200404 First case of the virus documented in Sakon Nakhon

 

NOTICE: This is an online OCR  and translation of the document posted on facebook.  Some translations (particular numbers) are incorrect. I have highlighted a few obvious errors in translation

Preliminary report of events to management (520! 000)
Event name: In case of being infected with Rhona virus 2015
Location of the incident: 15 Village No. 5, Pong Paen Subdistrict, Nong Paen Subdistrict, Charoen Sin District, Sakon Nakhon Province
Onset / occurrence date: 22 March 1981 News received date: 3 April 1980
Newsreader: Outpatient Ghost Work at Charoen Sin Hospital, Mobile Phone Number: -

Event details (After checking the news) Measures that have already been implemented And measures to Proceed

Due to the date of 3 April 1981 at 05.05 hrs. Charoen Hospital

Sin received a report from the outpatient department. Charoen Sin Hospital That there are 3 people coming from
Phuket With fever, headache, body aches with runny nose for 2 days 5 Sasis1, Chareonsil Hospital
Therefore conducted an investigation on April 3, 1980, Vesla at 5:35 am with the objective of confirming the history
Screening for symptoms of disease transmission And find measures to control and prevent epidemic Kovit-30

From the investigation, Thai female patients aged 23 years began to be ill on March 22, 1980 and received treatment.
At Charoen Sin Hospital on 3 April 1980 at 35:00 with fever, headache, pain as
The body 2 days ago and had a history of having a dry throat, unable to taste the tongue The nose can't smell Since the 22nd day
March 1981 and the patient has a history of traveling from Phuket. By composed of 6 pieces of ASIP at Bar Halen
Bang Sang, Patong Sub-district, Kathu District, Phuket Province Found 5 home touches but had no symptoms

Physical examination uses 35.2 degrees Celsius.

Travel history On Friday 20 March 1980, the patient left the dormitory with 2 friends.
By chartering a van to board at Phuket Airport. Passed by Air Asia, Udon - Phuket departing from
Phuket at 35.30 hrs. To Udon Airport. 12.30 hrs. There are parents and sons of patients. Pick up by private car
Arrive at the residence no. 15, Village No. 5, Tongsaensa Village, Nong Paen Subdistrict, Charoen Sin District, without stopping for a pump or anywhere.

On the 23rd or 25th March 1980, he entered the village of Dong Sa-nga Village, where he bought personal items at the grocery store.
Nang Pin / Mrs. Pin Opposite the entrance to Khrongtham Temple By wearing a mask all the time and using no more than 5 purchases
minute

On April 2, 1980, during the second purchase of personal items at the store, add another time by
Not more than 5 minutes and always wear a mask

Friday 3 April 1981, one day before coming to the hospital Patients informed from live events "52006 of
Friends at Sanam Phuket Hospital That friends who work together are infected Therefore came to check at Charoen Hospital
Art and history taking at the screening point Called a friend and confirmed that he was actually infected

Activities conducted and collected samples Pon 5000 Tok 855 | 5 Pon 2 with the Toh Ho! RL 2 sent for examination
Fong | 1000, Mano 2035 568, at Huan Medical Sciences, Uttarathanee To confirm the occurrence of the disease, test results
Analyzed on 3 April 1980 at 15.20 hrs., Found genetic material of corona virus infection 2013
(600 Ye-31)
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Seven days, six nights in the hospital

Was mainly treated for a intestinal infection, but also sought treatment for a long running ear infection. I'm listing some of the costs, as I have been asked  about these costs. Keep in mind that I stayed at the government hospital. Commercial hospital rates are much higher. Some time back I spent one night in a commercial hospital  and paid over 15,000 3 x rays  1,100 CT scan 12,000 Medication and hospital stay 12,718 (5 nights vip room 1,500 per night = 7,500)

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

...a vigilante group rushed at me...

Found a brown coconut laying in the yard. 
Didn't listen that the nut was past any use.  Had to find out for myself. 
Used the machete, a very common household and garden utensil in most Thai homes.

Opened the coconut, it reeked.  Threw the coconut away, turned around an stepped on the handle edge of the rusty machete.


Minor puncture wound.  If it would have been bleeding I would not have worried too much.  Flowing blood tends to cleanse a wound.
I ain't taking any chances.  I was off to the hospital for a tetanus shot.
At the hospital the mistake I made was to agree that they clean out my wound.  
I had actually done that before I came to the hospital.  I received a quick swab, a band aid and a tetanus shot.


