Thailand to become ‘medical hub’, new 10 year visa launched

[cyberfarang]

29 minutes ago, JSixpack said:

 

And the 10 year visa is something totally different as well than merely an increase in fees for the current long-established retirement extension. And it is much more closely analgous to the Elite visa, both being different types of visa. So that's the fact you have to face, IF you really want to face a fact.

 

An increase in the fees would make sense owing to inflation. Replacing the current visa with the 10 year definitely would not, and so there's been not the slightest hint of it. And that's the logic you'll have to accept unless you just need to feel paranoid, which of course you might.

 

We typically do get a lot of scaremongering whenever the gov't does something w/ a visa, as you can read in the mother of all the Goose Killed threads, Ruling Out The Foreigner in 2003.. Here they're merely offering another choice for those who've got the dosh, as most here don't--hence plenty of sour grapes too.

I don`t agree that most here don`t have the money to enrol for this 10 year scheme. I think it`s the insurance that is the stumbling block.

 

If the government introduced some kind of realistically priced medical insurance scheme as part of this, then I would definitely go for it.

[helloagain]

12 hours ago, fforest1 said:

I repeat a comment I made in another thread today...   

 

This sounds like the same 10 year visa that we already have a few

epic threads about here....Most posters have pretty much fire bombed this visa with napalm from squadrons of 52s.... 

 

Did anyone get the hint?.....I guess not....

3m baht and still do 90 day. Why would anybody do this visa. 

[bedouin1990]

As it says in the Bible, The quality of bullshit is not strained.

[David Walden]

Good reading for anyone contemplating long stay retirement in Thailand

http://www.richardbarrow.com/2016/12/long-stay-thai-visa-for-senior-tourists-to-be-extended-to-10-years/

[digger70]

Nah 10 year Visa is a Rip off.The money side is to High Who's got 3 Mill Death money.On top of that one should be able to get a Health insurance in Thailand for a Fair price.

[David Walden]

David Walden says:

July 14, 2017 at 7:26 am

It is still not clear, some recent information requires that the application for this 10 years visa begins in your home country. Does this imply or require that the Bt3 million or = to Aus $115,000 funds required be in a bank deposit in Australia.

Presently if you apply for a retirement visa (1 year) in Australia the Bt 800,000 (approx Aus $33,000) must be in a bank deposit a/c in Australia or a bank managed retirement fund a/c in Australia or a Aus Govt. approved secure supper fund. This information was provided from Thai Embassy in Canberra in Australia to me by phone. The lady added we really just need proof that you can look after yourself in Thailand…and “we would love to have you” said in a very friendly way.

So “will the devil be in the detail again” is there a way to keep your money in your bank or retirement fund in your home country and still get the 5 +5 = 10 year retirement visa…I wonder, anything can happen in Thailand???

[David Walden]

1 hour ago, bedouin1990 said:

As it says in the Bible, The quality of bullshit is not strained.

Where does it say that the word "bullshit" in the bible,  it was not even invented in Jc's days  "you are terrible Bedouin 1990".  You need to wash your mouth out with soap.

Edited July 14, 2017 by David Walden

[garbolino]

14 hours ago, yankee99 said:

"million baht or earnings of 100,000 baht per month"

 

100k sounds a lot better than 3 million

who is going to have a monthly income of around 2,500 per month???

[hansnl]

14 hours ago, saakura said:

Yes sure. If they are able to do this, then it will be a paradise for a lot of well to do retirees.

In fact, the plan is there, the state hospitals know about it, the premiums are not too high, in short, all is ready but the government needs to give the nod.

It even might be profitable.

[DUNROAMIN]

This is just a money grabbing exercise from the government, trying to lure wealthy people to Thailand, really, a 10 year visa you pay dearly for, but still have to report every 90 days. Gee, where do I sign up, NOT.

[JSixpack]

8 hours ago, cyberfarang said:

I don`t agree that most here don`t have the money to enrol for this 10 year scheme. I think it`s the insurance that is the stumbling block.

 

If the government introduced some kind of realistically priced medical insurance scheme as part of this, then I would definitely go for it.

