@Peter *********

The charge is usually 220 baht, which is hardly eye watering on a 20,000 withdrawal, and considering you've just spent around £1000 on flights. And the rates are pretty good compared to booths outside of Bangkok. For the Cheap Charlie's, 220baht is a fiver.

Presumably no one comes to Thailand with an empty bank account, and so having notes rejected isn't an utter disaster. Use a ATM

@Paul *****

And less baht or straight refusal for Scottish money

@Dave ******

The op is in his seventies.

@Ning *****

The vet is probably also thinking about the health of the animals. The vaccinations are not done for kicks.

@Dave ******

Nope, and why are you apologising? Most policies are limited to 30 days in country. Some might have other conditions. What you are referring to are non-standard policies. LV will offer a policy for 366 days if 65 and under, and 31 for over 80s, and 90 days in between. On average, standard annual policies are about £80. So-called backpacker polices, on average, are about £140. But the cost will be a lot higher for the elderly, plus there wil be additional policy restrictions, eg the length of the policy.

@Sylvia *******

The expensive bit is medical repatriation, which might be £100-150k. You won't get treated for cancer etc on travel insurance. It's supposed to be emergency cover only, eg life preserving surgery only . If you break a leg, emergency setting, "good enough", but no rehab, andback home, you will face further surgery, probably

@Tim *******

Usually 30 days per country. You might buy a 12 month policy for £100 but that's not the same as 12 month expat insurance costing £1000

@Brandon ***********

Most standard UK travel insurance schemes are limited to 30 days stay in a country even if the policy is 12 months. Specialist policies need to be looked at.

@Lindsey *********

Well, it might meet the monthly requirement, but as mentioned, he needs 800k in the bank, and best not use a corrupt agency. Might not be much of a life if spending £5000 a year, and up, on flights back to the UK.