I received a bill for 130 baht (US$ 4.20), paid it and was on my way out the door.
As I opened the car door a vigilante group rushed at me from the hospital, clerks, nurses and even the owner/doctor.  "I didn't pay the bill."
They kept showing me a bill for 200 baht (US$ 6.46).  I kept digging for my receipt, I couldn't find it.


Minutes of arguing till the cashier wrote out a new receipt 130 Baht for the shot, 200 baht for the band aid in the emergency room.
I keep promising myself that I will change hospitals.




A block from the hospital, on the way home, I decided to stop at the liquor store and replenish my peppermint Creme De Mint.  I like the stuff, makes my mouth smell like I just gargled.
 
While at the store I made a great discovery.  Don't know why I missed it in the past.  Pipes, pipe tabaco and a roller.

Cigarettes, especially the paper and filter contain lots of chemicals.  With pipe smoking I avoid  the hazardous additives.


Why I bought the roller is quite obvious. A pack of smokes is anywhere from 30 baht (US$ .97) to 60 baht (US$ 1.94).  A kilo (2.2lb) of tabaco can be had for 100 baht (US $3.23).

Chronic Phase

Without a doubt I have Herpes Zoster. WiKiPEDiA . Patient UK

There is no need to go to a major hospital and get tests such as a biopsy.

The main problem has been communications with the doctors throughout treatment.

During the first three hospital visits I was told I have herpes.

What I knew of herpes is that it is a sexually transmitted disease.

The first week, the pain was severe enough that I went to the hospital three times. I received a total of 14 bags of medication.

Some of this medicine was for Alzheimer's treatment ?

I told the doctor that I had an ulcer and was taking medication for that.

I made that statement so he would not prescribe detrimental medications.

Instead I received over the counter ulcer medication.

There are various types of Herpes. I didn't know that !!

About a month into this ordeal, a friend wrote me of his own medical problem he had recently. He told me of the painful shingles and attached a web picture.

His only lasted a week or so. He took antiviral medications from the start.

After that I spent hours researching the virus on the internet.

I got anti viral medications from the drug store and took them for a week.

But it was too late.

As I found out from the most recent doctors visit,

anti viral medicine is only effective if taken during the onset of the infection.

I was never given this type of medication from doctors

This medication is available at drug stores.

Another major problem has been identifying the medications.

At the hospital medication is labeled in English.

I can go on the internet and find out about the medications.

Restrictions, effects, etc..

In a few cases I was given combinations of medicine, which according to the precautions, should not be taken simultaneously.I was not informed.

Medicines from doctors offices are not identified by name.

In most cases they just show how many times to be taken.

Almost all medications I have received may have been under prescribed.

Quite often I was given 5 or 10 mg.

Where instructions were available, I discovered the dosage should be 100 mg or more. Think this has a lot to do with body size and weight and severity.
During the most recent doctor's visit I was given 50 mg tramadol, with instructions to take them once a day.
Recommended dosage at medicinenet is every 4 to six hours.

Injections to relive pain had similar effects.

Of four injections, over the last three months, two had absolutely no effect on pain.

Another injection had an effect as if I had two beers. Slightly tipsy, but still in pain.

During my third hospital visit I strongly requested, and the doctor agreed.

I was given a morphine type shot.

It relieved the pain and I actually did not feel 'tipsy.'

On the subject of morphine. I received six morphine pills.

Only one of the pills had any effect. The others did not.

The instructions required the medicine to be stored at no higher than 25 degrees.

I suspect the medications where not properly shipped or stored.

For whatever reason, these pills did not help in the slightest.

Opinion:

Three apparent problems in the Thai medical system as I see it.

1. Doctors do not make any money from visits.

Their income is derived from the sale of medications.

During all my medical visits, I noticed other patients receiving large quantities of medications.

I never received less than four different types of medications.

2. Thai doctors seem afraid of prescribing narcotic type medications for pain.

Codeine type medicines, with which I survived for the previous 22 years, are no longer available in this part of Thailand (from appearances).

The few narcotic type medicines I received, were prescribed in minimal (useless to me) amounts. Not knowing the names, descriptions, and limitations, I did not dare to take more.