 

"realistically priced medical insurance" is a significant part of the dosh issue--just as you indicate.

[micmichd]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

Cabinet opens gates for medical tourism

By The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- Visitors to Thailand from China and the CLMV nations (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) seeking medical treatment are now allowed to stay for up to 90 days visa-free, Deputy Prime Ministers Tanasak Patimapragon and Admiral Narong Pipatanasai announced on Wednesday.

 

And visitors age 50 and up from 14 other countries can apply for long-stay visas valid for up to 10 years. 

 

Both measures are designed to fuel Thailand’s ambition to become a “medical and wellness” tourist destination and world-class medical hub. 

 

As part of the Strategic Plan to Become a Medical Hub (2017-2026), the Cabinet has approved in principle the extended permission-to-stay for citizens of 19 countries identified as potential sources of medical tourists.

 

The Interior Ministry announced that visa-exempt entry for hospital care for patients from the CLMV countries and China who meet certain criteria is extended to 90 days effective immediately. 

 

The same privilege – “meant to increase convenience of access to clinical care” – is also offered to as many as four people accompanying them. 

 

Foreigners age 50 years or older from Britain, the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, France, Australia, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Finland, Denmark and Canada can apply for long-stay visas of up to 10 years. 

 

Permission will initially be extended for five years, and an additional five years can be added for people who meet stated criteria and conditions. 

 

The same privilege is offered to their spouse and children under 20. 

 

The ministry said the measure would “hopefully lead to the increase of country income”.

 

The Public Health and Tourism and Sport ministries have been directed to work with relevant agencies in the public and private sectors to implement plans for developing the country’s medical-tourism capabilities.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30320643

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-07-13

As a German, I have to say that this won't work.

The 100 kb limit for permanent income is beyond the maximum pension for the vast majority. So, the new visa would apply to people who actually have a well-paid steady job after reaching the age of 50. Their employees would hardly allow them to settle in Thailand. 

There might be some millionaires (Euro millionaires) who can afford a second residence in Thailand just for the sake of medical care. But, counting out heads, those won't be too many. 

 

Thailand should look to get a contract with German social security so German *social* health insurance would pay the costs. This would result in lower costs to Germany and more patients (and more jobs) in Thailand. 

BTW. Thai medicine is more than just "wellness", it's "real" medicine by international standards and should be acknowledged as such. 

Edited July 14, 2017 by micmichd
Adding argument

[eddysmit]

19 hours ago, Goldieinkathu said:

Good idea, gives them longer to recover from bus accident, jet ski accident, parasailing accident,motorbike accident, or diving accident without worrying about their visa . Medical hub indeed

Good one, the problem with insurances of all kinds motor/medical, is there tends to be a "reshuffling' of costs all the time like if for medical reasons you have treatment when paying 'cash' the bill would be about half to third the cost of the insurance paid one, in many cases, not all, you have to pay first then claim it back.

[connda]

Virtually all expats who deal with Thai immigration know exactly what kind of pathetic joke this is.  The only folks how seem to take it seriously are the idiots who are promoting it.  
Not well thought out; definitely do not have a finger on the pulse of the expat community.  But go figure.  When you think the Earth, Moon, and stars revolve around your country, this is the utter silliness that you get.  

[David Walden]

Trying to get any country with socialised medicine (not US they only have commercialised medicine) to use their money to pay for treatment in a 3rd country is a pipe dream.  In Australia we have quite good nearly free socialised medicine (Govt Medicare).  You can have additional private top up cover from a private insurance health provider, you pay extra for this.  It only works in Australia, the moment you leave Australia your Govt Medicare stops until you return.  If you have private top up cover that is also suspended until you return,  You can suspend your private top up cover premium if leaving Aus for 2 months or more.

 

Under no circumstances will the Govt Medicare or a private health insurer pay for any treatment whilst you are out of Australia, not a penny.  Except,  some countries have a reciprocal agreement with Australia about 22 now, unfortunately Thailand is not one of these.  So you have to have travel insurance which has lots of conditions, like any pre-existing treatments are not covered.  If you have this cover the insurance companies only obligation is to patch you up enough to get you back to Australia where your free Govt Medicare cover will be available...not much good for Aussies living long term in Thailand.  There is nothing available for me in Thailand not for love nor money, I'm 75 y/o.

