Pattaya Hospitals

[Phil Conners]

Have you tried going into the "foreigner assistance shop" (just next to the entrance)? I've never been met with such arrogance anywhere in Pattaya. Entered and a well dressed middle aged Thai looked up and down at me like I was something the dog dragged in - "What do you want"?

I just walked out again and insisted in talking to Raina. She was nice, but as Chopper say, rather vague about the whole thing.

[Chopper]

Pattaya International Hospital is not recommneded becuase they are overpriced and it caters to TOURISTS. Hospital looks nice and clean and it's good for simple healthy patients but not for sick patients. If they get sick patients, they will transfer them to Bangkok Pattays Hospital or such. Have you wonder why it's located at tourist area near bars and bargirls.

Gary, I am sure Dr. Sanya would take a different view. Try researching the history of the hospital and you might reach a different conclusion.

[Artisan]

Have you tried going into the "foreigner assistance shop" (just next to the entrance)? I've never been met with such arrogance anywhere in Pattaya. Entered and a well dressed middle aged Thai looked up and down at me like I was something the dog dragged in - "What do you want"?

I just walked out again and insisted in talking to Raina. She was nice, but as Chopper say, rather vague about the whole thing.

Hi Phil, is Raina the Finnish woman?

[PMK]

What exactly do you mean by 'registered correctly'? Also, when you say it will be more expensive for a tourist, what exactly are you referrring to? Doctor's fee? Medicine? Surgery? Room charge? Or all of them, because especially the first two would be very easy to check, and I have never seen any indication of different prices even between Thai and tourist.

Peter

Bangkok Pattaya hopital is not expensive if you are registered correctly. If you are a tourist it will be expensive.

Barry

[Phil Conners]

Raina is Phillipine. I think she works in the "customer relations" department.

[Artisan]

What exactly do you mean by 'registered correctly'? Also, when you say it will be more expensive for a tourist, what exactly are you referrring to? Doctor's fee? Medicine? Surgery? Room charge? Or all of them, because especially the first two would be very easy to check, and I have never seen any indication of different prices even between Thai and tourist.

Peter

Bangkok Pattaya hopital is not expensive if you are registered correctly. If you are a tourist it will be expensive.

Barry

Me too. My wife and my wife's family are all Thai and they pay the same as I do. My wife has had numerous visits to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) at Bangkok-Pattaya hospital over three years, as an in-patient and also as an out-patient, and my sister (a British tourist) has had a couple of admissions, yet I have never been aware of any price differences. I agree that the costs are over the top though.

Chopper, you're right. The hospital should provide a clear, transparent and definitive answer to what is not such a complicated issue. If it is true then it's worth pinning down this discriminatory policy.

Edited July 30, 2006 by Artisan

[Noel]

What exactly do you mean by 'registered correctly'? Also, when you say it will be more expensive for a tourist, what exactly are you referrring to? Doctor's fee? Medicine? Surgery? Room charge? Or all of them, because especially the first two would be very easy to check, and I have never seen any indication of different prices even between Thai and tourist.

Peter

Bangkok Pattaya hopital is not expensive if you are registered correctly. If you are a tourist it will be expensive.

Barry

Me too. My wife and my wife's family are all Thai and they pay the same as I do. My wife has had numerous visits to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) at Bangkok-Pattaya hospital over three years, as an in-patient and also as an out-patient, and my sister (a British tourist) has had a couple of admissions, yet I have never been aware of any price differences. I agree that the costs are over the top though.

Chopper, you're right. The hospital should provide a clear, transparent and definitive answer to what is not such a complicated issue. If it is true then it's worth pinning down this discriminatory policy.

I have been trying to get to the bottom of all this for a while now; I have been a ‘customer’ of Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital since 1994.

When I first went there and had to register, not one question concerning my ‘farang status’ was asked. On subsequent visits, no further enquiry has been made either.

I very much doubt that such questions have ever been asked to this day.

I was recently in contact with the Bangkok-Pattaya hospital, following an eight day stay in their facility, and so decided to try and find out what the actual pricing situation is.

Although this did nor concern the Dental Department, ‘pulling teeth’ springs to mind in as far as getting answers to what would appear to be simple questions was concerned. I still have not managed to get to the ‘root’ of the matter.

I decided to start off gently and see what their reaction would be.

Be warned, the following could send you to sleep.

Apologies if I have 'put' when I should have 'casted'...

Here is the first e-mail that I sent on the subject:

----- Original Message -----

From: Noel

To: BPHAR_Foreign Department

Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 2:42 PM

Subject: Re:Bangkok Pattaya Hospital

Dear Orawan Huajaimun,

As I have been a regular patient at your hospital over the years as my file will show and I am a long-term resident of Pattaya (over 12 years), am I entitled to any discount on treatment costs?

I understand that other expat's in a similar position are entitled to a 10% reduction on certain charges.

Thanks in advance.

