They are definitely issuing the 'Gold Card' for free treatment at your local government hospital. A cover letter was issued today and the full card to be issued within one month.Quote:
Originally Posted by Thetyim
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They are definitely issuing the 'Gold Card' for free treatment at your local government hospital. A cover letter was issued today and the full card to be issued within one month.Quote:
Originally Posted by Thetyim
Nope!Quote:
Originally Posted by Thetyim
Hi, me again.
I want to start the process next week. It's the translation part of my passport that is puzzling me.
Is it just a full translation of the I.D. page that is required? And a letter from my embassy confirming my passport? Can I go to any translators, who can stamp it and then on to the ministry of foreign affairs, for their seal?
get a copy of the passport (i.d. page) verified as a true copy by the embassy, then get it translated by a notary office, make sure to get the official notary license stamp on the translation.
most notaries will be able to get your documents stamped etc. at the ministry of foreign affairs, save you the time and undoubted hassle of having to do it yourself.
Thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by taxexile
I have been to the ministry before, to get my marriage certificate stamped....Not a biggie, as I live in Min Buri and it's not that far away.
I have already been to Lad Krabang Ampur to inquire about a yellow book and they were really helpful and gave me a list of the stuff I need.
It goes to show how things differ from area to area.
The whole process can be done by post, for those that live too far away from BKK. I did mine by post. It took about a week total, and cost me 4,900 Baht for everything.
This, I would like to know more about. Please share the details. Greened.Quote:
Originally Posted by superman
Cheap as chips; try going to the British embassy and see how much they charge!Quote:
Originally Posted by Boon Mee
I don't begrudge your guys, good for you - but, why the fuk should the Thai populous cover your health bills? Don't take this the wrong way chaps.Quote:
Originally Posted by superman
I suppose it's the same as the British Government does when Thais live in the UK....Quote:
Originally Posted by Bettyboo
^ nothing like it...
Don't get me wrong, I am happy when individuals benefit and I'm not knocking any individuals on this forum, but why should retirees come here and put a strain on a health system that has limited funds??? Can somebody retire to England and without paying NI contributions receive free healthcare (unless their EU NI contributors, etc)? I very much doubt it...
But, even if you could find some similarity, I think many of us would admit that the UK is fuked up in the extreme. I lived in England paying 40% tax for decades, once you leave for 2 years (or is it even less now) you get NOTHING! I get health care here, but 1) I pay taxes and 2) I contribute to a healthcare fund every month.
If you had a system that had finite funds, and a large group of elderly foreigners entered that system without having paid into it (obviously, their age means that they will naturally have health problems and need to use the healthsystem), but received free treatment, how well do you think the system would manage???
Mabe they have changed it mate , I have had a Thai bank account for 3 years now , live in the UK and the only thing resembling that is the Yellow Pages ad book in me bureau :)Quote:
Originally Posted by roadking96cube
I agree BB I don't think it's on to tap into that Thai system.It would be interesting to know though what the 'Gold card' covered. My guess very minor injuries etc. I have a yellow book but no 'Gold card', but to be honest i would feel a bit uncomfortable using it if I did.
^ my missus has a gold card for her mum and dad - covers everything; the missus has to work hard to go through the system and its forms and lists and stuff, but she gets good treatment for them.
Again, I don't blame individuals either here or in the UK for taking advantage of systems, God knows we get fuked over enough by these systems throughout our lives... but, it seems strange, well, wrong to me, that a country like Thailand allows foreigners from wealthier countries in to use free healthcare without paying NI contributions of some type (and NO, VAT is not a kind of NI...).
Dental treatment is limited.Quote:
Originally Posted by superman
You have to pay a discounted rate (about 50% I think) for some things
Still sounds a bit bizarre that the Thai government would allow this concession for foreigners.
As posted before, health care in the UK is governed by the right to live there. This of course requires "immigrants" to initially be given a visa and then living in the UK with the RTR status.
Once achieved the NHS cover is theirs, for life.
I suspect there is a larger percentage of people who have not paid 40% tax and NI for 40 years in the UK, than in Thailand.
I have one, I know what it is for. What can I do with it? (the house book)Quote:
Originally Posted by Thetyim
I found a registered translator in BKK that would do it by mail. I then sent them my passport by EMS along with the fee, after getting a fixed price.Quote:
Originally Posted by jandajoy
Approximately a week later the passport and certified translation of the passport were returned. If you want the name of the translator along with their telephone number them PM me.
To get the 'Gold Card' you take your 'Yellow Book' to your local government hospital and ask for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by rickpattaya
I was not going to bother getting it, but it was the hospital staff that told me to get it. As we get older it becomes harder and harder to get insurance cover and in the event you become uninsurable it's a back-up. The 'Gold Card' covers you the same as a Thai, so I'm led to believe.
If all else fails I know of a lady who for a very reasonable 1000bht a day will meet with you guide and advise you how to get all these bits and bobs ,, yellow book , thai driving licence etc :)
As she is advertising comercially if you want her details you best PM me for em
you're kidding, surely?Quote:
I found a registered translator in BKK that would do it by mail. I then sent them my passport
Nope. I'd already used this translator in the past and found them to be reliable. Do you think I did wrong ?
i would be reluctant to send my passport anywhere by post, especially in thailand, and to anyone other than my embassy. the passport could get lost, stolen, cloned, sold etc. lost passports are a big nuisance, as is having to prove your identity,
The Thai post office do a special delivery service for passports only.Quote:
Originally Posted by taxexile
I have never used it and don't know what security they give, just saying like.
thanks, didnt know that, that just means they know there is a passport in the envelope, saves their guesswork i suppose.
just saying like !