[mikiea]

22 hours ago, fforest1 said:

I repeat a comment I made in another thread today...   

 

This sounds like the same 10 year visa that we already have a few

epic threads about here....Most posters have pretty much fire bombed this visa with napalm from squadrons of 52s.... 

 

Did anyone get the hint?.....I guess not....

nothing new here except the dimness of the   posting writer .....

[mikiea]

22 hours ago, Chang_paarp said:

Aaahhhh the Medical Hub idea.

 

The honourable Minister must have been clearing his desk and com across some old press releases. This concept has been released by at least one minister in each of the Phua Thai government, the Democrat government, the last Junta and the Thai Ruk Thai government.

hmmmm.... almost like the tour de bangkok 

[WhizBang]

On 7/13/2017 at 3:37 AM, saakura said:

Wow, a lot of bitter posters here today. Thailand has excellent medical facilities as compared to CLMV and certainly the affluent from these countries will welcome this. Similarly, there may be a lot of affluent retired people in the other 15 countries with monthly expenses over 100k and good health cover who will be encouraged by the 10 years visa. The foolish thing is the insistence on the 90 days reporting.

 

The BIG problem with this idea is that if the doctor screws up, neither the doctor or the hospital will take responsibility  You can also forget suing for malpractice.  Fix those 2 problems and they may have something.

 

As for the 90 day reporting, yes it needs to stop.  It is mind-bogglingly stupid.  If they need to know where I live, how about changing the requirement to reporting any change of permanent address within x days of moving.  As it is, I own my condo and actually live in it.  I have do so now for over 15 years.  The whole 90 day reporting is just a waste of my time.

[nong38]

Dont they mean Military Hub?

[Tofer]

Many moons ago I was in the Mission Hospital in Phuket getting a regular blood test check up. On presentation to the doctor I was given a quizzical look as he eyed me up and down and kept peering at the file in front of him, obviously struggling to fathom something, until the nurse lent over his shoulder moved the file aside and said 'this one doctor', the other one died yesterday!! I kid you not....

[chippendale]

Hub of irrelevance

[Felt 35]

On ‎13‎/‎07‎/‎2017 at 6:37 PM, saakura said:

Wow, a lot of bitter posters here today. Thailand has excellent medical facilities as compared to CLMV and certainly the affluent from these countries will welcome this. Similarly, there may be a lot of affluent retired people in the other 15 countries with monthly expenses over 100k and good health cover who will be encouraged by the 10 years visa. The foolish thing is the insistence on the 90 days reporting.

Of course if the comparison of excellent medical treatment option is done with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam I understand they see them self as medical hub. I have personally got good Physical therapy in Malaysia... done by Dutch and German physiotherapist. That's more than ten years ago. First now the equipment is available in some hospitals here and the expertise to the physiotherapists is still far behind their Western colleague's .

Edited July 14, 2017 by Felt 35

[saakura]

3 minutes ago, Felt 35 said:

Of course if the comparison of excellent medical treatment option is done with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam I understand they see them self as medical hub. I have personally got good Physical therapy in Malaysia... done by Dutch and German physiotherapist. That's ten years ago + First now the equipment is available in some hospitals here and the expertise to the physiotherapists is still far behind.

Oh i see... the physical therapy in Malaysia was good because it was done by Dutch & German physios. Thank God for such small mercies. You wouldnt be alive to post here if it had been done by an Asian or worse, an African!

[Felt 35]

21 hours ago, saakura said:

Oh i see... the physical therapy in Malaysia was good because it was done by Dutch & German physios. Thank God for such small mercies. You wouldnt be alive to post here if it had been done by an Asian or worse, an African!

Where did I say it was good because it was done by Western physiotherapists.......?

[natway09]

They talked about a  scheme for retirement visas for for all hospitals for inpatient care of approx 3,000 bht a month.