Noel

As no reply was forthcoming, I followed up with this:

>>To "BPHAR_Foreign Department"

>>27/05/2006 14:06

>>Subject Re: Bangkok Pattaya Hospital

>> Hi Orawan,

>>Going back to my previous question about discounts, the following two

>>statements were recently posted on a very prominent Thai oriented

>website:

>> 1. "Bangkok Pattaya Hospital does indeed have a three teir pricing

system Thai, Resident, and tourist. If you have a visa extension for a year

like a retiremenr visa you can request the resident price. If your girlfriend

or Thai wife is registered in Chomburi as her home province she will get

the Thai price."

2. "As far as i'm concerned their is only one hospital in Pattaya BPH.

> Now their billing system is kind of wierd depending wheather you are a

>tourist or you work here, or retired. So the key is to register correctly.

> Tourists pay the highest rates, and Thais that are registered in Chonburi pay the

>> lowest rates. everyone else pays the rates in between depending on your

>> classification. So be sure to register correctly. For help see rayna in

>the international department. She is from the Philippines and is a great

>help."

>>Would you please confirm or deny if the above statements are true? If

>they are not, I would be happy to advise people of that fact and let them know

what the actual situation is.

>>Thanks for all your help.

>>

>>Best regards

>>Noel

This was the reply:

>> Re: Bangkok Pattaya Hospital

>> From: BPHAR_Foreign Department <[email protected]>

>> To: Noel

>>Date: May 29 2006 - 10:36am

>>Good day,

>>Thank you very much for your e-mail, I have forwarded your mail to the

>>concerning staff (Ms. Reina) who will give you the correct answer.

>>Have a nice day

>> Orawan

As you will see, the timing was rather unfortunate to say the least:

>> From: Noel

>> To: BPHAR_Foreign Department

>> Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 4:13 PM

>> Subject: Re: Bangkok Pattaya Hospital

>> Hi Orawan,

>>Ms Reina was kind enough to telephone me regarding my questions about

>>differential pricing, saying she would investigate and e-mail me back.

>>I have as yet not received the expected reply, so may I ask you to pass

>>this message on to her.

>>Thanks & Regards

>> Noel

>>PS. Please accept my sincere condolences at the sad loss of your

>colleagues at the hospital.

>>What a terrible tragedy. :-(

The days ticked along without a reply, so:

Subject Fw: ATTENTION: REINA, INTERNATIONAL DEPT

>> ----- Forwarded by BPHAR_Foreign Department/BGH on 14/06/2006 17:17

>> "Noel "

To "BPHAR_Foreign Department"

>> 14/06/2006 16:32 <[email protected]>

Subject ATTENTION: ORAWAN OR REINA, INTERNATIONAL DEPT

>>Hi,

>>Another week has passed without a reply. :-(

>>Whilst I do accept that we may all have busy schedules, the promised

>reply would be much appreciated; it might also bring an end to some of the

>>misinformation concerning your hospital that is being openly discussed

on Pattaya oriented websites.

>>In the hope of some form of reply...

>>Thanks & Regards

>>

>> Noel

Reina then replied:

>From: "Bphintmkt Department" <[email protected]>

>To: "Noel"

>Cc: "BPHAR_Foreign Department" <[email protected]>

>Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 8:16 AM

> Subject: Fw: ATTENTION: REINA, INTERNATIONAL DEPT

>>Dear Noel,

>>I'm so sorry that it's over a week now that I did not reply you back. I

>>been very busy with my activities outside the hospital and one more

thing there is a tragedy that happened to our staff in the hospital. Last

June 6 the hospital bus with 55 managers/head nurses, was plunged to the

> hillside in Korat and 6 staff died in an accident, 7 still in ICU at Bangkok

>>Hospital and 40 were injured and if I'm not mistaken 10 persons is still

>in the hospital for recuperation.

>>Don't worry I will get back to you as soon as I already have all the

>>information.

>>Again, my apology for not responding easily.

>>Thank you very much,

>>Regards,

>>

>> Reina Rances

I then responded with:

> From: Noel

> To: Bphintmkt Department

>Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 9:29 AM

>Subject: Re: ATTENTION: REINA, INTERNATIONAL DEPT

>Hi Reina,

>Thanks for your reply.

>Yes, these must have been very difficult times for you and your

colleagues; my sincere condolences.

>I look forward to hearing from you.

>Regards

> Noel

I waited for more than a week this time, then sent this:

>From: Noel

>To: Bangkok-Pattaya (Reina) Hospital

>Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 10:30 AM

>Subject: ATTENTION: REINA, INTERNATIONAL DEPT

>Hi Reina,

>Just a gentle reminder as I do not appear to have received anything from

>you since the 15th.

>I am sorry to be a nuisance.

>I look forward to hearing from you.

> Thanks & Regards

>Noel

I was beginning to get a bit fed up at this stage, so I sent this (btw, each mail was sent with all the history):

>From: Noel

> To: BPHAR_Foreign Department

>Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2006 10:28 AM

>Subject: ATTENTION: REINA, INTERNATIONAL DEPT

> Would the recipient of this message please pass it to Reina.

>Thank you.

