Bangkok hospital in Ratchaburi the wife and I are charged the same. I know Bangkok hospital pricing varies by location.

I like the Thai hospitals’ fee schedules. I go in to see the same doctor for the same consultation and I’m billed a different amount every time. Could be 1,000, could be 800, could be 1,200. I would argue with them a bit but it would take at least an hour of my time, I’d have to talk to multiple staff and managers, result would probably be the same - pay the bill as presented.

If the insurance company doesn’t seem to care, should I make a fuss?

17 hours ago, D Peter said:

with a proper insurance you would'nt even bothered.

With my foreign insurance paying 85% out-patient and 100% in-patient costs, I'm sure it will have a discussion of what is fair than I could argue.

19 hours ago, Peter Crow said:

Saving? Through the next year premiums, calculated on actual costs within the group insurance. I am a team player. And it gives me the intense satisfaction of taking part in a some idiotic socialist scam. Why should insurances pay more?

Insurance as a socialist scam! We are all Luigi!

Edited July 11Jul 11 by unblocktheplanet
image

20 hours ago, Sigmund said:

Of course they charge foreigners more and just cheat foreigners openly. Nothing new here. So no point to come to get medical care in Thailand if it's going to cost almost same as back in the west.

Are one word replies allowed? B.S. I can actually afford to stay alive in Thailand. In Canada, even with universal healthcare, I'd die on a waiting list.

19 hours ago, Peter Crow said:

Dunno where you got your info. But I got a quotation from Siriraj Private, showing 20% surcharge for foreigners, on the entire bill. Had also to bring my own nursing staff, so I told them to go eff themselves.

The significant word is "Private". Of course, you'll pay more! Mostly just private room anyway, no amazing doctors, no hot nurses.

May I ask what your quote was for so I can researcxh this further?

Chula has special night clinics for those who can't get there in the daytime. They cost 30-50% more. Of course--what doc wants to work at night.

In all medical care, the most, maybe the only, important factor is chemistry. You need to have chemistry with your doctor, the whole medical setup, your hospital. You won't get well if you don't have chemistry. Always seeks a second opinion for anything serious. And don't act without that chemistry. Comfort is what heals you.

Wait. I just caught this. "Bring your own nursing staff"--you can't be serious! I've never heard of this!

Edited July 11Jul 11 by unblocktheplanet
add

18 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I don't know anyone personally, that have issues with medical services here, TH, or the USA. Or cry about the cost.

USA is expensive, relative to your coverage. If using quite a bit, Medicare, medicaid, would be cheaper, or about same price as TH. Since pays 80%. Premiums for Plan B suck, but if using, than worth having.

Since Obama's ACA, private insurance is expensive, and doesn't cover much if anything, of first $15k-20k out of pocket cost. But if you can't afford that, then you're on Medicaid anyway. Only good thing about ACA, people found out they could access it.

That can't be any worse or better than some of the countries with unaccessible universal care that I read about. Why some with extra money, do come to TH for private hospital care. Thai medical tourism is booming, for a reason.

Except all those tourists get steered to a pricey private hospital. Those privates have the same docs who work at publics.

3 hours ago, Dazinoz said:

I had a girlfriend before who came from Myanmar but had 2 IDs, 1 Myanmar and 1 semi Thai (white). Don't ask how or why just accept she did. On the way to Pattaya for a holiday we stopped into a well known cosmetic hospital in Bangkok. She was quoted xxbaht to have a procedure done. She had show here white ID. After the holiday we went to the hospital to have the procedure done. By mistake she gave them her Myanmar ID. The girl processing the ID said oh you not Thai and price was going to be 20% more. I argued a little and a supervisor came out. She said that my gf being from Myanmar had to pay 20% more and said if a foreigner it would be 50% more. I just said to my gf she can get it done in Chiang Mai and we got up to leave. The supervisor then said Ok she can have for original quoted (Thai) price.

Imagine trying that in a US hospital with all its levels of bureaucracy, contracts aso!

