Always bothered me to see that the local Thai population gets the raw end of the deal when they get old and sick, the queues in hospitals to see a doctor, let alone a specialist

is horrendous and impossible to say the least, medications are mostly India's made, many are copies and cheap ingredients,

And if you happened to be old sick and decrepit with no relatives to rely on, where would you go?

Mo old people home to speak of funded by the government, and the one that are there, are nothing better than living on the street'

The Thai government gives a whole 1,000 baht a month for the sick, hopeless and the needy, a whole 1,000 baht a month,

My good friend, a Thai lady, must care for her demented mother for the last 5 years, paying all costs out her pocket,

here is my question, is there better treatments, care or place to go and be take care of, or die in dignity in this country other than the streets or with relative

who are poor themselves?

3 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Always bothered me to see that the local Thai population gets the raw end of the deal when they get old and sick, the queues in hospitals to see a doctor, let alone a specialist

is horrendous and impossible to say the least, medications are mostly India's made, many are copies and cheap ingredients,

And if you happened to be old sick and decrepit with no relatives to rely on, where would you go?

Mo old people home to speak of funded by the government, and the one that are there, are nothing better than living on the street'

The Thai government gives a whole 1,000 baht a month for the sick, hopeless and the needy, a whole 1,000 baht a month,

My good friend, a Thai lady, must care for her demented mother for the last 5 years, paying all costs out her pocket,

here is my question, is there better treatments, care or place to go and be take care of, or die in dignity in this country other than the streets or with relative

who are poor themselves?

That’s the buddhist whay, you get what you deserve in life, and the pain is part of life to fulfill your path on the way to Nirvana. 

 

The thai system if familybased but there is options for those who have money. 

 

There is poor houses some districts, house helpers do regularly visits and there is temples who also becomes an institutions for elderly who do not have anyone. 

 

However there is not just glory stories about western health care either. 

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

That’s the buddhist whay, you get what you deserve in life, and the pain is part of life to fulfill your path on the way to Nirvana. 

 

The thai system if familybased but there is options for those who have money. 

 

There is poor houses some districts, house helpers do regularly visits and there is temples who also becomes an institutions for elderly who do not have anyone. 

 

However there is not just glory stories about western health care either. 

Temples are not a government institution and not bound to take on the sick and the lost' they do it out the goodness of their hearts and tradition. people worked and paid taxes all their lives to end up in a temple and a 1,000 baht a month?

in a rich country like Thailand? Really?

5 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Temples are not a government institution and not bound to take on the sick and the lost' they do it out the goodness of their hearts and tradition. people worked and paid taxes all their lives to end up in a temple and a 1,000 baht a month?

in a rich country like Thailand? Really?

Thais in general who only made minimum wages and did now work in cooperation who paid taxes for them, have not paid any taxes in their life time. 

 

Government officials do pay taxes, have pension and insurance. 

26 minutes ago, ezzra said:

the queues in hospitals to see a doctor, let alone a specialist

is horrendous and impossible to say the least, medications are mostly India's made, many are copies and cheap ingredients

Earlier this year I took my girlfriend to Banglamung hospital, it was around 2pm, Saturday afternoon. 

 

She registered (5 minutes) then waited around 45 minutes to see the doctor, she had to get some blood tests (wait 30 minutes), then we returned to the doctor (45 minutes). 

I thought the wait times were reasonable. 

 

Went to cashier, my girlfriend looked at me for money, I handed over my credit card, cashier giggled and said, 30 baht please sir. 

We picked up her medication creams, tablets and gells 

 

30 baht total.... No complaints from me 

 

2 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Thais in general who only made minimum wages and did now work in cooperation who paid taxes for them, have not paid any taxes in their life time. 

 

Government officials do pay taxes, have pension and insurance. 

So the government thinks that a 1000 baht a month is enough, and if not, live of your supposed 'savings' or just tough it out?

3 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Earlier this year I took my girlfriend to Banglamung hospital, it was around 2pm, Saturday afternoon. 

We waited around 45 minutes to see the doctor, she had to get some blood tests (wait 30 minutes), then we returned to the doctor (45 minutes). 

