Hospital charging more for foreigners

[maechanman]

Few years back I got bitten by a dog so I went to Pattaya City Hospital for rabies jabs .

I needed a course of 4 injections spaced over a period of about a month if I remember correctly, anyway each jab I had in Pattaya was 500 Baht.

I happened to be in Buriram when the 3rd jab was due so I went along to the government hospital there and the charge was 20 Baht.

Go figure.

[thailand49]

I call it the hesitate head/toe number since I look Thai!  

Doctor visit charge Thai 600

Foreigners 900

Remember this was challenge a few years back their Supreme court ruled even in government hospitals 

" Since foreigners are better off they should pay more " Pattaya a friend needed a pace maker quoted 1.6 Million admitted to hospital waiting to see if his insurance back him would clear the operation told not well enough to travel.

Insurance told hospital no doing the price then dropped to 800,000  No, now he was ok to travel which he did back to Stanford Med, after test no need for pacemaker problem he had not related!

🤑

[thesetat]

56 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

And according to you that is always the same in every clinic and hospital in Thailand? 

I visited only a few hospitals and a few clinics over the 30 years that I live in Thailand. Maybe you visited hundreds of them or you researched this in detail.

Seems like it to me this past year. I was going to different hospitals every week for over 6 months. So i guess your few times in 30 years made you the expert to contradict what I has posted... 

[richard_smith237]

On 1/22/2025 at 7:06 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Yes, I noticed. And with some of them it looks sexy.

I asked one of those sexy girls for how long she will have to wear the braces. Her answer was that she has them only for cosmetic reason, she doesn't need them. Every couple of weeks she got a different color...

 

 

Yup... the braces trend has been around for a while now.

 

Perversely, it’s a 'status symbol'... much like wearing gold jewellery, etc.

 

About 15 years ago or so, dental treatments like this were considered expensive, and only those who could afford them had braces. Typically, this was the preserve of the wealthier in society - those from the middle classes and upwards who could afford such treatment.

 

...then came the 'fake braces', and these dental adornments became popular as a cosmetic fashion item rather than for any purpose of dental improvement.

 

 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/431836-why-do-thai-girls-wear-fake-dental-brackets/

https://aseannow.com/topic/1019700-health-warning-over-online-‘fashion-themed’-dental-services/

 

[OneMoreFarang]

20 minutes ago, thesetat said:

Seems like it to me this past year. I was going to different hospitals every week for over 6 months. So i guess your few times in 30 years made you the expert to contradict what I has posted... 

I don't say that overcharging doesn't happen in some places. But I am pretty sure it doesn't happen everywhere.

 

[Purdey]

4 hours ago, herfiehandbag said:

Certainly in the government hospitals there are a number of charging scales, depending on whether you are a foreigner, privately insured Thai, or a Thai who belongs to one of a number of government health schemes, or are a Thai using the "30 Baht" scheme.

 

Whether or not our impending tax status will make a difference I somehow doubt - but perhaps?

 

I have a long term open wound on my foot which has to be dressed daily. My local hospital used to charge me B50 a day, then the price was raised to B180 a day. The head nurse suggested I go to the local health clinic who charge me B80 for every two visits. They are not open Saturday and Sundays, so I go to the hospital at weekends and public holidays. Initially they charged me B220, which then after a couple of visits came down to B120. Baffling!

 

Private hospitals probably charge as much as they think that they can get away with! Our nearest private hospital, a Christian foundation offers a discount for Christians, although " Catholic pay full price"!

This is rather shocking - prices seem to change on a whim. Thanks.

[KannikaP]

17 hours ago, OneManShow said:

PSA test ฿650, no matter Thai or farang price is the same. 

Nuaresan Hospital in Phitsanulok....Bht 250

[KannikaP]

55 minutes ago, thesetat said:

Seems like it to me this past year. I was going to different hospitals every week for over 6 months. So i guess your few times in 30 years made you the expert to contradict what I has posted... 

Are there over 26 different hospitals within reach of your home, and was each one for a different ailment?

[Tomtomtom69]

On 1/21/2025 at 1:38 PM, Triton said:

Lately I found a private hospital charging more for non-Thai uninsured outpatient. I heard this as a common practice for many private hospitals. 
 

Are there any honest hospitals you recommend in and around Bangkok?

 

It's a common practice at PUBLIC hospitals. It shouldn't happen as much at private hospitals, because all patients, Thai included, need to pay in cash/credit card or using insurance. 

[Tomtomtom69]

On 1/22/2025 at 11:30 AM, Sheryl said:

Government Hospitals: in areas with few foreign patients, usually same price for all..not worth their while to set up separate price schedule for foreigners. (Of course, many Thais don't have to pay at all as they are covered under national scheme. ). In government hospitals with many foreign patients coming in,  most have ways of charging them more. Might be an overall   "surcharge" (e.g. 20% at Siriraj in Bkk)  , might be higher room rate for foreign inpatients (e.g. Sripat in Chiang Mai), or might try to divert foreign patients to after hours clinic, which cost much more than public channel. (Thais also pay more to use those.)