On 7/10/2026 at 1:42 AM, Tourist2 said:

I live in England knobhead.

Everyone knows Thais are scammy - part of the reason tourist numbers are down.
I don't understand u thai apologists on here - the country is crooked hence it's always (allegedly) dEveLoPinG.

We do not send our best to Thailand hence your low opinion of British people.

Anyway, GFY and enjoy your double pricing khrap.

Why the F do you even read AN? This is a Thai forum. Go find another country to bash. We live here and we like it.

On 7/9/2026 at 4:32 PM, SAFETY FIRST said:

Nothing immoral, I love it, always have.

You want see immoral, get yourself to Australia, bloody Woke, Leftist idiots running the country.

BTW, you want to Thai bash, you've come to the right place, lots of you guys here.

You don't need to prove with every post that you're not a bright spark😆😆😆

I have had several treatments at Bangkok Hospital in Chiang Mai, fully in the knowledge that I was paying a 'foreigner premium' - and I would not hesitate to do the same again.

Despite the increased cost, the price is still incredibly reasonable - and the experience that you get - which I would liken to a stay in a top-tier hotel, is far more pleasant than that which I would experience in a private hospital in my home country.

The increased margin they are asking is reasonable and delivers a price in line (and a service beyond) most Western countries.

So your complaint is not about the money - it is about the principle. And you cannot get upset about a principle that runs throughout the entire Thai economy, if you choose to live here.

Which is a long-winded way to say more simply: you can accept it, or you can return, with your principles, to the country you came from.

3 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Private hospitals are private companies and as such , they should be able charge whatever they like as long as they are open about it, I don't see why it needed to be authorised or legalised. If there was any opposition to their two tier pricing they would simply say that foreigners were charged "full" price where as Thais receive a discount NoThai "authority" is going to argue about that,

Goddess, capitalists infest the place again! Medical costs should be regulated by Thai govt for both private and public hosps. This ain't the US where one expects to be reamed with no Vaseline, have to scream & beg your insurance, get denied, take them to court, blah blah blah.

Let govt decide the maximum costs not the greedy.

5 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Except all those tourists get steered to a pricey private hospital. Those privates have the same docs who work at publics.

Tourist should have insurance, so problem solved. If not, then live with that choice when you have an oops.

Everyone has a choice, simply pick (govt or private) and live with your choice. If you're conscous, it is your choice. Live with it.

If you're unconscous, then they probably saved your life with their choice, so STFU.

When I had stents place, local didn't do it, and I was sent off to Hua Hin, so I simply requested govt hospital. No time to research, (so I thought at the time), but not a high tech procedure, rather routine, so wasn't concerned.

My Cardiologist (new to me) did work at both, govt & BKK Hosp at Hua Hin, and I quite like him. Finally did a follow up at his clinic, 3.5 yrs later, and his pricing was about 25% more than govt hospital, without the necessary repeat visit or Q'ing.

Echocardiogram, 5k vs 4k at govt hosp. Worth every baht, along with not having to pay for night clinic fee (?) to get referral to come back & Q up, whenever to have the simple Echogram. I live 100 kms away from hospital. Our local hospital night clinic fee is 1200 baht 😲

Not sure how or why people can complain about 'their choices' to be in TH, and what services they request, and from who.

Do y'all really not think about, research or plan anything in your life ???

Edited July 11Jul 11 by KhunLA

47 minutes ago, 241195_1469957797 said:

You don't need to prove with every post that you're not a bright spark😆😆😆

And you don't have to prove that you are a cheap Charlie, living in poverty

1 hour ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Wait. I just caught this. "Bring your own nursing staff"--you can't be serious! I've never heard of this!

Siriraj request the attendance of one family member, or other, during the whole duration of hospitalisation. So much for the country's productivity...

The quote was 360000 Baht (without extras) for PAE, an outpatient procedure in the civilised world.

Now if you think that Government hospitals don't dual price you ought to know that about 6 months ago the Anutin gvt., very officialy released a a three tier structure, entirely based on skin colour.

