It's free as long as one is in their registered area of Thailand. Why is it not free for Thais no matter where they are in Thailand? What a sham. We all know that many from Isan work in Bangkok etc. Apparently if it's an emergency and they can not get back home to their registered hospital, then it is supposedly free. Tell that to the hospital that says it's not. So if some poor Thai has an emergency and they can not get back home they may still have to pay. Or the hospital just won't treat them.