Private Hospitals on Samui - some thoughts

[Tropicalevo]

For those unfamiliar with the private hospitals on the island,  and their fee structures, here are some things to maybe consider.

 

Private hospitals in most western countries are expensive. In some Asian countries they can be cheaper but not always (and rarely so in tourist areas in Thailand). Why should the ones in Samui be any different?

 

If I am unwell, or if I have a minor medical problem, my first stop is ALWAYS the local pharmacy. They can sell most drugs and  liquids and give advice for blocked ears for example. All pharmacists can speak English. Some better than others. I tend to ignore the large chain pharmacies  - except for Boots. They tend to be good as well - but slightly less helpful. Most local pharmacies will take your temperature and blood pressure as well (for a small fee).

 

If the phamacist cannot help then my next stop is a clinic. I do not use the government ones (even though I pay social security) as they are already overworked and the waiting time can be long. This is the same reason that I do not go to the government hospital in Nathon. Very good service if you survive the wait.

 

I use the private clinic that is nearest to my home - it is down the old Monkey Theatre Road in Bophut. It is much much cheaper than the private hospitals and offers a more friendly and detailed service. (They seem to actually care!) I attend the clinic regularly for blood tests (I have to monitor my PSA) and the price is a fraction of the hospital prices. Note that the clinics are not open 24/7.

 

For non urgent medical needs that the clinics cannot provide, I then go to the various hospitals depending on their attributes and costs.

 

I have visited all four International hospitals in my 17 years on Samui and all are good for something.

 

In terms of ability, specialists and equipment I would rank them as

 

1 Bangkok Samui

2 Samui International

3 Thai Inter

4 Bandon

 

You can reverse the order for lowest costs (in my experience). The cheapest usually being Bandon.

 

So for X-Rays, ultra sound etc I would use number 2 BUT for specialist doctors (urologist heart etc) I use number 1. Sometimes it is easier to use just the one hospital for everything. If, for example, the clinic sends me for an X-Ray at a hospital then the fee is often less than going direct to the hospital - but it takes longer.

 

In an emergency I would always go for number 1.

 

There is nothing to stop you from visiting each and asking for a quote! Common sense tells us not to do this if we are dying!

 

One thing that I have learnt is that there are usually two price lists. The hospitals ask if you have insurance in the majority of cases. I always say no. The reason is that you then usually get the cheaper price. Last month I had a biopsy in a private hospital in Bangkok. I was quoted 80 - 90,000 baht as a paying patient. When I asked for the receipt for my insurance company - the price leapt up to 147,000 baht and this was AFTER I had the biopsy and I was checking out! (Yes - I should have kept quiet.)

 

Just remember that all hospitals in Thailand have to provide emergency treatment only free of charge. However, the clock is running once you are stabilised.

 

Thank you for your patience in reading this - it may save you some money and angst.

 

[huberthammer]

Excellent post and much appreciated.

[khunPer]

Thanks for sharing, good information.
Many posters also seem to have good experience with the public hospital in Nathon, which is worth considering, if fees are important, i.e. no health insurance, or an insurance with low maximum cover.

[Samui Bodoh]

Thanks very much for your posting! 

 

I truly hate going to the hospitals/doctors here on Koh Samui. I come from a country where there is universal healthcare, so I am always deeply suspicious of the doctors proscribing things that I either don't need or too much of something that I do need, just so they can make a few bucks. Further, not being a doctor, I have no idea (usually) if I am correct in that assessment or not. Finally, I am (occasionally) unnerved about the competency of medical staff; I know that in my country there are checked and certified very carefully, but here?

 

Okay, yes, I don't like... health professionals. And yes, perhaps I am being a bit paranoid. But as a wise man once said, "even paranoids have enemies".

 

 

[ethaniel]

On 16/11/2017 at 10:27 AM, Tropicalevo said:

In terms of ability, specialists and equipment I would rank them as

 

1 Bangkok Samui

I had only negative experiences with Bangkok Hospital Samui:

1. On one visit the doctor would not give me the name of the medicine, unless I would purchase it directly from the hospital's pharmacy (which is 3 times more expensive).
2. On another visit a 3 minute ear-wax removal procedure cost me 3400 baht. And the doctor didn't even do it properly - I had a big chunk of ear wax still left inside.

(i posted this before, but the moderators removed the original post).

[pennine]

I use Bangkok Samui hospital all the time. They are expensive, but efficient. My biggest gripe is the cost of medicines as noted by ethaniel. They charge anything from three to five times the local pharmacy price.