 

Even with the above,  government hospitals remain  less expensive than private.

 

Private hospitals: it varies widely. Many charge everyone the same (high) price  but some -- especially in touristy areas -- have double or even triple tiered pricing. 

 

Worth noting that overpricing in private hospitals is a frequent complaint from Thais and intermittently in the press as an issue (again --  for Thais. ). Periodically government attempts to do something about it, to date with little to no effect.  Mark up on drugs and medical supplies is especially obvious and egregious.  One can largely avoid the former by not getting medications from the hospital,  buying from outside pharmacy instead. 

 

Dual pricing is officially sanctioned at government hospitals. Farang pay more than locals; work permit holders pay less than retirees and tourists. 

[henry15]

On 1/21/2025 at 1:38 PM, Triton said:

Lately I found a private hospital charging more for non-Thai uninsured outpatient. I heard this as a common practice for many private hospitals. 
 

Are there any honest hospitals you recommend in and around Bangkok?

I go to the Chonpratan hospital in Pak Kret

[Ralf001]

2 hours ago, Randy99 said:

Phaya Thai hospital in Si Racha has been my worst nightmare.  Had two, yes 2 stiches removed there.  In attendance for this highly dangerous and life saving procedure were a  Plastic Surgeon and two nurses.  It took all of two minutes, if that.  They charged an obscene amount.  Had an operation there too.  Insurance only paid half because of what they called inflated prices and un-necessary procedures.  Never going back!

 

Yeah bugger.

 

My situation was a bit more life threatening... maybe thats why our results differ.

[BangkokHank]

15 hours ago, thecyclist said:

I had it done at the Saigon eye clinic, Tây Ninh branch. They have a branch in Dalat, too. Prices differ somewhat from branch to branch, the one in  HCMC being the most expensive. 

Thanks. Now that you mention it, the name of the place that I visited in Dalat was the Saigon Eye Clinic. When I have the procedure done, I think I'll have it done there, as I find Dalat to be a very pleasant place to spend time.

[roodujardin]

Many expats may not be aware, but at a private hospital procedures and surgery may be negotiable for you. 

 

I have successfully negotiated a lower fee for certain surgeries at the private hospital I tend to favor. 

 

Doesn't hurt to ask. 

[thesetat]

47 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Are there over 26 different hospitals within reach of your home, and was each one for a different ailment?

Well.... there are many i went to depending on the city where i was at. all the way from Chumphon to Bkk. If I needed to then I would go accordingly to the nearest to where I was. But ultimately, I prefer and did most of my treatments with the specialists in Bkk. My point was that it is common practice to charge the foreigner a much higher price than a Thai. 2 tier pricing is prevalent. 

[Sheryl]

56 minutes ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

 

Dual pricing is officially sanctioned at government hospitals. Farang pay more than locals; work permit holders pay less than retirees and tourists. 

 

The MoPH sanctions it, yes. But government hospitals have considerable autonomy in how they implement this and many - indeed, most if one counts all the community level hospitals nationwide - do not have different pricing tiers as it is simply not worth the administrative hassle for hospitals that very seldom ever treat a non-Thai.  In practice only hospitals in locations which regularly see foreigners bother to do this. And when they do it is usually just 2 tiers, Thai and foreign. I don''t know of any government hosputal applying the multiple tiers.

 

Many, many things in that directive are not applied in practice.. Including the specific charge rates.

[thecyclist]

2 hours ago, maechanman said:

Few years back I got bitten by a dog so I went to Pattaya City Hospital for rabies jabs .

I needed a course of 4 injections spaced over a period of about a month if I remember correctly, anyway each jab I had in Pattaya was 500 Baht.

I happened to be in Buriram when the 3rd jab was due so I went along to the government hospital there and the charge was 20 Baht.

Go figure.

Wow, only 20 Baht. Are you sure. I have been bitten 4  times in Thailand (farang on bicycle makes Thai mutts furious), and got my rabies shots at various hospitals: if I remember it correctly, it ranged from 200 to 500 Baht. 20 Baht, they might as well do it for free. 

Will make sure I get bitten in Buriram next time. 

[scubascuba3]

2 hours ago, maechanman said:

Few years back I got bitten by a dog so I went to Pattaya City Hospital for rabies jabs .

I needed a course of 4 injections spaced over a period of about a month if I remember correctly, anyway each jab I had in Pattaya was 500 Baht.

I happened to be in Buriram when the 3rd jab was due so I went along to the government hospital there and the charge was 20 Baht.

Go figure.

That does sound a bit off, i went to Pattaya City Hospital 2019, first 2 jabs 3,000 baht on the day of the bite, i thought that was too high so went to Bang Lamung for follow up 3x jabs, 250 baht each. I heard Bangkok Hospital Pattaya charge 19,000

[OneManShow]

5 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Nuaresan Hospital in Phitsanulok....Bht 250

Using pink ID ? 🤔

[Neeranam]

On 1/21/2025 at 4:21 PM, Purdey said:

I am interested to know how one finds out what locals pay as opposed to foreigners. Is there a dual language price list?

