Is the best healthcare found in Bangkok? I am looking for destinations for people who are concerned about having access to high level emergency services. Does anyone know if there is high quality care in Ubon? If anyone knows how emergency medical care is given to Farang, it would be especially valuable to hear from you. As in, do emergency operators usually speak English? Thank you!

*EDIT*

Thank You All For Your Invaluable Advice, Decision Pretty Much Made, We will most likely Self Insure

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A few years ago I suffered from something called a spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection, I did not suffer a stroke and I have not had any medical intervention (no stents fitted etc) but as a result of my dissection, I now take multiple prescribed medication to try to control my blood pressure and it has left me with neurological issues (short term memory issues being one example)

Must say, to look at me, I look perfectly ‘normal’

Within the next 18 months we (myself and my wife) are planning on selling up (from the UK) and moving to Thailand to retire on a permanent basis, I will be 55 and my wife will be 61

Medical Insurance…

I have just read an article that insurance providers will not cover any pre-existing conditions, so with having high blood pressure, if I was to suffer from a stroke/ heart attack etc, I would not be covered as that could be linked to my blood pressure

I also appreciate, as we age, the premiums will increase substantially

So, based on the above, if I was to simply put a lump sum of money away and, in the event of a medical emergency, go to a public hospital and pay for any required treatment, would this be a viable option?

Has anyone got any experience on using the public hospitals?

As always, thank you in advance

Seeking advice regarding overland crossings.My partner and I are traveling around SEA and get the 30 day visa exemption every time we come into Thailand. My partner tried to cross into Thailand by land for the 3rd time in a year (not consecutively) and was denied access at the border (he had to go back to Siem Reap and FLY into Bangkok instead). We both plan to rock climb Thakek, Laos for 2 months. If a medical emergency happens, the quickest way to Bangkok is to cross the border to Nakhom Phanom (takes 40 mins) and fly to Bangkok. Now that we've learned we cannot cross by land again, I'm scared for our time rock climbing. In case of medical emergency, we would have to take a 7 hour bus ride to Vientiane and fly from there to Bangkok. That is a scary thought if a true emergency happens. Has anyone had experience with this rule or getting around it? Any advice appreciated!