What’s the Scoop on Health Insurance in Thailand? The US Embassy Bangkok has issued an advisory: Thailand remains one of the most popular retirement destinations in the world. Great culture; great food; great people. And as US citizens age, Thailand also offers access to excellent health care, provided at world-class private hospitals by internationally trained doctors. But you need to be able to afford it. Sadly, we at the Embassy in Bangkok have seen many instances where US… [Read More]
Owning, Insuring Cars in Thailand
What Are the Advantages of Owning, Insuring Cars in Thailand? If the cost of owning , insuring cars in Thailand seems steep, then consider a scooter. The cost of a good scooter ($1500) and operating it in Thailand is laughable: the 5,000K service at the dealer costs $7! My scooter days were generally great fun, but much less fun at night, in the rain, or on a freeway: those were white-knuckle times I won’t miss. Then, last year,… [Read More]
Snakes in Thailand
Snakes in Thailand: Dangerous and Timid Vern Lovic, Thailand’s snake expert, wrote me this explanation of his new book, Keep Snakes Out!: Probably no other animal that is frequently found in a home scares people as much as snakes! Here in Thailand, we have a serious snake problem. Recently my friend confronted a king cobra climbing his front door. It’s really no joke here… For ten years I have been answering questions by email, phone, and social media about… [Read More]
Soi Dogs in Thailand
I know about twenty Soi dogs in Thailand (so named because they hang out in alleys, or sois). They’re not well cared for and, if this story moves you, sign the petition to improve their lives. If you’re in Chiang Mai you can volunteer or adopt a dog from Care for Dogs. They do heroic work caring for lost dogs who need homes. I walk two miles around my neighborhood at dawn each morning. The streets… [Read More]
Yoga in Chiang Mai
Yoga in Chiang Mai has a long history. When I moved to Chiang Mai I was delighted to find a hotbed of yoga teachers and students from around the world. I’d taken classes with maybe 100 yoga teachers over 45 years and had come to appreciate the difference a good teacher makes to each class, and Chiang Mai is home to some of the most gifted teachers in the world. And the beauty and tranquility… [Read More]
Buying Cheap Meds In Thailand 16 Tips
Want 16 Tips for Buying Cheap Meds In Thailand? I’m buying cheap meds in Thailand but my needs are pretty lightweight, so I turned to a friend, Greg Miller, who was injured when deep sea diving for the US Navy, and I asked him about his wonderful collection of meds and if they are really as cheap as people claim. In response, he wrote me this: When I moved to Thailand from the US I found that… [Read More]
Medical Care in Thailand
Medical Care in Thailand: A Personal Diary Medical care in Thailand is living up to its reputation. A client recently had a medical emergency and I checked her into Chiang Mai Ram Hospital, which I use and recommend. Tests showed that she was in critical condition so she was hustled off to the Intensive Care Unit, where she spent four days and nights. I’ll have a full report on the quality of care next month… [Read More]
Alzheimers Care in Thailand
What’s the Truth about Alzheimer’s Care in Thailand? I recently asked Nancy Lindley, who has guided several families through the process of obtaining intensive care for their Alzheimer’s relatives here. This was her response: I have walked several expats here through the process of terminal care for an elder in Thailand. Be warned that this is not easy. Custodial care at home is OK (I’ve known several resident expats who have done exactly what you’re… [Read More]
Meditation In Thailand
Meditation In Thailand Today Meditation in Thailand is an important part of life. Businessmen take regular meditation breaks at one of thousands of war or temples in Thailand. This is Keith Allen’s story of his meditation boot camp at one of northern Thailand’s most prominent temples: A ten-day Vipassana retreat in Pitsanulok I just returned from a ten-day silent retreat held about 40 to 50 km outside of the city of Pitsanulok. It’s located in a… [Read More]
Alzheimers Assisted Living in Thailand
Alzheimers Assisted Living in Thailand Alzheimers assisted living in Thailand is comparable to what can provide at home and more affordable than a $12,000/month Swiss special care facility, according to one of our clients. A Swiss gentleman, responsible for his afflicted father, approached us requesting a custom workshop designed to find an Alzheimer’s special care facility in Thailand. Caring for family members with Alzheimer’s is as big a problem for Europeans as it is for Americans: our Swiss… [Read More]
Bringing Controlled Pharmaceutical Drugs into Thailand
If you’re bringing Controlled Pharmaceutical Drugs into Thailand, or or need to fill a prescription for some, then read this post and follow the instructions below very, very carefully. If you do not, you will go to jail and stay there for a considerable time. “The traveler is allowed to carry for his personal treatment medications which contain substance classified in Category II, III, IV, provided, however, that the quantity of which shall not exceed 30 days… [Read More]
Volunteer in Chiang Mai
If you have the urge to volunteer in Chiang Mai, here’s a complete guide to Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand and Burmese opportunities. But before you do, a few words of advice: To enter Thailand with the purpose of doing volunteer work you must have a Non-Immigrant O Visa. Here’s what you’ll need to apply at your local Thai consulate or embassy: Your original passport with at least one empty page (I recommend having at least… [Read More]
Cataract Surgery in Thailand
I’d had years of great service from my ophthalmologist in California so, when I was considering cataract surgery in Thailand I went to see him when I was back in the Bay Area last Fall. But he quoted me $7,000 for both eyes. I thought this a bit rich for 20 minute outpatient procedures. So last week I had my second cataract surgery here in Chiang Mai, at Rajadev Hospital, where I’d had the first eye done…. [Read More]
Bike Lanes in Chiang Mai
Bike Lanes in Chiang Mai Both locals and visitors have shown increasing willingness to tour Chiang Mai’s level, well paved streets under their own power. Now Chiang Mai province has announced that it will spend 40 million baht ($1+ million) for four bike lanes across the city to cater for our cycling boom. Chiang Mai cycling enthusiasts (the Lycra crowd) and tourists will soon be able to enjoy their first bike lane, a 5km route… [Read More]
Moving to Thailand from Australia
Tips for Australians Moving to Thailand David writes: “If you have bank a/c or Govt. approved retirement fund in Australia with a surrender value of at least Bt 800,000 in $A you can get a retirement visa at the Thai Embassy in Canberra. I have had a Thai Retirement Visa issued in Aus and have never had a bank account in Thailand and it’s good for 2 years…the 1st year you get a multi-entry retirement visa… [Read More]