Thailand Hospitals Guide: Where to Get Medical Care (2026)

Good news: Thailand has excellent hospitals, especially private ones. Better news: They're very affordable and English-friendly. This guide covers the best facilities by region, costs, and what to expect when you need care.

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Thailand's Hospital System: Public vs. Private

Public Hospitals

Strengths:

• Very cheap (1/3 the cost of private)
• Good quality in major cities
• Technically open to everyone

Weaknesses:

• Long waits
• Limited English
• Less tourist-friendly
• Older facilities in some areas

Reality: Most backpackers use private hospitals (better English, faster). Public hospitals if budget is tight.

Private Hospitals

Strengths:

• English-speaking staff
• Modern facilities
• Tourist-friendly
• Fast service
• Direct insurance billing (often)

Weaknesses:

• More expensive (but still cheap vs. home countries)
• May require payment upfront

Reality: Best choice for tourists. Costs are still reasonable by Western standards.

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Bangkok: The Medical Hub

Bangkok has the best hospitals in Southeast Asia. International standards, English throughout, treat patients from 50+ countries.

Bumrungrad International Hospital (Top Tier)

Reputation: Consistently ranked top hospital in Asia

Location: Sukhumvit 33, near BTS Phrom Phong

Services:

• Emergency room
• All specialties (orthopedics, cardiology, neurology, etc.)
• Surgery
• Dental
• Physical therapy
• Pharmacy

English: Excellent (all staff speak English)

Cost (approximate, no insurance):

• Emergency room visit: 2,000-3,000B
• Consultation with specialist: 1,500-2,500B
• X-ray: 1,500-3,000B
• CT/MRI: 5,000-8,000B
• Hospital admission: 3,000-8,000B/night depending on room

Insurance: Most international insurances accepted, will bill directly

Why it's good: If you have serious injury (motorbike crash, major surgery), this is where you want to be. Quality equals Western hospitals at 1/3 the cost.

Website: bumrungrad.com

Bangkok Hospital (BNH) — Sukhumvit

Location: Sukhumvit Soi 3, near MRT Sukhumvit

Services:

• Full emergency department
• All major specialties
• Diagnostics (X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound)
• Surgery
• Pharmacy
• Dental

English: Very good

Cost (approximate):

• Emergency: 1,500-2,500B
• Consultation: 1,000-2,000B
• Hospitalization: 2,000-5,000B/night

Insurance: Accepted, direct billing usually available

Why it's good: Well-located, excellent care, slightly cheaper than Bumrungrad. Good alternative if Bumrungrad is busy.

Website: bhothailand.com

Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital

Location: Sukhumvit Soi 49

Services:

• Full emergency
• All specialties
• Diagnostics
• Surgery
• Pharmacy

English: Good

Cost:

• Emergency: 1,500-2,500B
• Consultation: 1,000-1,500B
• Hospitalization: 1,500-4,000B/night

Why it's good: Reliable care, good English, decent prices. Solid mid-range choice.

Bangkok Hospital Chain (Multiple Locations)

Bangkok Hospital operates many facilities across the city:

• Various BNH locations (Samui, Phuket, Pattaya, etc.)
• Good quality, consistent pricing

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Chiang Mai: Northern Thailand Medical Center

Chiang Mai Ram Hospital (Best in North)

Reputation: Best hospital in northern Thailand

Location: Chang Phueak (north of Old City), easy tuk-tuk ride

Services:

• Full emergency
• All specialties (including orthopedic trauma team)
• Surgery
• Modern diagnostics
• Tourist specialist clinic (English-speaking)
• Pharmacy

English: Excellent

Cost (approximate):

• Emergency: 1,500-2,000B
• Consultation: 800-1,500B
• X-ray: 1,000-1,500B
• Hospitalization: 1,500-3,000B/night

Insurance: Accepted, direct billing available

Why it's good: Used by expats, handles serious injuries well. If you have motorbike accident in Chiang Mai, this is where you go.

Contact: Chiang Mai Ram Hospital, +66-53-945-911

Real story: Common for motorbike accident victims to be brought here. They know exactly how to handle it.

Chiang Mai Hospital (Public)

Cost: Half the price of Chiang Mai Ram

English: Limited

Good for: Budget-conscious, non-emergency issues

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Phuket: Island Medical Center

Bangkok Hospital Phuket

Location: Phuket City (not Patong)

Services:

• Full emergency
• All specialties
• Modern facilities
• Good trauma team

English: Good

Cost:

• Emergency: 2,000-2,500B
• Consultation: 1,000-1,500B
• Hospitalization: 2,000-4,000B/night

Insurance: Accepted

Why it's good: Part of Bangkok Hospital chain, reliable. Best in Phuket.

