was more like a tip extortion not really exist unless you call trying to get you to buy or overcharging extortion but then that's as bad or worse in UK and much worse in USA only its from slick telesales and rest

So you never had a problem paying 500,000 baht per year for a top international school in Thailand per child?

And al corruption in Thailand since the birth of modern Thailand is al Thaksins fault i don't believe for one second youve been living or been travelling to Thailand for 30 years.

<So you never had a problem paying 500,000 baht per year for a top international school in Thailand per child?>

Well I don't, but I'd have cut my nuts off with a rusty razor blade before I had kids here. Just experiencing my nephews is enough to make one consider abstinence for life.

[Kudel]

Every thing is about perception and opinions i have mine and others have theirs.

I don't take a lot of people serious on tv because on one topic they will boast about loads a money and same people will be yakking in the visa section because they can't scrape the money to meet certain requirements concerning visa let alone pay silly money for those international schools.

Now i may not be an expat myself but have met many on my journeys to the "holy" land and most where talking out of their respective @rse concerning life in the land of smiles not much different from a lot of posters here.

[krisb]

I'm in a similar boat as the op.

Living in Australia, 39yo, Thai wife, 1 small daughter.

We often ponder packing up and moving to Thailand.

The main issue would be income living there. I would still need to earn enough to be able to save for retirement. No idea how that would go in Thailand. Would mean re starting a whole new type of career, from the ground up.

Visa issues...well that's maybe ok with a Thai wife, but who knows in the future. Here in Aus, Thai wife has no real visa issues.

Schooling for daughter...sounds a little worrying from all I have read on here.

Safety of daughter. Maybe I'm over reacting on that one, but I know she's safer here in Aus, and I trust Aussie doctors more for that matter.

Then let's not forget slimey things like Thai corruption, and extortion from locals trying to make a quick baht even though their bike hit yours.

All in all, as much as it sounds great moving to Thailand, think staying put here, schooling the kid here, earning here, saving here etc etc etc here is probably for the best. Then one day, Thailand here we come!

Maybe some longer Thai holidays are what's needed!

in my experience id trust doctors here much more than in UK

schooling much better here if you use one of excellent international schools but not cheap and much much better than a lot in UK (at least coma red with a lot of UK government schools)

safety in over 30 years i am still convinced here is far far safer for kids than UK or USA but like everywhere you do need to take a it of care

earning here is almost a no go unless you have a job with one of big multinationals

corruption sure but its only got really bad in last 5-10 years IMO due to Taksin and before was more like a tip extortion not really exist unless you call trying to get you to buy or overcharging extortion but then that's as bad or worse in UK and much worse in USA only its from slick telesales and rest

Corruption has been a rampant way of Asian thought way way before the last Prime Minister, lets not blame him for a whole countries mindset.

Second, schools in the UK, even though I'm Aussie, I can tell you now would run rings around any Thai schools. Tell me a school in thailand better than Eton for example?...you can't.

And if you think Doctors and hospitals in thailand are better than those in the UK, you're once again dreaming.

Your whole post sorry mate and i'm an Aussie, is full of shit.

[rgs2001uk]

I'm in a similar boat as the op.

Living in Australia, 39yo, Thai wife, 1 small daughter.

We often ponder packing up and moving to Thailand.

The main issue would be income living there. I would still need to earn enough to be able to save for retirement. No idea how that would go in Thailand. Would mean re starting a whole new type of career, from the ground up.

Visa issues...well that's maybe ok with a Thai wife, but who knows in the future. Here in Aus, Thai wife has no real visa issues.

Schooling for daughter...sounds a little worrying from all I have read on here.

Safety of daughter. Maybe I'm over reacting on that one, but I know she's safer here in Aus, and I trust Aussie doctors more for that matter.

Then let's not forget slimey things like Thai corruption, and extortion from locals trying to make a quick baht even though their bike hit yours.

All in all, as much as it sounds great moving to Thailand, think staying put here, schooling the kid here, earning here, saving here etc etc etc here is probably for the best. Then one day, Thailand here we come!

