Do Poor Thais Have Free Medical?

[rene123]

I was wondering about the status of the average Thai person earning about 6000 baht a month. Do they have free medical and availability of antibiotics? I recently had a scratch that got infected and needed antibiotics and medical treatment. It was very inexpensive by Canadian standards, but I wonder about the Thais. I had to pay a Thai doctor 1200 baht. That is nothing to me, but it could be a substantial bite out of a Thai person's budget.

I've heard all the "funny" stories about farang guys having to pay for the sick buffalo, dying brother, and other family medical problems told to them by scamming girls. I just wonder what the real story is.

[Semper]

Do they have free medical

Yes.

[robblok]

@renee,

Those guys are thinking with their wrong head. Though public hospitals don't do that much for certain patients. My wife her father was dying and i think they could have done more in a private hospital. Though the outcome would be the same. They said they would only give this much extra blood after that we could get extra if we paid. So there is a grain of truth in it but in general its a scam.

Strange thing is those same guys if approached in the west by a pretty girl with a scam story and knowing they normally had no chance in hell to get a girl like that would realise its a scam. Think they just left their brains at immigration, they all believe the hasum man story.

[Mario2008]

Most thais will fall under one of the medical insurence schemes. Either through the social security fund or the socalled 30 baht healthcare card.

[chiang mai]

There's a government sponsored health care scheme called the 30 Baht scheme whereby folks can recieve a course of treatment for 30 baht.

[lemoncake]

Rich Thais also have free medical though the public hospitals and doctors are not let's say the "nicest"

If employed and pay social security , medical is free and medicine is 30 baht. If unemployed all is free or very similar with 30 baht medicine

Edited January 10, 2013 by lemoncake

[lemoncake]

@renee,

Those guys are thinking with their wrong head. Though public hospitals don't do that much for certain patients. My wife her father was dying and i think they could have done more in a private hospital. Though the outcome would be the same. They said they would only give this much extra blood after that we could get extra if we paid. So there is a grain of truth in it but in general its a scam.

Strange thing is those same guys if approached in the west by a pretty girl with a scam story and knowing they normally had no chance in hell to get a girl like that would realise its a scam. Think they just left their brains at immigration, they all believe the hasum man story.

The handsome man syndrome usually happens the moment airplane enters Thai airspace ,

In immigration it's already a super hero syndrome

[kevvy]

western people can use goverment hospitals as well

[harrry]

western people can use goverment hospitals as well

Treatment is excelent though crowded. Low charges are made (except at government hospitals in Phucket where they are extremely high) for medical services and drugs are charged to foreigners at around or less than pharmacy prices. Thais get treatment for 30baht at their local hospital where they register for a Gold Card but this fee is optional if they fill in forms saying they do not wish to or cannot pay. Thais who go to other government hospitals than the one they registered at get charged fees similar to those charged westerners at most government hospitals.

Edited January 10, 2013 by harrry

[Tywais]

Most thais will fall under one of the medical insurence schemes. Either through the social security fund or the socalled 30 baht healthcare card.

Correct. However there is a caveat and they can only use hospitals in the province they are registered for the 30 baht scheme. 2nd, specialized medicines and tests are usually not included in the healthcare card.

[chiangmaikelly]

Rich Thais also have free medical though the public hospitals and doctors are not let's say the "nicest"

If employed and pay social security , medical is free and medicine is 30 baht. If unemployed all is free or very similar with 30 baht medicine

Many Thai doctors who work at the expensive International hospitals also work at the public hospitals. The doctors work at the pubic hospitals as part of a repayment for their education. It the doctor at Bangkok Pattaya hospital gets to work at 6PM it may be because he has worked the day shift at a government hospital. And he does not change his personality on the drive over to the expensive hospital.

[harrry]

Most thais will fall under one of the medical insurence schemes. Either through the social security fund or the socalled 30 baht healthcare card.

Correct. However there is a caveat and they can only use hospitals in the province they are registered for the 30 baht scheme. 2nd, specialized medicines and tests are usually not included in the healthcare card.

Most pecial tests are.....and the range of medicines available is amazingly broad although it does have a preference for medicenes which are now out of patent where possible.

[chiangmaikelly]

Most thais will fall under one of the medical insurence schemes. Either through the social security fund or the socalled 30 baht healthcare card.

Correct. However there is a caveat and they can only use hospitals in the province they are registered for the 30 baht scheme. 2nd, specialized medicines and tests are usually not included in the healthcare card.

My GF's father had a tumor removed from his stomach free but the government would not cover the chemo that was required after that and the family paid. It was administered at a government hospital for free but as you said some specialized medicines are not all covered.

[rene123]

Thank you for the replies. I'm slowly learning more about what Thailand has to offer for everyone.

[robblok]

Thank you for the replies. I'm slowly learning more about what Thailand has to offer for everyone.