3. Thai doctors and druggists operate independently.

During my first doctors visit I should have been advised about the anti viral medication and sent to a druggist.

Doctors tend to only prescribe medications they have in stock

Herpes Zoster effects everyone a bit different.

The initial pain is predominant in all cases.

If treated properly from the start, if the person's immune system is strong, or other variables, the whole ordeal may be over in a matter of a week or two.

Two points against me.

I now have a chronic condition. This may last six months or even a year.

Diet has a definite effect on the severity. It varies from one individual to another.

I recently had scallops for dinner. Within hours I was in unbelievable pain for two days.

I've been advised not to eat poultry. In the past I ate eggs, without any worsening effects.

Last night Joey piked some Aloe, mixed it with turmeric.

It was a messy application, but I had no pain at all. Major Surprise.

Will repeat an application again today and use plastic wrap, so I can keep it on for periods of time.

My main focus has to be improving my immune system. It includes stopping smoking. That is another lengthy dissertation to come.

Sakon Medical Services

... tell me very briefly about ... general medical care

Three Hospitals serve  Sakon (City นคร)
To foreigners they are known as the military hospital, the private hospital, and the government hospital (look for the beds on my map right sidebar).

There are smaller hospitals or aid stations in the surrounding area.

These facilities perform standard medical procedures.
Where more specialized surgery is required, such as heart surgery, the patient is stabilized until able to travel to Khon Kaen, or Bangkok.

There are numerous clinics in the area.
They generally operate during lunch hours and early evening hours.
Most are operated by doctors who work at nearby hospitals during business hours.
It's first come first served, unless you call ahead.  Bring someone along who can translate for you.

Plenty of pharmacies dot the landscape.  A few of the pharmacists speak some English.
If you point out or describe your ailment, they can suggest recommended medicines.
Of course they'll offer you the most expensive options first.  Ask for the Thai alternative.
Better yet, send your Thai companion:

I asked for the strongest antibiotic and got an expensive import at Bt 1,000.
I sent a Thai friend to get me the strongest antibiotic, it was Bt 200.

There's also a MRI facility in town.
Some years ago, after falling, I had my head scanned, complete with dye.
Cost was Bt 5,000.  Prices had probably gone up somewhat by now.

What I've written about dentists before
My other hospital writings

Cataract surgery done locally

There is nothing wrong with having cataract surgery done other than in Sakon Nakhon. There are of course travel expenses, food and lodging.  Such surgeries are done on a scheduled basis at the local government hospital at affordable cost. Expect one overnight hospital stay While my hospital room wasn't the greatest The operating facilities were immaculate and up to date My Hospital visit

Sakon Nakhon

Really stoned while airplane engines explode - AWOL from the Nuthouse - praying to the Valium god

Scene  1

in 1970 I was stationed at Fort Greely Alaska. Had a sweetheart of a job creating and operating a self service supply store. One of my duties was a weekly trip to Fairbanks with a 5 ton.

Scene 2

Developed a severe pain in my hands. Could have been arthritis or frostbite. Pain was worse during the cold season.
Doctor could not find any evidence of injury but recommended I return to warmer weather in the lower 48.  
For the price of some army winter gear, including bear paws he'd sign a medevac for psychosomatic pain

Scene 3

Flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage was military standby. In Anchorage I had to spend a few days waiting for a flight to Seattle.  As I ran out of pain medicine I visited an airforce doctor who gave me some really potent pills. One pill and I was fried.  Flight to Seattle was a seat on a medevac flight from Vietnam.  Rows and rows of bunk beds with casualties.

We were airborne no more than 5 minutes when the external left engine exploded with a  flame trailing the airplane. From the cabin comes the co pilot with a fire extinguisher. I just wondered what was the purpose of the extinguisher inside the cabin.  Apparently the pilot had cut fuel to the engine  and the flame died out.

Minutes of calm until a second explosion, this time on the right side. The co pilot came from the cabin this time without an extinguisher, just to look out the window and confirm that the flame was out.  

At the moment of the second explosion I thought "what the heck," I swallowed five very potent pain pills. Best happy hour ever.

The aircraft circled over the ocean to dump a full load of fuel. A collective sigh at the moment the airplane began taxiing to the terminal.  Due to intoxication from pain pills I required assistance leaving the aircraft. 

