Retirement issues.

[playboy]

Hi all;

It is very interesting to know and hear about the how the hospital in Hua Hin will handle the unpredictable events such as heart attack or snake bite. How about one of you who live in Hua Hin or approximate around there do the drills by calling to hospital for cardiac attack and see how the respond will be? So you can timing for how long they will get to your home and how they will handle the situation. So it is a learning experience for everyone.

[PeteC]

How many of the ex-pats out there have experience of people reaching extreme old age and dying the same sort of lingering or lonely deaths that people everywhere have? How do things differ in Thailand? Do people go back to farang land when they know this is happening to them? Or do all the ex-pats die young!?

Here we go Jaime but I don't have much to conribute on this aspect. I'm just getting to the age now where I have some friends who are up in their late 60's, and one who is turning 70 soon. They are all in OK health. So, I don't know the answer from any personal experience. I do read though (almost weekly) that there are many expat's here in Pattaya who come down with something terminal and they simply do themselves in...found in their room by the management and ruled as a suicide by the police with explanation that he was recently diagnosed with "something" terminal.

There was one story where the guy did it right and simply had his doc supply his girlfriend with enough morphine to get him through the pain of terminal cancer until he simply went to sleep and passed away. Not ruled a suicide but a normal death.

It seems that at least some expats here have nothing or no one to go back home to or, they would simply prefer to have everything end here without a lot of hassle for any family back home.

There does seem to be many expats who die young here. There is a a lot of abuse to one's body in the form of drinking, smoking, up to all hours chasing skirts etc. That can wear on a fella badly and accelerate aging.

There is a totally different group who are into daily sports, golf, biking, walking etc., who will probably last to ripe old ages.

So, I guess you could say things here are a bit different, but not that much different than anywhere else. It does help I guess to be near a good medical facility and pattaya has two of the best and this alone attracts many retirees. I don't knowif any of this helps to answer your question but that's all I've got. Pete

[lomuamart]

Health insurance is definitely a good idea. I don't have any and have been in hospital twice already - once ill and once an accident. Over the years it's got really expensive.
As far as dying is concerned, it's the potential mess you leave behind for others to clear up that is the important thing. So, a Will, unless you want your supposed intentions being decided intestate/in absentia, is the important thing for me.
I've got nothing to speak about financially, but my wishes as to what to with me when the time comes will hopefully be important to those left behind.
Enough. I'm putting some Joy Division on now and reaching for that bottle.
An important subject, though.

[lomuamart]

Just seen your post, Pete.
Spot on.

[Jaime]

An idea that has just occurred to me is that a group of long term residents could club together and form their own non-profit making 'insurance company', paying in a set amount a year/month/week to cover certain possible situations, rather than buying off the peg insurance which is often a rip off in my experience. Maybe something HHAD could consider? It might even be possible to make some sort of deal with a good local hospital (e.g. in Petchburi) if enough people were involved.

That is a good suggestion worthy of further investigation by those of you on the ground - have you volunteered Wanderlust?

[Jaime]

It seems that at least some expats here have nothing or no one to go back home to or, they would simply prefer to have everything end here without a lot of hassle for any family back home.

There does seem to be many expats who die young here. There is a a lot of abuse to one's body in the form of drinking, smoking, up to all hours chasing skirts etc. That can wear on a fella badly and accelerate aging.

There is a totally different group who are into daily sports, golf, biking, walking etc., who will probably last to ripe old ages.

A fairly predictable demographic cross section I suppose! I think the last group are on the increase with the married farang retiree influx (unless the bottom falls out of the property market) and have most to worry about long term simply because they have more to lose in terms of their self perceived quality of life and retirement aspirations.

[PeteC]

I think the last group are on the increase with the married farang retiree influx (unless the bottom falls out of the property market) and have most to worry about long term simply because they have more to lose in terms of their self perceived quality of life and retirement aspirations.

You know, that's interesting in that I think we may need to differentiate between those retirees who come here with their farang spouses, thinking this may be a "new Spain/Mexico"...and those expats married to a Thai. I really think the mind set is different, the expectations are different and the pre-knowledge of what this country does and doesn't have to offer is different.

As far as retirement goes, I have never known anyone who isn't bored sh&*less after 6 months of that "perceived" status in life. Your body and mind realizes that if you don't "work" them, they will wither and become useless. You gotta do something or die, simple as that, and the "do something" is not exercise your right arm/elbow lifting bottles table to mouth all day long.