There is at Hua Hin hospital premium clinic. 

I make sure I read it carefully as they usually try to charge me the foreigner price when I'm actually Thai. 

[KannikaP]

9 hours ago, OneManShow said:

Using pink ID ? 🤔

No. Just my passport. I do now have Pink ID, and got my Gall Bladder done last year, laparoscopy job. for Bht 40,000. Good or bad? I am still here!

[chmeatloaf]

On 1/21/2025 at 4:51 PM, Purdey said:

Thanks, this is interesting. I recently requested a colonoscopy in May. The doc said about 10,000 baht. Seems reasonable but now I am not so sure.

You were lucky. I was quoted 38K all because of a high CEA positive test result. After 2 years another CEA test showed almost zero positive result.

[chmeatloaf]

15 hours ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

 

It's a common practice at PUBLIC hospitals. It shouldn't happen as much at private hospitals, because all patients, Thai included, need to pay in cash/credit card or using insurance. 

The top notch private hospital I patronise always reduces my billing to that of Thai nationals prices consequently due to my wife being a Thai. Quoted 480K for a major surgery once. Total billing came in at 320K with a 30K discount (insurance refuse to pay for the pre-surgery checks and treatment. Wife claimed to note something written about Thai wife on the pre-billing! Been going there ever since even so it's quite a distance from where we live.

[kwaiYai]

On 1/21/2025 at 5:46 PM, phetphet said:

Hospital already have dual pricing: Self Pay price and Medical insurance price. So I wouldn’t be surprised if they also offered a cheaper or discounted price for Thais.

 

I was told they have several price lists for insured/ not insured, Thai / Foreigner, Tourist / Resident Foreigners. Maybe more options! And apparently all negotiable. My friend was asked for a 60,000 Baht deposit. He said he didn’t have that much. They said how much do you have ? He said 40,000. They said OK!
 

[poppysdad]

I’m a regular out patient at Kamphaeng Phet government hospital and I go to the evening sessions, 390 baht for doctors fee plus medication costs, occasionally X-ray and blood tests needed, on every occasion I pay Thai price. How do I know, I told my wife about dual pricing so first time she asked cashier and was told I’m paying Thai price. Not content with that she wandered around making conversation with others and asked what they were paying and on every occasion it was the same for me as for them. 

[actonion]

On 1/21/2025 at 4:21 PM, Purdey said:

I am interested to know how one finds out what locals pay as opposed to foreigners. Is there a dual language price list?

No dual price list shown at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, but today i went for my annual 4 Blood tests, this time  my Thai wife asked to  join me, and yes there was a price difference in the 2 Bills,  we both used the   same Doctor  i had 4 Blood tests she had 1, the price difference  was 150b in the Blood tests and 150b in the Doctors fee, i asked the staff, why, and was told its Hospital policy, so now i will ask  the Hospital management why  to see if they admit to dual pricing.......no shame' im sure they will

[mogandave]

3 minutes ago, actonion said:

No dual price list shown at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, but today i went for my annual 4 Blood tests, this time  my Thai wife asked to  join me, and yes there was a price difference in the 2 Bills,  we both used the   same Doctor  i had 4 Blood tests she had 1, the price difference  was 150b in the Blood tests and 150b in the Doctors fee, i asked the staff, why, and was told its Hospital policy, so now i will ask  the Hospital management why  to see if they admit to dual pricing.......no shame' im sure they will

When we have our physicals, my wife’s always costs more than mine. 

 

Is your wife a man or a woman?

[Purdey]

7 minutes ago, actonion said:

No dual price list shown at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, but today i went for my annual 4 Blood tests, this time  my Thai wife asked to  join me, and yes there was a price difference in the 2 Bills,  we both used the   same Doctor  i had 4 Blood tests she had 1, the price difference  was 150b in the Blood tests and 150b in the Doctors fee, i asked the staff, why, and was told its Hospital policy, so now i will ask  the Hospital management why  to see if they admit to dual pricing.......no shame' im sure they will

Thanks for this. I suspect they consider it normal. 

[actonion]

19 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Thanks for this. I suspect they consider it normal. 

I have just sent an e mail to  Management to ask......... why, no doubt will remain unanswered

[actonion]

28 minutes ago, mogandave said:

When we have our physicals, my wife’s always costs more than mine. 

 

Is your wife a man or a woman?

Although my Mrs works at one of Pattaya's Ladyboy shows, (Management) , she is /was  a Woman, last time  I  checked  !!..What hospital are you both using?...   Just to add,  that the Ladyboy Theatres, X 3  also charge double price for Foreign  customers,  any Asian  is asked to produce their I.D. when  buying a ticket as many Chinese that speak Thai try it on....