Do Poor Thais Have Free Medical?

[chiangmaikelly]

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.

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All do. All don't forever. All do for a few years after med school and before going back to school to specialize.

[Farma]

The plastic surgeon I use also works as a consultant in a govt hospital, the dematologist I use is a teaching professor at Chula when not in his clinic, A heart surgeon I know who worked at a St louis also worked at chula hospital, The list goes on. Most but not all of the medical professionals among my wifes collegues work for the govt during the day then operate private clinics or work in private hospitals after hours.

[SteeleJoe]

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.

That would be me, I take it? I'm a silly nitpicker with my panties in a twist because I didn't know that when you said "correct" after a statement, you meant only the middle part and silently excluded it's conclusion? Or is it because I see a crucial difference between "many" and "all"?

Impressive response.

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[NewlyMintedThai]

Yup, that would be you.

[SteeleJoe]

Yup, that would be you.

Cheers. You should be proud of yourself.

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[NewlyMintedThai]

If you have a problem, I suggest you bring it offline in a private message. I doubt many others are interested in such childishness.

[NewlyMintedThai]

The plastic surgeon I use also works as a consultant in a govt hospital, the dematologist I use is a teaching professor at Chula when not in his clinic, A heart surgeon I know who worked at a St louis also worked at chula hospital, The list goes on. Most but not all of the medical professionals among my wifes collegues work for the govt during the day then operate private clinics or work in private hospitals after hours.

Correct.

[wildorchid]

NO it is not free the plublic hospital system has a 30 bath fee for 5 min or 5 day the 30 bath fee the same, if you shoud choose a more expensive medicine then this will come at and extra cost. but the waiting time a very long. any thai person can use this system rich or poor it your choice

private hospitals do have alot larger fees but the waiting time alot shorter.

[chiangmaikelly]

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.

That would be me, I take it? I'm a silly nitpicker with my panties in a twist because I didn't know that when you said "correct" after a statement, you meant only the middle part and silently excluded it's conclusion? Or is it because I see a crucial difference between "many" and "all"?

Impressive response.

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Ha ha ha. They all do. Right after college. But I guess we could talk about how much is a statistically significant difference between all, many and most.

[arthurwait]

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 first baby doctor we saw worked at PT private hospital and opened his private clinic at 6pm.

[SantiSuk]

For an infected scratch I would have just gone to a local clinic. I'm lucky that in my local Issaan back-of-beyond Amphur there is a clinic with a doctor who speaks good medical and consultational English and prefers me to speak English to give him practice. Have no idea how good he is, but for general problems I do not need to pay a private clinic. The cost is always about 200 to 300 baht, including antibiotics, analgesics and free vitamin C sweeties for the baby. My wife tells me that he always advises someone where to go, either at the Amphur Hospital or in Ubon if he is out of his depth.

Like most doctors here you can expect to come out of there with antibiotics for many things and I have to remind him that "Falang believe 5 days of antibiotics is not long enough"

[kennedy]

Neighbor lady had a stroke a while back.Went to a gov. hospital was there about 2 weeks. After discharge she had to pay for her own physical therapy at home, probably because of the hassle of going in for therapy.Lucky for her she isn't poor.Imagine being poor and being loaded onto a tuk tuk every day to go for therapy.

[harrry]

Neighbor lady had a stroke a while back.Went to a gov. hospital was there about 2 weeks. After discharge she had to pay for her own physical therapy at home, probably because of the hassle of going in for therapy.Lucky for her she isn't poor.Imagine being poor and being loaded onto a tuk tuk every day to go for therapy.

My MIL is picked up and returned free in an ambulance for her monthly clinic visit at the free government health centre.

[kennedy]

Neighbor lady had a stroke a while back.Went to a gov. hospital was there about 2 weeks. After discharge she had to pay for her own physical therapy at home, probably because of the hassle of going in for therapy.Lucky for her she isn't poor.Imagine being poor and being loaded onto a tuk tuk every day to go for therapy.

My MIL is picked up and returned free in an ambulance for her monthly clinic visit at the free government health centre.

I surely hope that is the case everywhere.

[Neeranam]

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.

Not true in my experience. My landlady in Bangkok was a billionaire and lived next to Samitivej Hospital on Suk soi 49. She told me that she and her husband( a policeman who studied in Scotland yard) always used Chula. Even her daughter, who was a doctor, used a government hospital to give birth, saying it was safer.

That same lady however, used to collect and sell my old newspapers. The day after my first daughter's birthday, she upped my rent because of the extra water used!

Many rich people didn't become rich by being extravagant.

