Thailand has been popular with tourists and expats for years, but the country is increasingly being chosen as a destination for medical care. Not because of need, but precisely because of the high quality, comfort and accessibility of private clinics.
Anyone visiting a doctor in Thailand will often be face to face with a specialist within a day, without a waiting list or referral. The modern hospitals, well-trained doctors and clear English communication make it attractive for those who want to be helped quickly and well. In this guide you can read why private clinics in Thailand are so popular and what you should pay attention to.
Public and private care compared
Thailand has a two-faced healthcare system: public hospitals and private clinics. The public hospitals are meant for the Thai population and offer affordable care. The downside is that you often have to deal with long waiting times, crowded departments and limited personal attention.
Private clinics are focused on comfort, speed and quality. They are modernly furnished, waiting times are minimal and patients receive personal attention from multilingual staff. Also in terms of hygiene, technology and service the level is often higher than in public hospitals.
Why expats choose private healthcare
For many expats and tourists, a visit to a private clinic a logical choice. The main advantages:
- High Quality: Many doctors are internationally trained and work with modern equipment.
- Quick access: You can often come for a consultation or examination on the same day, without a referral.
- Multilingualism: In almost all private clinics doctors and nurses speak good English. In tourist regions other languages are sometimes offered.
- Pleasant environment: Waiting areas are quiet, clean and comfortably furnished, with personal service and good guidance.
Well-known names such as Bumrungrad International Hospital (Bangkok) and Bangkok Hospital Phuket attract thousands of international patients every year, ranging from expats to people who consciously choose medical treatment during their stay in Thailand.
What does your insurance cover?
The costs of medical care in a private clinic in Thailand can be quite high, especially for specialist treatments. That is why it is important to know in advance what your insurance does and does not cover. A standard Dutch basic insurance or travel insurance often only offers emergency care, and then up to the level of Dutch rates. You pay the difference yourself.
Expats therefore usually opt for an international or local expat insurance for thailand, which also covers non-urgent care in private clinics. Please note:
- Does the clinic have agreements with your insurer?
- What is the maximum reimbursement amount per treatment or per year?
- Are planned treatments and preventive care (such as a health check) also included?
Those without suitable insurance should expect potentially high costs. A consultation or simple treatment is often affordable, but operations or long-term hospitalizations can cost thousands of euros.
Good communication is essential
Medical care is not only about quality, but also about trust and clear explanations. Especially when you are in another country, it is crucial that you understand the information well. In private clinics in Thailand, this is usually well arranged. Many doctors have studied in the US, Australia or Europe and speak fluent English. The nurses and administrative staff are also used to foreign patients.
This gives confidence and makes it easier to make well-informed choices. In public hospitals, on the other hand, the language barrier is greater. There, only Thai is usually spoken and English-speaking doctors are the exception rather than the rule.
Pros and cons of private clinics in Thailand
Benefits:
- Very good medical care, often at western level.
- Quick access to specialists and research.
- English speaking staff.
- Modern, comfortable clinics with personal attention.
- Ideal for check-ups and planned treatments.
Cons:
- Higher costs than public health care.
- Not always full reimbursement through regular Dutch insurance policies.
- Some clinics focus heavily on medical tourists, which can give a more commercial approach.
Conclusion
Those who prepare well will find high-quality medical care in Thailand, without language barriers or long wait times. For expats and long-term travelers, private clinics in thailand an attractive alternative to healthcare in your own country. The combination of skilled doctors, modern facilities and good communication makes the difference. Make sure that your insurance matches your needs, so that you can confidently use the possibilities that Thailand has to offer in the medical field.
Sources:
- Bumrungrad International Hospital. (nd). About usRetrieved April 17, 2025, from https://www.bumrungrad.com
- OECD & World Health Organization. (2015). Thailand: Health system review. Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Health Systems in Transition, 5(1). Retrieved April 17, 2025, from https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/208216
- Bangkok Hospital. (n.d.). International servicesRetrieved April 17, 2025, from https://www.bangkokhospital.com
- Allianz Care. (n.d.). Healthcare in Thailand: A guide for expatsRetrieved April 17, 2025, from https://www.allianzcare.com
- Cigna Global. (n.d.). Thailand healthcare system overviewRetrieved April 17, 2025, from https://www.cignaglobal.com
- Ministry of Public Health Thailand. (2022). Annual report on health and medical tourism in ThailandRetrieved April 17, 2025, from https://www.moph.go.th
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The question that may be asked is why the richest of the world think they have a right to better care. In the end you will die anyway and everything is postponed at a price. How selfish or stupid can you be to think that postponement yields something at the expense of the hours that may also yield something for Sombat S. and co.?
I know all kinds of people who underwent the annual scans in those hospitals but have since passed away without it showing up in the data.
In my opinion it is a big fake show for people who, as far as I know, receive Dutch healthcare but think they are getting certainty.
The hospitals are laughing their heads off at so much stupidity that yields a nice profit.
Fear reigns and hopefully this blog will finally provide a positive story about this trade in uncertainty.