I thought the wait times were reasonable. 

 

Went to cashier, my girlfriend looked at me for money, I handed over my credit card, cashier giggled and said, 30 baht please sir. 

We picked up her medication creams, tablets and gells 

 

30 baht total.... No complaints from me 

 

Your GF got it easy, what would have happened had she had to be hospitalized for surgery? would that also be like in-and-out? 

Just now, ezzra said:

So the government thinks that a 1000 baht a month is enough, and if not, live of your supposed 'savings' or just tough it out?

Again, this is based on a family care based system. You had a lifetime to save for your elderly days, and same can be said about those in western world who had a lifetime to plan for their elderly days, now ending up with minimum wages, and complain about the system. 

 

Basically we can say they spent their fortune without one thought about whats might come in the end. 

 

It is 30 years ago I first heard about we must start saving in pension funds because the furter things will be different. We all have been warned several times.

 

My grandmother teached me valuable lessons about how it was before there where any state pension for ordinary people. 

Just now, ezzra said:

Your GF got it easy, what would have happened had she had to be hospitalized for surgery? would that also be like in-and-out? 

I'll let you know, she's Isaan at the moment, having our child next month, let's see what the costs are. 

 

 

My guess is that the government cannot offer services for old people as not enough of a tax base (perhaps 10-20% of the country pays tax) and a lot of tax money goes into the pocket of government officers. Moving to a universal healthcare model is still debatable while the government is unable to raise taxes. 

The average American spends around $10,739 per year on healthcare. The average UK citizen spends about £2,989 (~$3,915) per year on healthcare, mainly through taxes. While I prefer the UK model, I understand that others might prefer to pay directly to the hospital when needed. As for old folks' homes for Thais... 

Average Monthly Costs in Thailand

Type of Facility	Monthly Cost (THB)	Monthly Cost (USD approx.)
In-home care	10,000–30,000	$270–$810
Assisted living	30,000–60,000	$810–$1,620
Nursing homes	10,000–100,000+	$270–$2,700+
Full-time nurse	~35,000	~$945
Part-time nurse (8 hrs/day)	~12,500	~$340
Part-time nurse (16 hrs/day)	~25,000	~$675

These prices vary based on location (Bangkok and Chiang Mai tend to be more expensive), quality of facilities, and whether services like meals, medical care, and transportation are included.

A lot more economic development is needed here.

29 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Went to cashier, my girlfriend looked at me for money, I handed over my credit card, cashier giggled and said, 30 baht please sir.

 

Is that the same girlfriend that works in her parents successful business and never asks for money?

10 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Is that the same girlfriend that works in her parents successful business and never asks for money?

Don't get excited. 😂

 

She looked at me, she didn't ask for money, she just wanted to confirm I was paying. 

 

She knows when we are together I pay for everything,

 

I've said this before, I spoil her to death.

57 minutes ago, ezzra said:

here is my question, is there better treatments, care or place to go and be take care of, or die in dignity in this country other than the streets or with relative

who are poor themselves?

From my experience, no, that is where we come in. We provide for the wife's father in separate accommodation while other siblings do little or nothing. There is a real need for what you suggest but cannot see a solution with the way the country is run.

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

Always bothered me to see that the local Thai population gets the raw end of the deal when they get old and sick, the queues in hospitals to see a doctor, let alone a specialist

is horrendous and impossible to say the least, medications are mostly India's made, many are copies and cheap ingredients,

And if you happened to be old sick and decrepit with no relatives to rely on, where would you go?

Mo old people home to speak of funded by the government, and the one that are there, are nothing better than living on the street'

The Thai government gives a whole 1,000 baht a month for the sick, hopeless and the needy, a whole 1,000 baht a month,

My good friend, a Thai lady, must care for her demented mother for the last 5 years, paying all costs out her pocket,

here is my question, is there better treatments, care or place to go and be take care of, or die in dignity in this country other than the streets or with relative

who are poor themselves?

I use both government hospitals and private hospitals that are subsided by the government. 

