Attended Surananee University Technological Hospital Korat - What a surprise !!!

[Pumpuynarak]

Well i had an appointment to attend SUT hospital on Friday at 8am - 11am to see a specialist urologist who i had seen before for an ongoing prostate problem i have. He arranged an ultrasound on my bladder which was carried out an hour later and it was back to see him with the results.

Now the interesting bit was when wifey went to pay the bill at the cashiers, she was told "nothing to pay", when she told me i said go back and check but sure enough "nothing to pay"

How bizarre, but i'm not complaining, on the contrary its great to receive FREE health care after living here/married to a Thai national for getting on 16 years lol

Now every other time i've been to this hospital i've always had a bill to pay but they are well known as a very professional setup who don't rip off patients whether Thai or Farang.

Amazing Thailand indeed......anyone else had free hospital treatment as a farang, its certainly a first for me ?     

Edited April 24, 2022 by Pumpuynarak

[forcebwithu]

Good deal for you! Would be interesting to hear from others if this is an unexpected benefit of being married to a Thai?

I've been with my lady 10 years, but see no compelling reason to get married. That would change if there were a financial benefit to her, such as the ability to inherit my Soc Sec payments, or a benefit to me such as free, Thai medical care.

[Derek Dangleberries]

Over the years I have had free hospital O/P treatment including x-rays etc in Umpang, CM, Kamphaengphet and Surin. I was either working in the area or living in the area ..... but always I was married to a Thai. In each case I left "something in the poor jar" voluntarily!

Interestingly I have not visited a hospital since Prayut made it legal for hospitals to have dual pricing.

I would love to hear more stories of this happening. I might decide to marry again if I can find somebody stupid enough to put up with me!

[Horizondave]

I haven't had free but when having acupuncture at a private hospital in Khon Kaen the lady sticking pins in me told Porn that I could get the same treatment at her Government hospital sessions for much less money. 

I took her up on the offer so instead of paying 1200 baht a session I was paying 150 baht. Not as salubrious but a great saving.

[lazarus]

Awhile back I went to a public clinic in Utumphon Pisai, Sisaket after a motorbike crash. Wanted to check for a broken rib(s). Free x-ray, exam, small payment for some tramadol (that helped a lot).

[Smiler]

I didn't have to pay for my Covid 10 day holiday stay at Phen Hospital last year. 🙄🙏

[Glasseye]

Whole different world.... One of the Big reasons I am relocating there. I am very thankful and fortunate to be in a position to be able to do so.

 

Hoping the best for you Pump. Take care....

[Pumpuynarak]

23 hours ago, forcebwithu said:

Good deal for you! Would be interesting to hear from others if this is an unexpected benefit of being married to a Thai?

I've been with my lady 10 years, but see no compelling reason to get married. That would change if there were a financial benefit to her, such as the ability to inherit my Soc Sec payments, or a benefit to me such as free, Thai medical care.

I asked wifey if she thought me being married to a Thai had any bearing on their decision to not charge me but she said NO, Thais also have to pay for what is a 50/50 government/private hospital. My appointment info always says "self pay" but the charges are always very low cost compared to 100% private hospitals.

I spent 3 nights in a private room (high standard) a year ago, had a brain scan and constant nursing care all in cost 27K bht, i wonder what that would have cost in Bangkok Hospital Korat ? Answers on a post card lol

SUT hospital Korat is now my hospital of choice, i see an American resident doctor for any ailment and then he refers me to a specialist if necessary so a bit like our GP in the UK and of course language is not a problem with him, now thats a real biggie up here in the sticks of Isaan.

 

[Pumpuynarak]

22 hours ago, Derek Dangleberries said:

Over the years I have had free hospital O/P treatment including x-rays etc in Umpang, CM, Kamphaengphet and Surin. I was either working in the area or living in the area ..... but always I was married to a Thai. In each case I left "something in the poor jar" voluntarily!

Interestingly I have not visited a hospital since Prayut made it legal for hospitals to have dual pricing.

I would love to hear more stories of this happening. I might decide to marry again if I can find somebody stupid enough to put up with me!

Were you in possession of a work permit ?

[Pumpuynarak]

20 hours ago, Smiler said:

I didn't have to pay for my Covid 10 day holiday stay at Phen Hospital last year. 🙄🙏

Was the bill covered by your Covid insurance ?

[Derek Dangleberries]

18 minutes ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Were you in possession of a work permit ?

Never in Thailand.

It was visa runs to Singapore in the 90s. 90 day entry visa from UK followed by visa runs.

Interestingly enough during that time Kiwis got 3 month visas on arrival as opposed to us Eurotrash that only got one 1 month. Although somebody yanked somebody's chain and the Kiwis were reduced to one month visas, in early 97 I think.

It isn't a Thai thing though.

- In PRC I did visa runs to Honkers

-In Indo I did visa runs to Singers.

- In Singers I turned up at their tax office after working there for 6 months to dispute PWC tax with-holdings and after a few dippity tappying on the desk calculator I walked away with a tax clearance certificate.