Maybe some longer Thai holidays are what's needed!

in my experience id trust doctors here much more than in UK

schooling much better here if you use one of excellent international schools but not cheap and much much better than a lot in UK (at least coma red with a lot of UK government schools)

safety in over 30 years i am still convinced here is far far safer for kids than UK or USA but like everywhere you do need to take a it of care

earning here is almost a no go unless you have a job with one of big multinationals

corruption sure but its only got really bad in last 5-10 years IMO due to Taksin and before was more like a tip extortion not really exist unless you call trying to get you to buy or overcharging extortion but then that's as bad or worse in UK and much worse in USA only its from slick telesales and rest

Corruption has been a rampant way of Asian thought way way before the last Prime Minister, lets not blame him for a whole countries mindset.

Second, schools in the UK, even though I'm Aussie, I can tell you now would run rings around any Thai schools. Tell me a school in thailand better than Eton for example?...you can't.

And if you think Doctors and hospitals in thailand are better than those in the UK, you're once again dreaming.

Your whole post sorry mate and i'm an Aussie, is full of shit.

Gotta love the straight talking Ozzys, tell it to you exactly like it is, no PC nonsense or beating about the bush.

Top (banana) post.

[sesdaman]

Its amazing, I started this debate wondering how it would pan out, and it started so well, respect to the guys who responded with their views, good and bad, right or wrong, we all have opinions and we don't always agree, but I'm seeing that as always the subject gets forgotten, and it turns into a dogfight between individuals that disagree with one another. Whether your views are the same as anyone else's or not, why does it get so personal? Guys its just a debate, not a slagging off contest. Some of you need to chill! There have though been some great posts, have given me a few laughs as well, and I think, an insight into the lives of those living in Thailand. For me, I will wait a few years, continue with good long holidays, and wait for my right time............

[thailiketoo]

Corruption has been a rampant way of Asian thought way way before the last Prime Minister, lets not blame him for a whole countries mindset.

Second, schools in the UK, even though I'm Aussie, I can tell you now would run rings around any Thai schools. Tell me a school in thailand better than Eton for example?...you can't.

And if you think Doctors and hospitals in thailand are better than those in the UK, you're once again dreaming.

Your whole post sorry mate and i'm an Aussie, is full of shit.

Lets say one does not have insurance in the UK or US or Thailand and is admitted to the hospital for a common ailment. 1. Sprained ankle. 2. Cut finger. 3. Broken little toe. Three common reasons why people get admitted to hospitals. 1. Sprained ankle you get an xray and a bandage. 2. Cut finger stitches and a bandage. 3 broken little toe; a bandage.

Remember apples to apples. No insurance in the UK or US or Thailand. What is the cost per care number? Everything is related to price. Great health care is wonderful but if one can't afford it what good is it?

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Corruption has been a rampant way of Asian thought way way before the last Prime Minister, lets not blame him for a whole countries mindset.

Second, schools in the UK, even though I'm Aussie, I can tell you now would run rings around any Thai schools. Tell me a school in thailand better than Eton for example?...you can't.

And if you think Doctors and hospitals in thailand are better than those in the UK, you're once again dreaming.

Your whole post sorry mate and i'm an Aussie, is full of shit.

Lets say one does not have insurance in the UK or US or Thailand and is admitted to the hospital for a common ailment. 1. Sprained ankle. 2. Cut finger. 3. Broken little toe. Three common reasons why people get admitted to hospitals. 1. Sprained ankle you get an xray and a bandage. 2. Cut finger stitches and a bandage. 3 broken little toe; a bandage.

Remember apples to apples. No insurance in the UK or US or Thailand. What is the cost per care number? Everything is related to price. Great health care is wonderful but if one can't afford it what good is it?

1 Do people really go to hospital for a sprained ankle?

2. Stitches, had some, about 400bht for 6, including having them out.

3. Broken toe, about 250bht, only 1 visit.

(60bht to see the doctor plus whatever odds and ends are needed)

[krisb]

Corruption has been a rampant way of Asian thought way way before the last Prime Minister, lets not blame him for a whole countries mindset.