Scene 4

Because my medical condition had been listed as psychosomatic pain I was housed in the mental ward at Madigan hospital, just outside Tacoma. I could sign in and out throughout the day. The shrink knew my condition was not mental and my pains weren't as bad in the warmer than freezing weather.  

Scene 5

I was sick and tired of live in the shrink ward.  Went AWOL.  Took a bus to San Francisco, booked into the 'Y," stayed a week till the party money ran dry.

Returned to Madigan and reported myself return from AWOL status.
Funny thing is they had no paperwork and asked me how long I was gone.  I was committed to declaring 'one day.' 




I was summoned to the commanding officer. A photographer was present as I was awarded an Army commendation medal for my job in Alaska.

The room was then cleared of witnesses and I was read the Article 15 punishment 

I was demoted from Sp5 to Sp4, restricted to hospital grounds for 30 days.
The hospital had a movie theater, a snack bar, a commissary.  I was assigned as supply sergeant of the holding company

Scene 6

My hand pains had lessened, but still fired up on rainy and cold days.  The shrink prescribed valium. I got what seemed to be a month's supply.

I must have forgotten taking that first pill. My then girlfriend, later wife, sent the military police on a search.  They found me passed out kneeling in front of the altar at the chapel.  I had placed the empty pill bottle on the altar.  The cops stopped at my locker to search for any other drugs.  I was out cold when my stomach was pumped.

Scene 7

I woke in the recovery room with this intense headache.  I noticed my jacket on the nightstand.  I remember I had aspirin. Other patients in the room saw me taking the pill and streamed 'he's doing it again.' 
A medic rushed in and jumped on top of me.  Trying to make him stop, I choked him with both hands.  

Days later I tried to apologize.  Nothing doing.  I almost killed him.  Other patients had to come to his rescue.

The shrink then asked what sort of assignment I would prefer. I became an instructor at the US army quartermaster school.

Scene 8

Almost two years later, married, I came home intoxicated. Expecting a massive hangover the next morning I put a glass of water on the nightstand and a partial bottle of aspirin in the top drawer. I passed out

I awaken sometime during the night I see the bedroom ceiling, then the living room, then the night sky, then the inside of an ambulance.  I'm strapped in.  I had to spend six hours in the hospital for observation.  That's the minimum required time when a suspected drug overdose is reported. Want to guess where I met my wife ? She was an army nurse.
I asked my first sergeant for a day off because of extenuating circumstances
สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Recovering from hand surgery

Even though most injuries from last month's motorcycle accident have healed almost completely, I did have a rock embedded in my left hand.  
In recent days it started to cause severe pain.  I attempted home surgery to remove the stone.  I was unsuccessful and decided it was time for a visit to the hospital.  The stone turned out to be a quarter inch triangle.  The surgery was performed at the Raksakol private hospital at a cost of 6,000 baht.
After the surgery, the pain in my hand was quite a bit less than with the rock embedded in my hand.  I can stash the pain medicine for some other pain in the future.

Compared to US prices, the surgery was quite inexpensive, yet local hospital prices have gone up.

Nine years ago I paid 6,000 baht for a CT scan when I fell on my head in my living room.  Last week I had a CT scan to confirm the results of the artery surgery done six months ago.  This time the scan cost 18,000 baht.  The recent scan confirmed that everything is back to normal.

O- blood donors sought

76 year old Thomas Ryan is presently in the Sakon Nakhon hospital, awaiting surgery.
The operation can not proceed until the hospital has a supply of O-negative blood.

If you have this rare blood type your help would be greatly appreciated.
Contact Sakon Nakhon Hospital 062716393
English speakers call Nim 0894760343

The first ฿200 is on me for your day/evening out November 1

Apples, Pitstop, Roadhouse will have a ฿200 starter kit for all ex-pat customers (includes long-stay foreigners, teachers), limit one per customer, limit ฿4,000 per establishment.  

Had anticipated to celebrate the "seven-oh" in a big way.  Not going to happen, maybe later.

Two of four (birthday) celebrants have medical conditions.  Samart just spent a week in the hospital.  He looks like a pincushion. I've been to the hospital three times last week due to a motorcycle accident I had a month ago.

More hospital visits are planned

Question about Medical Care

What hospital are you getting your treatment at ?

I go to RakSakon, talk English with the docs, and never have a problem ?