Mission Hospital Phuket

Location: Patong (convenient for beach travelers)

Services:

• Emergency
• Main specialties
• Decent facilities

English: Moderate

Cost: Slightly cheaper than Bangkok Hospital Phuket

Good for: Quick urgent care, lower budget

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Koh Samui: Island Medical Options

Bangkok Hospital Samui (Best on Island)

Location: Koh Samui town

Services:

• Full emergency (relatively modern for an island)
• Main specialties
• Diagnostics
• Pharmacy

English: Good

Cost:

• Emergency: 1,500-2,000B
• Consultation: 1,000-1,500B
• Hospitalization: 2,000-3,500B/night

Why it's good: Only high-quality hospital on Samui. Used by expats and serious cases.

Note: Serious injuries may be airlifted to Bangkok (Bangkok Hospital chain coordinates this)

Samui International Hospital

Location: North Samui

Services:

• Emergency
• Basic specialties
• Diagnostics

English: Moderate

Cost: Similar to Bangkok Hospital Samui

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Koh Tao: Limited Medical Options

Problem: Koh Tao only has basic public hospital

Koh Tao Hospital (Public)

Strengths:

• Only hospital on island
• Emergency care available

Weaknesses:

• Very basic equipment
• Limited specialists
• Minimal English
• Limited surgical capability

Reality: If you get seriously injured on Koh Tao, you'll likely be transferred by speedboat to Koh Samui (Bangkok Hospital Samui) or by helicopter to Bangkok.

Cost: Cheap (1,000-2,000B for basic care)

Better option: Get injured in Chiang Mai or Phuket. Hospitals are way better.

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Krabi / Railay: Medical Care

Krabi Hospital (Public)

Cost: Cheap

English: Limited

Quality: Basic

Good for: Minor issues

Railay doesn't have a hospital — nearest is Krabi (30 minutes by speedboat + car)

Reality: Railay Beach is beautiful but isolated for medical emergencies. Get insurance with evacuation coverage.

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Pattaya: Beach Tourist Hospitals

Bangkok Hospital Pattaya

Location: Pattaya City

Services:

• Full emergency
• All specialties
• Good for beach injuries

English: Good

Cost: Similar to other Bangkok Hospital locations

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Emergency Numbers (Save These in Your Phone NOW)

| Service | Number | When to Use | |---------|--------|-------------| | Ambulance | 1669 | Medical emergency, need transport to hospital | | Emergency (Police/Fire) | 191 | Life-threatening, fire, crime | | Tourist Police | 1155 | Any tourist issue, accidents, crimes | | Tourist Assistance | +66-2-356-0650 | Non-emergency help, referrals |

Note: 1669 ambulance is government/public. Private ambulances (called by hospitals) are faster but only respond if you're going to that hospital.

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What to Bring to Hospital

Have ready before you need it:

1. Passport (required for registration)
2. Travel insurance card (bring proof of coverage)
3. Insurance company phone number (have it written down)
4. List of medications (if you take regular medications)
5. Blood type (good to know)
6. Emergency contact (person to call if serious)
7. Credit card (for payment if paying yourself)

Reality: Even if you have insurance, you'll likely need to pay first, then claim reimbursement. Always get receipts.

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Hospital Costs: Realistic Breakdown

Routine Medical Issues (No Insurance)

| Situation | Cost | |-----------|------| | Walk-in consultation | 800-1,500B ($22-40) | | Medication from hospital pharmacy | 500-2,000B ($14-55) | | Simple blood test | 500-1,000B ($14-28) | | Stomach issue (medication) | 1,500-2,500B ($40-68) | | Fever/headache consultation | 1,000-1,500B ($28-40) |

Urgent Issues (No Insurance)

| Situation | Cost | |-----------|------| | Emergency room visit | 1,500-3,000B ($40-80) | | X-ray | 1,500-3,000B ($40-80) | | Blood tests + consultation | 2,000-3,000B ($55-80) | | Stitches for cut | 2,000-3,500B ($55-95) | | Dental extraction | 1,500-3,000B ($40-80) |

Serious Issues (No Insurance)

| Situation | Cost | |-----------|------| | Motorbike accident (1-night) | 15,000-30,000B ($400-800) | | Broken bone (surgery) | 30,000-80,000B ($800-2,100) | | Appendicitis (surgery + 3 nights) | 50,000-150,000B ($1,300-4,000) | | Dengue hospitalization (5-7 days) | 20,000-50,000B ($550-1,300) |

Key point: Even serious issues are 1/3-1/5 the cost of home countries. But it's still thousands. Get travel insurance.

