Ex-Pats beware. It could happen to YOU!

[King Silk]

AC! You are all bravado now. But wait 'til the 'Grim Reaper' beckons.......Bet you'll change your
attitude then old bean.........

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by Acid_Crow

Old people make me depressed.. Live forever, or die young, imo..

Acid Crow,

A 98 year old man was interviewed and during the interview he was asked if he ever wanted to live to be 98. He replied, "yes, but not until I was 97!" One certainty in your life - you will get older, day by day by day. And you will one day no longer get older. Which would you prefer?

Serendipity2

[Gulfer]

When asking the Fate (Karma): 'why?' or 'why me?' or 'what for?', - the answer is always one, - Nobody asked you in here. Sic

[penguin]

Originally Posted by King Silk

Of course S2 you are right. BUT, I am talking about Thailand!
The fact that the same situation exists elsewhere is immaterial imo........

I can't complain about the way I've been treated in Thailand. I have lived and worked here for over 10 years and have always paid the mandatory social security (SS) payment ( currently 750 Baht/month and a few years back I got seriously Ill and when the company provided Blue Cross insurance ran out when I was being treated in a private hospital I was admitted to a very reasonable Government hospital (Queen Sirikit Hospital at Sattahip where I was registered through the SS) and treated as an in patient for over a month (own room with cable TV and OK food) then treated as an outpatient for another 2 months including physiotherapy and medication (which alone cost 10,000 Baht/month in a private hospital) all of which was provided free of charge. All I had to do was show my SS provided card and sign my name. I was very impressed and I probably saved more than my total SS payments over the last 10 years

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by penguin

I can't complain about the way I've been treated in Thailand. I have lived and worked here for over 10 years and have always paid the mandatory social security (SS) payment ( currently 750 Baht/month and a few years back I got seriously Ill and when the company provided Blue Cross insurance ran out when I was being treated in a private hospital I was admitted to a very reasonable Government hospital (Queen Sirikit Hospital at Sattahip where I was registered through the SS) and treated as an in patient for over a month (own room with cable TV and OK food) then treated as an outpatient for another 2 months including physiotherapy and medication (which alone cost 10,000 Baht/month in a private hospital) all of which was provided free of charge. All I had to do was show my SS provided card and sign my name. I was very impressed and I probably saved more than my total SS payments over the last 10 years

penguin,

I'm not sure but I think that most expat don't work in Thailand. Surely a significant number don't and have no insurance unless they buy it or bring it with them so they'll not be getting any help from the Thai government. There comes a certain age [my guess only] where you won't either. Perhaps it's 60 or maybe 65. I doubt it's 70 years of age. At that time your investment in their health care system will likely no longer offer you any assistance. Again, just my "educated" guess but I don't think the average Thai lives to be 70 and they are viewed as expendable. I would be interested to know if I'm correct from anyone who knows but think I am - which is why I posted this. And so that others can get engaged as to their options as well.

Serendipity2

[penguin]

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

penguin,

I'm not sure but I think that most expat don't work in Thailand. Surely a significant number don't and have no insurance unless they buy it or bring it with them so they'll not be getting any help from the Thai government. There comes a certain age [my guess only] where you won't either. Perhaps it's 60 or maybe 65. I doubt it's 70 years of age. At that time your investment in their health care system will likely no longer offer you any assistance. Again, just my "educated" guess but I don't think the average Thai lives to be 70 and they are viewed as expendable. I would be interested to know if I'm correct from anyone who knows but think I am - which is why I posted this. And so that others can get engaged as to their options as well.

Serendipity2

A lot of expats are working in Thailand though and in my experience a lot of them don't know that they can get free medical treatment if they are paying SS ( which they should be if working legally) I thought some people might be interested to know what they are entitled to. I don't consider paying SS as an investment it is the law and I am planning on being financially secure by the time that I retire and not counting on the Thai SS system.

[frogblogger]

Thanks for the info penguin, very useful. I'm sure a lot of expats are either unaware of the system, or scared of using the state facilities. I have to say that I have mixed feelings - a baby born in a Thai maternity hospital was an 'interesting' experience to say the least. Of course a one-off anecdote doesn't mean the whole system works that way. It was very different to what I'm used to in the West, but there were positive points as well.

[KhwaamLap]

Originally Posted by penguin

A lot of expats are working in Thailand though and in my experience a lot of them don't know that they can get free medical treatment if they are paying SS ( which they should be if working legally) I thought some people might be interested to know what they are entitled to. I don't consider paying SS as an investment it is the law and I am planning on being financially secure by the time that I retire and not counting on the Thai SS system.

Thanks Penuin, I for one had no idea this was available (even to Thai's - I thought the old failed 30Baht treatment - if you could get it - implied that there was no state funded medical). Personally I have medical insurance which covers me for up to 75 days in hospital (more than this then I would be heading home instead anyway) and I have a egistration card with Lanna Hospital.