I believe this is a good idea but many would bleat about this as well.

The scheme was based on the Swedish scheme where all foreigners on a Visa longer than 30 days had to partake

as a condition of their Visa 

 

[mrfaroukh]

On 7/13/2017 at 2:20 PM, fforest1 said:

I repeat a comment I made in another thread today...   

 

This sounds like the same 10 year visa that we already have a few

epic threads about here....Most posters have pretty much fire bombed this visa with napalm from squadrons of 52s.... 

 

Did anyone get the hint?.....I guess not....

I think earlier they use to say 3 million bath in bank and having an income of more than 100 000 a month. But they are saying 3 million or 100 000 income.

[David Walden]

On a recent trip to Chaing mia before departing Australia I arranged an appointment with an ENT specialist to have and endoscopic examination of my nasal passages, maybe I have some polyps which my GP had prescribed a nasal spray during the previous 8 years.  I had to have a referral from from a GP ($75 Aus) and then a 4 month wait to see the specialist.  Payment  of $425 Aus was required before seeing the ENT for the expected 15 min appointment.  As I was going to Chaing mia the next month and appointment was not urgent I cancelled.  Maybe when I come back I'll try again.

 

After a month into my trip to Chaing mia I accompanied a friend to a large Thai govt. hospital north of the Old City on the super hwy.  While waiting for his appointment my friend suggested I go up to the counter with his Thai wife and arrange and appointment to see an ENT, she did all the talking but the receptionist could speak quite good English.  "I said how long before appointment"  hoping it would be within 4 weeks as I had to return to Aus. She apologized and said "maybe 1 hour" I nearly laughed. "gosh 1 hour how terrible" in Australia 4 months.

 

OK after 1 hour I was called in. The ENT specialist he "said you wait a minute while I finish report for last patient" yes yes OK.   I looked at his qualifications on the wall. He was trained in the USA at a large LA hospital  as ENT , he spoke perfect English.  About 35 y/o and very pleasant.

 

The doctor asked me as he was probing with the endoscope why you not have your GP in Australia to look in my nose.  I say "he not allowed only specialist like you allowed to do that in Australia" The doctor then said " any GP can do this do this, very easy, only takes 2 mins", he added  "look look on the monitor very easy".  The doctor then said  "why you using this nasal spray, It's for polyps and you haven't got any.  Who told you to use that."  I said "my GP in Aus" the Thai doctor then asked me "what sort stupid doctors do you have in Australia why didn't he look"  I said "my GP thinks I could have polyps so after 8 years he say I should see a ENT back in Australia".  The doctor was not very polite about USA or Australian doctors he had a bit to say.  Unprintable here.

 

The Thai Doctor then asked me "how much do you have to pay to see a specialist to do this examination in Australia".  When I told him Aus $425 he nearly fell off the chair laughing.  He then in a joking way said "you pay all that money you not only have stupid doctors but stupid patients as well"  55555.

 

So after about 15 min of discussion of what I should do about my non existent polyps I left went to the receptionist counter for the bill...wait for,,,,wait for it...it was Aus $14...I rest my case

 

[David Walden]

1 hour ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

I would get a second opinion from an Australian doctor.

 

One thing I have learned from 30+ years experience living in Thailand is always get a second opinion on any diagnosis, medical or dental.

 

My Chinese dim sum seller down the road from me in Bangkok has certificates on the wall as well. 

I think your doctor told you not to smoke, don't you take any notice of him/her???

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 hour ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

If a Thai doctor told me the sky was blue I would still look outside to check.

 

If the typical Thai doctor told me the sky was blue, I'd run to get my umbrella...

[ramrod711]

On ‎7‎/‎13‎/‎2017 at 6:45 PM, hansnl said:

The problem is for many, the health insurance.

The government should tackle that problem first by speedily implementing the planned state health insurance for foreigners.

I keep hoping that a company will recognize that there is a void, a need for insurance, and will offer coverage that meets the criteria for the 10 year visa. As it is, my pre-existing condition prohibits me from obtaining anything except accident insurance.