You worry too much. So your passport gets lost stolen, cloned etc. It's replaceable. Before you send it off you just photocopy it's pages, attachments, and keep your proof of postage. I've done this a few times over the years and never a problem. I even did a 90 day report at Korat immigration with my passport photocopies. They were non too concerned.Quote:
Originally Posted by taxexile
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrabow
Re-phrased:
Does it have any other purposes?
Not a lot. I've managed without one up until now. I only got one because it gives me the right to a 'Gold Card'. This 'Card' gives you the use of government hospitals as per a Thai has. I'm not fortunate enough to live near to a private hospital, or clinic. So I have to use that. It was on the suggestion of hospital staff that swayed me to getting it.
Thanks Superman,Quote:
Originally Posted by superman
State run hospital? I'd rather take the train back to BKK and go to Bungrungrad.
My 4 days stay in Surin was enough for a life time.
Well, I finally got my Yellow Book today! I'm the first farang to get one from Amphur Samchuk in Suphan so that's why it's taken me a while. The gals in the office there didn't have a clue how to do one but after having another 'go' at the 'Paa Laat' (Deputy Sherriff) she saw the light.
Bottom line, every district office that issues these Yellow Books does it a little differently although there is an official government book which they should follow when asking for docs.
For me it was a notorized doc from the American Embassy in Bangkok, copy of the Blue House Book, marriage cert and copy of my passport. Didn't have to get the passport translated either.
Me & the missus then boogied on over to the local government hospital which issued me the so-called 'Gold Card' which is in fact just another document with my relevant info on it. The hospital administration did say it's good for this Province only and if I wanted to go to another government hospital elsewhere in the country, I'd have to get a visa-like doc from the local Tessabaan first.
Good luck to all those others that want the Yellow Book and Gold Card 'cause it can be done - just takes a little longer depending where you live in Amazing Thailand!:)
btw, neither the Yellow Book or the Gold Card cost me one satang. In fact, when I was having a 'go' at the Paa Laat yesterday, I pushed an envelope with 2K Baht across her desk surrepticisouly and she gives me a 'look' and I wink. She just pushed the envelope back to me. Didn't want Tea Money
OK, I have just finished my interview at Lad Krabang Ampur, just over an hour. Very easy to do and the woman seemed to know what she's doing. In fact, a great lady.
She said my yellow book will be ready by next Tuesday. I asked about the health card and she said she didn't know.....Does anyone know who I would contact after I receive my book?
Cheers, DsD.
*update*
I had to submit all of the documents what Boon Me submitted, plus certified translation of passport and the stamp from the ministry of foreign affairs.
Maybe I will try the local government hospital for health card.
They are the folks that issue that. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by deathstardan
Cheers DD for a great site....
It's a good thing to share knowledge and experience......:)
Will do...Thanks mate....Quote:
Originally Posted by Boon MeeThey are the folks that issue that. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by deathstardan
The Tessa Baan has nothing to do with issuing the 'Gold Card', or in which area it can be used. Initially the card the hospital first give you is a temporary card that is restrictive on where you can use it once you've obtained the 'yellow book'. That issue usually is temporary for approximately one month. Thereafter you should be issued with the card that Thais get that covers them/you for any government hospital in Thailand. So I'm led to believe. I have the temporary medical card. But all the farangs that have the full card, where I live, have the 'anywhere in Thailand' on their cards. I can't be sure until I too get the full card.Quote:
Originally Posted by Boon Mee
I didn't say the Tessaban issued the Gold Card. The drill is to mosey on over to your local Tessaban with your 'Gold Card' to get a 'Visa' - like document that permits you to go to another Government Hospitals outside your Changwat when you travel around the country.Quote:
Originally Posted by superman
You are correct, and I never indicated you did. I was expressing my observations of me obtaining the 'Gold Card'. As to whether the 'Tessabaan' issue a visa -like document I have no knowledge. But my missus says her 'Gold Card' covers her at any government hospital. Her card is the same one as I should receive once they get around to issuing it. I'll let you know.Quote:
Originally Posted by Boon Mee
You won't receive the same kind of card or document a Thai citizen has. And too, it depends on where the Thai ID was issued determines the hospital. My wife's Thai ID was first issued in Bangkok and it entitles her to go to Sirarat Hospital - same one the King currently resides in.Quote:
Originally Posted by superman
It's all a bit complicated and this Farang doesn't pretend to understand it all. :)
The wife has just explained it this way to me. For Thais, they have to use the hospital that they're registered at, as per your wife Boon Mee. If the hospital cannot treat your problem, and you need to go to a doctor at a different government hospital, then a letter is required. That being issued at the hospital that can't treat you.
Also, on the back of the 'Gold Card' it states you can use any government hospital in Thailand, in cases of emergency or accident. If neither then they have to pay.
I'm sure someone will come up with a different variation
Thank you, that makes sense.Quote:
Originally Posted by superman