Hospitals in Thailand, which serve nearly 50 million people under the universal healthcare system, are facing serious financial difficulties. The lack of government budgets and the underestimation of medical costs by the National Health Security Office (NHSO) have led to major shortages. Hospitals are desperately looking for solutions, including donations, as pressure on healthcare providers continues to increase.
Are there Belgian or Dutch hospitals in Thailand that have vacancies for Thai people?
My Thai friend still has to do his military service in Thailand until May 2024. After this period he would like to go to work. He is considering looking for a job, and although he dreams of working abroad, I would rather help him find a good job in Thailand itself. That seems better to me than a job abroad.
Discover Thailand (21): The health care
Health care in Thailand is generally of very good quality. There are many qualified doctors, often trained abroad, and modern medical facilities available, especially in major cities such as Bangkok. Many hospitals offer, according to international standards, medical specialties such as surgery, cardiology and oncology.
Dual pricing by Thai state hospitals is legal
Erwin Buse is a Dutchman who has been in conflict for years with the administration of a state hospital in Hua Hin and the Ministry of Health in Bangkok. He underwent many cancer treatments in that hospital and noticed that he had to pay several hundred baht more than a Thai patient.
Interpreting at private hospitals in Thailand
Thailand has long been popular with foreigners seeking medical treatment. There are currently more than a million foreign patients per year, mainly Bangkok, a number that is likely to increase.
Some hospitals in Bangkok are drawing attention to a possible shortage of beds now that more Covid infections are occurring in Thailand.
Thai health insurance policyholders are allowed to go to the hospital of their choice
Thai insured persons covered by the UHC health insurance fund will have access to all hospitals in Thailand. A trial will start next year in the southern provinces of the Northeast, the Ministry of Health said. At present, the insured are still bound to one specific hospital.
Thai hospitals are increasingly confronted with violence
Thai hospitals report an increase in violent incidents. Emergency departments in particular are more often confronted with violence such as fights and vandalism, often by patients under the influence of alcohol or drugs or by rival gangs visiting opponents in the hospital.
Thailand visa question: New hospital fees and my visa?
Since the beginning of September 2019, hospitals are legally allowed to apply different price rates depending on your visa. Tourists and retirees fall into the highest new rates (this can add up like the price differentials in national parks). I need to apply for an extension of stay soon (I currently have a retirement visa). My question is if I request an extension of stay based on marriage (which is also possible for me), will I no longer be subject to the “retirement” rates and can I then pay the rates as a normal Thai.
Dutch cancer patient in Hua Hin fights for justice
Dutchman Edwin Buse (50) is involved in a long-running case about hospital bills in Hua Hin over the period 2015 – 2016. He wants to continue this so that other foreigners are not misled.
Australian researchers find deadly 'superbug'
Researchers at the University of Melbourne have discovered a 'superbug'. These are three variants that are resistant to all existing antibiotics.
Reader question: Body check and the explanation of the results
There are many good (in) affordable hospitals. Anyway, if I do decide to do a body check there, for example in Bangkok Hospital, I get neat reports. But the explanation is not there or moderate. Language difference, but also the Hospitals, in my experience, are not so specialized to provide medical explanations to ignorant and ignorant patients.
The Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) is warning private hospitals that a new law requires them to provide emergency care (ER) for 72 hours to patients brought in. They are not allowed to charge them for the costs for this.
Large price differences at hospitals in Thailand
Anyone who has lived in Thailand for a longer period of time or who visits more often will undoubtedly notice the differences in prices in the hospitals. This is also often a topic of conversation. The government is now conducting research into this and the results are remarkable.
News from Thailand – September 23, 2014
Today in News from Thailand:
• Hospitals cut budget, but patients do not suffer
• Asian Games: Bronze for weightlifting and judo
• Who lies about raiding illegal gambling hall: army or police?
News from Thailand – August 18, 2014
Today in News from Thailand:
• Weapons stolen from courthouse; two army officers suspected
• Protest against apartment blocking view of beach in Pattaya
• Water reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima almost dried up
'Personal contribution leads to better healthcare'
Increasing the personal contribution has been a hot topic since the idea was recently put forward. Experts say it leads to improvements in healthcare.
News from Thailand – July 15, 2014
Today in News from Thailand:
• 150 drug suspects arrested by 420 soldiers and police
• Confusion about co-payment for patients
• Junta welcomes large-scale beach cleaning at Phuket
Holidays sometimes financial disaster due to medical costs abroad
If you go on holiday to Thailand or elsewhere, always read the conditions of your health insurance carefully first. If you do not have additional health insurance with worldwide coverage, take out a continuous or short-term travel insurance with medical costs to prevent your holiday from ending in a financial disaster.
Mandatory travel and health insurance for tourists?
The Ministry of Health is considering requiring foreign tourists to purchase travel and health insurance before traveling to Thailand. The measure is intended to ease the financial burden on hospitals.
Column: Bangkok body snatchers…one is dead, the other is his rice
The metropolis of Bangkok, the city that got under my skin after ten years - what a beautiful Anglicism, if I do say so myself - has one thing in common with the Netherlands: fielus.
News from Thailand – March 29, 2012
Thaksin will be joined by about 50.000 red shirts from the Northeast during Songkran in Vientiane next month, says red shirt leader Nisit Sinthuphrai. They will gather at the Nong Khai stadium on April 11 to travel to Laos the next day. Asia Update tv will broadcast the visit live. Supposedly 10.000 red shirts travel to Siem Raep in Cambodia, where Thaksin is on April 14 and 15.