Foreign residents in Thailand use private hospitals, which are well equipped and quick to access, with international patient desks and interpreters at the larger ones. The main providers are Bumrungrad International, the Bangkok Hospital network and Samitivej. Care is paid for directly or by an insurer, and hospitals want proof of payment before they treat you. With the right insurance, most owners find healthcare one of the easier parts of living here.
How the system works
Thailand had 363 private hospitals and 927 government hospitals in 2019. The public system, including the universal coverage scheme, is built for Thai nationals. Foreigners can use public hospitals as paying patients, but they do not always meet the standard a European buyer expects, especially outside Bangkok.
In practice, residents register with a private hospital near home. You do not need a referral. You book a specialist directly, and the hospital handles tests, pharmacy and billing on site.
The main private hospitals
Bumrungrad International, Bangkok. Founded in 1980 and listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, Bumrungrad treats over 1.1 million patients a year from more than 190 countries, with over 1,500 doctors. In February 2002 it became the first hospital in Asia accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI), and it has been re-accredited seven times. It sits off Sukhumvit in central Bangkok.
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS). Founded in 1969, BDMS operates 34 hospital branches under six brands: Bangkok Hospital with 17 branches, Samitivej, Phyathai and Paolo with five each, BNH Hospital and Royal Bangkok Hospital. For property owners its importance is geographic. There are Bangkok Hospital branches in Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui.
Samitivej. Founded in 1979, Samitivej runs hospitals at Sukhumvit, with 275 beds and over 400 specialists, and at Srinakarin in east Bangkok, with 400 beds, along with a dedicated children's hospital. Samitivej Sriracha, with 184 beds, serves the Eastern Seaboard north of Pattaya. The group holds JCI accreditation, and its Sukhumvit hospital is close to Thonglor and Ekkamai.
What JCI accreditation means
Joint Commission International is the international arm of the body that accredits hospitals in the United States. It audits patient safety, infection control, medication management and governance against a published standard, and hospitals must be re-surveyed to keep the status.
Accreditation is held hospital by hospital, not by a group. Bumrungrad, Samitivej and Bangkok Hospital Phuket all hold it. Check the current status of the specific hospital you plan to use. Thailand also has its own national hospital accreditation, which Samitivej holds alongside JCI.
Healthcare by region
| Region | Main private option | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej, BNH | The deepest specialist cover in the country |
| Phuket | Bangkok Hospital Phuket | JCI-accredited, direct billing with international insurers |
| Pattaya | Bangkok Hospital Pattaya | Samitivej Sriracha is a second option to the north |
| Hua Hin | Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin | Bangkok is 199 km by road for complex cases |
| Chiang Mai | Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Ram | Smoke season affects respiratory conditions |
| Koh Samui | Bangkok Hospital Samui | Bangkok for complex cases |
| Krabi | Krabi Nakharin International Hospital | Phuket or Bangkok for major treatment |
If you have a chronic condition, or are buying for retirement, weigh this table as carefully as the view. Our area matchmaker can filter areas by priorities like these.
Paying and insurance
Private hospitals are generally of a high standard but can be expensive, and all hospitals require a guarantee of payment before they treat you. That means a card deposit or a letter of guarantee from your insurer. The larger hospitals, including Bangkok Hospital Phuket, have direct billing arrangements with insurance and assistance companies worldwide.
There is no reciprocal healthcare agreement between Thailand and the United Kingdom, and residents of other countries should assume the same. Options are:
- International private medical insurance. The usual choice for buyers at this level. It covers treatment in Thailand and, depending on the plan, evacuation and treatment at home.
- Thai health insurance. Check the limits, the exclusions and the renewal terms at older ages.
- Self-insuring. Possible for routine care, unwise for a serious accident or illness.
Premiums depend on age, history and excess, so obtain quotations before you commit to a budget, and see cost of living.
Insurance your visa may require
- The Long-Term Resident visa requires health insurance of at least USD 50,000, or Thai social security cover, or a deposit of at least USD 100,000 held for 12 months.
- The Non-Immigrant O-A retirement visa requires cover of at least USD 100,000, about THB 3 million, for first-year applicants. A policy from an overseas insurer is accepted with the prescribed certificate.
Rules change. Confirm the current requirement with us or the issuing authority before applying, and use the visa pathfinder to compare routes.
Practical points
- Dial 1669 or 191 for an ambulance, and keep your private hospital's own emergency number to hand.
- Hospitals and pharmacies usually accept foreign prescriptions, and brand-name drugs often cost more than local equivalents. Some medicines that are legal at home are controlled in Thailand, so check before you travel.
- Road accidents, especially on motorcycles, are a serious risk. See flights and getting around.
- Air pollution in Bangkok and Chiang Mai can aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions. See climate and seasons.