Are there long lines?  Yep.
Are those long lines efficiently handled?  Yep 
Then regarding India pharmaceuticals.  Do you have links to sources that prove that Indian pharma products are substandard?  The purpose of the Thai FDA is to authorize their use.  So essentially your are defaming both Indian Pharmaceutical manufacturers and the Thai FDA?  Do I use Indian Pharmaceutical - yep.  Chinese too.  Well, unless you want to have a go at Chinese Pharmaceuticals. But remember, without Indian and Chinese pharmaceuticals most drugs in the Golden West would be unavailable.  

I hate to tell you this, but Thai Healthcare is very good.  Well, unless you are a biased Westerner.  Then feel free to Thai-bash and India-bash I guess.  But you really are highly biased and not in a good way. 
 

Just now, connda said:

I use both government hospitals and private hospitals that are subsided by the government. 

Are there long lines?  Yep.
Are those long lines efficiently handled?  Yep 
Then regarding India pharmaceuticals.  Do you have links to sources that prove that Indian pharma products are substandard?  The purpose of the Thai FDA is to authorize their use.  So essentially your are defaming both Indian Pharmaceutical manufacturers and the Thai FDA?  Do I use Indian Pharmaceutical - yep.  Chinese too.  Well, unless you want to have a go at Chinese Pharmaceuticals. But remember, without Indian and Chinese pharmaceuticals most drugs in the Golden West would be unavailable.  

I hate to tell you this, but Thai Healthcare is very good.  Well, unless you are a biased Westerner.  Then feel free to Thai-bash and India-bash.  

 

Meanwhile

28 minutes ago, Purdey said:

My guess is that the government cannot offer services for old people as not enough of a tax base (perhaps 10-20% of the country pays tax) and a lot of tax money goes into the pocket of government officers. Moving to a universal healthcare model is still debatable while the government is unable to raise taxes. 

The average American spends around $10,739 per year on healthcare. The average UK citizen spends about £2,989 (~$3,915) per year on healthcare, mainly through taxes. While I prefer the UK model, I understand that others might prefer to pay directly to the hospital when needed. As for old folks' homes for Thais... 

Average Monthly Costs in Thailand

Type of Facility	Monthly Cost (THB)	Monthly Cost (USD approx.)
In-home care	10,000–30,000	$270–$810
Assisted living	30,000–60,000	$810–$1,620
Nursing homes	10,000–100,000+	$270–$2,700+
Full-time nurse	~35,000	~$945
Part-time nurse (8 hrs/day)	~12,500	~$340
Part-time nurse (16 hrs/day)	~25,000	~$675

These prices vary based on location (Bangkok and Chiang Mai tend to be more expensive), quality of facilities, and whether services like meals, medical care, and transportation are included.

A lot more economic development is needed here.

Unlike the West, old people are cared for by the families in old age.  Many Thai families will hire someone to help assist in-home.
In the West the elderly are jettisoned by their children who can't be bothered with caring for their parents in their old age.

Personally I like the family oriented long-term care for family members.  You're parents took care of you for 18, 20, 22, 24 years or more.  Here in third-world and developing countries where family still means something, the children reciprocate and care for there elderly parents near the end of their lives. 

Almost everyone on the forum has an extreme Western bias.  If you haven't noticed, you don't live in the West.  For you guys who retired here and have no Thai family.  Sounds like you're going to have a really lonely end to your life.  You'll hunch over your computers with a beer in your hand and complain about Thai society and institutions like Thai Healthcare.  Not a good end: miserable, lonely, bitter, and full of dislike for the society of your host country. 

14 minutes ago, connda said:

Meanwhile

Crikey, all 3 relate to Australia 

1 hour ago, connda said:

I use both government hospitals and private hospitals that are subsided by the government. 

Are there long lines?  Yep.
Are those long lines efficiently handled?  Yep 
Then regarding India pharmaceuticals.  Do you have links to sources that prove that Indian pharma products are substandard?  The purpose of the Thai FDA is to authorize their use.  So essentially your are defaming both Indian Pharmaceutical manufacturers and the Thai FDA?  Do I use Indian Pharmaceutical - yep.  Chinese too.  Well, unless you want to have a go at Chinese Pharmaceuticals. But remember, without Indian and Chinese pharmaceuticals most drugs in the Golden West would be unavailable.  