I've been going there since my first accident injury (Aug 2003.

The service has been good to great.

The fact that medicine is labeled and is in English for all western patients is definitely a plus for me. All doctors know a fair amount of English.

What is a bit worrisome is the fact that I noted on a number of occasions I and a visitor had received 'contradictory' medications, to which we were not alerted:

"If you take this medicine DO NOT take that medicine."

In the case of shingles, I should have been given anti viral drugs from the outset.

It most likely would have limited the duration (going on four months now).

Anti viral medication is available at all local drug stores.

I should have been 'referred' to a druggist.

Druggists and doctors seem to work independently.

Both derive their income by selling pills.

Frequently some of the medicines given to me were available cheaper at any pharmacy.

I'm used to receiving prescription medicines from a doctor and being referred to a pharmacists for over the counter medications.

I have an extensive history of upper back and neck injuries.

I have had plenty of pain medications in my time.

Obviously my body has some immunity. To be effective, I require larger doses in some cases.

Something almost all local doctors seem to abhor.

Seeking out medications for me is a last resort.

As mentioned previously, my pain threshold is quite high.

When I really need it, I hope for effective help.

A number of pain injections did nothing to relive the pain.

I could have stayed home and had a coconut cocktail for the same effect.

The first week of shingles is extremely painful.

I went to the hospital three times in one week.

The second and third visit I expected an injection, which I received.

During the three visits I accumulated 14 bags of medication.

I just think that's a bit too much.

It's obvious that Thailand's anti drug war has gone overboard into the medical services.

When I first arrived codeine tablets were available from any druggist.

Now not even a doctor has them available.

I learned long ago to respect codeine. It's great in relieving pain.

But the side effects have to be kept in mind.

Arriving in Pattaya on a weeklong vacation with strep throat.

I drank two bottles codeine cough syrup in one evening.

Trying to keep it clean here: The side effects

I could not do a number two for a week, when I did, I almost blew the toilet apart.

My organ remained limp for a week. Not many tourist dollars spent that week.

I do expect to use the services of the hospital again.

But next time I get a pain shot, I'm going to stay until I feel the effect.

In case I need to ask for a 'refill.'

Two local Expats hospitalized

.

Happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year
If you drive, stay sober.
If you party hardy, then let someone sober do the driving.
Expect increased road checks over the holidays

Two local Expats hospitalized

an e-mail I received

Dear Hans,nice to see you the other day,thank you for your help.
I read your web-site daily. Sometimes I pick up some interesting small items of news, however, as Sakon Nakhon's roving Falang reporter, I think you are missing out on some important human interest stories of local falang persons, instead of commenting on parades etc.

In the local General Hospital are 2 seriously unwell peopole.
{1}Laurie R... ... suffered a heart attack.
{2}Tony P...
I have visited both of these people.
Are they not worth a visit from you our intrepid reporter ; a mention on your web-site.they have personal help but encouraging support may help from other fellow falangs, it is not nice to be in a hospital in a foreign country.
What do you think?
regards,

Thank you for sharing information regarding the health of two of our compatriots.

 

Roving reporter is a misnomer.  This blog is a hobby, not a profession.
I first started a website, then switched to this blog with the intent of providing information and entertainment for tourists and expats. I post information as I discover it.  I try to avoid gossip without verifying the facts.

With a few exceptions, this blog has been pretty much a one man show.  I gladly accept contributions from others.  A recent example is the entry Mekon River At Nakhon Phanom with pictures contributed by Gene.

I frequently get invitations to photograph weddings, birthday parties and the like.
I generally only publish photographs of public events, such as parades, for a reason.
I've had a number of occasions when I received frantic phone requests to remove specific pictures because people didn't want their whereabouts to be published.
Some reason given: "I don't want immigration to know where I am," or "I don't want my Ex to know where I'm living."

For similar reasons I have edited the names from your letter.
I do wish to commend you personally for visiting our hospitalized friends and sharing the information.
Which hospital?

Another Expat home under construction

Supposedly at ITU Soi 3/5 Sakon Nakhon. I went looking for it. Found another construction site, but not this one. First time I've seen them use a pile driver. Usually they dig the holes by hand.

