@Christopher ********

Thai people are not racist. Yes, they would like to be white but that is not because of racism...It is a "class" thing. They see a "darker" fellow Thai as being "lower class". Like...they associate it with being darker from working in the fields.

@Nigel **********

Not always?

Don't know if this will be of much help.

After 23 years retired in Thailand I went home to Ireland for a holiday in 2020 and found myself caught up in the COVID lockdown. I got myself an address and attended a clinic for a Vaccination. It was a "Primary Health/Care Clinic"... so I registered myself with it... They asked me to return for a "Blood Test"... long story short...they discovered I had Type 2 Diabetes...a Prostate problem...High Blood Pressure...and Heart Fluctuations....

So there you have it...4 years later,... I have just received my 2nd biopsy on the prostate (2 days ago).... Am attending a hospital for Diabetic tests and retina screening...and a different hospital for ECG's on the heart.

I only return now to Thailand for holidays.

I suppose, my main advice would be...Try and get yourself registered with a "Primary Care Clinic" or similar...if they have them in the UK...They make all the appointments necessary and take care of the "smaller stuff like doctor's appointments etc., including Chiropody. I am at this point on 7 tablets a day.

All this is free...because of my age, I was able to apply for and received a Medical Card...I also get free travel on the public transport system like busses and trains all over the country (all pensioners do here).

At one point, I returned to Thailand (I missed it so much) and renewed my yearly Retirement Extension. I had intended to pack it all in and give up all the hospital appointments, tests, visits to doctors etc.,here...and ...just die over there...but luckily, I came to my senses and decided I could not look a gift horse in the mouth and instead developed an "attitude of gratitude".

To the person who made the OP... I sincerely wish you all the success in the world in your "new life"...You never know, it might lead to "new adventures"...G.B.

@Steve *********

What is "MO" income method?

@Robert *********

Got Ye!...

Cheers for that.

@Robert *********

Thank you Robert. So one didn't have to extend it every year if it was "grandfathered" ..or pay to extend it yearly.

While we're sorta on the subject...I was living in Thailand for 20 years, retired there at the age of 50... Came back to Ireland for a holiday in 2020 just before the COVID struck and got stuck here. I got a blood and other tests done while getting the vaccine and it showed I had type 2 diabetes, prostate problems, bladder problems and they found fluctuations with my heart...I was put on tablets (6) a day and get regular tests done ever since. My question please...Has anybody found themselves in the same position and did you return to Thailand...if you did how did you manage the medical problems.

I miss Thailand terribly,.. am living alone here. My brain tells me the wise thing to do is stay here for medical reasons...My heart tells me ...Get back to Thailand, even if it means an earlier death. I'd rather die early and happy...that live longer at home totally depressed and miserable. I'm almost 75 now.

Physically, I feel no different now than I felt before coming back in 2020.

Apologies for the long post.

@Robert *********

Don't really understand. If they raise the amount... you will have to pay the new price when your current Visa/Extension expires. It has to be paid yearly ?

@Daren ********

Swiss Monica's husband.

Barbers....hair hardly ever stops growing