[somtampet]

My gf has a full medical scheme thru her employer,she pays 400 baht a month to contribute for this private medical policy,covering in and out patient treatment

[somtampet]

For an infected scratch I would have just gone to a local clinic. I'm lucky that in my local Issaan back-of-beyond Amphur there is a clinic with a doctor who speaks good medical and consultational English and prefers me to speak English to give him practice. Have no idea how good he is, but for general problems I do not need to pay a private clinic. The cost is always about 200 to 300 baht, including antibiotics, analgesics and free vitamin C sweeties for the baby. My wife tells me that he always advises someone where to go, either at the Amphur Hospital or in Ubon if he is out of his depth.

Like most doctors here you can expect to come out of there with antibiotics for many things and I have to remind him that "Falang believe 5 days of antibiotics is not long enough"

i try to let my immune system cure colds,flu,small infections caused by cuts or bites.Not good to keep taking antibiotics for trivial reasons

[MrHammer]

For an infected scratch I would have just gone to a local clinic. I'm lucky that in my local Issaan back-of-beyond Amphur there is a clinic with a doctor who speaks good medical and consultational English and prefers me to speak English to give him practice. Have no idea how good he is, but for general problems I do not need to pay a private clinic. The cost is always about 200 to 300 baht, including antibiotics, analgesics and free vitamin C sweeties for the baby. My wife tells me that he always advises someone where to go, either at the Amphur Hospital or in Ubon if he is out of his depth.

Like most doctors here you can expect to come out of there with antibiotics for many things and I have to remind him that "Falang believe 5 days of antibiotics is not long enough"

i try to let my immune system cure colds,flu,small infections caused by cuts or bites.Not good to keep taking antibiotics for trivial reasons

Well, that's the point. In the case of flus and colds, antibiotics have no effect anyway. But having lingering infection isn't good, particularly if you're older. The problem is many Thai doctors use broad spectrum antibiotics as first choice, perhaps because of more common drug resistance in Asia.

[krisb]

<p>Newly Minted Thai is correct about a doctor offering the%

[jamescollister]

Have to say for all the bickering, that for a 3 rd world country Thailand makes many western countries look bad. Not only do they have free medical [ think the 30 Baht payment has gone'] but they have free dental and optical.

Go to Australia and go on the dentist list for free care, 5 years if you are lucky.

Most Doctors work in the public system because the Government paid for their education and they have to pay it back by working in the public system.

Being poor anywhere in the world will not get you the best medical care, but at least here you will get care.

Jim

[harrry]

Have to say for all the bickering, that for a 3 rd world country Thailand makes many western countries look bad. Not only do they have free medical [ think the 30 Baht payment has gone'] but they have free dental and optical.

Go to Australia and go on the dentist list for free care, 5 years if you are lucky.

Most Doctors work in the public system because the Government paid for their education and they have to pay it back by working in the public system.

Being poor anywhere in the world will not get you the best medical care, but at least here you will get care.

Jim

I think many continue working in the public system at least part time is that they have access to very low interest loans on property.

[jamescollister]

Have to say for all the bickering, that for a 3 rd world country Thailand makes many western countries look bad. Not only do they have free medical [ think the 30 Baht payment has gone'] but they have free dental and optical.

Go to Australia and go on the dentist list for free care, 5 years if you are lucky.

Most Doctors work in the public system because the Government paid for their education and they have to pay it back by working in the public system.

Being poor anywhere in the world will not get you the best medical care, but at least here you will get care.

Jim

I think many continue working in the public system at least part time is that they have access to very low interest loans on property.

Teachers, cops and public servants get 1 percent loans, not only on proberty , but cars and other things. . May very well be true, free money if you work for the Government.

Have a 1 percent car here and no VAT, BIL, Government employee. Jim

[T_Dog]

Have to say for all the bickering, that for a 3 rd world country Thailand makes many western countries look bad. Not only do they have free medical [ think the 30 Baht payment has gone'] but they have free dental and optical.

Go to Australia and go on the dentist list for free care, 5 years if you are lucky.

Most Doctors work in the public system because the Government paid for their education and they have to pay it back by working in the public system.

Being poor anywhere in the world will not get you the best medical care, but at least here you will get care.

Jim

With both of my wife's parents suffering from lung cancer over the past two years, I have more than your average insight into health care here. I can't say enough about the care and compassion I saw my mother-in-law get before she passed away. Would never see anything like that in the west. Now, my father-in-law is in stage four of his lung cancer and the health care is excellent. Unfortunately there are inadequate proactive measures to warn citizens of the dangers of smoking and open burning.

[jamescollister]

Have to say for all the bickering, that for a 3 rd world country Thailand makes many western countries look bad. Not only do they have free medical [ think the 30 Baht payment has gone'] but they have free dental and optical.

Go to Australia and go on the dentist list for free care, 5 years if you are lucky.

Most Doctors work in the public system because the Government paid for their education and they have to pay it back by working in the public system.

Being poor anywhere in the world will not get you the best medical care, but at least here you will get care.

