2 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

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

Yes it is. The way I see it, the big mark-ups reflect the actual hospital and its facilities/marketing.

The fee for specialists at the first 3 hospsitals I mentioned range from 1,500 - 3,000 per visit/consultation. The last one also has a wide range from 900-2,000 - again 95% Thai patients and only the odd foreigner (like me). It is reasonably well-known but has not yet been gobbled up by the massive Thai health care conglomerate.

Major Update on Public/Government hospital pricing and how hospitals are paid.

Public/Government Hospitals are Heavily subsidized

For "Gold Card" or "30 Baht" scheme that covers roughly 47 million Thai citizens" Roughly 70% of Population

Quote Gemini AI

"The National Health Security Office (NHSO) receives an annual closed-end budget pulled directly from the country's central treasury. This pool is filled by VAT (Value-Added Tax), Corporate Income Taxes, and Excise Taxes (tariffs on fuel, alcohol, cigarettes, and sugary drinks)"

This is why Long Stay Foreigners, Retirees need representation in Government. Why are retirees in same tier as Tourist for pricing.

Tax Year 2025, all foreign sourced accessible income remitted to Thailand is taxed above the minimum year personal deduction amounts for thai nationals, people residing more than 180 days in Thailand.

Technically a Foreign Retiree, foreigner staying more than 180 days, and who are not leaving, taking the qualifying VAT refundable items out of Thailand are not reimbursed.

Foreigners pay VAT, Excise Taxes,

Government Hospital Funding

Value-Added Tax (VAT) - 40% to 45%

Corporate Income Tax (CIT) - 25% to 30%

Personal Income Tax (PIT) -13% to 15%

Other Taxes (Specific Business, Stamp Duty, etc.) - 10%

Retirees/Tourist are in highest paying Tier 4.

Foreign Retirees pay in one form or another a majority of taxes above.

(Why) Are Retirees penalized as most have fixed, limited income?

Foreign Retirees should be Tier 2 in my opinion with all the contributions made to fund the (Gold Card" or "30 Baht") scheme Healthcare Scheme

15 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Yes it is. The way I see it, the big mark-ups reflect the actual hospital and its facilities/marketing.

The fee for specialists at the first 3 hospsitals I mentioned range from 1,500 - 3,000 per visit/consultation. The last one also has a wide range from 900-2,000 - again 95% Thai patients and only the odd foreigner (like me). It is reasonably well-known but has not yet been gobbled up by the massive Thai health care conglomerate.

Only the night clinic at local hospital (PKK) is a bit silly priced here, and all other services, daytime, if having patience is 'Thai' priced and no farang surcharge, that I noticed.

Local hospital is also lacking specialist of a few fields, Cardiology being one of them, so not the best place to retire if having health issues.

Local eye & dental services aren't that good either, and we go to Hua Hin for that. Even their range of blood work testing here, PKK, is limited. Chumphon & Hua Hin better for that also.

Things expats should consider when retiring at any location. You definitely don't want to have a trauma emergency after 1st shift is gone locally here, as hospital is tended by unsupervised interns only, if that, since not a teaching facility nearby.

The ER attending nurse was stellar when I had my little non emergency cardiac oops, but I had to be transported to Hua Hin, 100 kms / 1.5 hrs away for the stent placements.

So any major blockage would have lead to heart attack and probably fatal

Edited July 12Jul 12 by KhunLA

On 7/9/2026 at 7:47 PM, emptypockets said:

I recall a court case ( a Dutchman?) took a hospital (HuaHin?) to court.....and lost.

It is legal to have two tier pricing.

On 7/9/2026 at 7:47 PM, emptypockets said:

I recall a court case ( a Dutchman?) took a hospital (HuaHin?) to court.....and lost.

It is legal to have two tier pricing.

On 7/9/2026 at 7:47 PM, emptypockets said:

I recall a court case ( a Dutchman?) took a hospital (HuaHin?) to court.....and lost.