>Noel

I heard nothing for a while (btw, each message was sent with ‘Request Read Receipt’), but I was not prepared to let it drop:

To "Bphintmkt Department"

19/07/2006 18:44 <[email protected]>,

"BPHAR_Foreign Department" <[email protected]>

Subject ATTENTION: ANYONE IN THE INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT

>Dear Anyone,

>Could someone please tell me why my messages are not being even

>acknowledged, let alone replied to?

>This is becoming rather strange.

>I know they are being received (opened), yet the recipient does not even

>have the courtesy to confirm receipt when requested. Why?

>Whilst I do understand there have been some sad events of over a month

ago preoccupying certain people, I do believe that we cannot freeze time;

life has to go on.

>Could it be that Reina is no longer working at the hospital?

>If that is the case, then a simple message to that effect would be

>sufficient, plus of course an alternative contact in this matter.

>Whoever reads this message, please take the trouble to scroll down and

read the history and then please reply.

>Thank you for your time and consideration.

>

> NoeL

I then received this:

From: "Bphintmkt Department" <[email protected]>

To: "Noel"

Cc: "Bphqc Department" <[email protected]>; "BPHAR_Foreign Department" <

[email protected]>

Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 3:13 PM

Subject: Re: ATTENTION: ANYONE IN THE INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT

>Sorry for the late reply. I got sick and back only in the hospital just

> this Monday. You can see in this email that I cc now our Quality Center

to this letter, so that they can take action immediately.

>I hope you're not mad at me. I understand your point and we need a

> solution or clarification to your querries. A month ago, I already

>forwarded your email to one of our Director but I did not get any reply,

>I'm still waiting for his reply until now.

>Sorry again.

>Thank you very much.

> Regards,

>

> Reina Rances

Fair enough I thought, so I replied with:

To "Bphintmkt Department"

22/07/2006 09:05 <[email protected]>

Subject Re: ATTENTION: ANYONE IN THE INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT

Hi Reina,

Sorry to hear you have been unwell.

No, I am not mad at you!

It is just that I would like to get to the bottom of all this once and for all.

I look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Regards

Noel

I then, perhaps coincidentally timing-wise, received this reply:

From: "Bphintmkt Department" <[email protected]>

To: "Noel”

Cc: "Bphqc Department" <[email protected]>; "BPHAR_Foreign Department" <[email protected]>

Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2006 9:07 AM

Subject: Re: ATTENTION: ANYONE IN THE INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT

Hi,

Just to inform you that the Quality Center called me yesterday after

receiving my email and we will sit down next Wednesday to discuss this

issue.

Don't worry, we will sort this out soon.

Thank you for your patience.

Regards,

Reina

So, it seemed as though I was getting somewhere!

I then received this:

> 27th July 2006,

> First, please accept our apology for taking time to reply to your

> email dated 27th May 2006 regarding your query about our hospital charges and discount.

> We have two categories hospital fees:

> FOR THAI CITIZENS AND EXPAT.

> Both are in the same scheme, except for an international insurance

> claims. We will charges for processing overseas insurance

> claims.

>

> FOR TOURIST.

> The hospital fees will be charges according to government

> guidelines and law.

>

> For your information, most of our clients are Thai citizens and

> Expat.

> We provide medical service at the international tertiary standard

> level and have an interpreters for most languages.

> We thank you for choosing our hospital and look forward to serve you

> again in the future.

> Yours sincerely,

>

> Ms. Chalermporn Kasamsawas

> Quality Center Department

> Bangkok Pattaya Hospital

I have already drafted my reply which contains a twist or two, but in light of this thread I have decided not to send it yet.

Are there any questions any other members would like me to pose that I can include in my response?

I will not quote anyone's name.

As I have already successfully navigated their nasal cavities it would seem, I may as well continue my journey in the certain knowledge that I will never be on their Xmas Card list.

All I want are simple clear answers to what I believe are simple clear questions...

Edit: I will post my next e-mail to them and any reply I may get.

Edited July 30, 2006 by Noel

[PMK]

A side issue, but I was told many years ago that P.I.H. (not Bangkok Pattaya Hospital) had a 'gold card' that they gave out to Thai residents (including expats) only which entitled holders to discounts. I asked them about it and was not really given a straight answer.

OK, Noel - You've been here a long time too. I am sure you know this, but may I gently remind you, clear, straight answers are rare in Thailand at any time in and in any situation.

We can speculate on why - personally I think Thais are afraid to make a mistake. Also, nobody really knows what goes on behind closed doors at another level so in fact they may not really know. Then there is the 'why bother' attitude. I mean, it is not their hospital - why stick their neck out? Nobody is going to come down on them for not giving the straight and clear answer that you are asking for. I've encountered that many, many times here and much more so than in the west, where it happens also, but not like here. If this is really, really, important to you, I think email is not the way to get an answer - it's too easy to be ambiguous - you'll have to arrange for a face-to-face meeting with someone. Even then, though, I don't like your chances too much.

Personally I think Bangkok Pattaya hospital has a no-discrimination greed policy. They will recommend expensive tests, especially radiology tests on the flimsiest of reasons. The same goes for in-patient treatment. I've been told, and it is easy to believe, that the doctors are on commission. However, the care is good. I would much prefer to be treated there than at any except the very best and specialized of the hospitals in Canada. Then there are all those mini-skirted girls walking around or riding electric bikes or on rollerblades. Someone should do a study on the theraputic effects of them on us sick old guys!