What do you like about Thailand, for many guys its the females. For females its often not the guys, so what is it that you like here.

For me its the freedom and weather (and what it allows me to do) and of course i got a girl here but i don't see it as an all perfect country. Like everywhere it has its downsides here its hard to really settle and own land.

[lemoncake]

Rich Thais also have free medical though the public hospitals and doctors are not let's say the "nicest"

If employed and pay social security , medical is free and medicine is 30 baht. If unemployed all is free or very similar with 30 baht medicine

Many Thai doctors who work at the expensive International hospitals also work at the public hospitals. The doctors work at the pubic hospitals as part of a repayment for their education. It the doctor at Bangkok Pattaya hospital gets to work at 6PM it may be because he has worked the day shift at a government hospital. And he does not change his personality on the drive over to the expensive hospital.

There are not too many doctors who need to repay their education to work in a public hospital as a vast majority are from well off family's with masters and fellowships from other countries .

I am yet to see or hear of doctor from Bangkok hospital to work public hospital , and while his personality does not change, his work ethic and equipment does.

[NewlyMintedThai]

Rich Thais also have free medical though the public hospitals and doctors are not let's say the "nicest"

If employed and pay social security , medical is free and medicine is 30 baht. If unemployed all is free or very similar with 30 baht medicine

Many Thai doctors who work at the expensive International hospitals also work at the public hospitals. The doctors work at the pubic hospitals as part of a repayment for their education. It the doctor at Bangkok Pattaya hospital gets to work at 6PM it may be because he has worked the day shift at a government hospital. And he does not change his personality on the drive over to the expensive hospital.

There are not too many doctors who need to repay their education to work in a public hospital as a vast majority are from well off family's with masters and fellowships from other countries .

I am yet to see or hear of doctor from Bangkok hospital to work public hospital , and while his personality does not change, his work ethic and equipment does.

The doctor I see at Bangkok Hospital also has clinic hours at Chula...he encouraged me to see him there to save a bunch of bucks.

[NewlyMintedThai]

Rich Thais also have free medical though the public hospitals and doctors are not let's say the "nicest"

Rich Thais prefer private hospitals, where they can have a nice Starbucks while waiting in wall-to-wall carpeted fancy lounges.

A rich Thai would not be seen dead (no pun intended) in a public hospital.

[chiangmaikelly]

Rich Thais also have free medical though the public hospitals and doctors are not let's say the "nicest"

If employed and pay social security , medical is free and medicine is 30 baht. If unemployed all is free or very similar with 30 baht medicine

Many Thai doctors who work at the expensive International hospitals also work at the public hospitals. The doctors work at the pubic hospitals as part of a repayment for their education. It the doctor at Bangkok Pattaya hospital gets to work at 6PM it may be because he has worked the day shift at a government hospital. And he does not change his personality on the drive over to the expensive hospital.

There are not too many doctors who need to repay their education to work in a public hospital as a vast majority are from well off family's with masters and fellowships from other countries .

I am yet to see or hear of doctor from Bangkok hospital to work public hospital , and while his personality does not change, his work ethic and equipment does.

My heart specialist works at a public hospital in the daytime and Bangkok Rayong hospital at night as do many other Thai doctors. After medical school, newly graduated doctor are under contract to spend a year of internship and 2 years of tenure in rural areas before they are eligible for any other residency positions or specialized training.

Edited January 10, 2013 by chiangmaikelly

[lemoncake]

Rich Thais also have free medical though the public hospitals and doctors are not let's say the "nicest"

If employed and pay social security , medical is free and medicine is 30 baht. If unemployed all is free or very similar with 30 baht medicine

Many Thai doctors who work at the expensive International hospitals also work at the public hospitals. The doctors work at the pubic hospitals as part of a repayment for their education. It the doctor at Bangkok Pattaya hospital gets to work at 6PM it may be because he has worked the day shift at a government hospital. And he does not change his personality on the drive over to the expensive hospital.

There are not too many doctors who need to repay their education to work in a public hospital as a vast majority are from well off family's with masters and fellowships from other countries .

I am yet to see or hear of doctor from Bangkok hospital to work public hospital , and while his personality does not change, his work ethic and equipment does.

The doctor I see at Bangkok Hospital also has clinic hours at Chula...he encouraged me to see him there to save a bunch of bucks.

I am sure he does encourage you to see him in public , it's only human nature to get paid less

[lemoncake]

Rich Thais also have free medical though the public hospitals and doctors are not let's say the "nicest"

Rich Thais prefer private hospitals, where they can have a nice Starbucks while waiting in wall-to-wall carpeted fancy lounges.

A rich Thai would not be seen dead (no pun intended) in a public hospital.