Let's hear some opinions from others? Pete

[lomuamart]

Quite right, Pete.
There is a big difference between people who come here with their farang spouses and those who are here already.
No-one is better than the other.
Maybe some of us actually appreciate living here, with a Thai person etc etc.
It's their country after all.

[Jaime]

Quite right, Pete.
There is a big difference between people who come here with their farang spouses and those who are here already.

Agreed but the 'new wave' of farang-farang couples also need advice and they in particular need to have their eyes opened to the long term realities of life in Asia. As Mrs Jaime herself says, "some good, some bad - same ev-ely-where!" She is indeed a wise old bird!

Maybe some of us actually appreciate living here, with a Thai person etc etc. It's their country after all.

Lomu, I always enjoy reading your posts but this one seems uncharacteristically (& unnecessarily) defensive about ex-pat life in Thailand. There's really no need or this discussion will become polarised in the same way that the property stuff has been. Surely, appreciating life in Thailand, with or without a Thai wife, and being well informed on the quality of healthcare should not be mutually exclusive, or should they?

[lomuamart]

Fair comment, Jaime. It wasn't my intention to try to be devisive although in the clear light of day I appreciate that my comments could be taken that way.
Health insurance is an important issue. I know as I don't have any and have been hospitalised twice.

[Limey711]

Health insurance has been mentioned a couple of times on this thread, but no one has said if they have any or indeed how much it may cost.

[Pagey]

prcscct

I want to 'retire' to Thailand/Hua Hin soon and I am 45. As I will probably be unable to get a job there, unless you know different ? what can I do to stop myself being bored Sh*tless and keep me out of the boozer during daylight hours ??

Not just prcscct, but any one any suggestions or their own experiences ?

[lomuamart]

Health insurance has been mentioned a couple of times on this thread, but no one has said if they have any or indeed how much it may cost.

From what I've heard, I think that you can get cover for about 12,000 Baht a year. It really depends on the amount of cover you want.

[lomuamart]

prcscct

I want to 'retire' to Thailand/Hua Hin soon and I am 45. As I will probably be unable to get a job there, unless you know different ? what can I do to stop myself being bored Sh*tless and keep me out of the boozer during daylight hours ??

Not just prcscct, but any one any suggestions or their own experiences ?

I think the trick is to find something that you enjoy that dosn't involve booze. That could be walking the beach, playing golf, messing about on the computer, reading, gardening. Anything really as long as you fill your time in. I came over here at 39, BTW.
Personally, I generally get up early - 5.30/6am. That's a good time for me to catch up on my business in the UK, read the papers etc etc. and it's not too hot.
About 9/10 am, maybe I go for a walk on the beach. That does involve a beer or three, but sitting alone on the beach. Maybe I do a bit of food shopping in town and visit a couple of bars and then home.
My yardstick is to get home before the schools finish. The roads are too dangerous then for my liking.
Before I know it, it's 5/6pm. Time for my wife or myself to cook. By the time we've eaten and cleared up, it's 8pm ish. I generally fall over and sleep then.
Quite easy, really. An important aspect is to try and keep my brain alive (which I don't do very successfully at 1am).
There's plenty to do, which can involve "having a few" during the daytimes at various bars.
Hope that helps.

[PeteC]

Besides what Lomu mentioned, there are many things a person can get involved with in most communities.

Every orphange needs volunteers to assist with various functions concerning the kids....helping out at meal times, teaching some sport you are good at, babysitting some of the infants in the baby section etc.

Most rural schools need volunteers to do handyman type work if you have the skill and some extra change to buy some needed materials.

Charitable organizations abound that you can become involved with. Everything from animal rescue to beach cleaning.

If you are lets's say an accomplished swimmer, you can organize to give some kids lessons at a local pool. You don't need to speak much Thai to be able to do that.

If you're into motorcycles, there are many clubs who organize tours, as well as charitable events. Some of the "hogs" I've seen here in LOS puts many MC clubs back inthe States to shame.

If you like to cook but never took any serious classes/lessons, they are available in many places.

And last but not least, you can go to school to learn Thai and/or also get a recognized certificate to teach English locally to kids and adults.

The above is just off the top of my head, I am sure there is more. Pete