Peter

Chopper, you're right. The hospital should provide a clear, transparent and definitive answer to what is not such a complicated issue. If it is true then it's worth pinning down this discriminatory policy.

[sNIP]

[Gary A]

I always felt good about Bangkok Pattaya hospital and always thought that is the one I would use in case of any emergency. Some time back one of the favorite hostesses in a Walking Street bar had some serious problems. She went to Bangkok Pattaya and was not only misdiagnosed, she was advised to have surgery. One of the regular customers where she works wasn't satisfied with the diagnosis or the care she was receiving. He had her taken to Bumrungrad and it immediately became obvious that Bangkok Pattaya hospital was much more concerned about money than her health. Fortunately all that is behind her and she is back at work. All her very substantial hospital bills were taken care of by her friends. I'm sure some of the board members here know who I am talking about.

[Noel]

OK, Noel - You've been here a long time too. I am sure you know this, but may I gently remind you, clear, straight answers are rare in Thailand at any time in and in any situation.

We can speculate on why - personally I think Thais are afraid to make a mistake. Also, nobody really knows what goes on behind closed doors at another level so in fact they may not really know. Then there is the 'why bother' attitude. I mean, it is not their hospital - why stick their neck out? Nobody is going to come down on them for not giving the straight and clear answer that you are asking for. I've encountered that many, many times here and much more so than in the west, where it happens also, but not like here. If this is really, really, important to you, I think email is not the way to get an answer - it's too easy to be ambiguous - you'll have to arrange for a face-to-face meeting with someone. Even then, though, I don't like your chances too much.

Yes Peter, I am acutely aware of a general reluctance to provide clear, straight answers, especially when the person concerned should know the answer but obviously does not. It seems that the phrase: ‘I don’t know but I will find out’ is tantamount to losing face; blatant lies are often preferred…

When I had a lengthy telephone chat with Reina, it was clear that she was not comfortable in giving me definitive answers to specific questions. It could have been because she really did not know, or did not want to be taken to task for letting the truth out? As she was ‘thinking aloud’ when I tried to pin her down, she actually told me that the only different pricing for farang that she was aware of was if you had an Expat’s Club card. She then went on to say that she would talk to a Director on the matter and get back to me.

The main reason I have chosen to pursue the matter via the e-mail route is simply because I want documentary evidence of what they tell me.

You may wonder why I have embarked on this little crusade; me too...

I suppose it was triggered by the persistent claims of some posters that seemed to differ with my own experiences at the Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital.

As I have got this far (essentially nowhere), I may as well continue and see how far up the chain of command I can go.

As their computers must be programmed for the various pricing levels, my point is that it should be quite simple for someone to categorically state what those levels are.

If they are not prepared to share such fundamental information, one can only draw the obvious conclusions as to why...

[Mobi]

Keep at it Noel. I am convinced they have at least a two tier and probably 3 tier pricing policy.

The few things my wife has had done there, including dentistry work (that wasn't necessary) seemed a lot cheaper than stuff I've had done there. And my fees, judging from from what others have posted oin this forum in earlier threads, seemed to be a lot cheaper than what other farangs have paid. Ok , not absolute proof by any means, but I'm sure I'm right.

More to the point - I'm now writing this from Bumrungrad Hospital in BKK.

You may recall that my wife went to BP last week to check out a lump inher breast. She was told that it was "unlikely" to be anything serious and she could either have it removed, or come back in a year or so and they would have "another look".

Well the good doctors in Bangkok, have discovered a second lump in the other breast, which BP did not find, and have recommended immediate surgery to remove both as they will only grow larger and become a bigger problem. Two specialists consulted on this and this was their conclusion. They explained everything very clearly and concisely to my wife, which is a lot more than we can say for the doctor at BP.

As of 2.20 pm , she is under the knife.

My personal experiences are not the only ones by any means that I have heard of over the past 6 months

Honestly, I wouldn't trust those people at BP with an ingrown toe nail. Anywhere else in the world they'd be shut down for incompetence and unethical practices.

.

Keep going Noel, I'd love to hear them exposed for what they are.

[Artisan]

Chopper, you're right. The hospital should provide a clear, transparent and definitive answer to what is not such a complicated issue. If it is true then it's worth pinning down this discriminatory policy.

[sNIP]

.......quoteth Artisan...c'est moi!!! Post #36

Edited July 31, 2006 by Artisan

[Artisan]

I wish a successful operation and a speedy recovery to Mrs. Mobi.

[Kerryd]

More to the point - I'm now writing this from Bumrungrad Hospital in BKK.

As of 2.20 pm , she is under the knife.

May she have a successful surgery and a quick recovery !

[Noel]

Well the good doctors in Bangkok, have discovered a second lump in the other breast, which BP did not find, and have recommended immediate surgery to remove both as they will only grow larger and become a bigger problem. Two specialists consulted on this and this was their conclusion. They explained everything very clearly and concisely to my wife, which is a lot more than we can say for the doctor at BP.