It is legal to have two tier pricing.

Private Hospitals are usually owned by companies and shareholders and can charge whatever they like for their services.It is not compulsory to use them so if you don't like it or can't afford it go somewhare else and stop your whinging.

1 hour ago, ronnie50 said:

I'm not sure how to tell which international hospitals charge more to foreigners,

When i was discussing the cost with my surgeon he said Thais get it for free, but when I've asked Thais how much they paid for an op it's definitely not free, so depends on something

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

When i was discussing the cost with my surgeon he said Thais get it for free, but when I've asked Thais how much they paid for an op it's definitely not free, so depends on something

Yes, it's all quite opaque isn't it. So much for 'Patients' Charter' - the Thai medical association needs to come clean on this issue

15 hours ago, Lahmak said:

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.

I don't understand the connection of 2 thier pricing and your insurance?? If you are insured your insurance will pay.

Pre existing conditions is a seperate issue, not connected to pricing.

2 hours ago, wavodavo said:

Private Hospitals are usually owned by companies and shareholders and can charge whatever they like for their services.It is not compulsory to use them so if you don't like it or can't afford it go somewhare else and stop your whinging.

You've lost any logic and the plot.

A private hospital receives No government funding.

Without a credit check, financial history how could they know the patients level of money?

Agreed there needs to be more transparency with private hospitals. List price range for a treatment xx - xx and statement includes x level room, food, any follow up visits included. List tier, group, thai nationals, foreigner in conspicuous, easy to find place for hospital.

Lastly understand there are a couple of huge groups that own the private hospitals. They're grouped to help determine price range

High price range, Mid price range, some boutique, few low price. (Think western levels or better)

8 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

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

Somewhat off topic, but Nexium (Esomeprazole) is just a tweak of good old Omeprazole, one of those tweaks that labs put on the market to counter cheap generics. In this case, after a couple of months of Nexium, I reverted to Ompeprazole (Miracid), which I found just as good, at four Baht a tablet. While I am insured for OPD and Medications.

AI says: "Nexium (esomeprazole) and Prilosec (omeprazole) are both highly effective Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) used to treat acid reflux, GERD, and stomach ulcers. Nexium is a refined, more potent version of omeprazole. While Nexium provides stronger acid suppression and works slightly faster, omeprazole is generally more affordable and interacts with fewer medications. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]"

21 hours ago, wavodavo said:

Private Hospitals are usually owned by companies and shareholders and can charge whatever they like for their services.It is not compulsory to use them so if you don't like it or can't afford it go somewhare else and stop your whinging.

I'm not whinging. Merely stating that two tier pricing is legal.

Two-tiered pricing is normal in Thailand, and I no longer get upset about it.
But... I will not have anything to do with the chain of Bangkok Hospitals. There are plenty of others out there that provide excellent medical care.

Private hospitals are usually going to suggest expansive testing and medical procedures. Personal example , I had a small growth on side of face. Private hospital cut and tested a sample ,tila me it was cancerous and needed surgery costing 100,000 baht. Found out about the Institute of Dermatology at victory monument. It used a can of liquid nitrogen on the area in 2 visits. After healing up it had gone 500baht X

2 visits. Private hospitals are a grift in Thailand

Dual pricing in hospitals will likely soon become a minor concern by comparison. Japan has already introduced dual pricing for foreigners at numerous venues, including restaurants, and this practice is actively encouraged by the government from what I read from online posts.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/01/japan-tourism-overseas-visitors-charged-extra-two-tier-pricing

On 7/10/2026 at 2:18 AM, Tourist2 said:

Agreed. Many HIAs in Thailand.

Why would people want to trust 3rd world dOcToRs anyway?
I guess the problem is when there's no alternative - eg. i emergencies.

