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@เขาค้อยังคงบรรยากาศสดชื่นสวยงามทุกครั้งที่คุณยายพามาเที่ยวจาก@หล่มเก่าบ้านคุณยายไม่ไกลเลยแค่60กม.เท่านั้น

An Unexpected Fall, a Fast Ambulance, and a Lesson in Insurance

I don’t normally post personal stuff, but if my experience can help someone else, it’s worth sharing.

Two weeks ago, I had a bad fall at home and twisted my knee—so badly that for a moment I thought it was broken. A quick call was made to Thailand’s emergency hotline: 1669, and not long after, an ambulance arrived. They strapped my leg, lifted me onto a stretcher, and rushed me to the nearest hospital with sirens blaring. It was my first time in an ambulance!

At the ER, I was sent for an x-ray and given some much-needed painkillers. Thankfully, my leg wasn’t broken. They applied a half-cast to keep it straight and sent me home. The best part? All of this was free, thanks to my social security coverage. This included the ambulance, ER, X-Ray, medicine and follow up visit.

It made me think how many people I know who don’t have health or accident insurance. When something happens, they end up borrowing money to pay hospital bills. I’ve been lucky with my health, but my social security has helped me more than once—during my gallbladder operation, and even with a couple of bicycle accidents. Yes, I’ve paid monthly premiums, but I’ve saved a lot in the long run.

If you’re not the kind of person who saves for a rainy day, please consider getting some form of insurance. You never know when you’ll need it. And being in a foreign country without family support you might need it more than others.

Also, don’t forget the emergency number 1669. The ambulance team that responded to my call were professional, calm, and fast. I’m so grateful for the care I received.

Two weeks on, I’m still housebound. I’ve had to cancel all my summer holiday trips—including one to Malaysia this weekend. I still can’t walk without crutches or climb stairs, so the sofa has been my bed for the last 14 nights. I have a follow-up at the hospital after Songkran. If there’s no improvement, I may need an MRI… and possibly surgery. That could mean months more stuck at home. Not ideal for someone who loves to travel like me.

Take care this Songkran holiday. Accidents can happen when you least expect them. Stay safe, make sure you’re covered, and keep 1669 in mind.