I did not say they use or prefer to use public, but they can and its free

[lemoncake]

Rich Thais also have free medical though the public hospitals and doctors are not let's say the "nicest"

If employed and pay social security , medical is free and medicine is 30 baht. If unemployed all is free or very similar with 30 baht medicine

Many Thai doctors who work at the expensive International hospitals also work at the public hospitals. The doctors work at the pubic hospitals as part of a repayment for their education. It the doctor at Bangkok Pattaya hospital gets to work at 6PM it may be because he has worked the day shift at a government hospital. And he does not change his personality on the drive over to the expensive hospital.

There are not too many doctors who need to repay their education to work in a public hospital as a vast majority are from well off family's with masters and fellowships from other countries .

I am yet to see or hear of doctor from Bangkok hospital to work public hospital , and while his personality does not change, his work ethic and equipment does.

My heart specialist works at a public hospital in the daytime and Bangkok Rayong hospital at night as do many other Thai doctors. After medical school, newly graduated doctor are under contract to spend a year of internship and 2 years of tenure in rural areas before they are eligible for any other residency positions or specialized training.

I would hardly call him a specialist when he is just out if uni and doing his internship .

Personally I would pay double to have my heart taken care of by an experienced doctor , but that's just me

[SteeleJoe]

Aside from Starbucks (and medical facilities), another potential advantage to a good private hospital -- while there may indeed me be some fine doctors from good private hospitals working at a public hospital as well (especially at a teaching hospital the size and prominence of Chula), you can not be certain that the doctor you see at the public hospital will be from one of the better hospitals (some are, some are not). If you go to that "better hospital", you will arguably have a better chance of getting a better doctor.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa ap

[chiangmaikelly]

Many Thai doctors who work at the expensive International hospitals also work at the public hospitals. The doctors work at the pubic hospitals as part of a repayment for their education. It the doctor at Bangkok Pattaya hospital gets to work at 6PM it may be because he has worked the day shift at a government hospital. And he does not change his personality on the drive over to the expensive hospital.

There are not too many doctors who need to repay their education to work in a public hospital as a vast majority are from well off family's with masters and fellowships from other countries .

I am yet to see or hear of doctor from Bangkok hospital to work public hospital , and while his personality does not change, his work ethic and equipment does.

My heart specialist works at a public hospital in the daytime and Bangkok Rayong hospital at night as do many other Thai doctors. After medical school, newly graduated doctor are under contract to spend a year of internship and 2 years of tenure in rural areas before they are eligible for any other residency positions or specialized training.

I would hardly call him a specialist when he is just out if uni and doing his internship .

Personally I would pay double to have my heart taken care of by an experienced doctor , but that's just me

You misinterpreted what I wrote. My doctor is a heart specialist; he has long ago completed his internship and gone back to school to become a Heart specialist. What you fail to realize is many doctors work at two hospitals or one hospital and one clinic. I mentioned the requirement of working at rural hospitals to disprove what you said about all doctors being rich and not working at government hospitals. All Thai doctors work at public hospitals rich or otherwise.

[NewlyMintedThai]

Correct.

Even very seasoned specialists with twenty or more years in practice still often have hours at both private and public hospitals.

[oldsailor35]

western people can use goverment hospitals as well

Last year i used public hospital at Naton, chest xrays, doctor and medicine cost me Bht1400.

[lemoncake]

Correct.

Even very seasoned specialists with twenty or more years in practice still often have hours at both private and public hospitals.

May well be true, the 3 i use regularly do not work at public hospital.

One is a heart surgeon in Siracha, One shoulder surgeon at Bangkok Hospital Bangkok, and Hypertension Specialist at Bangkok Hospital Bangkok.

[NewlyMintedThai]

Correct.

Even very seasoned specialists with twenty or more years in practice still often have hours at both private and public hospitals.

May well be true, the 3 i use regularly do not work at public hospital.

One is a heart surgeon in Siracha, One shoulder surgeon at Bangkok Hospital Bangkok, and Hypertension Specialist at Bangkok Hospital Bangkok.

Some do, some don't.

The senior ones tend to double at the major teaching hospitals, both in Bangkok and upcountry, as professors, department heads, and other prestigious positions. When consulting one, they might have a dozen or more eager young med students with clipboards standing behind him waiting to look at your issue.

[SteeleJoe]

Correct.

Even very seasoned specialists with twenty or more years in practice still often have hours at both private and public hospitals.

May well be true, the 3 i use regularly do not work at public hospital.

One is a heart surgeon in Siracha, One shoulder surgeon at Bangkok Hospital Bangkok, and Hypertension Specialist at Bangkok Hospital Bangkok.

Some do, some don't.

Which of course conflicts with your post saying "correct" in response to CMK's previous assertion that all do.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa ap

[NewlyMintedThai]

I was saying "correct" to the statement made just above:

What you fail to realize is many doctors work at two hospitals or one hospital and one clinic.

MANY, not all.

I rarely use the word "all", so that silly nitpickers don't get their panties in a twist.