News Forum - 30-baht scheme in hot water: is Thailand’s gold card running out of cash?

[AussieBob]

On 8/26/2024 at 4:36 AM, Guest1 said:

Dont forget the people riding  motos, bikes, are skating, footballer, boxer, doing P4P without condoms, alcoholics,  ..., ......, ..... ;-)

Yep - they can all go kill/injure themselves - as long as I/we dont have to pay for it.

 

[AussieBob]

On 8/26/2024 at 1:33 PM, Khunmark said:

Some light reading for you. And some of these events I have been subjected to;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Commission_into_Misconduct_in_the_Banking,_Superannuation_and_Financial_Services_Industry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000–2001_California_electricity_crisis

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/26/fraudulent-course-providers-face-closure-in-labors-international-education-crackdown

https://reneweconomy.com.au/two-more-retailers-collapse-under-the-weight-of-inflated-coal-and-gas-prices/

https://theconversation.com/for-profit-nursing-homes-are-cutting-corners-on-safety-and-draining-resources-with-financial-shenanigans-especially-at-midsize-chains-that-dodge-public-scrutiny-225045

https://www.catalystproject.net/blogus/the-corruption-within-private-prisons

In summary, the privatisation of public service has seen a spike in malfeasance. Also to note, the less regulatory oversight, the more rapacious their behaviour becomes. And, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that the usurpation of public institutions by private concerns delivers any economic benefit. The caveat being, if you are a lawyer. But then what do you expect when the sole motive for your existence is share price.

And you prostrate yourself at the altar of these guys.

Selective leftist woke khrapp - exactly the rubbish they teach Gen Z'ers at schools/universities.

The real world is vastly different to your socialistic beliefs.

 

[AussieBob]

On 8/26/2024 at 1:37 PM, Khunmark said:

 

More socialistic BS - you think everything should be run by the Govt and all resources shared equally - a very young and foolish attitude. 

Tried to copy/paste pictures - Thaiger does not allow - couldn't be bothered to copy, save, insert picture, paste etc etc.

[Guest1]

10 hours ago, AussieBob said:

Yep - they can all go kill/injure themselves - as long as I/we dont have to pay for it.

But you have to, in case you pay healt insurance and they do to.

[AussieBob]

14 hours ago, Guest1 said:

But you have to, in case you pay healt insurance and they do to.

As stated, I mean Government paid for 'universal' medical services that are free to the people (like in Australia).  That is what I am against - because I saw it introduced with all the promises and BS claims. 40 years later and it is costing the taxpayers billions every year and it is unsustainable. The medical services now available are far worse and far less available - they are stretched to breaking point - because people dont care about looking after themselves - because it is free. 

I dont pay for rip off health insurance in Thailand. We have a 'slush fund' in separate bank account, which we top up each year. That money is ours and we will either use it or keep if/when we ever leave Thailand.  I cant believe people pay so much for so little here.  I can insure a 1 million baht car for a few thousand baht, but 1 million in health insurance costs 70-100K just for the basic coverage?? I understand it costs more for health insurance than for cars  - but here in Thailand it is far too much. Basically the price for private hospital medical insurance in Thailand is about the same or more than it costs in Australia. In Australia the insurance costs are spread over the entire age groups - here in Thailand they charge far far more for someone 70+ - make 80 and it will be a small fortune PA.  Also here there is little available to a foreigner like consumer affairs, no ombudsman, and SFA regulatory controls/authority, and not much chance to win a legal argument if they dont pay.  In the west people win against the insurance companies all the time, and there are things like 'plain print' rules that ensure companies cant trick people. There is no such thing here in Thailand - their Thai 'small print' is extremely complicated - little chance of being able to fully understand all their 'get outs'. 

[Guest1]

4 hours ago, AussieBob said:

In Australia the insurance costs are spread over the entire age groups

But why should a 20 years old pay, because you wanna live "forever"?

That should fit your thinking, not to pay for others.

[Marc26]

9 hours ago, AussieBob said:

As stated, I mean Government paid for 'universal' medical services that are free to the people (like in Australia).  That is what I am against - because I saw it introduced with all the promises and BS claims. 40 years later and it is costing the taxpayers billions every year and it is unsustainable. The medical services now available are far worse and far less available - they are stretched to breaking point - because people dont care about looking after themselves - because it is free. 