I hate to tell you this, but Thai Healthcare is very good.  Well, unless you are a biased Westerner.  Then feel free to Thai-bash and India-bash I guess.  But you really are highly biased and not in a good way. 
 

There's no such thing as social security in this country where the sick, disabled. destitute and the poor are cared for with dignity,

Somehow, the government relies on the old age custom that the new generation should take care of the elderly, the operative word here is Should, and what to do if the family are poor themselves and unable to take care of the elderly and sick?

also, temples are limited in how many they can take in,

As for the Indian medicines, you got to any pharmacy in Thailand and you can buy almost any medications without prescription even the most serious one that prescription is needed, so what do you that kind of medicines?

As for Thai health care, I do not wish upon you or your loved one to need any, unless you have deep pockets of course.

Strange post @ezzra Thai healthcare is not a monolith. I, like @SAFETY FIRST also attended Banglamung Hospital. Out of choice, as I have ample medical insurance, but wanted to experience how the everyday person has it. 

Apart from a 'ladyboy' nursing assistant who insisted that I needed to take my clothes off for an X-Ray, everything was fine. No long waits, everyone helpful and a painless bill at the end. Exemplary, given the circumstances. Perhaps being an In-patient is a different experience. But for everyday visits, paying more does not necessarily get you a better service. I know, as I also used BP for part of my treatment.

There is a good thing to thai societies, most common for most is they accept to die, or their elderly dies when times is up, and do not see any point to keep them alive longer than necessary. Meaning they calculate the quality of life against the costs to stay alive. 

 

Unlike my grandmother who got sick at 93 back and forth for hospital, more medication and finely died at 93. She had some good days between the hospitalization, but she said she was okay to go long time before she actually went off full off opioids the last 4 weeks or so. 

 

 

6 hours ago, Hummin said:

Government officials do pay taxes, have pension and insurance. 

Of course, government offices make sure they are taken care of. 

Thai people at goverment hospitials receive cheaper and superior care with less waiting time than  the the NHS in the UK. 

I have received treatment fom my local government hospitial for over thirty years. Admittedly more expensive now for Foreigners but your comments about Thai patients is simply incorrect. 

On 9/25/2025 at 5:02 PM, JakeC said:

Strange post @ezzra Thai healthcare is not a monolith. I, like @SAFETY FIRST also attended Banglamung Hospital. Out of choice, as I have ample medical insurance, but wanted to experience how the everyday person has it. 

Apart from a 'ladyboy' nursing assistant who insisted that I needed to take my clothes off for an X-Ray, everything was fine. No long waits, everyone helpful and a painless bill at the end. Exemplary, given the circumstances. Perhaps being an In-patient is a different experience. But for everyday visits, paying more does not necessarily get you a better service. I know, as I also used BP for part of my treatment.

Take your clothes off for a x-ray? So, Superman couldn't really........Man, I'm shattered. I used to fantasise about his X-Ray vision.🙃🙃

14 minutes ago, jippytum said:

Thai people at goverment hospitials receive cheaper and superior care with less waiting time than  the the NHS in the UK. 

I have received treatment fom my local government hospitial for over thirty years. Admittedly more expensive now for Foreigners but your comments about Thai patients is simply incorrect. 

When was the last time you or someone you care for had to seek treatment in at a local hospital? never i guess, because what you have said exist only in Lala land, not in Thailand.

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

When was the last time you or someone you care for had to seek treatment in at a local hospital? never i guess, because what you have said exist only in Lala land, not in Thailand.

Hua HiN Hospital have been great and cheap, at least for the times we spent in Huan HiN before covid. Also possible to pay a VIP ticket or a fast lane ticket and did not have to wait downstairs but in a own designated area. 

On 9/25/2025 at 3:01 AM, Hummin said:

That’s the buddhist whay, you get what you deserve in life, and the pain is part of life to fulfill your path on the way to Nirvana. 

I've never heard it phrased like that.  Thank you!