As of 2.20 pm , she is under the knife.

I am sure everything will go smoothly Mobi, and thank goodness you sought a second opinion.

Please pass on my best wishes to your good lady and I hope she has a speedy recovery.

[Mobi]

Thanks gents for your good wishes to Mrs Mobi. I will pass them on.

We're back in Pattaya. The wife is sore and worried, but otherwise OK. We will get the results next Monday.

For those of you who have never been to Bumrungrad, it is a wonder to behold. It is the one organisiation that you could never say: well...TIT. Because this is one place that disproves the rule.

Whatever time you go there, there is always hundreds - if not thousands of patients and vistors milling around its portals, floors, and outpatient stations. Yet there is order, professionalism and care everywhere. Everyone is polite, you are never left waiting more than 5 minutes without your own assigned 'nurse' to attend to you and escort you to your next station - be it an x ray, a blood test or to see another specialist etc. The doctors are fantastic and all (as well as the rest of the staff) speak good English. You can look up their qualifications and experience on the web site and you will see they have the best of the best. You can even choose your doctor from the wide range of specialists they have for each medical field.

In my experience, they never recommend unnecessary treatment, they always give you a written quote for you treatment upfront (you don't have to request it), and I have never heard of a single criticism or complaint.

Bangkok Pattaya, by contrast has so many anecdotal reports of mis-diagnosis, unneccesary treatment, and avaricious, money grabbing doctors that it would fill a small volume.

I really hope that Noel manages to nail them on their 3 tier pricing policy - its about time that they were shown up for what they are.

[Artisan]

I would have liked to have included this post earlier but it has taken me a while to put it together. It’s a long post; it has to be that way so as to present the story in its entirety. A horror story!.....but with a happy ending

In October 2002, my wife, a Thai national, was admitted to a hospital in the town of Burirum. She was extremely weak and unable to move her limbs. Laboratory analysis showed that she had an excessively lower than normal level of potassium in her blood; her illness was diagnosed as being renal tubular acidosis (RTA). After receiving in-patient treatment, her condition improved greatly and she was discharged after five days with the parting warning that her illness could return at any time. The bill for that whole stay was not bad…6,300 baht.

Then, on 22nd April 2003, she felt the very same symptoms returning so, being eager to get to the bottom of her recurring sickness, and seek a lasting cure, she consulted a nephrologist at the Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital. A very low blood potassium level was confirmed and a further blood sample was taken for more extensive testing. During this first consultation, it was suggested that her illness was not RTA after all, but something else called Barter and Gitelman’s Syndrome, a rare condition affecting only 1 in 1,000,000 people. We were charged a total of 3,180 baht for this consultation, 2,960 baht being the total for the blood sampling and testing. We returned the next day to be given the results of the blood tests and we were told that my wife’s illness could be any one of five possibilities.

My wife was admitted to Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital on 28th April 2003 to allow continuous assessment and still further testing of her blood. She was in hospital for one night only and continuous blood pressure monitoring and recording equipment was set up. Her blood pressure fluctuated from normal to very high throughout her stay. Her blood was sampled for extensive (and expensive) analysis and we were told that the results, which would take up to two weeks to be available, would be the key to identifying her illness, highlighting the two main possibilities of the aforementioned five as being a tumour on a kidney or an obstruction in the renal artery. Prior to being discharged, she was presented with a bill for 35,000 baht!! Included in this cost was a sum of 11,600 baht for a list of drugs and medical supplies and 14,400 baht for the laboratory tests.

We returned at the appointed time on 11th May 2003 for the results of these ‘critical’ blood tests to be told that the doctor had left the employment of the hospital! We waited for a further hour whilst my wife’s medical notes were retrieved before we were able to see another doctor at the hospital.

This consultation turned out to be a lengthy nightmare, although this was not the fault of the second doctor. She confessed to be very confused by the sketchy medical notes that had been compiled by the first doctor. My wife and I were told that the results of the critical blood tests were meaningless, as the first doctor had authorised the test whilst knowing that my wife’s blood potassium content was abnormally low and her blood pressure very high. A repeat sample and test were needed when my wife’s blood potassium content and blood pressure were at normal levels for the result to have any meaning.

“Who will pay for this re-testing?” was my immediate question. I felt that, as the first doctor had been made a professional error, then the second test should be done at no cost to us.

“Not possible to do it for free” was the answer from the second doctor. Naturally, I couldn’t understand why not. I thought that the first doctor had been negligent.

I mentioned the shopping list of drugs. After considering the list, the doctor said that a particular combination of drugs on the list could have been dangerous to my wife! I asked if she would put that in writing but she declined to do so. Later she mentioned again that this same combination of drugs could have increased the potassium content of my wife’s blood to above the danger level, causing my wife’s heart to stop! Also, she commented that the balance of the dosage was incorrect as some drugs had been prescribed for twenty days and others for ten days. She agreed to give me a full written medical report covering all of the indications and assessments that had been done by the hospital.