[SamuiRes]

I usually go to Bangkok Hospital as they have all the facilities for most issues. Yes they are more expensive but sometimes it is worth it. Also having all your medical records in one place has distinct advantages. Having been here for 17 years my records with them go back to not long after they first opened so they can track my results over time. In particular I have a border line reading on my kidney function which would cause consternation if taken in isolation except they are able to go back several years and can see that the reading is constant and, whilst it needs to be monitored, is not in need of urgent treatment. I also like Dr Ravi the heart specialist there. Extremely thorough and I have two clients who have had him carry out serious operations and they are both alive and well several years later. There is a limit to what they can do here, so serious treatment like the two cases of heart surgery I referred to had to be carried out in Bangkok.

 

I have tried other hospitals. I tried Thai Inter for a full medical (as a cheaper alternative to Bangkok Hospital) but they had to refer me to either Bangkok Hospital or Nathon for ultra-sound as they do not have the equipment. The sight of the examining doctor with pebble glasses hardly able to read his own notes (eyes 3 inches from the desk) hardly filled me with confidence. Won't do that again!

 

Bandon is fine for your Work Permit. 10 minutes in and out. Having said that, a good few years ago I had a nasty accident and with no say in the matter was taken to Bandon, which at the time did not have a good reputation, but I have to say I cannot fault the treatment I had there. Rooms were very basic and food - enough said we ordered from the restaurant across the road! But the medical care and nursing were first class. I see recently they have completely modernised their reception which is a step in the right direction.

 

I do agree though that for minor issues the Pharmacies are a very good starting point. For anything ENT related, Dr Ning in Lamai cannot, in my opinion, be beaten.

[kdev]

For those unfamiliar with the private hospitals on the island,  and their fee structures, here are some things to maybe consider.
 
Private hospitals in most western countries are expensive. In some Asian countries they can be cheaper but not always (and rarely so in tourist areas in Thailand). Why should the ones in Samui be any different?
 
If I am unwell, or if I have a minor medical problem, my first stop is ALWAYS the local pharmacy. They can sell most drugs and  liquids and give advice for blocked ears for example. All pharmacists can speak English. Some better than others. I tend to ignore the large chain pharmacies  - except for Boots. They tend to be good as well - but slightly less helpful. Most local pharmacies will take your temperature and blood pressure as well (for a small fee).
 
If the phamacist cannot help then my next stop is a clinic. I do not use the government ones (even though I pay social security) as they are already overworked and the waiting time can be long. This is the same reason that I do not go to the government hospital in Nathon. Very good service if you survive the wait.
 
I use the private clinic that is nearest to my home - it is down the old Monkey Theatre Road in Bophut. It is much much cheaper than the private hospitals and offers a more friendly and detailed service. (They seem to actually care!) I attend the clinic regularly for blood tests (I have to monitor my PSA) and the price is a fraction of the hospital prices. Note that the clinics are not open 24/7.
 
For non urgent medical needs that the clinics cannot provide, I then go to the various hospitals depending on their attributes and costs.
 
I have visited all four International hospitals in my 17 years on Samui and all are good for something.
 
In terms of ability, specialists and equipment I would rank them as
 
1 Bangkok Samui
2 Samui International
3 Thai Inter
4 Bandon
 
You can reverse the order for lowest costs (in my experience). The cheapest usually being Bandon.
 
So for X-Rays, ultra sound etc I would use number 2 BUT for specialist doctors (urologist heart etc) I use number 1. Sometimes it is easier to use just the one hospital for everything. If, for example, the clinic sends me for an X-Ray at a hospital then the fee is often less than going direct to the hospital - but it takes longer.
 
In an emergency I would always go for number 1.
 
There is nothing to stop you from visiting each and asking for a quote! Common sense tells us not to do this if we are dying!
 
One thing that I have learnt is that there are usually two price lists. The hospitals ask if you have insurance in the majority of cases. I always say no. The reason is that you then usually get the cheaper price. Last month I had a biopsy in a private hospital in Bangkok. I was quoted 80 - 90,000 baht as a paying patient. When I asked for the receipt for my insurance company - the price leapt up to 147,000 baht and this was AFTER I had the biopsy and I was checking out! (Yes - I should have kept quiet.)
 
Just remember that all hospitals in Thailand have to provide emergency treatment only free of charge. However, the clock is running once you are stabilised.
 
