10 hours ago, NativeBob said:

Christian Hospital on Silom - scary!

Been going to BCH for more than 10 years and have recommended it to many others with no negative feedback.

Nothing scary about it.  Not a modern chrome and glass money pit, but an older institution with a dedicated staff.

 

13 hours ago, Sheryl said:

I think we all know that English teaching in Thailand is quite sub-standard and does not in itself equip people to be able to speak and understand the language. For that matter, most Thai teachers of English are nto able to communicate effectively in it - a fact which is often reported on in the Thai media.

The use of English and "foreigners" is not related.

Just another attempt to discourage people from using government hospitals.

One can only assume you have a vested interest in promoting private hospitals and their doctors.

13 minutes ago, sandyf said:

The use of English and "foreigners" is not related.

Just another attempt to discourage people from using government hospitals.

One can only assume you have a vested interest in promoting private hospitals and their doctors.

1.  Use of government hospitals, when not required, takes away a slot that a Thai without other options may need.

2.  Private hospitals often have government hospital doctors - allowing doctor time for a more detailed exam.

3.  Government hospitals are often too busy - and they know it - and will recommend Thai that can afford other treatment to do so.

4.  Waits in government hospitals can be excessive

5.  Run around system can be a total nightmare to navigate, even with Thai speaker.

6.  As for English in Thailand - English has been actively discouraged here for decades, as other countries welcomed it.  Even having a store sign in English entailed extra costs.

7. As for promoting private hospitals - have never got that impression from poster - indeed she goes out of her way to warn against such thinking.  And actively recommends government doctors/hospitals when indicated.

5 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

1.  Use of government hospitals, when not required, takes away a slot that a Thai without other options may need.

My local government hospital (MaeJo/SanSai) sees everyone that turns up ........ never heard of 'limited slots'.

Same as my previous local government hospital NaKornPing.

11 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

My local government hospital (MaeJo/SanSai) sees everyone that turns up ........ never heard of 'limited slots'.

Same as my previous local government hospital NaKornPing.

Was not talking initial visit - but even then extra patient will delay others - but there are limited slots for procedures - which may delay operations for months at a time.

After living many years in Phuket and attending BHP for my many ailments, including CKD, I now live on a property outside a small village in deep Isaan. 

When I attend the small local government hospital for blood tests and treatments, I am such a rarity that the entire waiting room stares at me the whole time I'm there. I've yet to see another foreigner in my village or the town.

Yet, all the doctors, bar one, speak excellent English and I'm able to discuss my medical issues with them, advise treatment timetables and decline their pharmacy meds.  (The wife's sister sources these for me in Bangkok.)

Even with the Phuket private hospital I declined their meds. I just told the doctors not to prescribe.

I usually get seen very quickly, jumping the queue possibly because of my age, my wheelchair or my nationality. Not sure. 

I pay more than my wife for treatments but am amazed every time at how cheap it is.  An example, I recently spent time in the emergency section with a suspected snakebite. Three doctors and many nurses milled around examining the wound and discussing, the total cost to me was 95 baht for some antibiotics!

Sorry folks, no envenomation.

3 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

but there are limited slots for procedures - which may delay operations for months at a time.

The implicit but unwarranted assumption here, typical of our usual No Change or "everything static" forum poster rule, is that slots can't be added if really needed. And if all the "slots" are full one day, then people can be postponed to another day. Not all slots are necessarily filled at all times, foreigners or not.

 

Emergencies seem always handled in timely enough manner, except for the COVID panic. Most procedures aren't emergencies and may be safely delayed as they are in most gov't hsps everywhere. Further, it should be noted that most foreigners pay the full rate or more. Some have paid and do pay into the SS scheme.

4 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

1.  Use of government hospitals, when not required, takes away a slot that a Thai without other options may need.

2.  Private hospitals often have government hospital doctors - allowing doctor time for a more detailed exam.

3.  Government hospitals are often too busy - and they know it - and will recommend Thai that can afford other treatment to do so.

4.  Waits in government hospitals can be excessive

5.  Run around system can be a total nightmare to navigate, even with Thai speaker.

6.  As for English in Thailand - English has been actively discouraged here for decades, as other countries welcomed it.  Even having a store sign in English entailed extra costs.

7. As for promoting private hospitals - have never got that impression from poster - indeed she goes out of her way to warn against such thinking.  And actively recommends government doctors/hospitals when indicated.

I use 5 government hospitals and been in a few others, never seen any of the cr_p you are talking.

The one time I went to a private hospital, even though I had insurance they would not discharge me until I had paid the bill in cash. After about 3 hours sitting a wheelchair in reception a doctor intervened and got me an ambulance to the hotel.

Money grabbing parasites, but then the elitist perception held by many foreigners transcends reality.

59 minutes ago, BigStar said:

The implicit but unwarranted assumption here, typical of our usual No Change or "everything static" forum poster rule, is that slots can't be added if really needed. And if all the "slots" are full one day, then people can be postponed to another day. Not all slots are necessarily filled at all times, foreigners or not.

 

Emergencies seem always handled in timely enough manner, except for the COVID panic. Most procedures aren't emergencies and may be safely delayed as they are in most gov't hsps everywhere. Further, it should be noted that most foreigners pay the full rate or more. Some have paid and do pay into the SS scheme.

And I said nothing about not using if your SS hospital or if needed for financial reasons or treatments.  And indeed there are a few government hospitals that charge extra (more than paying Thai) and have special channels for foreigners which are fine to use.  Just be aware many are very busy.

 

 

1 hour ago, lopburi3 said:

Just be aware many are very busy.

Everyone's pretty much aware of that, thank you. One of the keys to happiness and tranquility in Thailand is learning how to occupy your time to avoid boredom while waiting in Thai gov't offices. 

7 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

  As for English in Thailand - English has been actively discouraged here for decades, as other countries welcomed it.  Even having a store sign in English entailed extra costs.

I didn't know this,  interesting. 

Can you please explain more?

Off topic baiting post removed