A further blood sample was taken and the potassium content was still low. My wife’s blood pressure was still very high and so, included in the cost of this consultation with the second doctor, was a prescription for some expensive anti-hypertension medicine. I take the same drug at a half the cost of the same medication charged by this hospital. I rejected this prescription saying that I can obtain the same anti-hypertension drug at many outlets in Pattaya at half the cost. Her response was to say that the hospital exploited elevated drug pricing so as to maintain a return on its investment. Actually, I’d heard that before from the Pattaya International Hospital, but that’s another horror story! The cost of the consultation with the second doctor was 2,300 baht. My wife was prescribed some potassium chloride solution to allow her blood potassium level to return to normal before another consultation later.

So, I saw that the main issues were, not in any order of importance but more in a chronological order of occurrence, were:

1. Professional negligence regarding the instruction to carry out blood testing in inappropriate circumstances and asking for a repeat with no formal admittance of negligence, except from a comment from the second doctor.

2. Professional negligence in prescribing a huge cocktail of drugs that could have caused the death of my wife.

3. Professional negligence in prescribing an imbalance of drugs.

4. Medicines and other medical items are significantly overpriced when bought from a “private” hospital and, unless the patient asks for an itemised cost, the cost is rolled up into a single figure. This way the patient has little knowledge of what is being charged for any single medicine.

Later, I went to the hospital to raise these issues with someone in charge. My wife’s medical notes were examined and it was agreed that the most appropriate course of action, initially, was to contact the first doctor to clarify the reasons behind her prescription and why she authorised a blood test whilst my wife’s blood potassium content and her blood pressure were abnormal. Later that afternoon, the Quality Manager of Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital telephoned me to say that, the case was complicated and all appropriate information should be assembled before proceeding further. I mentioned that my wife had a follow-up appointment with the second doctor and that I would not accept being charged again for a blood test that was done initially under inappropriate circumstances. The Quality Manager remarked that the hospital could ‘absorb the cost’ and would I telephone prior to my wife seeing the second doctor?

I asked if there was any comment made about the combination of drugs that had been administered to my wife during her admission. I was told that a difference of medical opinion could have been due to the two doctors training at different places!

On Saturday 17th May 2003, just prior to my wife’s appointment, I telephoned the Quality Manager to report our presence in the hospital. Normally, the Quality Manager did not work on Saturdays but, as the issue was important, the Quality Manager had come to the hospital to see us. The Quality Manager expressed some concern about the attitude of many of the medical consultants/specialists at the hospital and wanted to train them with the aim of improving their “bedside manner”. The Quality Manager explained to me that the hospital operates a “Peer Review” system where doctors are assessed by their colleagues. Naturally, this has been unsuccessful.

However, the second doctor could not have been more pleasant and sympathetic during the consultation. Both my wife and I remarked on the huge change in the doctor’s manner. I remember that the first doctor not once looked at either my wife or me throughout the original consultations. Furthermore, I was told by another member of the hospital staff that there was a great deal of professional rivalry, verging on hostility, between the two doctors involved in the issue.

When we left the consultation, the Quality Manager was still there. The Quality Manager accompanied us to the cashier where we were refunded the total cost of the excess prescription and paid a token 10 baht for the consultation, blood test and medication issued that day. Still considering the original aspects of the issue, the Quality Manager could not understand why my wife was charged more than 14,000 baht for laboratory tests and intended to pursue the matter internally with the hospital and the first doctor.

On Saturday 31st May, 2003, my wife had a further consultation and the Quality Manager wanted to be there again. Meanwhile the Senior Medical Officer and the Quality Manager intended to examine the situation thoroughly. My wife’s condition improved, her blood pressure returned to normal and her strength recovered. However, at the time, we still did not know the cause of her recurring illness, nor did we expect to know in the short term. Simple medication maintained the potassium content of her blood at an acceptable level.

My wife had regular consultations with the second doctor over several weeks, trying to pin down the nature of her illness. These consultations were thorough and informative; the second doctor was extremely professional and showed the utmost concern for my wife’s well-being.

On Friday, 14th November, 2003, my wife spent 10 hours in Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital so that a series of blood samples could be taken. These samples were to be analysed for aldosterone content prior to and after prolonged exercise and after a period of rest. The bill for this consultation and the cost of the analysis was expensive (approximately 17,000 baht; most of this bill was to cover the cost of the analysis).

The second doctor, my wife and I believed that the latest tests would highlight, with a fair degree of confidence, the cause of my wife’s illness. Sadly, the results returned by the laboratory, could not be interpreted by the doctor. Indeed, she viewed them with suspicion. The aldosterone content of all the three samples was absurdly high, maybe by as much as a factor of 10.

So, we had some major concerns regarding the accountability of the Hospital and, to a much greater extent, the laboratory where the analyses were carried out. My view was that, by accepting the need for the tests and paying for the analyses in advance, a contract was put into effect. This contract was to supply some meaningful results, encouraging or otherwise, but this was not the case.