Second, schools in the UK, even though I'm Aussie, I can tell you now would run rings around any Thai schools. Tell me a school in thailand better than Eton for example?...you can't.

And if you think Doctors and hospitals in thailand are better than those in the UK, you're once again dreaming.

Your whole post sorry mate and i'm an Aussie, is full of shit.

Lets say one does not have insurance in the UK or US or Thailand and is admitted to the hospital for a common ailment. 1. Sprained ankle. 2. Cut finger. 3. Broken little toe. Three common reasons why people get admitted to hospitals. 1. Sprained ankle you get an xray and a bandage. 2. Cut finger stitches and a bandage. 3 broken little toe; a bandage.

Remember apples to apples. No insurance in the UK or US or Thailand. What is the cost per care number? Everything is related to price. Great health care is wonderful but if one can't afford it what good is it?

If you went to hospital with a broken little toe, you need a nice warm mug of harden the fk up.

Like I said, I'm Aussie, and in Australia even having a doctor visit you is free. Sorry can't comment on UK or the US, but I think I'd rather a British trained doc then a Thai trained doc to re alligne my little pinky anyday.

[Bernard Flint]

Its amazing, I started this debate wondering how it would pan out, and it started so well, respect to the guys who responded with their views, good and bad, right or wrong, we all have opinions and we don't always agree, but I'm seeing that as always the subject gets forgotten, and it turns into a dogfight between individuals that disagree with one another. Whether your views are the same as anyone else's or not, why does it get so personal? Guys its just a debate, not a slagging off contest. Some of you need to chill! There have though been some great posts, have given me a few laughs as well, and I think, an insight into the lives of those living in Thailand. For me, I will wait a few years, continue with good long holidays, and wait for my right time............

Good post

Its my dick is bigger than your dick scenario,and they dont even know how stupid they are.

I hate the thai bashing too, which is relevant to your OP. Many thai women get crapped on by farangs, but the haters carent see this.Many farangs dont seem to care about the thai girls feelings,then start their bile about not the land of smiles, and its not the same as 10 years ago,all crap.

Be a decent human being, accept Thailand is not your home country,accept they are different, and smiles are all day

[Jip99]

So the Thais raise and educate their kids in the art of patience and politeness ?

yes they do

Nonsense. But I am genuinely happy that the rose-tinted glasses that you and icare999 have help you to have such a positive view of Thais/Thailand.

I don't share that perspective but please let me be clear - this thread is about "Is life better in LoS" and my answer to that question would be a resounding "yes". It is why I came here and why I have stayed for 7 years. However, Thailand falls short in a number of tangible areas compared to the UK. More importantly (for me) it scores much better in areas such as lifestyle and quality of life.

Edited August 21, 2014 by Jip99

[Bernard Flint]

Corruption has been a rampant way of Asian thought way way before the last Prime Minister, lets not blame him for a whole countries mindset.

Second, schools in the UK, even though I'm Aussie, I can tell you now would run rings around any Thai schools. Tell me a school in thailand better than Eton for example?...you can't.

And if you think Doctors and hospitals in thailand are better than those in the UK, you're once again dreaming.

Your whole post sorry mate and i'm an Aussie, is full of shit.

Lets say one does not have insurance in the UK or US or Thailand and is admitted to the hospital for a common ailment. 1. Sprained ankle. 2. Cut finger. 3. Broken little toe. Three common reasons why people get admitted to hospitals. 1. Sprained ankle you get an xray and a bandage. 2. Cut finger stitches and a bandage. 3 broken little toe; a bandage.

Remember apples to apples. No insurance in the UK or US or Thailand. What is the cost per care number? Everything is related to price. Great health care is wonderful but if one can't afford it what good is it?

If you went to hospital with a broken little toe, you need a nice warm mug of harden the fk up.

Like I said, I'm Aussie, and in Australia even having a doctor visit you is free. Sorry can't comment on UK or the US, but I think I'd rather a British trained doc then a Thai trained doc to re alligne my little pinky anyday.

Read the uk newspapers, many, many, many bad cases of doctors/ surgeons not doing their job correctly.

