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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: niceinla on October 07, 2012, 09:55:08 pm

Title: Moving to thailand
Post by: niceinla on October 07, 2012, 09:55:08 pm
I'm moving to Thailand, or am hoping to rather.

While this should be exciting, it is also nerve-racking when I think about the unknowns. I hope someone out there can help with my questions..

I will be working, and my work will be handling my visa.

My questions are:
- Do they screen for HIV for a visa? Will I be denied when they get my results?

-What are some of the options in terms of receiving care and medication? Any good clinics?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: Anqueetas on October 09, 2012, 02:50:43 am
it might be a problem I heard my foreign said that they need to have a blood test when they have to renew their work permit(work Visa)  I suggest you talk to your company they probably can tell you what will happen.

treatment option in thailand is quite ok from cheap(public hospital) to expensive (private hospital) most drug are available except very latest one like Stribilid, complera, Atripla is not available instead u have to take sustiva and truvada).  If u can't take Atripla second and third option can be expensive in this country there is no co-pay of any kind here. I don't know about insurance though.

Hope this help.
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: emeraldize on October 09, 2012, 09:57:48 pm
Hi

Where do you hope to live?

There's more to your wanting to move to Thailand than a love of mangos.

Do you have friends, work, any support system already there?

Em
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: niceinla on October 10, 2012, 12:25:02 am
it might be a problem I heard my foreign said that they need to have a blood test when they have to renew their work permit(work Visa)  I suggest you talk to your company they probably can tell you what will happen.

treatment option in thailand is quite ok from cheap(public hospital) to expensive (private hospital) most drug are available except very latest one like Stribilid, complera, Atripla is not available instead u have to take sustiva and truvada).  If u can't take Atripla second and third option can be expensive in this country there is no co-pay of any kind here. I don't know about insurance though.

Hope this help.

I'm currently taking atripla. From my understanding, there is a generic available in Thailand. Is that not true?
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: niceinla on October 10, 2012, 12:34:16 am
Hi

Where do you hope to live?

There's more to your wanting to move to Thailand than a love of mangos.

Do you have friends, work, any support system already there?

Em


I do not have a support in terms of friends or family. I'm going there to teach English, probably in January/February. Not sure of what city I will be in- it depends on the positions available.

While I do love mangos ;D, this is an opportunity for me to live abroad and experience a new culture for a year. An adventure! I figure now is as good of a time as ever.
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: Matt Butler on October 10, 2012, 03:30:28 am
it might be a problem I heard my foreign said that they need to have a blood test when they have to renew their work permit(work Visa)  I suggest you talk to your company they probably can tell you what will happen.

treatment option in thailand is quite ok from cheap(public hospital) to expensive (private hospital) most drug are available except very latest one like Stribilid, complera, Atripla is not available instead u have to take sustiva and truvada).  If u can't take Atripla second and third option can be expensive in this country there is no co-pay of any kind here. I don't know about insurance though.

Hope this help.

Anqueetas, my understanding is that they do not screen for HIV for a work permit. They do however screen for syphilis.

Atripla is now available in Thailand. It has been for several months now. If purchased privately at Bumrungrad (in my opinion the best hospital in Bangkok) one months supply is about 4,300 Thai baht or about $140.



Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: emeraldize on October 10, 2012, 04:25:19 am

I do not have a support in terms of friends or family. I'm going there to teach English, probably in January/February. Not sure of what city I will be in- it depends on the positions available.

While I do love mangos ;D, this is an opportunity for me to live abroad and experience a new culture for a year. An adventure! I figure now is as good of a time as ever.

It is a fabulous culture and they are very keen on learning to speak English. 

If I learn/find anything that may interest you I'll let you know.

Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: emeraldize on October 10, 2012, 05:00:08 am
http://www.aidsmap.com/Countries-and-their-entry-restrictions/page/1255072/

after affirming the entry on the list you may find helpful info on the left hand index
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: Anqueetas on October 10, 2012, 12:04:18 pm
Anqueetas, my understanding is that they do not screen for HIV for a work permit. They do however screen for syphilis.

Atripla is now available in Thailand. It has been for several months now. If purchased privately at Bumrungrad (in my opinion the best hospital in Bangkok) one months supply is about 4,300 Thai baht or about $140.


Thank you Matt for additional info.
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: Anqueetas on October 10, 2012, 12:07:12 pm
I'm currently taking atripla. From my understanding, there is a generic available in Thailand. Is that not true?

Yes there is a generic from India separately into two pill called Ricovir-em(entrimabicine, tenofovir) and Stocrin(Efavirenz) cost around 2000baht a month and Atripla at some big hospital according to Matt.
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: niceinla on October 10, 2012, 04:47:05 pm
Anyone know the availability of Viraday? What about cost?

I hear its a good generic to Atripla.
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: indianguy1984 on October 21, 2012, 09:20:34 am
Atripla is available in Bangkok's Thai Red Cross-NAT for 2640 baht for 1 month supply. I go to Bumrungrad to see a doctor but when it comes to blood investigations, VL, or medication - it is much cheaper to buy it at Thai Red Cross at Ratchadamri Road.

Good luck.
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: indianguy1984 on October 21, 2012, 09:24:15 am
I do not recall Viraday being available in Thailand. It is available in India - the recommended retail in India is Rs3900 but in some HIV organisations they sell it much cheaper for Rs2700.
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: negThai on October 22, 2012, 12:46:59 pm
Can confirm Matt's statement that they test for Syphillis for a work permit, but no testing for HIV.

Good luck in Thailand, I love it here! If you need any advice from a long term teacher, send me a message.
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: Matt Butler on October 24, 2012, 09:59:05 pm
Atripla is available in Bangkok's Thai Red Cross-NAT for 2640 baht for 1 month supply. I go to Bumrungrad to see a doctor but when it comes to blood investigations, VL, or medication - it is much cheaper to buy it at Thai Red Cross at Ratchadamri Road.

Good luck.
Hi indianguy1984, that is certainly a much better price for Atripla than Bumrungrad.

Did you need any paperwork from Bumrungrad to show that you are currently taking Atripla? Or can you just turn up at the Thai Red Cross at Ratchadamri Road and ask for say 6 months worth of Atripla for two people. We do not live in Bangkok so it would be handy to know in advance.

How much do they charge for a CBC, CD4/8 and Viral load test also? Thanks.
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: St Ives on October 25, 2012, 09:08:51 pm
You both must have a presciption from a regular thai hospital for atripla etc and then have it filled at the red cross clinic. Their current price is 2.500 baht per 1 month's supply.    You can get a yearly script if you ask for one and collect a maximum of 2 months meds from the clinic per prescription every 2 months.  You cannot get meds for 2 people with one prescription; you'll need 2 seperate ones. You both also need to register at the clinic in person,  (if indeed there are 2 of you). They don't ask for your name, only your initials.
Blood work at the clinic is very reasonable. cd4 results in 24 hrs, vl results in 7 days. these results can be e- mailed to you if requested.
By the way, the consultation fee at the regular hospital is around 1500 baht per patient. If your condition is stable you only need to see an ID doc twice a year.
To recap. If you're working outside bangkok, on your day off go to a hospital, get a years prescription, get 2 months supply at the clinic and return home. You can do this in about 4 hours.  Not bad eh? Time for a cold one and some somtam before you get back on the bus...!
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: Matt Butler on October 27, 2012, 02:55:31 am
^ St Ives, Thank you very much for your detailed and informative response above. It was most helpful.

Best regards.
Title: Re: Moving to thailand
Post by: St Ives on October 27, 2012, 07:31:58 pm
Glad I could be of some help. Good luck.