Thai public hospitals operate under a three-tiered dual-pricing system regulated by the Ministry of Public Health. Fees vary significantly depending on the patient's nationality and legal status. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The pricing structure is divided into three main groups: [1, 2]

• Tier 1 (Thais & ASEAN Citizens): Thai citizens using the Universal Coverage Scheme (or 'Gold Card') pay subsidized rates or small copayments (e.g., ฿30 per visit), while citizens from neighboring countries pay slightly higher standard rates. [1]

• Tier 2 (Expatriates): Foreigners holding valid work permits, non-immigrant visas (e.g., Non-B), and who pay taxes in Thailand. Fees are generally higher than Tier 1. [1, 2]

• Tier 3 (Tourists & Retirees): Foreigners on tourist visas, visa-on-arrival, or retirement visas (Non-O). This tier has the highest fees, often double the cost of Tier 1. [1, 2]

For example, an HIV test that costs ฿160 for Thai nationals goes up to ฿240 for working expats and ฿320 for tourists and retirees. Similarly, a spinal MRI jumps from ฿18,700 for Thais to ฿23,375 for expats and ฿28,050 for tourists. [1, 2]

While public hospitals remain cheaper than private clinics, exact fees vary by facility and region.

21 hours ago, Rams86 said:

My take is this there's a vast difference between an expat and a tourist. Expats should not be part of the 2 tier pricing system. When you're admitted to a hospital you have to show your passport to identify yourself. That same passport has a page stating that you have a one year visa but obviously they don't want to see that, another Thai scam. I'd like to know how much tax I've paid over the past 25 years when I do the weekly shopping. I can assure it's much more than the average Thai has paid. About 15 year ago my wife had an abdominal operation at a private hospital in Bangkok. She asked for a quote and the cost was 75,000 baht, she disputed the cost and told them that she was paying not me. After a 30 minutes wait 10,000 was knocked off the bill. Wait for it, she was even asked how she could afford to pay the bill from her personal money. TIT.

City& Local Guides

According to that court case it doesnt seem to matter. Its not my rules so agree or not it is what it is here.

3 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Tourist should have insurance, so problem solved. If not, then live with that choice when you have an oops.

Everyone has a choice, simply pick (govt or private) and live with your choice. If you're conscous, it is your choice. Live with it.

If you're unconscous, then they probably saved your life with their choice, so STFU.

When I had stents place, local didn't do it, and I was sent off to Hua Hin, so I simply requested govt hospital. No time to research, (so I thought at the time), but not a high tech procedure, rather routine, so wasn't concerned.

My Cardiologist (new to me) did work at both, govt & BKK Hosp at Hua Hin, and I quite like him. Finally did a follow up at his clinic, 3.5 yrs later, and his pricing was about 25% more than govt hospital, without the necessary repeat visit or Q'ing.

Echocardiogram, 5k vs 4k at govt hosp. Worth every baht, along with not having to pay for night clinic fee (?) to get referral to come back & Q up, whenever to have the simple Echogram. I live 100 kms away from hospital. Our local hospital night clinic fee is 1200 baht 😲

Not sure how or why people can complain about 'their choices' to be in TH, and what services they request, and from who.

Do y'all really not think about, research or plan anything in your life ???

There are always these complaints from expats about queuing in govt hospitals. Bring a book, fer Chrissakes! You got somewhere to be, something better to do than look after your health?

1 hour ago, Peter Crow said:

Siriraj request the attendance of one family member, or other, during the whole duration of hospitalisation. So much for the country's productivity...

The quote was 360000 Baht (without extras) for PAE, an outpatient procedure in the civilised world.

Now if you think that Government hospitals don't dual price you ought to know that about 6 months ago the Anutin gvt., very officialy released a a three tier structure, entirely based on skin colour.