Thank you for your patience in reading this - it may save you some money and angst.
 

Could you provide a google map screen shot of the private clinic or gps cords as I would be interested in knowing it's whereabouts, I thought the monkey theatre road was the Brandon international hospital road but obviously not?


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[Tropicalevo]

6 hours ago, kdev said:

Could you provide a google map screen shot of the private clinic or gps cords as I would be interested in knowing it's whereabouts, I thought the monkey theatre road was the Brandon international hospital road but obviously not?


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https://fi.airbnb.com/things-to-do/places/1974136?pdpReferrer=17&pdpContext[mtPdpReferrerId]=14953371&pdpContext[mtPdpReferrerType]=10

The old Monkey Theatre Road is the one just before Bophut market on the left coming from Big C towards Bophut. Or coming from Maenam - after the Bophut traffic lights, then TOT then the market - turn right at the bridge.

(No gps co-ords on the map that I looked at.)

[Samui Bodoh]

Hi All

 

Yes, I know that this is an old(ish) thread, but the absolutely superb (!!!) OP by Tropicalevo still stands and if there are members who have not seen it, then they should. Due to the thread, I had some interaction with medical places on Samui and thought I would share my experience.

 

I will comment on having pharmacies take your blood pressure. I agree with Mr T in the OP that pharmacies are the best place to begin when you are doing routine medical tests and/or small issues, but I will add a note of caution about it. I had my blood pressure checked at 2 different pharmacies using their standard (small) machines and each time had a reading that was high. I was worried enough about it to see my doc who set me up with the Head of Cardiology at one of the private hospitals. The long and short of it was that I had my blood pressure checked twice a day for 2 weeks and then intermittently for another 2 months and got significantly lower numbers from the hospital's machine (the kind where you stick your arm through the hole) than from the pharmacy's machines (the kind where the cuff is wrapped onto your bicep).

 

The Head of Cardiology explained to me that for people that are... er... larger than the average Thai (most foreigners), those small machines tend to read high as they are designed for slightly smaller people.

 

I had a bit of a freak out, so I thought I would pass along my experience; it is a good idea to check your blood pressure occasionally at the pharmacy, but if it is high, head to one of the hospitals for a better, more accurate check before panicking.

 

Cheers

 

[dirtybirty]

Samui home clinic bangrak best dr ive been treated by in thailand farang friendly

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[Tropicalevo]

11 hours ago, dirtybirty said:

Samui home clinic bangrak best dr ive been treated by in thailand farang friendly

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Yes - I have been to see her recently as well. She is very good and did not charge me for giving me some very sound advice.

[khunPer]

13 hours ago, dirtybirty said:

Samui home clinic bangrak best dr ive been treated by in thailand farang friendly

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Yes, used her for my daughter's vaccination, very good service and fair priced...????

[khman]

Hi,

Did you see a new Bandon hospital in Chaweng Noi?

 

Regarding OP,

I went many time to Bandon hospital. The one you say maybe the less good and the cheapest.

Indeed it is quite cheap. I always have been happy with them. Maybe I had luck, maybe if I had complex illness they wouldn't be good?

For you, witch one of these hospital is the best in terms of correct prices vs good service, talent?

Seriously, maybe it's a package that comes with talent, but I don t need to have a stunning hotel room like in Bangkok hospital when i'm ill...

 

Thank you for your help.

[PoorSucker]

14 hours ago, khman said:

 

Seriously, maybe it's a package that comes with talent, but I don t need to have a stunning hotel room like in Bangkok hospital when i'm ill...

The private rooms at government hospital in Nathon are much nicer, fraction of the price and you can get one with a sea view.????

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, PoorSucker said:

The private rooms at government hospital in Nathon are much nicer, fraction of the price and you can get one with a sea view.????

Agreed and about 2,200 baht per night if I remember.

 

Only problem is that they are in great demand. When my business partner was ill - they asked me if I had 'booked ahead'. It was a couple of weeks before one became available.

[PoorSucker]

6 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Agreed and about 2,200 baht per night if I remember.

 

Only problem is that they are in great demand. When my business partner was ill - they asked me if I had 'booked ahead'. It was a couple of weeks before one became available.

Correct,booked one in advance for my wifes delivery.

[ethaniel]

On 10/29/2018 at 10:51 PM, dirtybirty said:

Samui home clinic bangrak best dr ive been treated by in thailand farang friendly

She's amazing. Very knowledgeable and can give good advice on how to handle a health issue (i.e. direct to a proper hospital in BKK if needed).