I have led the sort of life that would cause enough angst with ThaiVisa moderators to make their heads explode!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Smiler]

1 hour ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Was the bill covered by your Covid insurance ?

There was simply no charge Cliff. 

I obviously had/have covid insurance and was all ready but it was not needed apparently. 

Mrs Smiler, myself, young Smiler and one of her nieces had an ICU room to ourselves after the frankly nightmare experience of the first night in a public ward. 

It was comfortable enough but the lad and I struggled with the food so we had deliveries most days. Wouldn't want to do it again but couldn't fault the company.... 

Edited April 25, 2022 by Smiler

[Yessongs]

Great news Cliff, keep us posted as to what or any further info you have on the " free" Medical care up there.  

Luckily in the 3 years I lived in Minburi, wifey had my Medical Coverage through "AIA" never had to go to the Hospital for anything serious, we both get yearly physicals at "Phayathai" Hospital locally, a very extensive physical with a ton of Bloodwork. PSA test, EKG, and a full assessment with a Thai Dr. who spoke great English, set me back 250 baht co-payment. Very fair and reasonable I thought. 

I am not trying to get into your personal business, but with your Prostate going south and all, are you still able to get an erection? I do not want wifey whispering in your ear "Khun Cliff, you know I lub you, but you no can take care me no more, I send you back to UK Ka?"  LOL! 

I mean, keep an eye on her buddy, you don't want her "eyeing" the 33 year old buffed guy from the UK that looks like Tyson Fury down the street from you....Hee Hee Hee! 

[Pumpuynarak]

13 hours ago, Yessongs said:

Great news Cliff, keep us posted as to what or any further info you have on the " free" Medical care up there.  

Luckily in the 3 years I lived in Minburi, wifey had my Medical Coverage through "AIA" never had to go to the Hospital for anything serious, we both get yearly physicals at "Phayathai" Hospital locally, a very extensive physical with a ton of Bloodwork. PSA test, EKG, and a full assessment with a Thai Dr. who spoke great English, set me back 250 baht co-payment. Very fair and reasonable I thought. 

I am not trying to get into your personal business, but with your Prostate going south and all, are you still able to get an erection? I do not want wifey whispering in your ear "Khun Cliff, you know I lub you, but you no can take care me no more, I send you back to UK Ka?"  LOL! 

I mean, keep an eye on her buddy, you don't want her "eyeing" the 33 year old buffed guy from the UK that looks like Tyson Fury down the street from you....Hee Hee Hee! 

Good that you've got health care insurance Mike but for me alas my pre-existing conditions mean i've got more chance of pissing in my Queens handbag than getting any worthwhile cover and that has been the case since i was 50yo.

Regarding "getting an erection" Kamagra is my and wifey's friend lol but you are right my prostate problem does affect my ability, thank god for Kamagra and sex toys lol

No chance of wifey going anywhere mate, her widows pension entitlement ensures that, she might have been a tad lacking in the intelligence department when i met her at 24yo but now at 40yo she's as sharp as shit lol

Recent pic before we went out to her 40th birthday party with friends......

     

[Glasseye]

14 hours ago, Yessongs said:

Great news Cliff, keep us posted as to what or any further info you have on the " free" Medical care up there.  

Luckily in the 3 years I lived in Minburi, wifey had my Medical Coverage through "AIA" never had to go to the Hospital for anything serious, we both get yearly physicals at "Phayathai" Hospital locally, a very extensive physical with a ton of Bloodwork. PSA test, EKG, and a full assessment with a Thai Dr. who spoke great English, set me back 250 baht co-payment. Very fair and reasonable I thought. 

I am not trying to get into your personal business, but with your Prostate going south and all, are you still able to get an erection? I do not want wifey whispering in your ear "Khun Cliff, you know I lub you, but you no can take care me no more, I send you back to UK Ka?"  LOL! 

I mean, keep an eye on her buddy, you don't want her "eyeing" the 33 year old buffed guy from the UK that looks like Tyson Fury down the street from you....Hee Hee Hee! 

 

This is a pic of Pump "back in the day". I don't think he has anything to be worried about.

 

 

[Yessongs]

9 hours ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Good that you've got health care insurance Mike but for me alas my pre-existing conditions mean i've got more chance of pissing in my Queens handbag than getting any worthwhile cover and that has been the case since i was 50yo.

Regarding "getting an erection" Kamagra is my and wifey's friend lol but you are right my prostate problem does affect my ability, thank god for Kamagra and sex toys lol

No chance of wifey going anywhere mate, her widows pension entitlement ensures that, she might have been a tad lacking in the intelligence department when i met her at 24yo but now at 40yo she's as sharp as shit lol

Recent pic before we went out to her 40th birthday party with friends......

     

Dam Cliff, you have lost some weight it looks like right? You look leaner for sure since I last saw you in Sept 2017. Well done.....good to see you and wifey doing well.  Great picture. All the best with your health going forward.