The concept of registering on the panel of a General Practitioner (Family Doctors) surgery or group practice as in United Kingdom doesn’t exist in Thailand. When locals want to consult a GP they go to their local community Government (National Health Service) hospital. There is usually one GP on duty. They take a turn ticket and often wait all day. However, they (or you) will be seen that day. The GP will diagnose, prescribe and dispense medications from the hospital pharmacy. The cost is very low. There have been reports of expats being able to obtain medicines at Thai Government Hospitals for less than the pharmacies charge.

@Adam ****

That’s what is confusing. The OP mentioned tourist and DTV is classed as a tourist visa. Comments refer to visa exempt entries. Retirement visa has also been suggested.

This is the DTV visa advice page. Your options are to either apply for extension at immigration office (1,900 baht) or exit and renter Thailand after 180 days. In either case, you must exit 360 days after each entry. Therefore, only one extension permitted per entry.

@Nongnuch *******

I wouldn’t worry. I think it’s a case of the receipt slips were stapled in my passport so they took photocopies. If they weren’t there it may not have been a concern?

@Greg *******

I agree! My Mum died of cancer in U.K. Too late for any treatment because only four weeks prior to her death the doctor in charge of the Medical Investigation Unit told her all tests were negative, she didn’t have cancer and was ‘fixable’. One week later blood tests indicated cancer and they moved heaven and earth to discharge her from hospital. There were no nursing home or hospice places available. Hospital social worker refused to sanction home care on the grounds; ‘she doesn’t need it’. My Mum was 88. Had to threaten them with the press. They finally relented and she died in the hospital without a pain pump in situ due to short staffing.

@Greg *******

Absolutely Greg! I’m on Non-O Retirement extensions. I once went six years without exiting Thailand. This year, myself and Thai wife had planned to visit stepdaughter who lives and works in Japan and later take a holiday in Portugal. Unfortunately, my wife was diagnosed with cancer in October thus needs to regularly attend her Cancer Centre. Plus, she doesn’t feel up to flying anymore.

@Roberto ********

My ‘receipts of notification of change of address’ were stapled into my passport by my immigration office. Whether I’m required to leave them there or not I don’t remove them. They are removed, photocopied and restapled into my passport when I apply for retirement extension renewals.

@Nongnuch *******

My immigration office need photocopies of all historical TM30’s in my passport for each retirement extension.

@Yasmin **********

Definitely! Personal Accident Insurance is actually worth having if under 65 years because it covers you for moto accidents. Roughly the same cost as using an agent to open your account.