[khman]

I know it is old thread...

Here are the up to date total fee except medication they charge for a doctor consultation.

 

Bangkok hospital 4500

Samui Doctor on chaweng road near Habbad House : day 800 night 1500 (8pm to 8am)

SIH : 1200

Bandon : 3500 (!!!)

Thai Inter : 1500

 

If I remember well doctor fee at Bandon was like 300-600...

 

I really hate all hopitals overprice medication. When not urgent I buy elsewhere than at the hospital. Upfront I say I have the money only for doctor fee.

[Tropicalevo]

Totally agree on the cost of meds.

I think that my name on my records at BHS is Patient Grumpy. The docs all automatically write my prescription on a piece of paper.

Another very good clinic up here in the north of the island is Samui Home Clinic in Bangrak.

I cannot remember the cost of a consultation but I am sure that it is less than 800 baht.

Dr Bew has leased land on the other side of the road for parking.

The clinic is next to Big Buddha pier (Haadrin Queen).

When I needed an X-Ray for my medical, Dr Bew wrote a note to Wattanapat Hospital explaining X-Ray only, no need for a consultation.

 

The new hospital on the ring road near Big C is also good. Wattanapat Hospital. Big purple building. Again sorry, I cannot remember the cost of a consultation but cheaper then BHS.

Looking at a receipt for last year, Physician Evaluation was 400 baht. That was for a pre-colonoscopy consultation.

[phetphet]

14 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Totally agree on the cost of meds.

I think that my name on my records at BHS is Patient Grumpy. The docs all automatically write my prescription on a piece of paper.

Another very good clinic up here in the north of the island is Samui Home Clinic in Bangrak.

I cannot remember the cost of a consultation but I am sure that it is less than 800 baht.

Dr Bew has leased land on the other side of the road for parking.

The clinic is next to Big Buddha pier (Haadrin Queen).

When I needed an X-Ray for my medical, Dr Bew wrote a note to Wattanapat Hospital explaining X-Ray only, no need for a consultation.

 

The new hospital on the ring road near Big C is also good. Wattanapat Hospital. Big purple building. Again sorry, I cannot remember the cost of a consultation but cheaper then BHS.

Looking at a receipt for last year, Physician Evaluation was 400 baht. That was for a pre-colonoscopy consultation.

Dr. Bew has recently open another clinic in Chaweng. It is at the Starbucks end of Chaweng Beach Road, near the entrance to Al's Resort. Will save a trip to Bangrak for those at that end.

 

https://www.samuihomeclinic.com/th

 

As for BKK Hospital, I had a motorbike accident last year. Broken ankle required titanium plates fitted.

Over THB 800,000 for four days in hospital.

But when you need it, you need it.

[Tropicalevo]

17 minutes ago, phetphet said:

Dr. Bew has recently open another clinic in Chaweng. It is at the Starbucks end of Chaweng Beach Road, near the entrance to Al's Resort. Will save a trip to Bangrak for those at that end.

I have been told that she is opening her own pharmacy as well.

Local pharmacies do not have some of the meds that she recommends - so she opening her own. I believe that it will be in Fisherman's Village.

[delgarcon]

Up until its closure, I used Bandon Hospital in Koh Phangan, mainly because it was not expensive, but also because the lady doctor, Dr Sinit, was excellent. Does anyone know where Dr Sinit is now?

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, delgarcon said:

Up until its closure, I used Bandon Hospital in Koh Phangan, mainly because it was not expensive, but also because the lady doctor, Dr Sinit, was excellent. Does anyone know where Dr Sinit is now?

 

I not 100% sure but that may be the lovely lady doctor who gave me a medical (WP) earlier this year at Bandon Samui

The name sounds familiar.

Really nice and professional. We laughed about my results. She said my heart was very fit - similar to that of a 40 year old woman, not a 70+ year old man.

It could last until I was 100.

Unfortunately, the rest of my body will not.

[delgarcon]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

I not 100% sure but that may be the lovely lady doctor who gave me a medical (WP) earlier this year at Bandon Samui

The name sounds familiar.

Really nice and professional. We laughed about my results. She said my heart was very fit - similar to that of a 40 year old woman, not a 70+ year old man.

It could last until I was 100.

Unfortunately, the rest of my body will not.

That sounds like her, I was hoping she was now in Samui. How does it feel to be a 40 year old woman, I've sometimes wondered.☺️