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Old 17th June 2009, 04:59 AM
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Originally from usa. Expat in thailand.
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Originally Posted by King Silk View Post
Unless you are rich. Don’t get old and infirm in LOS.

In European Countries a lot of sneering goes on about ‘The Nanny State’. But when you move to a Land where the Govt or Medical Profession couldn’t give a fig if you live, or die, in agony, and utter squalor, it soon makes you appreciate Free Health Care, and all those Benefits you so used to take for granted, back in the Old Country……..

Here in Thailand there are all too many ExPats on their last legs, with no-one nice to look after them. Sure, there are lots of Ladies who will nurse them, for a price! That’s not unreasonable. It’s the same in many other places. But, sadly many are dishonest. Not satisfied with the agreed salary, they will steal every penny they can from a confused one, suffering from Alzheimer’s, or whatever.

An old bedridden guy I went to see yesterday, had to give his ATM pin number to his young female minder. Well, he can’t get out of bed you see? And……you’ve got it Brother. Yeeees.
She emptied his account in no time. To the tune of well over 9000 Pounds, I am told!
Now, I am not saying they are all like that. Yes, you know different. Fine. But a great many are heartless money grabbing *****es. That’s indisputable…

So now, what can he do? She has disappeared with his money, probably back to her village somewhere in Isaan, and the poor old Sod has no cash with which to pay his medical bills etc. Nice.

Unfortunately, there is nothing new about this situation. It goes on all the time…….oh, yes it does!

A Farang who cannot fend for himself, is like a wounded Elephant, and the Vultures soon get the scent. Little wonder that so many Ex-Pats in dire circumstances commit suicide! In Pattaya about one a day, dives off the top floor of his Condo…….A quick end, at least, to what was supposed to be a happy Retirement in The Land Of Smiles………

Silk,

What you write I'm sure is correct but let me mention the other side of that coin. At least here in the good old [formerly] land of the free and home of the brave. IF you have money and are in ill health, unless you have family or TRUSTED friends you're going to get skinned. Even better, if you have no family or friends but DO have money the vultures will pounce, some nice slick-dick lawyer will get you ruled "incompetent" by the courts [judges were ALL formerly attorneys] and soon you will be a captive of your money with no one to look after you. Until your money is ALL gone. Then they can "pull the plug".

In Old Blighty you're going to be hard pressed, again without family or friends, to get good care after probably 65 years of age. Same here in the US. Let's face it, it is good fortune to have family and/or friends. It is BAD fortune not to.

One of my favorite bumper stickers, "Be Nice to your kids - they will choose your retirement/nursing home".

Serendipity2
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