There was no indication, or any other evidence, that, on noting the disproportionate results, a check analysis had been made nor, indeed, that the results had been queried by the laboratory. As my wife’s illness has been said to be “very uncommon”, it could be implied that the testing that was carried out was also “uncommon” and, logically, can be prone to error. By this, I meant technician error, technician inexperience or faulty instrument calibration. We paid 17,000 baht and had nothing to show for it but three suspicious results from the laboratory. One comment that was made to me was that the Senior Medical Officer hoped that we wouldn’t sue the hospital!

I know that the first ‘confrontation’ I had with the Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital was still fresh in the minds of the Hospital Management, so we had our money refunded….but only when it was discovered that the blood samples had not been stored in a refrigerator between collection and testing. There was also some dubiety in the description on the sample container labels.

Then, things took a turn for the better, thanks to the second doctor. The second doctor (a consultant nephrologist) studied at the Siriraj Medical School in Bangkok under the personal guidance of Dr. Ranong (who is also the King’s private surgeon). The second doctor contacted Dr. Ranong, explained the history of the case and my wife was admitted to the Siraraj Hospital for two nights on 19th January 2004. Whilst in hospital, blood samples were taken under conditions of aldosterone suppression and aldosterone stimulation. On 23rd February 2004, my wife returned to the Siriraj Medical School for a consultation relating to the analysis of her blood samples taken in January. According to the summary of the results, which the consultant physician was able to interpret; my wife’s condition was thought to be primary aldosteronism due to a tumour on one of her adrenal glands. A CAT scan confirmed this.

On 14th June, 2004, Dr. Ranong carried out laparoscopic surgery (keyhole surgery) on my wife, removing her right kidney and adrenal gland together with a 1 cm diameter tumour. My wife’s health has been perfect since.

Just to put more meat on the story, Queen Sirikit Hospital, Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital and Pattaya International Hospital did not have surgeons who were qualified to carry out keyhole surgery. The Chonburi Government Hospital had an old harrassed doctor who was a "Mr. Miyagi" (Karate Kid) look-alike and became known to us as “The Chinese Butcher”…..he wanted to make a 12” long incision in my wife’s left side “to carry out exploration also” (his words). I told him that I’d do it myself before I let him touch her! He didn’t understand the humour.

So, go to the hospitals in Bangkok for anything in any way serious. Avoid Pattaya hospitals like the plague!

Edited August 2, 2006 by Artisan

[Mobi]

So, go to the hospitals in Bangkok for anything in any way serious. Avoid Pattaya hospitals like the plague!

An incredible story with fortunately, a happy ending, Artisan.

Yours is not the first, and I'm sure it certainly won't be the last story of a similar nature.

I reiterate your above recommendation whole heartedly.

[Meg_2003]

Whatever you do, do yourself a favour and avoid Bangkok Pattaya Hospital the best you can!! My mother is in there right now recovering from an operation and I am DIGUSTED with their hospital.

Monday we went for a price for the operation. The doctor clearly said '100,000 baht for EVERYTHING' .. So, we go back yesterday, everything ready, and we are taken to the Cashier. '130,000 baht please madam' The price had risen 30,000 baht in 2 days. We argued that the doctor had given us the price of 100,000 baht, so they took our money and sent her for the operation. We went back to confirm that we would not have to pay any more and they clearly stated 'You will not have to pay any more.'

Today she wakes up with the doctor by her side telling her she needs to go to the Cashier as she has to pay more. What is wrong with this hospital? Is it allowed to put the price up AFTER the operation has been done and the reciept has been given? Funny thing is it says 'Admission' on the reciept, so Im guessing they are going to get around this reciept somehow. Now they are going to sit my Mother in a room all day arguing about this when she is in pain after her operation.

I am disgusted with this hospital and I recommend the people who only want to get ripped off and treated like an ATM Machine to go there. My partner had an operation in Banglamung hospital a month ago. The room was alot cheaper and nice for the price, the doctors were friendlier than BKK Pattaya and the price was alot cheaper.

In my eyes Bangkok Pattaya is a rip off hospital. The only good thing about it is the fancy waterfalls ect. DONT GO THERE IF YOU DONT WANT TO BE TREATED LIKE AN ATM MACHINE!!!!!

Disappointed customer! (And no, I am not a tourist - Im a 5 year resident)

Edited August 3, 2006 by Meg_ken2003

[Artisan]

In my eyes Bangkok Pattaya is a rip off hospital. The only good thing about it is the fancy waterfalls ect. DONT GO THERE IF YOU DONT WANT TO BE TREATED LIKE AN ATM MACHINE!!!!!

As some of us have said already on this topic, and in agreement with this post from Meg_ken, avoid all private hospitals in Pattaya...for a variety of reasons, usually a common factor in all of these hospitals. Bangkok-Pattaya and Pattaya International hospitals are mercenary money-driven bodies and my last post confirmed incompetency on the part of the former. Pattaya International? No more than a clinic with international prices. Pattaya Memorial Hospital is great for fixing cuts, bruises and broken bones after a motorbike accident...nothing more.