Had a couple of dentists trying to cheat me formoney. One even lied to me and tiold me I needed NINE fillings.
Told them to just clean and went home (to the UK) where a proper dentist (from a high trust culture with morals / scruples) told me no fillings needed.

3rd World Countries are tht way PRIMARILY becaiuse of 3rd World Cultures.
Corruption, lying, cheating etc. is why they never develop.

Everyone trying to fk over everyone else.

People need to call out Thais for what they are when they behave this way.

Sure, they hate losing face but need to learn that no respect is due on the basis of greed - even when dressed in a white coat.

So MAKE them 'lose face' where appropriate - they're just vonmen and women with a certificate and a costume.

Call em out for what they are.

So obviously you had some bad experiences in Thailand back in the 90's and now you live in the UK- we get it. My question is why you still find it necessary to post on a Thai forum about how bad "scammy" Thailand is and how their Healthcare is 3rd world.

7 minutes ago, Issan girl said:

So obviously you had some bad experiences in Thailand back in the 90's and now you live in the UK- we get it. My question is why you still find it necessary to post on a Thai forum about how bad "scammy" Thailand is and how their Healthcare is 3rd world.

8 minutes ago, Issan girl said:

So obviously you had some bad experiences in Thailand back in the 90's and now you live in the UK- we get it. My question is why you still find it necessary to post on a Thai forum about how bad "scammy" Thailand is and how their Healthcare is 3rd world.

It's not just the healthcare - it's the entire culture.

You can have shiney new buildings and cars and stuff but when everyone is trying to cheat everyone else that's a <deleted> 3rd world culture. Just suggested shaming the scumbags.

UK is on a bad path so I keep an eye on SE Asia as an option - would be easy for me to move there as I know it pretty well - but seeing the stories on here reminds me the grass isn't always greener.

Is that OK?

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.

Yes the two tier system does exist in the medical field here. Is it right? Of course it isn't but they are not going to change.

Two tier pricing is only the tip of the iceberg, unnecessary tests, incompetent doctors, as many tablets as they can prescribe, immediate surgery, more tests as all the medication seems to elevate your liver functions, mention it and you will either be dismissed or asked to leave(as i was). Thai doctors who have never worked abroad do seem themselves as something special and not to be questioned. It is only about the money always research you doctor, i still have my 2 feet as i stood up for myself and walked(well hobbled out) out of an expensive private hospital.

Actually, it's a 3 tier system, as it seems to be everywhere, worldwide.

... govt provided or assisted, lowest cost

... cash, (no govt assist) more expensive

... private insured, silly priced, as insurance seem to pay whatever silly prices given, for the silliest things.

Example of silly, out patient colonoscopy not covered, so you're admitted over night, so they can cover you with your insurance. That's silly.

I went to have my ears cleaned, usual mini wet vac, less than five minute in office procedure. Only time I had private accident, emergency admittance insurance (el cheapo). Asked if I could use, and he said yes, but I have to admit you overnight. To get my friggen ears cleaned I passed, and paid the couple 100 baht. Talk about insurance scamming.

Edited July 15Jul 15 by KhunLA

On 7/9/2026 at 10:32 AM, 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.

Well just a reminder that its the most equal, happiest and advanced nations that generally have best healthcare & those are mostly left, Labour, or social democratic socities: Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark ( first) & then Holland & UK & Germany & France etc.

People in countries like USA dont have free healthcare & low income die earlier. Its part of civilised socities that you pay through taxation not credit card. Its not idiots its civilisation at its best!

It's beyond me why anyone over 70 would want treatment to extend their marginal lives.

Beyond simple pain relief, of course.

One of my former co-workers (Dermot Murnaghan) just died of prostate cancer in the UK, despite full treatment, at age 68. Many of my pals and co-workers died even earlier.

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.

This is a global phenomenon, foreigners generally pay more since they have not paid into local health care systems by taxes on national insurance schemes?

7 hours ago, BritManToo said:

It's beyond me why anyone over 70 would want treatment to extend their marginal lives.