Fish farming encouraged as extra income for poor and elderly

At least that's my understanding reading the news story in GOOGLE Translate.
You really have to read between the lines to understand these computer generated translations.
I do have a problem understanding the references to "...Thai sex change doctor fish..."
original article GOOGLE Translate

-----------------------	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Thai Meteorological	29/14	30/15	28/14	28/12	28/13
Accuweather	33/15	32/13	29/12	29/13	31/16
Weather Underground	29/14	28/13	27/12	26/13	28/15

An odd way of Celebrating New Years

Safety Inspection Failure

House of Pain

Fatboy  Noticed Fatboy severely limping day before yesterday.  Don't know what happened, but he's been at the vet for the past two days.  Seems to be improving, but very slowly. Can't jump the steps into and out of the house.  I have to carry him.  Have to keep him in the yard next week when I spend overnight at the hospital, he won't be able to get up the two steps  Me  Have been having lower abdominal pains for months.  All sorts of tests, everything is normal except my stool. Having that camera up the caboose on Tuesday, check into the hospital on monday. Just came to realize that the pain is not stomach related.  Was doing a lot of sitting during the hospital tests.  The pain was severe.  When I stood up, the pain lessened significantly. Seems to be a muscle or nerve that gets compressed when I sit for any length of time.  Most likely the result of a too heavy massage.   Joey  Drunken accident has left him with some major permanent injuries.  Has already been declared 'handicapped.' Complains about a lot of pain, but does little to remedy the problem.  Most of the medication he is getting is useless.  He needs some serious pain medication and physical therapy

Sakon Nakhon

Thanks for all the Well Wishes

My thanks to all my friends for the well wishes and visits in recent days.  Especially also my thanks for the many snacks and drinks I am enjoying.

Friday I am off by ambulance and two nurses for a trip to Koen Kean to see a specialist there.

It all started last Friday when I experienced severe pain in my side and back.  A free ambulance ride to the hospital, where an x-ray confirmed my suspicion that I had a kidney stone moving into the urethra.  I was given an injection to control the pain and some medicine to see me through the weekend for a Monday appointment with a specialist.

Saturday night I returned to the Hospital for another injection and some stronger pain medicine.

During the Monday appointment I was admitted into the hospital with the intent of removing the stone. I was given pain medicine at regular intervals and a number of tests.
Heart is healthy, blood pressure normal, almost a clean bill of health.

The 'procedure' to remove the stone was to happen Tuesday.  Before that could happen a CT scan (6,000 baht) was ordered for the correct location of the stone.

Utter panic after the results of the scan.  The procedure was cancelled, I was told not to walk or do anything  strenuous.  The doctor consulted with my friends for an hour.  Not with me.
You know how things get twisted in translation.... I was ready to say AMEN.
It took a few phone calls to determine that a major artery running through my intestine had ballooned.
The doctors were worried it could burst at any moment.

Personally I think that condition had been there for some time, as I have been having stomach cramps almost daily for at least the past year.

Meanwhile no cigarettes or coffee for three days, I'm actually breathing without wheezing.  But the urge is still very strong.

https://www.facebook.com/luanghans

After the holidays

Had a request for a recommendation of a dentist. 

Morwa Fun Sewii. Tel 042-713451.
Office is located next to the Raksakon Hospital. 

Open during lunch hours and after 5 p.m.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Regarding yesterdays football game:

Sakon Nakhon vs Mukdahan, think we lost.
Mukdahan seemed to have control of the game most of the time.

Picture taken three seconds before the first score.

Due to a personal injury I did not stay for the whole game.
I left in the middle of the second half when the score was 

Sakon Nakhon 0, Mukdahan 2.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have a long history of back injuries from my career in the trucking industry.
I tried to do self treatment when my back was bothering me after all the Sagkran revelry.
Now the injury is worse than before, requiring pain medication and lots of bed rest.
The doctor at the hospital suggested that it will be a month before I recover.
While at the hospital, blood pressure readings got a very good rating from the administrating nurse.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the end of Songkran we experienced a couple severe tropical rains.
My water tanks began to overflow the 6,000 liter capacity within 20 minutes.
With plenty of moisture on the ground, there's plenty of humidity in the air, causing high FEELS LIKE temperatures.

IT's GOING TO FEEL HOT

Sakon Nakhon province had no holiday related deaths to report during the three day Songkran.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I haven't seen any political gatherings locally. If I'd see one, I'd be heading in the opposite direction.
With all the recent turmoil in the Capital, followed by a somewhat erie quiet.