Thai public hospitals operate under a three-tiered dual-pricing system regulated by the Ministry of Public Health. Fees vary significantly depending on the patient's nationality and legal status. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The pricing structure is divided into three main groups: [1, 2]

• Tier 1 (Thais & ASEAN Citizens): Thai citizens using the Universal Coverage Scheme (or 'Gold Card') pay subsidized rates or small copayments (e.g., ฿30 per visit), while citizens from neighboring countries pay slightly higher standard rates. [1]

• Tier 2 (Expatriates): Foreigners holding valid work permits, non-immigrant visas (e.g., Non-B), and who pay taxes in Thailand. Fees are generally higher than Tier 1. [1, 2]

  Visa& Immigration

• Tier 3 (Tourists & Retirees): Foreigners on tourist visas, visa-on-arrival, or retirement visas (Non-O). This tier has the highest fees, often double the cost of Tier 1. [1, 2]

For example, an HIV test that costs ฿160 for Thai nationals goes up to ฿240 for working expats and ฿320 for tourists and retirees. Similarly, a spinal MRI jumps from ฿18,700 for Thais to ฿23,375 for expats and ฿28,050 for tourists. [1, 2]

While public hospitals remain cheaper than private clinics, exact fees vary by facility and region.

Disagree. Already quoted prices.

6 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Private hospitals are private companies and as such , they should be able charge whatever they like as long as they are open about it,

Foreigners were charged "full" price where as Thais receive a discount NoThai "authority" is going to argue about that,

Why?

The Government health care scheme does Not pay for normal care for Thai Nationals. In private hospitals.(Except UCEP (Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients). And if private hospital enrolls in scheme.

Should they maybe require a credit check before providing a quote or admitting you for care? Charge you depending on how they feel that day, who you know?

Speculation. But If heard of someone with Covid like symptoms being admitted and then when complications happened, they needed an oxygen bottle, couldn't pay and died later.

Value of Life here is Different than many countries.

A couple years ago it made headline news (for a day) when a Thai woman went to the media because she'd had a procedure done at a hospital in Bangkok and thought they'd charged her the "foreigner price" because of how high her bill was.

That hospital apologized and agreed to knock 100,000 baht off her bill - because they thought she was a Swiss woman - not a Thai !

And about 3 years ago I was going to have a minor surgical procedure done at a local private hospital. After the discussion with the doctor I was sent to the finance section to "pre-pay" (or discuss insurance options).

The lady was starting the paperwork and called the doctor in question to go over what would be needed.
3 nights in the hospital (she wrote down 500 x 3 on her note pad) - check.

Then a bunch of other stuff (anesthesiologist, packaged surgical cost and so on) and after she finished the call she started going down the list and changing the prices.

Suddenly the "3 nights in the hospital" went from 500 x 3 to 5,000 x 3 ! Without a second's hesitation she bumped the price 10 fold !

I couldn't tell what she did to the other costs and at the end I had to sign the form authorizing the procedure and the price. I think my insurance was paying for it anyways so I shrugged it off.

But of course - any time you make a claim on your insurance there's a good chance that next year the premiums will go up.
A LOT.

Also - it pays to shop around.

I needed an operation on my wrist to fix something that had been done at a private hospital in Sri Racha a couple years earlier.
Went to my usual hospital (biggest one in Pattaya) and they quoted me 180,000 for the whole procedure (including 1 night in the hospital I think it was).

Went to Pattaya Memorial hospital and they quoted me 90,000 for the exact same thing !
Went there instead because it wasn't covered by Insurance (or I didn't think it was or something). Just as good as at the "bigger" hospital. Clean, great staff, private room, well cared for.

Now I have a policy with MTL (Muang Thai Life) and it's been great. My friend's wife actually got her license to sell insurance so she could sell policies to her husband and family - and some friends.
And she does an awesome job of negotiating with the hospital and insurance company to try and make sure they cover everything.

Way better service than I had with other insurance providers.

But you have to be careful when selecting policies. Some don't cover Outpatient Department (OPD) costs or "day" procedures that take less than 6 hours (from arrival to departure).
And many have different levels of "IPD" (Inpatient) coverage (where you have to be admitted to the hospital or for procedures that take more than 8 hours or require an overnight stay).