[thailiketoo]

Lets say one does not have insurance in the UK or US or Thailand and is admitted to the hospital for a common ailment. 1. Sprained ankle. 2. Cut finger. 3. Broken little toe. Three common reasons why people get admitted to hospitals. 1. Sprained ankle you get an xray and a bandage. 2. Cut finger stitches and a bandage. 3 broken little toe; a bandage.

Remember apples to apples. No insurance in the UK or US or Thailand. What is the cost per care number? Everything is related to price. Great health care is wonderful but if one can't afford it what good is it?

If you went to hospital with a broken little toe, you need a nice warm mug of harden the fk up.

Like I said, I'm Aussie, and in Australia even having a doctor visit you is free. Sorry can't comment on UK or the US, but I think I'd rather a British trained doc then a Thai trained doc to re alligne my little pinky anyday.

Can you unAussyfy yourself for a second and think? A tourist takes a vacation to Australia, UK and the USA and needs to go to the hospital for care. The tourist has no health insurance. What is the cost of having a sprained ankle treated in Australia, UK, Thailand and the USA?

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Can you unAussyfy yourself for a second and think? A tourist takes a vacation to Australia, UK and the USA and needs to go to the hospital for care. The tourist has no health insurance. What is the cost of having a sprained ankle treated in Australia, UK, Thailand and the USA?

Most tourists have health and accident insurance included in the holiday price.

So the cost is nothing.

I do have accident insurance with BKB, 2500bht for a year's cover, 30kBht for each accident.

PS

I thought it was $50 to see a doctor in Australia (that might have been NZ though)

Edited August 21, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican

[thailiketoo]

Can you unAussyfy yourself for a second and think? A tourist takes a vacation to Australia, UK and the USA and needs to go to the hospital for care. The tourist has no health insurance. What is the cost of having a sprained ankle treated in Australia, UK, Thailand and the USA?

Most tourists have health and accident insurance included in the holiday price.

So the cost is nothing.

I don't think so. I have been in a lot of Thai hospitals and all the Farang I've seen have paid cash. But if you have a link that proves me wrong please don't hesitate to list it.

You might also want to check the number of threads in the health forum here that ask price for procedures.

And finally it is still a legitimate question regardless. You can get a sprained ankle treated in Thailand for $19.00 US dollars or in the USA for $1498.00 .

[krisb]

Lets say one does not have insurance in the UK or US or Thailand and is admitted to the hospital for a common ailment. 1. Sprained ankle. 2. Cut finger. 3. Broken little toe. Three common reasons why people get admitted to hospitals. 1. Sprained ankle you get an xray and a bandage. 2. Cut finger stitches and a bandage. 3 broken little toe; a bandage.

Remember apples to apples. No insurance in the UK or US or Thailand. What is the cost per care number? Everything is related to price. Great health care is wonderful but if one can't afford it what good is it?

If you went to hospital with a broken little toe, you need a nice warm mug of harden the fk up.

Like I said, I'm Aussie, and in Australia even having a doctor visit you is free. Sorry can't comment on UK or the US, but I think I'd rather a British trained doc then a Thai trained doc to re alligne my little pinky anyday.

Can you unAussyfy yourself for a second and think? A tourist takes a vacation to Australia, UK and the USA and needs to go to the hospital for care. The tourist has no health insurance. What is the cost of having a sprained ankle treated in Australia, UK, Thailand and the USA?

Sure, I like the term unAussify btw, but seriously your example is a prime example of that's what you get travelling without travel insurance.

Not a great comparrison, but I can do better...

My wife went through several scans, blood tests, visits to see doctors and midwifes up until she was 6 months pregnant. Total cost under 2 grand AU. Not bad imo. By the time the baby came along, it was all free , she had full Aussie citizen medical cover, then the Aussie govt gave her 5000 aussie dollars for having a baby here, called the baby bonus. I tell you that really made a Thai girl smile.

Anyway back to the topic, all in all, if I had the funds, we would likely move to Thailand. Little much at our age, something to look forward to in our future.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

I don't think so. I have been in a lot of Thai hospitals and all the Farang I've seen have paid cash. But if you have a link that proves me wrong please don't hesitate to list it.

