Campaign to help get seriously ill British man home from Thailand

[Kasset Tak]

First every sympathy to this guy and good luck to his family trying to raise funds to pay for his bills and repatriate him. It sounds as if he had no travel insurance for whatever reason.However, to correct some of the misinformed comments:i) Thailand is still under martial law, it is the curfew that were dropped.ii) UK travel insurance (and I believe other countries too)has a general clause covering claims arising from riots, civil disturbances and countries under martial law. Those clauses preclude ant claims DIRECTLY resulting from these, including martial law. Those clauses have been in for many years and applied for instance during the 2010 Bangkok riots. Any claims during that period not directly resulting from the riots were honoured. Similarly all non directly related claims under martial law would be honoured unless the government specifically advised against travel to a particular destination, which the UK and other governments have in relation to certain provinces in Thailand. Cl;early in this unfortunate guys case if he had travel insurance in place he would have been covered up to the limits specified in his policy. iii) Those suggesting travel insurance is a scam and advising against it are ignorant fools. Thank God we had travel insurance when two years ago my wife was diagnosed with Breast Cancer during our 5 month stay in Thailand, had to have X Rays, tests, a minor op and eventual repatriation to the UK. Except for the excess on the policy which was deducted we received every penny of the claim including upgrading to Business Class because of her distress and discomfort. We paid in Thailand and were reimbursed within a week of returning home.

Nice to read that some people actually get reimbursed from the insurance companies! But as I wrote I have my own bad experiences dealing with them, one time for international health insurance (refused to pay claiming preexisting condition even though I got hit by a motorcycle in a hit and run), one time for car insurance (my car got stolen and scraped. I had first class insuranc and they payed out 20% of what I bought the car for 6 months earlier) and my first ever insurance claim. Me and my family had to fight for 7 SEVEN years to get compensation after I got hit by a car as a child. So my thought about insurance companies is that they are not more than scams and something that is forced upon us! But I did get an insurance here in Thailand... They refused first as I don't have a Thai wife, no next of kind in Thailand. But then I did set one of my Thai friends as beneficiary and it was no problem to get the life/health insurance.

[henkie220358]

2 years ago 2 nights intensive care at pattaya international Hospital 4700 THB pro night incl medication

[jspill]

Thank God we had travel insurance when two years ago my wife was diagnosed with Breast Cancer during our 5 month stay in Thailand, had to have X Rays, tests, a minor op and eventual repatriation to the UK. Except for the excess on the policy which was deducted we received every penny of the claim including upgrading to Business Class because of her distress and discomfort. We paid in Thailand and were reimbursed within a week of returning home.

You could've returned to the UK and had free NHS treatment, and much better treatment at that.

Insurance premiums factoring in long term care that anyone from a country with free hospitals could return home for, while not covering the most common of dangers like riding a motorbike are another not to take out insurance.

[Mudcrab]

No insurance, ok error.....it's times like these I would like to see the British government step in and help one of our own for once!

Do you know how many people would travel without insurance if the British government stepped in ?

Or, if we follow the logic, how many would bother with a return air ticket? The Government would pay for this too after an overstay?

[thaibeachlovers]

Insurace is a must hard way to learn when you need it.

I stopped my insurance because I don't trust the insurance companies

I had a inssue with bupa thailand and j had to pay the bill myself then wait 90 days for them to pay me back

Though I did not know if they were going to pay me back at the time

So if I did not have me money to pay the Bill then j would Benin trouble

So I worked out that with no inssurence for 10 years prior and 3 years after its actually cheaper for me to have no inssurence and pay myself every 5 years rarther than 50-60 k per year.

For a bigger policy I just can't afford it for my whole family

About 160 k per year

It's allot

Do if I don't have any problems for 3 years then I can afford a bill of 200 k or more it actually cheaper

You are supposing that you will not have an accident/ get sick for 3 years- that's a big suppose. I had an accident out of the blue and it cost me over 70,000 baht. Could have been a lot worse too.

[deecee10]

No travel insurance?

Expensive lesson learnt for this bloke.

he's hardly in a position to pay regardless

[MAJIC]

Plain robbery at most of the commercial hospitals here, the farang rates are now way higher than in the UK!