If you have to go to the hospital frequently just to see a doctor and get a prescription - that's "OPD" and if your policy doesn't cover it - you pay.

Most of the providers I've seen have "mix and match" policies where you can pick a basic policy (i.e. Tier 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) and then an additional "plan" (i.e. Level A, B, C, D or E) to go with it.

It can be a bit confusing to sort out and you really have to watch the fine print !

For example - if your doctor in Pattaya tells you that you need to have PET scan done in Bangkok (the only place it can be done apparently) - YOU have to pay the whole cost before they make the appointment - and how you get there and back is your problem.

And your insurance may not cover any of that cost ! (Ask me - I found that out last month. My agent tried but unfortunately it was actually in the policy that it wasn't covered.)

But they have been great at covering everything else (so far) ! (My friend jokes that I'll have to pay premiums for another 10+ years just to make up for what they've had to pay out over the last 4 months !)

I can only imagine what would happen if someone else had the same issues I had - but didn't have any insurance.

Would not be a pleasant way to go.

17 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Disagree. Already quoted prices.

Since you don't seem to believe facts, or maybe don't really know what you are talking about I'll substantiate my claims regarding Siriraj.

Edited July 11Jul 11 by Peter Crow

7 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

There are always these complaints from expats about queuing in govt hospitals. Bring a book, fer Chrissakes! You got somewhere to be, something better to do than look after your health?

Time is money, as they say, but reality, how much, and convenience, balancing that.

At local PKK hospital, night clinic is 1-2 hour Q, even if having Q#1, which we usually have. Doc is a nephrologist, and takes his patients first, then clinic walk ins. Which there are few, since 1200 baht charge.

We could walk in, verify there, then pop out to eat if really wanting to, but just hang out and use internet, to kill time.

BUT, saves me 1/2 a day during normal hours, to get a reference for specialist, or referral for procedure. Last time I was at night clinic, I asked for whole abdominal CT Scan, and he called down, and I had it done immediately, no Q at radiology. Instead of 1/2 day, for referral to return sometime later to have procedure done.

Same with blood tests recently, sent down immediately, instead 1/2 day, to get an appointment for later that week.

Had cataract done at HH BKK Hospital, at more the 2X what HH govt hosp charges, but done within 30 days, insteads of few months, and suspect a more sterile operating theater. Saw the doc, sent for calibrations, same day, the return 20+ days and had done, as he is in demand, and his first opening. He just uses BKK Hosp to perform.

Also follow ups at his clinic, with minimal Q time, as timed it to be last patient, before he closes at noon.

Had Endo/colonoscopy done at Chula, but, had to pay extra for off hours, or would have been 6+ months Q, yea, that long, and I might be being kind. But I found that doc on internet, and that's where he worked out of, Chula.

Actually did everything through his FB chat, and getting the appointment @ Chula was just a formality. Had it done that week, after we popped up to Kanchanburi to kill a few days.

Q'ing is not problem, as can catch up on internet, even watch a movie if I want, beside trolling AN.

I've used both, govt & private, though admit my patience level is lower, and if not too silly priced (relative to my finances) then I'll go private, as long as I like the doc.

Doc being the most important part of the equation. If lucky, they'll serve both.

Edited July 11Jul 11 by KhunLA

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Q'ing is not problem, as can catch up on internet, even watch a movie if I want, beside trolling AN.

In my early years here I did a bit of "q'ing" at Buriram hospital, didn't need a book , as the surroundings were like a set for "Les Misérables". There was even a guy in chains with his guard from the nearby prison. And the thing is; you gotta "Q" at least an hour at every step of the process, bureaucratic and medical. Now I fly to Bangkok and "Q" ,15 to 20 minutes, in air conditioned lounges.

2 hours ago, J Branche said:

Why?

The Government health care scheme does Not pay for normal care for Thai Nationals. In private hospitals.(Except UCEP (Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients). And if private hospital enrolls in scheme.

Should they maybe require a credit check before providing a quote or admitting you for care? Charge you depending on how they feel that day, who you know?

