@Steve *********

I know what you mean Steve! I have no cover because I was diagnosed with and received treatment for raised blood pressure in 1986. I don’t drive/ride and leave that to the Mrs. If I could, I would take the advice of Marty Pollard and cover the big risks only and reduce my premium via large excess/deductible.

Many ex-pats who are entitled to free healthcare in their home Countries have no healthcare plan. They believe they could always return home for treatment. However, that isn’t always possible if involved in a serious accident or suffer a stroke for example. Don’t forget there is such thing as Personal Accident Insurance and, of course, motor insurance would pay for your hospital treatment in the case of a Road Traffic Accident.

All English speaking Countries are police states (I’m from U.K.). That’s good enough reason to live elsewhere. My Mrs applied to USA to work in her Aunt’s restaurant in Amarillo and was refused. Sister-in-law turned down for Australia. Step-daughter applied to Australia and was recently (last week) refused a tourist visa. Nephew worked in Japan for 12 months and now has a three-year contract for an engineering company in Taiwan. Western Countries need to get stuffed.

@Richard ********

Every time I’ve stayed in a hotel in Phuket the check-in desk requested my passport. Once we stood watching whilst a new staff member was shown the visa/extension stamps and instructed to make photocopies.

Lucky is the most experienced Visa Agent with the lowest prices.

Your daughter’s E-Visa could have been refused in error i.e. someone hit the wrong key. Are you not entitled to ask them to check for error?

Agree, visa agents will ‘break the deadlock’. Alternatively, if you know a Thai person of repute (school teachers are especially useful), they may be able to persuade a bank branch to open an account for you.

Please remain Tod. So many people would have come unstuck without you. Your attention and patience is very much appreciated.

@Steve ******

Air Europa at Madrid enjoy deboarding passengers. I know from experience!

Flew Thai (TG925) Munich to Bangkok last week on one-way ticket. Check-in asked what type of visa I had? I said ‘Retirement Extension’. I was asked to show it. I found the relevant passport page for them and all was well.