40K £ in 5 days is plain scamming, just for perspective, this is 400,000 Baht per day!!!

The figure is not correct, It can't be. No operation, only diagnosis and care. For 5 days... Impossible !!!

That's over 2,000,000 Baht,last time I heard of a friend in intensive care fo 5 days,in a Thai International Hospital the bill was 100,000 Baht,but I don't know the finer details,except there was no operation or expensive medication!

Edited January 7, 2015 by MAJIC

[thaibeachlovers]

A friend of a friend had this in Thailand 2 years ago, even after her premium insurance paid up she was hit with a near 3million baht bill to cover the excess. This illness takes ages to get over, I remember the footballer Markus Babbel being wheelchair bound for nearly a year. Hope he gets the required cash to get him home.

Anyone know what happens if they can't get the money? The hospital can hardly dump him on the pavement, or would they? Then there is the bill. If they can't get paid, what do they do- put him in jail?

[thaibeachlovers]

I seem to remember some time ago reading an article on TV., that the Thai government were going to implement compulsory insurance for tourists arriving in Thailand, if they didn't take it out before they left their home country, they would have to pay for it at the Thai airport they arrived at. What happened to that idea? They could charge tourists for insurance say 100GBP., per person when they arrive and as long as they could keep the thieving hands of the government officials that collected the insurance premium from pocketing it, they could put the funds into the Thai government hospital system to bolster it and if some unfortunate tourist needed hopitilisation they could be sent to a government hospital. Just a thought that could give the Thai national health funds some support and also give basic treatment if needed.

Would you pay 100 quid if you were only staying 3 days?

However, a graduated payment depending on time spent in country might work, or they could have a flat fee of perhaps 500 baht for all tourists payable on entry. We used to pay that for airport tax, so not too much.

[wooloomooloo]

How on earth can this hospital justify a bill of almost a million Baht in less that a week. He is parlayed so it is not like they have performed cutting edge open hear surgery. Flying Dick Turpin not Flying doctor.

Easy. Because in this greedy 'money above all else' country they CAN! Who's going to stop them?

Hang on. In the interests of fairness, who's trying to make money here? The hospital or the family of the OP.

A hospital is a business and the customer is the patient that is admitted for treatment.

Comprehensive travel insurance would've negated the bulk of the financial liabilities associated with the OP's admission. It's not entirely clear whether the OP has travel insurance or not, anyway, so I'll not be contributing. I hope he is repatriated and enjoys a speedy recovery, nonetheless.

I don't buy this martial law invalidation rubbish. I clarified with my travel insurance provider last year as to the coverage of our travel insurance in Thailand whilst under martial law and my wife and I are covered, particularly as the FCO haven't warned 'Do not travel to Thailand'.

As always, check the small print.

[kiwikeith]

40k gbp in 5 days?

Where is he being attended to?

Exactly he could get a heart transplant for that amount.

I was seriously injured in Udon Thani spent ten days in hospital cost was 47,000 BHt , that was the main public hospital other treatment for scanning at a private hospital 50,000 Bht.

$4000 kiwi about 2000 British pounds so this guy must be in some swish palace.

The treatment I received was excellent and I had my own private room as well.

[kevin2852]

Landry's Paralysis is an autoimmune illness caused by the Travel diarrhea bug Camphyllobacter Jejeuni, which has been associated with poor food and Dengue fever in Thailand for years, but the statistics say that there are no guarantees of treatment. He could recover completely in a year or so, or he may die in 2 to 3 months and all of the intermediate possibilities are just as unpredictable and likely. It is hellishly expensive to diagnose and to treat, but he could be kept on a ventilator at home. I offer my sympathies and I hope that his family can raise the cash to get him home because there, the care will be more intense and this improves his chances of recovery. There is really nothing other than luck which has put him in this position and there but for the grace of God....

[GOLDBUGGY]

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40k gbp in 5 days?

Where is he being attended to?

Yes! i thought the same thing.

That is 8,000 GBP per day or about 392,000 Baht per day.

