RE: Thailand medical insurance is incredible.
I'm one of the foolish old people with no insurance. This is mostly because I can barely pay my rent of around 100 usd per month. I have not had insurance in any country after having it for most of my life. I am 59 now and do not know if I will ever have the funds for insurance again. The last time I paid for it, my rate was $1200 usd a month in California in 2013.
I've been in SE Asia since 2016 and in a Bangkok Public hospital once. That was for infection and dehydration. I was treated for 6 hours in a public er ward for $45 USD and sent home with much advice and medications that healed me.
I agree that insurance is a good thing to have and hope I never have the need. I read stories of people who get stuck in hospitals here if they cannot pay. We all will die someday, and there might be good odds on that for me. But I also walk in the streets with the motorcycles, so possibly this will be my fate. The last time I mentioned that aspect of my life, some told me I might be killed by a self-driving car instead - or two of them that were colluding.
I am an accountant and there is a saying in this field that "the most surprising gift people get is the gift of a long life." For me, getting to be 59 at all is a miracle I do not take lightly. I just thank God for every new day and get up to try again.
well stated. I should have mentioned that even without insurance SE Asian countries have very high standards of medical care at low prices... yet they still manage to make money. Kind of puts the west into perspective about how much a ripoff it is ($1200 / month is insanity.)
I remember a line from Hangover 2 where Bradley Cooper leaves a Thai hospital and is looking at his bill and he says "six dollars? how's that even possible?"
lol - That's what I thought too. My Thai friends told me I was ripped off! I had 3 drips too. Glucose and antibiotics. I was very sick when I got there and felt about 80% better 6 hours later. I had a good lunch on a prison tray too, which was the first thing I could eat in about 3 days. They wanted to make sure I could eat before I left.
i've fortunately only been in a hospital in Thailand twice for myself and both times it was about as incredible experience a person can have in a hospital. PS> I love IV's... i wonder if it is legal to set up a business that functions only as a hangover cure... nice strong air con, comfortable beds, food made for you that is easy to digest and drip re-hydration. I know i would attend such an establishment :)
Haha! I have been in many hospitals in many countries and Thailand was superior. I am in Malaysia now and hear it is not quite as nice. Those drips really are great. That could be a good model for a business. I think you would draw crowds.