It's funny how we peck at each other instead of focusing on the areas we agree.

I also recommend prioritising living with family over health insurance worries.

Our differences lie in the cost that is to be expected. Geratric care, if taken seriously is very expensive, in any country. Imagine

@Ra**

has to sell her car to pay for some cardiac procedure or a hip replacement. I think it's stupid to do that, because she has her life ahead of her and if selling the car means she has to ride a motorcycle which is way more deadly, nobody wins.

You may be correct that government hospitals may not even suggest certain procedures for a 79 year old patient. But that doesn't mean they could not be performed in a state of the art private hospital with a reasonable chance of prolonging life a few months or even years.

That's why I recommend having a sincere conversation with your mom before she comes here without insurance, not to feel guilty about a potential lack of funds for some possibly life-prolonging treatment later on.

@Joseph ******

sorry, what do you know? I checked prices in Bangkok private hospitals last November and some stuff was twice as expensive as in my home country, highly detailed lab work for example. Thai prices in restaurants have gone up as well, or are they still what they were 10 years ago?

You cannot use 2006's prices with today's exchange rate and assume that's what it's going to cost now.

It'll probably go for at around 10k USD, assuming no complications - which could easily happen if your patient is 79. For some people 10k is already "a lot of money". So maybe she could only afford injections against the pain or some other less expensive treatment and be okay with that.

I did not make a specific statement about thai healthcare or thai public hospitals. It's just common sense that certain health procedures don't come for cheap in Thailand. If you don't have insurance or are prepared to pay out of pocket, you should be aware that you won't get the best possible healthcare.

Those health insurances available for visitors to Thailand are businesses, not charities.

A few people have already pointed it out: it will be near-impossible to start a policy at 79, and if you find one, it will be horrendously expensive.

So your best bet is to have a talk with your mom about her current state of health and how she feels about something happening and having to pay a lot of money herself or getting not the best possible healthcare.

Many reasonable people would prefer to live 4 more years with family and die happy than to suffer 8 years in loneliness with some amazing free healthcare system in their home country.

Anonymous participant if you disclose the country and the special situation, people may give you more specific advice.

If it's the US and some government income, it may be exempt in Thailand because of a double taxation agreement.

If it's a business/investment income and you don't want to keep living in this country any more, there might be constructions possble to lower/mitigate your tax load in Thailand. This is typically beyond the scope of a FB group consultation, so you'd have to find someone versed in international tax law. nomadcapitalist offers such consulting.

@Kevin **********

it's a tentendcy in Facebook groups. Compared to many countries, Thailand does have a quite reasonable tax regime for expats (as of now).

The only one with comparable climate, DTAs and better taxes is Indonesia (Bali) if you go for their Second Home Visa, but that ties up 130k USD in some Indonesian bank account or forces you to buy overpriced real estate...

Costa Rica and Nicaragua are lacking DTAs and are generally less safe, less organized and imported stuff is crazy expensive.

You are not well informed. If you pay already tax in your home country it will be offset. If there's a double taxation agreement with your home country, you may not owe taxes at all. Or just stay 179 days per year and don't worry.

@Fred *************

That question wasn't a joke. It's cultural sensitivity. If you want things to go smoothly in thai banks or the immigration office, dress like a business person. Especially, if your case is in a gray area.

@Tim *******

current official process seems to be that they mail it to your home address. Apparently, this can be circumvented with an agent.

I believe you are overthinking it. True, with the work gone, you might have issues extending. An agent might help you find the most benevolent immigration office and/or have already some experience with a case like yours.

If you want to be cheap, just go to the nearest immigration office and ask for yourself. Remember: you did nothing wrong and just want to keep enjoying Thailand. They should be supportive if you have funds.