I stayed in a nice hospital here once for about 4 days. Under Specialist Care and IV all the time, plus medication ever 4 hours and a CAT Scan. But even with a very nice Private Room and a sack of pills given for me to take home for later my daily fee wasn't anything near that.

[anon022]

Neglect weighs tons.

[anon022]

I seem to remember some time ago reading an article on TV., that the Thai government were going to implement compulsory insurance for tourists arriving in Thailand, if they didn't take it out before they left their home country, they would have to pay for it at the Thai airport they arrived at. What happened to that idea? They could charge tourists for insurance say 100GBP., per person when they arrive and as long as they could keep the thieving hands of the government officials that collected the insurance premium from pocketing it, they could put the funds into the Thai government hospital system to bolster it and if some unfortunate tourist needed hopitilisation they could be sent to a government hospital. Just a thought that could give the Thai national health funds some support and also give basic treatment if needed.

It's like asking, "What happened to making every tourist wear an electronic tracking bracelet?"

[truckerjoe]

I had a friend who contracted TB in Pattaya and was nearly on deaths door before he went hospital and that was straight into a HD isolation ward for a 3 week stay and the bill was around 500,000 baht so this 2 million baht this poor man owes on a five day stay has to be wrong or someone has took advantage.

I had a burst appendix which I ignored thinking I had a severe stomach bug and I would be ok in a few days, friends insisted I go to hospital and as my insurance had lapsed I chose to go to a regular Thai government hospital I chose the Queen Sirikit hospital in Sriracha between Chon Buri and Pattaya, they sent me in an emergency ambulance to a private hospital for a scan and then quickly back and straight into surgery.

I was in a private room for 6 days on a drip due to blood poisoning, but I made a full recovery and the bill including scan, surgery and recovery was a very reasonable B27.000.

Would have been around B250.000 at Bangkok pattaya private hospital.

On the down side.

The food was inedible, but I had friends bring in what I needed, and the doctor who sewed up the 7" gash in my side arrived late, the pain killing injection I had been given earlier had worn off, that hurt!

[loonodingle]

^{probably 40,000 baht not 40,000 pounds that's impossible.}

[Bigfarang1948]

No travel insurance?

Expensive lesson learnt for this bloke.

The chance of this happening to me has made me reevaluate my retirement visa options. I cannot afford hospitalization insurance at more than TB 15,000 per month, my US Medicare Insurance here and my Veterans health insurance are not worth a penny here either. If I become disabled, there is no way my family can pay the medical bills and I will not put them in a position of maybe losing our house and farm land if I am seriously disabled like this poor man. I have decided, along with my wife, that ours will be a commuting marriage and I will come back to Thailand as often as I can, and if I cannot buy trip insurance, God knows what I will do. I sincerely hope enough money can be raised to help this man. Maybe there is a link for expats who want to contribute to his relocation fund.

[Noi657]

Out of interest, what do TV members think would happen to this guy if he had no family or friends?

Kicked out the back door?

[AYJAYDEE]

No travel insurance?

Expensive lesson learnt for this bloke.

The chance of this happening to me has made me reevaluate my retirement visa options. I cannot afford hospitalization insurance at more than TB 15,000 per month, my US Medicare Insurance here and my Veterans health insurance are not worth a penny here either. If I become disabled, there is no way my family can pay the medical bills and I will not put them in a position of maybe losing our house and farm land if I am seriously disabled like this poor man. I have decided, along with my wife, that ours will be a commuting marriage and I will come back to Thailand as often as I can, and if I cannot buy trip insurance, God knows what I will do. I sincerely hope enough money can be raised to help this man. Maybe there is a link for expats who want to contribute to his relocation fund.

does your medicare and veterans ins cover you for visits?

[malt25]

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No sympathy for no travel insurance, if u cant afford the cost then u cant afford the trip, I always take travel insurance, and take copies, one in my room, one in my bike..any body who doesent take out travel insurance needs their head read..... width=32 alt=coffee1.gif>

Correct me if I'm wrong... but, I thought this post was about Craig Lindley & his plight & what can be done to assist him..... NOT, what a smart little princess you might happen to be.

Just sayin..... Mal.

and it isn't about you either smartass.......malt25

Get out of bed on the wrong side, did we ? Don't worry, your day will improve. Not sure how I managed to hit a nerve with you.... but, don't really care.