What next??

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs is issuing warnings according to The Independent.UK The article also refers to known theft dangers at Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market

China and India have scrapped a number of flights to Thailand, which were to start coinciding with Songkran.

191114 I'm not accident prone

I've had some serious body injuries on the job years ago. What does happen frequently is these old injuries tend to revisit.  One reason I do little exercise is to avoid reigniting these longtime injuries that happened thirty years ago.

Recently a neck injury was reignited with whiplash type pains. Very painful. Decided to visit the commercial hospital  knowing the visit would be more expensive than a doctors office.  Paid 500 Baht for the hospital visit and four medicines.  That's roughly US$ 16.  At a doctor's office I would have paid half. Getting just the medications would have been 100 baht.

This brings me to the conclusion that I will not be returning to the US in the near future. 

My (*1) medical expenses are minimal here and would be a large percent of my income in the US. I figure nearly $5,000 per year with medicare.

I was offered to live with some friends in Seattle.  The Seattle (*2) climate is the second major reason I am staying where I am. The mostly hot climate in Thailand limits recurrence of many of my body aches.

I prefer to have better alternative options. Let's say the Seattle option turns sour and I have to find my own residence. Seattle  (*3)  rental prices would eat up half of my monthly income. In Thailand I pay US$230 for a two bedroom house. A studio apartment goes for under US$100. 

I enjoy the friendship of many people and the many social activities, I'm just not willing to leave everything behind and start all over again.  I've done that too often in my lifetime.

I wholeheartedly appreciate my friends offering me an alternative and their understanding that I am declining the offer at this time


Tสกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

190912 Considering alternatives: Reason 1 MEDICAL

The latest 100% price increase of medical medication and treatment has me seriously considering packing my bags. It's quite racists and the reasons given are "lame."

Under the new prices expats would pay 30,000 baht for an MRI at hospitals.
Compared US prices at clinics is half that

Insurance companies are quoting prices which has nothing to do with insurance requirements the government recently imposed (40,000 baht outpatient, 400,000 baht inpatient). 

I can not see paying 167,542 per year for insurance when I spent that amount for medical services over a 18 year period.

A few articles declare how great Thai medical services are. These are mostly tourism related magazines.  Last hospitalization and tests I had were totally unneeded.

Had a lower abdominal pain.  Hospitalized, first test color liquid up my retum, complete with butplug for an exray.  Next test camera down my throat and up my rectum, negative results.  Day after release from hospital I realized it was a muscle strain.

Recently sought out hospital outpatient advice as I had passed out a number of times causing injuries.  No suggestions.  I finally found the cause by reading the side effects of blood pressure medicine they had prescribed.

Even after emphasizing that antibiotics no longer are effective on me, I've received dozens of prescriptions for antibiotics. (Don't laugh, it's real) Solved a six year long ear infection by sticking an onion into my ear for a few days.

Medical appointments are a joke. A hundred people may have a 9am appointment and can expect waiting hours before being seen. Such mass appointments often cause mistakes being made. 


Example of health insurance quote

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Praying for a speedy recovery

 January 23, 2013
Last I've heard:  Tony is in the Government hospital recovering from a motorcycle accident with serious injuries.  
He should be released from the hospital, requiring 'at home recovery time' within a day or two.

Friends have visited Tony and are assisting him.

Motor cycle accidents tend to cause injuries with a lifetime of discomforts of varying degree.

Pitstop Restaurant closed until Saturday.

Pitstop Restaurant closed until Saturday.  Martin is in the hospital, apparently with bronchitis.  Individuals wishing, can visit Martin at the private hospital, Ratsakon

Sakon Nakhon

Hospital costs

A Thai webpage listing medical costs at a clinic in  Sawang Daen Din.  Listed are prices for services such as x-rays, blood tests, ultrasound and CT scans.    The writer seems astounded at the cost of medicine.  Roam the Net! The bill Sakon clinical medicine and check nearly two thousand !! -upyim Comment: Review the medicines your doctor is prescribing before the prescriptions are filled. Quite often prescriptions are 'padded' with duplicate medicines, just a different manufacturer. Some of these medicines you can purchase over the counter at one third the hospital pharmacy charges.

Sakon Nakhon