Jim

With both of my wife's parents suffering from lung cancer over the past two years, I have more than your average insight into health care here. I can't say enough about the care and compassion I saw my mother-in-law get before she passed away. Would never see anything like that in the west. Now, my father-in-law is in stage four of his lung cancer and the health care is excellent. Unfortunately there are inadequate proactive measures to warn citizens of the dangers of smoking and open burning.

Sorry to hear about your in laws.

Have never spent time in a Thai hospital, except getting sown up, but visited our local rural hospital. have a 7 seat SUV, take families in to visit, had a Kiwi there not, great conditions, but the staff did seem to care. The NZ guy was 72 years old, in a free public ward, could have had a private room or been med vac out. He thought the treatment was as good as he would get in NZ

He live and moved on.

I am a great believer, go to hospital for other things rather than trauma, sow you up, fix your broken bones, good or bad hospital and Doctors you will die. Jim

[kevvy]

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.

the private hospitals charge like a wounded bull for drugs ..

[NewlyMintedThai]

Just tell the doctor you'll buy them outside. That's what I always do.

[TerryLH]

"If employed and pay social security , medical is free and medicine is 30 baht."

Under social security, most medicines are free.

"However there is a caveat and they can only use hospitals in the province they are registered for the 30 baht scheme."

Normally true, but if they need some special treatment they can be referred to another hospital, even to one not in the same province.

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

Sarcasm aside, I don't think you thought this one through. Doctors will normally get the same money at the hospitals whether they see you or not. They will however, get additional funds if they see you at their clinic. That can save you time and money.

Terry

[lemoncake]

"If employed and pay social security , medical is free and medicine is 30 baht."

Under social security, most medicines are free.

"However there is a caveat and they can only use hospitals in the province they are registered for the 30 baht scheme."

Normally true, but if they need some special treatment they can be referred to another hospital, even to one not in the same province.

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

Sarcasm aside, I don't think you thought this one through. Doctors will normally get the same money at the hospitals whether they see you or not. They will however, get additional funds if they see you at their clinic. That can save you time and money.

Terry

This is not the Western System, Doctors do not get paid the same in private and public, this is why doctors fee for surgery at Bangkok Hospital Bangkok is 130 000 baht, while the same surgery doctor fees at BNH Hospital is half that., i am sure at public hospital it will be even less.

Their fees vary on education as well as other things such as experience, place of fellowship etc

Even in the West, doctors do not get paid the same, in Australia people even with the highest insurance cover always get hit up with a "gap" payment, ie the difference between what insurance pays and what doctor charges.

Those who work in public hospital, get paid the government rebate, HOWEVER do not perform any surgery themselves, but have their "students" or whatever the name is for them do the surgery "under their supervision"

For just a visit, they also always charge the difference between what the government pays and fee they want to charge.

[chiangmaikelly]

"If employed and pay social security , medical is free and medicine is 30 baht."

Under social security, most medicines are free.

"However there is a caveat and they can only use hospitals in the province they are registered for the 30 baht scheme."

Normally true, but if they need some special treatment they can be referred to another hospital, even to one not in the same province.

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

Sarcasm aside, I don't think you thought this one through. Doctors will normally get the same money at the hospitals whether they see you or not. They will however, get additional funds if they see you at their clinic. That can save you time and money.

Terry

This is not the Western System, Doctors do not get paid the same in private and public, this is why doctors fee for surgery at Bangkok Hospital Bangkok is 130 000 baht, while the same surgery doctor fees at BNH Hospital is half that., i am sure at public hospital it will be even less.

Their fees vary on education as well as other things such as experience, place of fellowship etc

Even in the West, doctors do not get paid the same, in Australia people even with the highest insurance cover always get hit up with a "gap" payment, ie the difference between what insurance pays and what doctor charges.

Those who work in public hospital, get paid the government rebate, HOWEVER do not perform any surgery themselves, but have their "students" or whatever the name is for them do the surgery "under their supervision"

For just a visit, they also always charge the difference between what the government pays and fee they want to charge.

Are you writing (in bold) about Thailand or Australia?

[Pormax]

Having been working in the medical world for more than 40 years, 15 years of which were in the army, I can safely say that Thailand is no different than Uk as regards doctors who are employed by the NHS/government most of them work in private clinics or private hospitals. In the UK I know for sure that the majority of specialists consultants see private patients outside of the hospital they work in, then if an operation is required,and they have nowhere else to go they are booked in at the head of the NHS waiting list and operated on 'privately' in the NHS hospital. I doubt though the nurses or theatre staff or the hospital get a kick back.

Though it was illegal to do so, some Medical Officers in the army had (maybe still have) private clinics.

Two months ago, here in Thailand had to go privately for an inguinal hernia operation. Could only see the consultant and book the operation or arrange follow-up appointments for a Saturday or Sunday.

Can anybody guess why!!!