i'd actually look at what your company plan doesn't cover before buying anything. most corporate policies in bangkok have terrible limits on things like ambulance transfers or out-of-country evacuation, which is where you really want the backup. i added a cheap rider with April Thailand just for that stuff and it's like 5k baht a year.

for pre-existing stuff, you're kinda stuck with whatever the insurer decides. but if you haven't filed a claim on something yet, sometimes you can get away with not disclosing minor things if they never show up on a medical record. not saying you should lie, just that thai insurers don't dig as deep as western ones.

also check if your company plan has a deductible or copay. a lot of expat plans here let you bump up the deductible to like 50k baht and the premium drops to basically nothing. that way you're only paying out of pocket for small stuff and the insurance kicks in for the real hospital bills.

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honestly at 38 you're still young enough that premiums won't kill you. i use Pacific Cross and they were pretty straightforward with the pre-existing stuff - they just slapped a 2 year waiting period on my minor issues and that was it. for the big stuff like cancer or heart conditions you're prob looking at a permanent exclusion if it's already on your record.

a lot of expats go with Cigna or Allianz but they're way more expensive and honestly the coverage isn't that different for basic hospital stays. if you just want backup for when your company insurance runs out, look at the local Thai insurers like Pacific Cross or LMG. they cover Bumrungrad and Bangkok Hospital without hassle.

one thing nobody tells you - check if your company plan covers outpatient first. if it does, just get an inpatient-only plan for the big stuff. saves you like 40% on premiums and you're not double-paying for doctor visits you already have.

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yeah Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but if you're up for a detour, try Som Tum Nua near Siam Square. their som tam pu pla ra is insane if you like the fermented fish sauce kick. way more pungent than the On Nut spot, just less grilled chicken options

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