Thread: Serious Public Health Issues in Thailand

Originally Posted by russellsimpson

Such is the forum.

Such is social common sense. Sit at the bar with your mates and bring up the subject of spaghetti sauce. When someone changes the subject you'll know the interest was lost. If one of them insists on sticking with sauce you'll know how ignorant and insensitive he is.

Originally Posted by THX 1133

Sorry; but the facts are very different than all of these war stories.

Originally Posted by THX 1133

TT tries to come off as "the man" here and just doesn't know what he's talking about; for a fact!

Your post appears ill-thought out and grounded in nothing but inexperience - but I'll bite.

You talk about 'Facts' - but what are 'facts' and can you produce these 'facts'? By that I mean, 'Facts' that Thai healthcare is in any way comparable (in the positive) to Western Health care.

So, assuming that you produce these 'facts' over and above war stories - You then go on to say I don't know what I am talking about. And again you use that same word - 'Fact'. Can you produce some 'Facts' to support that I don't know what I am talking about? Or is the only think you can offer, opinion? Opinion, I would argue, is less worthy that 'war stories' as it just that - an opinion - and not based upon personal experience.

Dude - if you are going to attempt to discredit the posters 'war stories', yet bandy around the concept of 'fact', its probably better if you think through your post before hitting, 'post quick reply'.

Just my take on things.

'The man'

Originally Posted by Terrytibbs

By that I mean, 'Facts' that Thai healthcare is in any way comparable (in the positive) to Western Health care.

What type of Thai healthcare do you talk about? The kind the farmers in Issaan can and will receive by virtue of the clinics they go to, or the kind you can receive if you seek out, research, and go to a properly accredited hospital, or dentist? There is no such thing as "Thai Health Care" in a comprehensive manner.

Lastly, an opinion, depending on context, can be just as much based on experience, as "war stories" conclusions can be based on inexperience and lack of understanding.

In conclusion - health care is just as much a responsibility of the patient, as it is the doctor's. It is the patient's responsibility to inform themselves, to take proper precautions, to properly research the situations they are in, and to research care providers. The problem is that most of the war stories come due because a lot of these fine folks are more concerned about their next bottle of beer, than their health - and when something goes wrong, have no idea what to do.

This applies to most tourists as well, by the way. Understand medicine, carry insurance, are my beliefs.

The entire Universe functions on a system of probability. You can do everything right and lose, everything wrong and win. Nonsmokers get lung cancer. Nondrinkers have liver failure. Cautious drivers are victims of brainless kids traveling at 100 miles an hour. You can buy a million Baht worth of insurance and watch it go in a week. There is no such thing as precaution. Precaution makes you feel better but it doesn't affect the probably of two objects colliding on Earth's surface or in Space.

So if you want to do everything right, how far to you take it .. sterilize your home and stay in it, or do the Michael Jackson and spend hours a day in a tent, put a biolab next to the kitchen and hire a tech to monitor your food, accept no visitors? Anything short of that and you're gambling. I'd prefer to gamble. What about you, Tom?

Originally Posted by Cthulhu

In conclusion - health care is just as much a responsibility of the patient, as it is the doctor's. It is the patient's responsibility to inform themselves, to take proper precautions, to properly research the situations they are in, and to research care providers. The problem is that most of the war stories come due because a lot of these fine folks are more concerned about their next bottle of beer, than their health - and when something goes wrong, have no idea what to do.

This applies to most tourists as well, by the way. Understand medicine, carry insurance, are my beliefs.

Idealistic shit. You take a job in whapepe Issan. When you get there you go to all the hospitals and do a survey of every piece of equipment and make sure it's all in working order. Then you test the skills of everybody on staff, get into the school records of the the physicians and check their grades and then complete back ground checks. Then you ask for a list of every patient who's ever been there, find them and give them a questionnaire.

Then it's your responsibility to "understand medicine." Better bone up folks, classes start in an hour

Slagging off the entire country? Where do you see that? Just because the site is based 'in' Thailand doesn't mean those of us who have been to other countries always refer to Thailand with every comment.

Hey, I was in Korea and offered a gig at Rajabhat in Surat. Does anyone think my first obligation was to research Surat's medical facilities?

Originally Posted by THX 1133

Most bad experiences with doctors are because of patient ignorance, being intimidated by doctors, and laziness to become self-informed.

for example, i had hernia surgery a few years ago. 1 hernia for each side, so i had 2 meshes installed at once. the doc had a good rep for this procedure (he invented that specific flavor of mesh installation) and impeccable credentials and references. i went home that night rather than stay in hospital (to a friend's house actually) and nearly bled to death (internal bleeding, the external evidence of which was comically gruesome, you can guess what happened if you use your imagination). all this after having my pick of the best healthcare the greater New York City area had to offer. why did this happen? simple. black box sez, "pilot error." i forgot to inform my doctor that i have slight hemophiliac tendencies. he'd have approached it differently if he knew i was a bleeder.

i've had some very good experiences with docs in Bangers, and there is very good healthcare available here, but you have to find the right doctor and give them the right information.