Eric, 'you're going to die anyway...' you say, but is that a reason not to go to a doctor, or to a doctor who is less highly educated? Or do you take people from the circle of Jomanda or Klazien from Zalk? You too will go to heaven one day, and how do you do it yourself?
No, I wouldn't call this a fake show. You're there yourself, aren't you? We're outspoken enough to speak up, aren't we? Really, I don't like unnecessary polonaise!
The article is, from what I read, about expats and tourists. The latter group is usually well insured and takes out a supplementary policy for the higher rates in Thailand's more expensive, often private hospitals. The first group, the expats, are the seconded people who in many cases receive an all-covering policy from their home country.
The emigrants are a completely different group of people; people with pensions who often have a medical past. If you don't have a fat pot of money, the above doesn't apply to them. Then you are dependent on the otherwise excellent care in state hospitals, but you have to be content with less language skills and sometimes nursing 'in the ward'.
There are travel insurance policies that offer more comprehensive coverage in case of emergency, such as:
– supplement to actual foreign rate
– search and rescue costs
- family arrival
– repatriation including family members
– moreover, the benefit is not charged to your own health insurance contribution
The government hospitals (including the navy hospital) can and do a lot.
Also the state hospitals in the smaller cities usually have English speaking doctors and offer a separate and neat, well equipped room for a small extra charge. In addition friendly staff, who do not always ask for your credit card.
Several doctors work in private clinics, state hospitals and/or in their own practices.
So the same knowledge is available at different prices.
Private clinics sometimes come up with extra, unnecessary treatments; because money has to be made.
So in case of major interventions, a second opinion from a doctor in the Netherlands is recommended.
Informing private clinics that your insurance does not cover the treatment, or does not cover it in full, can sometimes result in a significant discount.
Dear Thailand bloggers,
I, André, Belgian, 65 years old, living with the woman of my dreams, also retired but a little younger than me, have the misfortune of being attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes for about 14 days, at first without much harm but after a few days my left lower leg became thicker and thicker. One day my girlfriend could not stand it anymore and asked me which hospital I wanted, private or public hospital. I have an annual ALLIANZ WORLDWIDE CARE with all the bells and whistles added to it.
I live in Nonthaburi, have a Non – O – Retirement VISA for ONE year.
We drove to the KRUNGTHAI private hospital, most of the nursing staff only knows one language, Thai, first obstacle. Before they wanted to start examining me, they had to immediately give me butter with the fish (+/- 6600 Baht) I paid immediately with a debit card, they were reluctant because according to them they would pay a supplement because I was going to pay with a foreign bank card, totally FALSE, only with a credit card they would pay a fee of 1 to 2%. I was lucky that someone from the Siam Commercial Bank was behind me, who assured them that they will/should never have to pay a fee when the FARANG pays with a debit card. Second obstacle.
Charged me a serious sum for a very specific medication, unfortunately I am a chemist by training, know something about medications. They came up with 30 ml NaCl 3% solution, a kitchen salt solution. Very expensive medicine according to them.
So Dear Thailand Bloggers, if you only speak English and no Thai, they will make you believe that farang is a real fool.
Be careful what they try to tell you. But to pay you are the first and also be careful with which bank they work because SCB gives the best exchange between euro and Thai Baht, worst exchange at Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn Bank, at least 2 Baht less than at SCB BANK.
Foreigners always pay too much, foreigners always have to pay too much, even my girlfriend is starting to understand it, she finds it unacceptable why Farang always has to pay too much.
KrungThai hospital may be good in medical field but look and analyze the invoice well, because some things are added without this action ever having been performed. And for another language than Thai you should not be there.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Good luck and hoping you never get admitted to such a hospital because that is the only thing they are after to make you stay with them for a few days.
Best regards,
Andre
Dear Eric, what I read here is very positive. This is just information, with which you can decide what suits you and nothing else. It does not say that you have to do this or that. Moreover, the standard care is also mentioned.
That you prefer the standard, or no care at all is up to you and also fine, to each his own. However, let everyone be themselves when it comes to medical decisions.. I will also use private clinics myself, simply because I do not have to wait long and that it provides excellent care. I am not rich in the Netherlands and here I am fine, do not suffer from fear, but can make a rational decision perfectly well.
If you want positive messages on this blog, I think you should start with yourself.
My point is that doctors are being pulled away from social care simply because money talks and it is not always a panacea.
In other words, the foreigner and the rich Thai impoverish the care of the ordinary Thai.
Do you know how bad the healthcare is in the countryside? First diagnosis in a local hospital, oh we can't treat this here so go to a hospital in a slightly larger town. Oops, we can't do this here either so go to a provincial hospital.
If that good doctor did not have to deal with a healthcare-guzzling foreigner or a rich Thai, then that would benefit general healthcare.
I know that it is the market forces, but with increasing care in mind in the coming period, as a government you have to ask yourself what is more important for the entire population, now and in the future.
In our own country, top care is much cheaper. I pay 250 euros for my CM hospitalization insurance and my CM membership fee is about 120 euros. And you are cared for and followed up in your own language.
To add: I'm not talking about expats and retirees who live there, but about tourists who go to Thailand specifically.
Yes, but I think you forget to calculate some things.