You might also want to check the number of threads in the health forum here that ask price for procedures.

And finally it is still a legitimate question regardless. You can get a sprained ankle treated in Thailand for $19.00 US dollars or in the USA for $1498.00 .

1. They probably weren't tourists.

2. Again not tourists.

2. Who in their right mind goes to hospital for a sprained ankle.

[thailiketoo]

I don't think so. I have been in a lot of Thai hospitals and all the Farang I've seen have paid cash. But if you have a link that proves me wrong please don't hesitate to list it.

You might also want to check the number of threads in the health forum here that ask price for procedures.

And finally it is still a legitimate question regardless. You can get a sprained ankle treated in Thailand for $19.00 US dollars or in the USA for $1498.00 .

1. They probably weren't tourists.

2. Again not tourists.

2. Who in their right mind goes to hospital for a sprained ankle.

Of course they were tourists they wore 1. Bermuda shorts and black socks. 2. Spoke a funny tourist language. 3. Most sprains hurt as much as a broken ankle; its a good idea to have an xray to make sure as long as the cost is not $1498.

The cost/value relationship for health care in Thailand is 100% better than in the West.

The cost of drugs from a reputable pharmacy is so cheap I don't even turn in an insurance claim because it is too much work for such a small return.

I know because my insurance I pay first and then turn in a claim.

[krisb]

Can you unAussyfy yourself for a second and think? A tourist takes a vacation to Australia, UK and the USA and needs to go to the hospital for care. The tourist has no health insurance. What is the cost of having a sprained ankle treated in Australia, UK, Thailand and the USA?

Most tourists have health and accident insurance included in the holiday price.

So the cost is nothing.

I don't think so. I have been in a lot of Thai hospitals and all the Farang I've seen have paid cash. But if you have a link that proves me wrong please don't hesitate to list it.

You might also want to check the number of threads in the health forum here that ask price for procedures.

And finally it is still a legitimate question regardless. You can get a sprained ankle treated in Thailand for $19.00 US dollars or in the USA for $1498.00 .

That's a rip off to have your ankle bandaged.

Even with the xray.

[pigeonjake]

Corruption has been a rampant way of Asian thought way way before the last Prime Minister, lets not blame him for a whole countries mindset.

Second, schools in the UK, even though I'm Aussie, I can tell you now would run rings around any Thai schools. Tell me a school in thailand better than Eton for example?...you can't.

And if you think Doctors and hospitals in thailand are better than those in the UK, you're once again dreaming.

Your whole post sorry mate and i'm an Aussie, is full of shit.

Lets say one does not have insurance in the UK or US or Thailand and is admitted to the hospital for a common ailment. 1. Sprained ankle. 2. Cut finger. 3. Broken little toe. Three common reasons why people get admitted to hospitals. 1. Sprained ankle you get an xray and a bandage. 2. Cut finger stitches and a bandage. 3 broken little toe; a bandage.

Remember apples to apples. No insurance in the UK or US or Thailand. What is the cost per care number? Everything is related to price. Great health care is wonderful but if one can't afford it what good is it?

If you went to hospital with a broken little toe, you need a nice warm mug of harden the fk up.

Like I said, I'm Aussie, and in Australia even having a doctor visit you is free. Sorry can't comment on UK or the US, but I think I'd rather a British trained doc then a Thai trained doc to re alligne my little pinky anyday.

Read the uk newspapers, many, many, many bad cases of doctors/ surgeons not doing their job correctly.

thats if you can get to see your doctor,

you have to ring to book an oppointment 3 weeks before your ill

[thailiketoo]

Can you unAussyfy yourself for a second and think? A tourist takes a vacation to Australia, UK and the USA and needs to go to the hospital for care. The tourist has no health insurance. What is the cost of having a sprained ankle treated in Australia, UK, Thailand and the USA?

Most tourists have health and accident insurance included in the holiday price.

So the cost is nothing.

I don't think so. I have been in a lot of Thai hospitals and all the Farang I've seen have paid cash. But if you have a link that proves me wrong please don't hesitate to list it.

