twix38

How many people pay to come on holiday to commit suicide? Virtually zero would be my guess.
Suicide or misadventure should certainly not be the first default position or expectation, as it usually is here with the standard quote given of no mess, some alcohol and tablets found.

A 43 year old is unlikely to die in normal circumstances anywhere else in the world and I object to the clear preference seen in Thailand to label and go for the easy route with no tourism ramifications and best all round for the Police and Thailand irrespective of doing some proper police work bearing in mind the young age. Statistically this guy should have a miniscule expectation of dying in his room even with some wine and sleeping pills unless it was suicide which is also unlikely as usually you don't fly on holiday to do it.

It could be suicide. It could be natural causes. It could be overdose or mix of alcohol and pills etc
My beef is that EVERY time the police FIRST look for the same easy options and I believe Thailand to be a much more dangerous place than is thought because so much is hushed up or simply not treated as a crime in the first place or properly looked into.

It is a modern scandal that few foreigners are sufficiently aware of and runs very deep beneath the smiles.

Reading a Drummond article a couple of months ago where a British guy had lost his savings and house etc by being helped out, it read that Drew's wife was as culpable and involved as drew himself - assuming it's true. I don't think she's an innocent party at all. At least not from previous reporting.

Ok, my two penny worth ;-)

Send GBP and do not convert to THB. Therefore you don't need an FX company, so HIFX etc are irrelevant. Foreign currency is sent (GBP) to Thailand where conversion is done to get the best rate.

Use Halifax (need an account) and send GBP to your bank in Thailand. Costs the grand total of GBP 9.95, I believe. Certainly has been and was last time. The Thai bank will charge the mentioned comm up to max. of 500 Baht. Amount sent is otherwise immaterial as far as uk cost and with a comm rate in Thailand, but a maximum of 500 Baht.

That's how I think is easiest and most cost effective in getting the best rate.
What's all this about using a UK FX company, when as far as I know the last thing you want to do is convert the GBP to THB in the UK before sending to Thai bank.

Any comments?

Thank you all,

I will go to Queen Sirikit early next week when my Thai wife returns to assist and get an x-ray.

That is correct - no X-RAY and he didn't check what medication I was already taking and prescribed my only existing medication (Omeprazole - guess it's somehow relevant here too?) yet again and didn't answer me when I asked what he was prescribing.

As mentioned I was going to have an X-RAY and I asked how much (1,200) that was fine I said.
Then I asked a few other questions and he said to have an MRI. I actually said what about the x-ray?
He replied no, MRI better. As mentioned I was not willing there and then to have/pay for MRI and so he said go down medication route and return for follow-up.

Bumrungrad - That was where (you may remember) the specialist failed to diagnose my Barratt's Epithelium as I had an endoscopy and given anxiety tablets  with no follow up recommended, whereas on return to UK a Gastroscopy was advised and condition of Barratts LGD found.

Frankly I despair with Thai doctors. Some appear not to have patients best interests at heart or are various degrees of incompetant and reach for either what's easiest, most likely correct guess or costly and the medicine rack, always with at least 2 different products prescribed. 3 seems typical. Anyway, I shouldn't tar all with the same brush, but it's my experience so far.

Anyway, I will try the Queen Sirikit and should I go for X-RAY or MRI? - if they have one
Cartilage cannot be seen on x-ray, but reduced gap can, I gather. Is x-ray sufficient for diagnosis of Patellofemeral Arthritis or whatever it's likely to be, going on my symptoms?

Should I be taking the Celebrex meanwhile or at all?

Ravip,

thanks for reply. I note it is an alternative treatment. My usual thinking is I avoid these and that may be to my cost, but I haven't found one that works for me. I know they are all different, but I tend to restrict myself to tried and tested main stream. If you can recommend a Pattaya proponent (locally) I may try it out, but I'm not likely to travel to try. Thanks