http://www.mtqua.org/providers/top-10-worlds-best-hospitals-for-medical-tourists-list/

Well, I have been to both. Bumrungrad used to have a nice touch and were always expensive but they crossed the line to become outrageously expensive in about 2004. They are extremely well run as a business, but they charge exorbitant rates for most things, especially meds, particularly if you are in patient. If you are just going in to see a doc for something and getting a prescription filled (cause the meds cannot be gotten over the counter) then this place is ok, just expensive.

In my opinion, most doctors there are patronizing and often get it wrong if you have something requiring sophisticated diagnosis. I know this is a broad statement and there are hundred docs there. But this is my experience with the place - since 2002.

Bangkok Hospital is ridiculously expensive, incredibly confusing in its architecture, and the doctors there are more like brokers at JP Morgan. I have never had a positive experience there and when the bill comes it is consistently the most expensive in every category.

Having said all that, they way these places are organized, they are perfect for the foreigner who needs treatment or just wants a facelift and comes from Middle East (probably 35% of Bumrungrad patients) or USA. And sad to say these people would likely receive more expensive medical treatment in the USA, or none in certain Middle East countries.

I agree that Bumrungrad is expensive yet still very affordable compared to American health care or other European countries. An MRI is a third the cost for example.

But the demographics at Bumrungrad has changed towards wealthy arabs.

Personally, I would refer people to Samitivej Sukhumvit as this hospitals treats the upper echelons of Thais, while still being cheaper and having excellent doctors and great customer service.