Beyond simple pain relief, of course.

Might be scared by what could be on the other side.
Maybe wanna spend ALLL their money before they die ('most toys wins' thinking).
Waiting for a payout, England to win the world cup, graduation of their great grandchildren etc etc.
Addiction to one thing or another (being moany old <deleted> / an inconvenience to hated rellys/neighbours/other AN / x users etc., bed baths, watching soap operas, being waited on - list is endless).
Most people don't like change at the best of times

8 hours ago, BritManToo said:

It's beyond me why anyone over 70 would want treatment to extend their marginal lives.

Beyond simple pain relief, of course.

One of my former co-workers (Dermot Murnaghan) just died of prostate cancer in the UK, despite full treatment, at age 68. Many of my pals and co-workers died even earlier.

Not everyone over age 70 is living a "marginal" life.

Many are active and healthy.

10 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Asked if I could use, and he said yes, but I have to admit you overnight. To get my friggen ears cleaned I passed, and paid the couple 100 baht. Talk about insurance scamming.

You have been how many years in Thailand and still don't know how insurance works?

Anyway, good thing you didn't agree because 100% insurance would deny the claim. Doctors can say whatever they want.

23 minutes ago, Celsius said:

You have been how many years in Thailand and still don't know how insurance works?

Anyway, good thing you didn't agree because 100% insurance would deny the claim. Doctors can say whatever they want.

Nothing to do with understanding how insurance works. If you are too skint to take an insurance that cover out patient, then also don't expect to be covered for out patient.

I hope that our cheap skint member didn't have to reduce the size of his dinner to cover the few hundred baht of the ear cleaning.

On second thought, saving a few hundred baht would involve skipping several meals, judging by the pics he always posts in the "what you had for dinner" thread

Ouch. And I thought i was an A hole

11 hours ago, peter48 said:

Well just a reminder that its the most equal, happiest and advanced nations that generally have best healthcare & those are mostly left, Labour, or social democratic socities: Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark ( first) & then Holland & UK & Germany & France etc.

People in countries like USA dont have free healthcare & low income die earlier. Its part of civilised socities that you pay through taxation not credit card. Its not idiots its civilisation at its best!

Very true. My husband and I live in the US half time and Thailand half time and still choose to have most of our major healthcare done in Thailand. We have good insurance in the US through my husband's work which will reimburse US for healthcare in Thailand (those who don't have insurance here are <deleted>) however, in the US, it is usually a three months wait to see a specialist and up to a six months wait to get any major surgery. In addition, our insurance pays at 80% of the cost. So, for example my husband had wrist surgery in Thailand. At 80% of an equivalent $6000 surgery in Thailand, it was pretty cheap for us. In the US the surgery would be so expensive that our copay would be about $6000. We went to the most expensive private hospital in Udornthani (as that is where our insurance wanted us to go) and I am sure that it would be cheaper had we shopped around a bit. I have found that most of the doctors in Thailand are competent, and I have been given the same advice there as in the US for the same medical issues. I completely understand public hospitals in Thailand charging foreigners more for care as we don't pay into thier healthcare system. However, it is ridiculous that we have to pay more for the same healthcare as a Thai in a private hospital. But, ..... it is still waaaaaay cheaper than in the US.

Don't have health insurance, as don't need it. Just pay out of pocket as needed. Whole lot cheaper than premiums that may cover you or not. Useless if you have to wait to get reimbursed, as you need to pay anyway.

25+ yrs here, and those premiums would have added up to way more than I've ever spent, or will spend.

And they dare to claim that hospitals are making big losses because of foreigners. That is why there is such a need for 300 THB entrance tax, which they want to implement. But I think there is not so much loss but the losses are being influenced by foreign tariffs instead of the "normal" Thai.

One of the good things about govt hospitals is you measure your own blood pressure, none of this bill padding that happens in all private hospitals