The embassy doesn't have the resources

Speaking as a former honorary consul in Pattaya, I suspect the problems are getting worse. Last year, we had the spectacle of a destitute and chronically ill Richard Hewitt who was left emaciated in a police station before media pressure and publicity moved him to a proper hospital. I know of similar cases that did not get the oxygen of publicity. The Foreign Office responds best when put under the spotlight.

 In his letter, the ambassador reiterates that there is no government money for hospital care, funerals, repatriations etc. He rightly advises Britons to get proper medical insurance. The problem, of course, is that the British expat population in Thailand is ageing, and many find it impossible to get insured either because they are deemed too old or have pre-existing conditions. It is my guess that of the 25,000 or so Brits residing in Pattaya on one-year visas, less than a quarter have medical coverage of any sort. It is indeed a timebomb for the future.

 This state of affairs has come about because the Thai authorities have a very lenient policy when it comes to issuing one-year permits. It’s not difficult to show a bank balance or income of Bt400,000 a year (married visa) or Bt800,000 a year (retirement visa). But such sums are negligible if you need a heart bypass or cancer treatment in Thailand. The situation has been made worse by the devaluation of the pound against the baht – 50 per cent over the past 12 years coupled with rising Thai inflation. One idea being floated by the Thai authorities is to require one-year visa applicants to show valid health insurance or prove that they can draw on additional funds for emergencies.

 Traditionally, Brits have fled back to the UK when they fall seriously ill. They still do and some succeed in disguising their non-residential status in UK when obtaining free medical treatment there. It’s all a bit hush-hush but getting harder all the time. Look at www.nhs.uk/NHS

England/Healthcareabroad. It basically says you are on your own.

Barry Kenyon

Pattaya, Chon Buri