You might also want to check the number of threads in the health forum here that ask price for procedures.

And finally it is still a legitimate question regardless. You can get a sprained ankle treated in Thailand for $19.00 US dollars or in the USA for $1498.00 .

That's a rip off to have your ankle bandaged.

Even with the xray.

It sure is; treating a UTI costs $2,598, on average.

" That's where, over 30 pages later, Time magazine's longest-ever article ended. It asked, in the course of its investigation into the industry, "Why should a trip to the emergency room for chest pains that turn out to be indigestion bring a bill that can exceed the cost of a semester of college?"

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/02/how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-to-the-er/273599/

[thailiketoo]

Lets say one does not have insurance in the UK or US or Thailand and is admitted to the hospital for a common ailment. 1. Sprained ankle. 2. Cut finger. 3. Broken little toe. Three common reasons why people get admitted to hospitals. 1. Sprained ankle you get an xray and a bandage. 2. Cut finger stitches and a bandage. 3 broken little toe; a bandage.

Remember apples to apples. No insurance in the UK or US or Thailand. What is the cost per care number? Everything is related to price. Great health care is wonderful but if one can't afford it what good is it?

If you went to hospital with a broken little toe, you need a nice warm mug of harden the fk up.

Like I said, I'm Aussie, and in Australia even having a doctor visit you is free. Sorry can't comment on UK or the US, but I think I'd rather a British trained doc then a Thai trained doc to re alligne my little pinky anyday.

Read the uk newspapers, many, many, many bad cases of doctors/ surgeons not doing their job correctly.

thats if you can get to see your doctor,

you have to ring to book an oppointment 3 weeks before your ill

Waiting time in the doctors clinic Thailand at 8 PM any normal night about 10 minutes.

90% of the time Thai medical care is good, quick and cheap. Most doctor visits are not for brain surgery.

Edited August 21, 2014 by thailiketoo

[watso63]

It certainly does boil down to quality of life. If I was in the UK then I would have to work. Here in Thailand I don't. I can do what I want, when I want. Apart from jumping through the hoops once a year I live my life as I see fit in perpetual summertime. I don't care who is in power as long as things aren't completey ruined, I like the danger and chaotic way Thailand does things. I like Thai food, I like living in the countryside. I don't get farang price for everything where I am, my luxuries include good internet and the odd Makro, Big C shop and nights out in Surin or Buriram. Got my brother coming over for a month in 2 weeks time. All's good here.

[The Man Who Sold the World]

Its amazing, I started this debate wondering how it would pan out, and it started so well, respect to the guys who responded with their views, good and bad, right or wrong, we all have opinions and we don't always agree, but I'm seeing that as always the subject gets forgotten, and it turns into a dogfight between individuals that disagree with one another. Whether your views are the same as anyone else's or not, why does it get so personal? Guys its just a debate, not a slagging off contest. Some of you need to chill! There have though been some great posts, have given me a few laughs as well, and I think, an insight into the lives of those living in Thailand. For me, I will wait a few years, continue with good long holidays, and wait for my right time............

Back to topic: Is life better in the land of smiles

The answer to the question is “maybe”. It’s all up to the individual.

I’ve been fortunate in my life, I’ve lived in several continents and countries, and visited many more. I have found them all the same. All have pro’s, all have con’s. People are people regardless of where you are. We all think alike yet we all have different personalities which guide our actions and responses to situations. So, in a nut shell, the answer to the question is “It’s a matter of personal preference”.

Each individual will compare and measure the pro’s versus the con’s on a different scale and weigh the factors differently based on personal preference.

My personal view of Thailand is varied. I enjoy the tourist areas white sand beaches (weighed against the higher costs), I dislike the traffic and pollution of Bangkok (weighed against the convenience of accessibility to everything), I enjoy Thai foods sweet and spicy combinations (weighed against its dependence on rice and rice noodles).

So, my personal opinion; Life in the Land-of-Smiles is better than in some, if not most, other countries.

So, sesdaman, you can count me somewhere in the middle.