@James ********

But to ease the OP’s concerns, like you, I don’t believe the bank would close his account at that point.

@James ********

I haven’t heard of it happening either. But I’ve been either visiting or living in Thailand since 1978, & one thing I’ve learned is that nothing should surprise you regarding anything related to Thailand. Hence the saying, TiT.

As to whether or not Bangkok Bank would close the OP’s account if he refused to renew his insurance, consider (1) the refusal itself would likely be taken as a loss of face, & (2) most Thai with any authority often flex the boundaries of that authority with impunity. In one example, an immigration officer once changed my extension from “married” to “retirement” because he didn’t want to deal with organizing the documents & sending them to Bangkok for approval. At the time, I was considering eventually going for permanent residence as a prelude to applying for Thai citizenship, neither of which I could accomplish on a “retirement” extension. When I tried to make a case, he raised his voice & said, “is there a problem?” Having just learned of a fellow farang being denied his annual extension after seven years of living in Thailand, I curtly responded, “no sir” & left before he could change his mind about my renewed-but-changed visa extension.

@Floyd *****

In my opinion, the non-O is far superior to the non-OA, not just in terms of eligibility requirements, such as having to prove Thailand health insurance & obtaining a police report, but also because the former does not require you to leave Thailand at certain points like I believe the non-OA does (180 days?).

Regarding Tricare, if you’re retired military & under 65, Tricare for you is basically Champus: they’ll refund you up to 75% of your documented medical expenses. If you’re 65 or older, the same applies except they call it Tricare for Life (note, you have to have opted for Medicare Part B. In either case, you generally pay up front to avoid complications, regardless of whether a particular hospital, such as Bumrungrad, tries to work with you on this. In many cases, Tricare will need more information, such as a medication breakdown that includes dosage, dates, etc. The snail-mail back & forthness & repeated trips to the hospital can be burdensome, & often result in hospital admissions folks feeling a sense of urgency in trying to collect what’s owed them. In at least one case, Udon Thani’s Panyavejinter Hospital changed its policy & would no longer even make the effort.

@James ********

You sound so confident, James.

@James ********

But … TiT, so could the bank simply close your account if you refuse to renew the life insurance?

@Ric *****

You “checked prices,” sure. I’m sure you’re correct if you’re talking about countries with universal health care. For Americans, however, there’s no comparison: Thai healthcare rules. Labs in Thailand are fairly inexpensive unless your bloodwork is ordered through a hospital. Btw, my wife & I can still buy dinner for about 100 baht at local markets.

@Ric *****

Look, Ric, you’re trying to sound like you know a lot when you don’t really know much. Thai prices don’t vary that much from semi-decade to semi-decade, & mostly depend on on the fx rate. It was close to 40 baht per U.S. dollar when I had my surgery.

“I did not make a specific statement about Thai healthcare.” Umm, yes you did. You wrote, “…about how she feels about something happening and having to pay a lot of money herself or not getting the best possible healthcare.” There is a definite negative insinuation there, whether you meant it or not.

Bottom line, Ric, is that coming to Thailand when you’re old & possibly ill may be the best decision she’ll make for the rest of her life, especially considering she has a son ready & willing to take care of her.

@Phil *****

Sorry for your predicament, Phil. Are you in much pain? I’ve been told the cancer centers don’t use the really strong pain meds used in the U.S.

Is King Chulalongkorn Memorial larger than Bumrungrad?

Re agents, we both know insurance payouts are a gamble in Thailand, especially in the OP’s mother’s case since she is 79. Whatever she can find, my bet would be it’s so expensive she’d be better off saving her money & seek care at her local amphoe hospital. In 2006 I underwent major back surgery at Udon Thani General Hospital for a total of about 130k baht. Great care & extremely affordable price.

@Ric *****

Who says the care’s not the best? I had a total laminectomy (major back surgery) with eight pedicular titanium screws in 2006 at Udon General Hospital for about 130k baht, which by today’s FX is less than $4k. Costly? Nine months after the surgery, my wife & I walked from Udon Thani to Nong Khai, about a 33-mile trek. I even returned to jogging in my late 60s. Now, if you’re rich, Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok is one of the best in the world, though by “rich” I’m speaking relative to Thai expectations (i.e., still significantly cheaper than the U.S.).

@Phil *****

Why does she need an agent?