@Steve *******

Wow, you really have an obsession with this don't you?

@Steve *******

I was referring "frang obsession of having to use an agent for everything". For the past 14 years I've done most everything myself too, from getting my drivers license to renewing my retirement visa annually. I'm not advocating doing anything illegal or doing something you are uncomfortable with like handing over your passport to someone you don't trust. I'm just saying sometimes an agent can be helpful and worth the money. For me it's not a black or white issue.

@Steve *******

Sometimes argents and fixers have information and skills you don't, which is a good reason to use them when appropriate. You can't know everything about a country and culture that is not your own. And things can go wrong also when you do it and then its not plain sailing'.

@Steve *******

Not an obsession but easier sometimes if you have the money. I’ve paid for things I could do myself but would rather save myself the time and hassle and the cost was manageable. There have always been agents and fixers.

I'm American and have lived in Krabi/Koh Lanta for almost 14 years. Not many Americans here but lots of Europeans many of which speak English if that's what you are locking for.

@Steve *********

Right. I've been here 15 years, but they won't even cover a sinus infection because I've had some in the past (who hasn't). I had RA some 40 years ago and have been in remission ever since ... nope not cover any arthritis. I have a thyroid goiter, non-cancerous and biopsied several times. Nothing from it for 25 years ... nope can't cover any thyroid issues. The insurance is worthless unless i get a brain tumor.

@Steve *********

That’s my point. It can’t be fixed to the point of covered by insurance. You are screwed if you can’t pay out of pocket. I usually can by I had to have a pacemaker while in the US this year. Medicare paid $80,000! Pacific Cross would have paid nothing since I had a Afib condition on my records that had never caused a problem or required any treatment in the past. My good luck I was in the States.

@Steve *********

Doesn’t matter. If you had a heart issue in the past it will be considered a preexisting condition and not covered by most insurer in Thailand. I know from personal experience. I have Pacific Cross and anything I ever had was considered preexisting and excluded.

@Steve *********

How do you ‘fix’ a preexisting condition?

It's a tonal language. Just be thankful they don't have tenses too.