I dont pay for rip off health insurance in Thailand. We have a 'slush fund' in separate bank account, which we top up each year. That money is ours and we will either use it or keep if/when we ever leave Thailand.  I cant believe people pay so much for so little here.  I can insure a 1 million baht car for a few thousand baht, but 1 million in health insurance costs 70-100K just for the basic coverage?? I understand it costs more for health insurance than for cars  - but here in Thailand it is far too much. Basically the price for private hospital medical insurance in Thailand is about the same or more than it costs in Australia. In Australia the insurance costs are spread over the entire age groups - here in Thailand they charge far far more for someone 70+ - make 80 and it will be a small fortune PA.  Also here there is little available to a foreigner like consumer affairs, no ombudsman, and SFA regulatory controls/authority, and not much chance to win a legal argument if they dont pay.  In the west people win against the insurance companies all the time, and there are things like 'plain print' rules that ensure companies cant trick people. There is no such thing here in Thailand - their Thai 'small print' is extremely complicated - little chance of being able to fully understand all their 'get outs'. 

I don't know if it's an age issue or insurance has gone way up in the last 5 years

 

But I always found private insurance was very reasonable for my wife and son 

 

Wife was in her late 20's and 30's and started around 25k/yr and went up to 33k/yr and that was for top coverage 

 

My son was a bit cheaper at 20k then around 25k

 

We stopped that 5 years ago when he got insurance through Thammasat 

[AussieBob]

On 8/29/2024 at 4:33 PM, Guest1 said:

But why should a 20 years old pay, because you wanna live "forever"?

That should fit your thinking, not to pay for others.

Taken out of context (deliberately?).

The system in Australia for health insurance is the same as for car insurance. The risks and costs are spread over all drivers of all cars - with small variations for vehicle type and changes, and for driver location, experience and history.  The health system in Thailand, as explained by someone that knows it extremely well on TV/AN, is that the Thai companies group specific people together and work out the premiums on that basis only. I have no problems with that - but that is what makes it so very expensive here in Thailand for older foreigners. That is why IMO it is not worth paying them their ever increasing fees - especially when as a foreigner on a temporary Visa you have SFA chance if the matter goes into dispute or and Buckley's if it goes to a legal case in Court. As one bloke stated on his channel several years ago, in all the years he has been in Thailand (20+) and been in businesses (worked for and owned them) he has not seen one Court case where a foreigner won against a Thai person or company - not one.  

On the broader issue of a universal health coverage system, like in Australia, whereby most services in the public hospitals and most GPs and many medications is free, the problem I have with that is a fact - people dont take enough personal responsibility for their own health and well being because the medical system is 'free'.  That is what is wrong with 'universal health coverage' those who do the right thing actually pay for those who do not - through their very high taxes. IMO it should be a balance - somewhat like it is in Thailand - whereby all Thais get basic coverage in Hospitals for a small fee - but difficult and complex treatments cost extra. Although judging by what the Thai family says - the queues are getting longer and longer and they clearly need more public hospitals - but there is the problem - it costs so much.

[AussieBob]

On 8/29/2024 at 9:30 PM, Marc26 said:

I don't know if it's an age issue or insurance has gone way up in the last 5 years

But I always found private insurance was very reasonable for my wife and son 

Wife was in her late 20's and 30's and started around 25k/yr and went up to 33k/yr and that was for top coverage 

My son was a bit cheaper at 20k then around 25k

We stopped that 5 years ago when he got insurance through Thammasat 

One of the reasons for their ever increasing insurance costs is the ever increasing costs of treatments, but another one is because for a foreigner you are 'expected' to use a Private hospital and not a Thai Public hospital.  A mate of mine had an accident last year and he was taken to ER at the local Public hospital. After he was stabilised they sent him to the nearest Bangkok Private hospital, who then did the operation/s and charged him a small fortune for what could have been done in the Public hospital for a 10th of the costs. You and I both know the 'kickbacks' that were paid for doing that, but IMO it should not be allowed to happen legally - unless the patient asks for a Private Hospital. When he asked why he was transferred to the Private Hospital when the Public one could have done the surgery, he was told 'because you Falang'. Because of that common occurrence insurance premiums are very high in Thailand for Foreigners. If I could insure for treatment in a Public hospital only, then it would be far less money and I would take that on a 'just in case' basis.