Speculation. But If heard of someone with Covid like symptoms being admitted and then when complications happened, they needed an oxygen bottle, couldn't pay and died later.

Value of Life here is Different than many countries.

Why What ? I really don't understand what point you are trying to make ,

Private hospitals are like any other private companies, they can and do charge what they want As long as they are open and up front about the possible costs involved that's fair enough Nobody should have to deal with nasty surprises

Of course the national healthcare scheme does not include private hospitals

I have never heard of any private hospitals requesting a credit check , probably because as foreigners we can't get credit here, but I have heard of plenty of people being asked for proof of insurance , and if they had none , then substantial sums of money 100k to 300k were required to be handed over before any treatment commenced

The value of life here or anywhere else is a subject for another discussion,

On 7/9/2026 at 4:11 PM, Lahmak said:

Just returned home from visiting Bkk Hospital in one of the major city's in Thailand and must say I was rather surprised to learn from a nurse I know from previous visits, that they actually charge foreigners more than Thais for identical procedures.
I knew and fully understand that public hospitals charges non-Thai citizens the actual cost of the health-care they receive, I agree that the government should not subsidize foreign citizens health-care. (Leave that to the western country's). But charging extra for already profitable healh-care just because they are foreigners makes me feel disgusted.
Knowing that a lot of farangs dies not being able to afford needed health-care, I find it deeply immoral that this version of two-tier practice actually exists.

You do know their Supreme court endorses the practice to allow public hospital do the same. Not based on legal but wrote foreigners are better off therefore should pay more.

On 7/10/2026 at 5:55 PM, D Peter said:

with a proper insurance you would'nt even bothered

Part of the point is that we are all paying more for our insurance because the hospitals charges us extras.
There is a thing called pre-existing conditions.

This week went to government hospital for blood tests and medicine. The blood tests (5 tests) were 1400 baht . 3 months supply of medicines was 158 baht (one month from the pharmacy would have cost more).

Bivkering/insulting posts removed.

Please keep it civil.

I'm not sure how to tell which international hospitals charge more to foreigners, but I did some research out of interest regarding their drug costs.

I contacted 3 of the best known and most expensive private hospitals in Bangkok, and 1 intermediate private hospital, asking them simply how much they charge for a 20mg tablet of Nexium - one of the more common stomach meds. Here is what I found:

Hospital 1 - best known but often most expensive - did not reply (you can guess which one)

Hospital 2 - probably No 1's main competitior and 2nd most famous, with large facilities and also has branches in Pattaya, Phuket and elsewhere. Cost? 124 THB for one tablet

Hospital 3 - another well-known hospital in mid Sukhumvit charges a whopping 200 thb per tablet

Hospital 4 (an intermediate private hospital with few foreign customers) charges 94 THB per tablet

I would assume the pricing structure would be similar to other medications they dispense.

By rough comparison (from memory) Boots sells Nexium for around 45 THB per.

If anyone wants to know the names of the hospitals you can DM me.

5 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

I'm not sure how to tell which international hospitals charge more to foreigners, but I did some research out of interest regarding their drug costs.

I contacted 3 of the best known and most expensive private hospitals in Bangkok, and 1 intermediate private hospital, asking them simply how much they charge for a 20mg tablet of Nexium - one of the more common stomach meds. Here is what I found:

Hospital 1 - best known but often most expensive - did not reply (you can guess which one)

Hospital 2 - probably No 1's main competitior and 2nd most famous, with large facilities and also has branches in Pattaya, Phuket and elsewhere. Cost? 124 THB for one tablet

Hospital 3 - another well-known hospital in mid Sukhumvit charges a whopping 200 thb per tablet

Hospital 4 (an intermediate private hospital with few foreign customers) charges 94 THB per tablet

I would assume the pricing structure would be similar to other medications they dispense.

By rough comparison (from memory) Boots sells Nexium for around 45 THB per.

If anyone wants to know the names of the hospitals you can DM me.

Holy crap, that's a bit of a mark up, but no surprise really ...

Medtide/link (online) pricing, so AI is quite accurate ...