If you go to Thailand as a tourist, you will also have to take out travel insurance, because with CM via Mutas you will not be able to enjoy it.
If you go with Solidaris Flanders for a maximum of 3 consecutive months (has recently been adjusted), you can do this via Mutas and as a normal tourist that is also sufficient. At least as far as the medical part is concerned during your trip.
And in Belgium from your pension or salary and depending on your situation a monthly contribution is also deducted. In my case for example contribution RIV 130 Euro per month.
Separate from the contributions you already mentioned.
Dutch insurance only wants to reimburse emergency care but who decides that. Had a problem with kidney stones last winter while wintering in Thailand, one in the ureter and one in the kidneys. The doctor there wanted to remove both kidney stones. Contacted the health and travel insurance but they only wanted to reimburse the one in the ureter. That was what their expert had recommended as necessary. There was no name or BIC registration number known of this expert, nor whether it was a doctor and with what expertise. It seems as if there is an agreement between the insurance and the Dutch doctors. With pain in my side and urinating blood I returned to the Netherlands where I have now been waiting for 2 months for them to be removed. The only thing that is good in the Netherlands are the protocols to protect doctors.
My point is that doctors are being pulled away from social care simply because money talks and it is not always a panacea.
In other words, the foreigner and the rich Thai impoverish the care of the ordinary Thai.
Do you know how bad the healthcare is in the countryside? First diagnosis in a local hospital, oh we can't treat this here so go to a hospital in a slightly larger town. Oops, we can't do this here either so go to a provincial hospital.
If that good doctor did not have to deal with a healthcare-guzzling foreigner or a rich Thai, then that would benefit general healthcare.
I know that it is the market forces, but with increasing care in mind in the coming period, as a government you have to ask yourself what is more important for the entire population, now and in the future.
What is not mentioned is that private hospitals in the north are often cheaper than e.g. puhket or pattaya. A trip of 1000 baht can make a big difference
university hospitals are also state, but well equipped and good doctors. In private hospitals you will certainly be plucked and are no better off, only better in terms of service because only wealthy Thais go there. The fact that in the villages the hospitals often refer to larger ones is only due to the fact that they do not have the necessary equipment for your case and so it is very positive. You will not find such village hospitals in the Netherlands or in Belgium. If you are so keen on luxury treatment, you better stay in your own country, but then you should expect a waiting time of months for a consultation.
A beautiful well written story. Unfortunately there are quite a few exceptions unfortunately negative.
From my hometown I made an appointment with a doctor from a hospital in Bangkok that specializes in infections. I was taken there by ambulance. I was received properly. I had to check in with my credit card. Unfortunately, the doctor I had an appointment with did not show up. He is coming tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock. The next morning at 8 o'clock there was no doctor either. Around 11 o'clock this doctor only showed up with the story that it was busy and he did not have time that day. In other words, you will have to stay here another night.
I thanked him heartily and told him that an ambulance was already on its way to take me back home.
'Choosing top care' is not always easy, as I saw up close last autumn. A British friend who spends the winter in Thailand every year wanted to apply for a DTV visa, based on the specific medical treatment he has been receiving at one particular private hospital for ten years during his stay in Thailand. What he needed for that visa was confirmation of an appointment at that hospital. He sent the hospital an email requesting an appointment, explaining the reason, attaching his medical file of the previous treatments, and waited for confirmation. No response, not even to subsequent emails. In the meantime, I had already arrived in Thailand, so he asked me to go to that hospital to arrange a few things for him. Together with my partner: an incredible embarrassment – they flatly refused to make an appointment. My explanation of the situation, in which I was also able to present the medical history of ten years of treatment – which the Brit had sent me – made no impression: the man in question would have to come to the counter himself for an appointment. My argument that he needed that visa to come and that he would only get it if he could prove that he had an appointment, made no impression. Also my request to at least answer the email of the man in question was rejected with an unbelievable 'outside Thailand, cannot do'………..
It will come as no surprise that we left the building, to put it mildly, 'frustrated'. In the parking lot my partner recognized one of the doctors, approached her and explained the situation to her. The doctor confirmed that an appointment could only be made if the man in question came himself...
So much for promoting medical tourism!
Cornelis, apart from the rigid attitude towards a paying person, and the lack of decency to pay an e-
mail not to answer, your comment 'My argument that he needed that visa to come…' is not understood by me. He could have come without a visa or with a T-visa, right?
Could he have converted that into a DTV in Thailand? Only Ronnie knows…
As far as I know, DTV can only be obtained outside of Thailand via an embassy, i.e. via the evisa site
https://image.mfa.go.th/mfa/0/SRBviAC5gs/DESTINATION_THAILAND_VISA_(DTV).jpg
He did eventually get the visa, with an appointment at another hospital he had never been to before, I used that argument to make them see the stupidity of their position, but to no avail. By the way, you can't get a DTV in Thailand.
A Dutch expat will also have little choice. After all, an expat works in Thailand, often for a Dutch company or the government. Then you don't just fly back to the Netherlands for treatment and end up on a months-long waiting list. No employer will accept that. Moreover, expats are often well insured by their employer or government or NGO.