4000 THB for a Covid Test? Is this a Joke?

[Thaidude]

Just came to know that I have to shell out 4000 THB to Bangkok hospital to get a covid test done before my travel. Its shocking to see such a price when other countries and even poorer countries are charging no more than $10 and most of them are offering for free.

 

The private medical healthcare are truly vultures here

 

PS: Can you anyone suggest me a cheaper option for RTPCR test? 

[Baht Man]

Musta got their promotion. BKK hosp here in Udon now charging 4500, AEK Udon at 4000, Udon hospital free. Try the local government hospital for a free to 500 baht test. Next day results.

Edited July 11, 2021 by Baht Man

[YaiJung]

Recently paid $145 in US for pcr test and saw offered as high as $375 for results in just a couple hrs.  Sure, you can get it for free in the US, but not might not get results in time for travel. 

[Denim]

On 6/30/2021 at 9:07 PM, Thaidude said:

Its shocking to see such a price

It's even more shocking when they bend you over the table during testing !

[Yellowtail]

29 minutes ago, Denim said:

It's even more shocking when they bend you over the table during testing !

You were having a different test...

[Baht Man]

Update from my past post.

Udon Hospital just advised for the test enabling flight. 3890 Baht.

Sorry for the past, misleading post.

[MajorTom]

Bangkok Siriroj hospital in Phuket was 3500B a couple of weeks ago. Result in 24hrs.

For some reason the same hospital charges 6500B if you test after 14:00

[cormanr7]

If PCR COVID tests are advertised for 10 Euro (or the equivalent) or so, this means they are heavily subsidized as just the material/instrument costs exceed this amount. In France, the actual cost for test + labor is estimated at ca 43 Euro.

To give some idea of costs of PCR tests in some European spots (prices from last week);

Holland: Travelclinic 95 Euro, Pcrtestnederland 119 Euro (from their websites)

               KLM healthservices: 90 Euro

               However, Corendon (the airline) provides a test for 40 Euro, but only for its customers.

Germany: Frankfurt Airport : 69 Euro, results in 24h up to 199 Euro, results within 75 min

                 Dusseldorf airport 59 Euro (24h) up to 149 Euro (45 min) 

                 Average for various airports is 69 Euro (24h result) https://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.pcr-test-kosten-mhsd.de782a46-1bee-4e6a-a35f-9984e7593372.html

Spain, Barcelona (various locations): 85 Euro https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/testen-fuer-die-ferien-so-viel-bezahlt-man-fuer-coronatests-in-europa. Some charge much higher prices.

 

So with 100 Euro = ca 3,850 Baht, a cost of 3,000 Baht/test would seem reasonable. Note that in Thailand, fine chemicals are taxed heavily as I remember all too well from working at a Biotechnol. Dept.

[Yellowtail]

4 minutes ago, cormanr7 said:

If PCR COVID tests are advertised for 10 Euro (or the equivalent) or so, this means they are heavily subsidized as just the material/instrument costs exceed this amount. In France, the actual cost for test + labor is estimated at ca 43 Euro.

To give some idea of costs of PCR tests in some European spots (prices from last week);

Holland: Travelclinic 95 Euro, Pcrtestnederland 119 Euro (from their websites)

               KLM healthservices: 90 Euro

               However, Corendon (the airline) provides a test for 40 Euro, but only for its customers.

Germany: Frankfurt Airport : 69 Euro, results in 24h up to 199 Euro, results within 75 min

                 Dusseldorf airport 59 Euro (24h) up to 149 Euro (45 min) 

                 Average for various airports is 69 Euro (24h result) https://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.pcr-test-kosten-mhsd.de782a46-1bee-4e6a-a35f-9984e7593372.html

Spain, Barcelona (various locations): 85 Euro https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/testen-fuer-die-ferien-so-viel-bezahlt-man-fuer-coronatests-in-europa. Some charge much higher prices.

 

So with 100 Euro = ca 3,850 Baht, a cost of 3,000 Baht/test would seem reasonable. Note that in Thailand, fine chemicals are taxed heavily as I remember all too well from working at a Biotechnol. Dept.

In the US is you call and ask them how much, they ask: "Do you have insurance?"

 

If you say no, they tell you it's free. 

[Mac Mickmanus]

1 minute ago, Yellowtail said:

In the US is you call and ask them how much, they ask: "Do you have insurance?"

 

If you say no, they tell you it's free. 

Thanks for that useful bit of info 

[orchis]

BNH 24 hrs 6500
48 hrs a bit cheaper
Samitivej Suk is a cheaper option.

[Yellowtail]

13 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

Thanks for that useful bit of info 

And thank you for promoting it!