@Steven *********

you changed your story. First you say that "you have to pay first", then you admit that this is not always the case.

That's the whole point : it depends on the insurance and possible misunderstandings or mistakes in some cases.

@Steven *********

I'm not saying there are never problems (depending on wrong insurance or other problems), but it is definitely possible to have direct billing if you have the right insurance.

In my view :

First of all, choose the right insurance.

Second : make sure you know the right steps and the correct communication channels before you need it, write it down on your insurance paper. Be prepared. So you don't lose time and avoid miscommunication problems at the moment you are too sick to deal with anything.

Third : get your insurance through a good local agent. When there is a problem, the help of your agent will maken a huge difference clearing up any mess.

Learned from experience.

@Steven *********

If they have the right insurance, then people traveling on holiday don't have to pay first and then claim after from the insurance if they have to stay in a hospital. Hospital will bill directly with the insurance.

If you have had other experiences, I believe you. But that means you had a different insurance.

@Bernard ****

I can confirm this from personal experience. Yearly extension of stay based on retirement non-o visa I have never needed health insurance. It was never a requirement. Not needed to apply and get the yearly extension. BUT it is needed to (re-)enter Thailand (to get the Thailand Pass).

4

Per month method is minimum baht each month. Can not be a bit less some months because you have a bit more other months.

If you did the 0 baht deposit method, then you can use this deposit for all the coming years without worrying about the monthly deposits. (there are specific rules on when and how much your bank account can or can not go under the 0 baht - be careful and I'd advise a dedicated account for this deposit.)

OR you can do a combination of the 2 methods : for instance per month and a 0 deposit.

@Bernard ****

Your SEPERATE re-entry permit can be single or multiple.

The single is 1000 baht, the multiple is a "as many times as you want" for 3800 baht.

You can apply and get the re-entry on the same day you do the 1 year extension (right after you get the extension) to save time and running. Or if you don't have any clear plans yet, wait to apply until you're sure about your flight out of Thailand.

You can also apply at the airport the day you leave - which I have never done because don't want the added stress, but good to know it exists as an emergency option.

No. And it wouldn't make much sense (very impossible to do) for your Thailand Pass to be processed so very last minute at the moment you get your pcr result.

@George ************

My fixed deposit doesn't drop to zero at maturity/renewal, making it so very easy to check for immigration officers.

I use a kasikorn fixed time deposit and when it matures it renews without dropping to zero in between. Works very well as my dedicated retirement extension account.

Only need to deposit or withdraw 1000 baht on the day of applying for my retirement extension of course.

So I guess it depends on which bank uses which technique at maturing.

Which bank do you use ?

@John ********

new applications will not be refused, but can not enter under test and go