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Insurance and Payment

How It Works

Option 1: Insurance Direct Billing

1. Tell hospital your insurance before treatment
2. Hospital contacts insurance company for verification
3. Hospital treats you
4. Hospital bills insurance directly
5. You pay any deductible (usually 0-500B)
6. Insurance reimburses hospital

Option 2: Pay and Claim Later

1. Hospital treats you
2. You pay full amount to hospital (credit card or cash)
3. You request itemized receipt + documents
4. You send to insurance with claim form
5. Insurance reimburses you (takes 1-4 weeks)

Better hospitals do Option 1. Ask before treatment: "Will you bill my insurance directly?"

Important Tips

• Get everything in English. Don't accept Thai-only documents.
• Get itemized receipts. Not just total amount — what was each charge for?
• Take photos of receipts. Email yourself copies immediately.
• Ask about payment plans. Most hospitals allow payment plans if cost is very high.
• Keep all documents. You'll need them for insurance claim.

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Medications in Thailand

Thai Pharmacies (Everywhere)

How they work:

• Look for green cross sign on storefront
• Walk in, describe symptoms
• Pharmacist often treats you (no doctor needed)
• Medication is cheap
• No prescription needed for most things

What you can get without prescription:

• Antibiotics (amoxicillin, etc.)
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Pain medication
• Stomach medication
• Birth control
• Most common drugs

Cost: 50-500B per medication

Reality: Thai pharmacies are incredibly helpful. You don't need to see a doctor for minor issues. Describe symptoms to pharmacist.

Hospital Pharmacies

• More expensive than street pharmacies
• Higher quality/purity guarantee
• Better for serious medications

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Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: Food Poisoning in Bangkok

What happens:

• Wake up with stomach cramps and vomiting
• Go to nearest hospital (Bangkok Hospital or Bumrungrad)
• Wait in ER 30 minutes
• Doctor examines you, diagnoses food poisoning
• IV fluids if dehydrated
• Medication (anti-nausea, anti-diarrhea)
• Observation 2-4 hours

Cost: 3,000-5,000B ($80-135)

With insurance: You pay 0-500B, insurance covers rest

Scenario 2: Motorbike Accident in Chiang Mai

What happens:

• Crash your motorbike
• Someone calls 1669 or takes you to Chiang Mai Ram Hospital
• ER: Vital signs, assessment, X-rays
• Diagnosis: Broken leg, possible fracture
• Orthopedic surgery (2-3 hours)
• Hospital stay 3-5 days
• Physiotherapy

Cost: 50,000-100,000B ($1,300-2,600)

With insurance: Insurance covers most/all, you may pay deductible

Scenario 3: Dengue Fever on Island

What happens:

• High fever, can't move, severe aches
• Go to Bangkok Hospital Samui or local hospital
• Blood test confirms dengue
• IV fluids
• Monitoring (platelet counts, bleeding signs)
• 5-7 day hospitalization

Cost: 20,000-40,000B ($550-1,000)

With insurance: Insurance pays

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Pre-Travel Medical Prep

Before you leave home:

1. Get travel insurance (required)
2. Fill any prescription refills (bring enough medication for whole trip)
3. See your doctor if you have health concerns
4. Take photos of medications (prescription + OTC) for customs
5. Note any allergies (especially antibiotics)
6. Get vaccination records (may need proof if required)

This takes 1 hour and prevents major headaches.

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FAQ: Hospitals in Thailand

Do hospitals in Thailand have good quality? Yes. Private hospitals (especially Bangkok's) match Western standards at 1/3 the cost. You're fine.

Will they understand English? In major cities and private hospitals: Yes. In small towns: No. Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital, Chiang Mai Ram all have English-speaking doctors.

Is it safe to have surgery in Thailand? Yes. Thousands of international patients have surgery in Bangkok annually. Surgeons are trained internationally. Quality is high.

What if I need to fly home for treatment? Travel insurance includes medical evacuation. They'll arrange a medical flight if needed.

Can I just go to pharmacy for medication? For minor issues (stomach, cold, headache): Yes. For serious illness/injury: Go to hospital.

Will insurance cover me? If you have good travel insurance: Yes. If you don't: You pay out of pocket (but it's still cheap).

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Key Takeaways

✅ Thailand has excellent hospitals — comparable to Western quality at lower cost

✅ Private hospitals are worth it — English-speaking, fast, tourist-friendly

✅ Travel insurance is essential — covers hospitalization, saves money

✅ Bring passport + insurance card — required for hospital admission

✅ Save emergency numbers — 1669 (ambulance), 1155 (tourist police), 191 (police)

✅ Get itemized receipts — needed for insurance claims

✅ Bangkok has the best hospitals — if serious issue, get to Bangkok if possible

✅ Don't be afraid to go to hospital — It's cheap and good

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The bottom line: You're in safe hands in Thailand's hospitals. Get insurance, stay safe, and focus on enjoying your trip. Medical care is excellent and affordable.

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Questions about specific hospitals or procedures? Drop them in comments. Other travelers will help.