If you really care about the health and well-being of yourself and your loved ones, go somewhere else. Some people may not agree with my sentiments but it's up to them. There are too many unfavourable and very critical anecdotes about these Pattaya private "health care providers".

[Artisan]

I remember another recent incident. A friend of mine started to feel a distinct and uncomfortable ache in his gut a couple of years ago. This begame more of an occasional sharp pain causing him to lose sleep and he lost interest in food because eating caused him to vomit. He went to Pattaya International Hospital and was told that it will pass as it sounds like a digestive disorder. He was prescribed antibiotics etc. etc......a bumper fun-pack of pills and potions. He didn't get better so he visited Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital and was told the same thing, and prescribed more panaceas, and if it reoccurs it could be "just a grumbling appendix".

His pain didn't go away so I took him to the Somdej Sriracha Hospital for a third opinion. The diagnosis was colonic cancer. After an X-ray, a biopsy was undertaken and it was confirmed that he had a small malignant tumour in his colon. He had a small but uncomfortable operation and now he is well again.

My daughter was born in Samitivej Hospital in Sriracha. I think that every reader of this topic will understand now why my wife and I chose to go there.

[Meg_2003]

Just a follow up as to what happened today..

I send a thai to pay the bill . No extra fee's today. Isnt it odd that when you speak with them yourself, they tell you that you have to pay alot more , yet when you send a thai to the Cashier 10 minutes after, theres nothing owing?? I bet if my mother went to pay the bill herself, she would have been another 10,000 baht down!

My boyfriend had Appendicitus last month. First he went to Bangkok Pattaya as that was the nearest hospital. He didnt know that he had Appendicitus, and they never told him. They told him that he needed an immidiate operation or he would DIE . They wanted to charge 57,000 baht to take his appendics out!! He got into a taxi, went to Banglamung, and paid 30 baht instead (Without using the yellow card it would have been 7,000 for the operation) 50,000 baht difference...

The most annoying thing is that they (BKK-Pattaya) scared him and said he was going to die if he didnt have an immidiate operation. They wouldnt let him go until he stressed that he didnt have that kind of money to spend on an operation, then they couldnt get him out fast enough!!

Money grabbers! Glad its over - We definately wont be returning there!

Meg

Edited August 3, 2006 by Meg_ken2003

[richardb]

Would someone please let me have the phone number for the Queen Sirikit Hospital please.

Googling it has not got me anywhere so far.

Thanks all

Richard

[Artisan]

Would someone please let me have the phone number for the Queen Sirikit Hospital please.

Googling it has not got me anywhere so far.

Thanks all

Richard

038-245-735

You're welcome.

[richardb]

Thanks for that Artisan

Richard

[kurgen]

I wonder if anyone at the Bankok Pattaya Hospital knows about the reputation they have and if they care?

[xyz]

I just don't trust Bangkok Pattaya - for many reasons, but mainly too many horror stories - both personal and anecdotal - about putting money ahead of the correct treatment.

A couple of months ago my wife went to BP for a dental check up. She had no pain or problems, but just wanted a check up. The dentist immediately drilled and filled 5 teeth on the left side of her mouth and told her she needed similar treatment on the right side. After the treatment, she experienced a lot of pain, so a couple of weeks later she went back and the dentist fiddled about with her fillings and said it would be OK now. Two weeks later, still a lot of pain (she can't eat on that side of the mouth), so we seeked a second opinion. The new dentist was horrified - he said there was nothing wrong with her teeth, they were in excellent condition and none of the fillings had been necessary and she didn't need any on the other side of her mouth. He tried to alleviate the pain, but there is only a slight improvement, so we will go back next week and see what more he can do.

Your wife must have had the same dentist that I had at Bangkok Pattaya. About 2 yrs ago, I went in for a teeth cleaning but ended up paying over $100 (US) because they claimed to have found a cavity. I was not convinced that a cavity was really there. Also, the charge for filling the cavity and the cleaning caught me off guard -- i.e., it seemed too much and they didn't let me know until the end what the cost would be. Anyway, I left the Bangkok Pattaya Hosp. feeling in my gut that I'd been ripped off and vowed not to return.

[Thaiquila]

I wonder if anyone at the Bankok Pattaya Hospital knows about the reputation they have and if they care?

Like most tourist traps, I doubt they care. New suckers arrive everyday.

[Mobi]

I wonder if anyone at the Bankok Pattaya Hospital knows about the reputation they have and if they care?

Like most tourist traps, I doubt they care. New suckers arrive everyday.

I reckon it might bother them if they read it.

Maybe someone should send this thread link to one of the head honchos - or all of them - and see if anything happens. At the very least it should make them feel pretty uncomfortable.

[Thaiquila]

I think many farangs in Pattaya/Jomtien who are without cars go to Patt Intl and Bang-Patt because they are relatively easy to get to, as opposed to Siracha or Sattahip.

It might be a good biz op for some Thais to organize an efficient, comfortable, air con, limo service to help people get to appointments at these further out hospitals.

Also, if more and more resident expats start boycotting Patt Intl and Bang-Patt, maybe it will put a little fire under their management's posteriors!

Edited August 19, 2006 by Thaiquila