Have a great & happy 2015.

Cheers..... Mal.

[Arandora]

Thank God we had travel insurance when two years ago my wife was diagnosed with Breast Cancer during our 5 month stay in Thailand, had to have X Rays, tests, a minor op and eventual repatriation to the UK. Except for the excess on the policy which was deducted we received every penny of the claim including upgrading to Business Class because of her distress and discomfort. We paid in Thailand and were reimbursed within a week of returning home.

You could've returned to the UK and had free NHS treatment, and much better treatment at that.

Insurance premiums factoring in long term care that anyone from a country with free hospitals could return home for, while not covering the most common of dangers like riding a motorbike are another not to take out insurance.

We did return home (that's why I said repatriated )with copies of X- Rays and tests for further far more extensive treatment on the NHS which revealed further cancers not found here in Thailand. That was the advice of the insurance company who liaised with our GP throughout my wife's initial ordeal. I'm sure this is what would have happened with this guy if he had actually taken out cover.

Edited January 8, 2015 by Arandora

[daveAustin]

No sympathy for no travel insurance, if u cant afford the cost then u cant afford the trip, I always take travel insurance, and take copies, one in my room, one in my bike..any body who doesent take out travel insurance needs their head read.....

Congratulations. Do you also wear a pointy, metallic hat during sunspot activity.

For all you know, there's every chance he has insurance.

[Trickcyclist]

Something should be done about the off the wall prices private hospitals are charging. They have you over a barrel if you are in an emergency situation, insurance, or, no insurance. Insurance is pushing-up the prices that hospitals are allowed to get away with as the insured don't care what the price is, once they are covered.

[Lone Ranger]

This makes me so angry ! It is absolutely scandalous that the UK Embassy in BKK has not taken care of this! What the hell do they do to justify their grand salaries apart from issues like this?!

I am going to contact th UK Ambassador right now & will report back if any response which I very much doubt ......I have also just made a donation in c ase they won't help this poor man.

I was however encouraged to read from one of our members that he can possibly get better in time. God & Buddha bless him.

[Lone Ranger]

DEAR UK AMBASSADOR...GROW SOME BALLS !

Further to my earlier comment I got passed from pillar to post as expected by UK Embassy staff ...in the end they came out with lame standard tripe response" cannot comment unless family"

Ihave left a message for the last lady I spoke to to register an official complaint t the UK Ambassador to get off his lazy fat arse & DO SOMETHING TO HELP THIS POOR GUY!" He/They are of course bricking themselves as if they set a precedent they will be inundated .....he'they are an utter disgrace & should not be worthy of carrying on in office.I would suggest to any Burnley friends/family that they contact their local MP & get it on front page of UK press/radio & TV ..name & shame them in BKK.

[AyG]

It is absolutely scandalous that the UK Embassy in BKK has not taken care of this!

You really misunderstand the purpose of the British Embassy. They are there to promote British interests in Thailand, meaning business and trade. They are not there to help citizens who get into serious trouble or to dole out British taxpayers' money to the feckless.

[malt25]

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No sympathy for no travel insurance, if u cant afford the cost then u cant afford the trip, I always take travel insurance, and take copies, one in my room, one in my bike..any body who doesent take out travel insurance needs their head read..... width=32 alt=coffee1.gif>

Correct me if I'm wrong... but, I thought this post was about Craig Lindley & his plight & what can be done to assist him..... NOT, what a smart little princess you might happen to be.

Just sayin..... Mal.

and it isn't about you either smartass.......malt25

Hey Jimbolai, me ol mate..... Just as a matter of interest, what pulled your chain about my comment ? It's so far attracted about 10 likes. Are you suggesting those 10 members are all smartasses as well ?

Just wonderin, but certainly won't lose any sleep over it.

H&K to you..... Cheers..... Mal.

[Dolf123]

.

Edited January 8, 2015 by Dolf123

[maidee]

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is just anothr name of POLIO

I wonder he or what VACCINE shots he got before comming here

what about travelling here without TRAVELLER INSURANCE ? it is only 20-50 euro more ...