Thailand (TH)

Thailand is one of the world’s largest expat hubs, combining Bangkok’s regional business ecosystem, Chiang Mai’s remote-worker scene, Phuket and Pattaya’s retirement and tourism communities, and strong international schools and hospitals.

Capital: Bangkok

Region: Asia

Language: Thai

Currency: THB (฿)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 35)

Emergency: 191

Healthcare in Thailand

Thailand has a mixed healthcare system: Thai citizens use public schemes, employees use Social Security Fund hospitals, and most expats rely on private hospitals and international insurance. Quality private care in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Samui can be excellent, but costs rise quickly without insurance. The main expat decision is not whether Thailand has good doctors; it is whether you can access the right hospital, in English, with direct billing, for the condition you actually have.

Thailand is a major medical tourism destination with internationally accredited private hospitals, but public access and English support vary by region.

Public healthcare: Social Security Fund healthcare

Prakan Sangkhom

Eligibility:Employees enrolled through a Thai employer may choose or be assigned a registered hospital under Social Security. Tourists, retirees, DTV remote workers, and many dependants are not automatically covered.

Monthly cost:Employee and employer contributions are payroll-based, generally 5% each up to the wage ceiling.

What's included:

Primary and specialist care at registered hospital
Emergency care under scheme rules
Maternity and sickness benefits for eligible contributors
Some dental allowance
Medication on formulary
Referrals within the assigned network when approved

Not included (or co-pay required):

Premium private rooms
International hospital networks outside scheme
Some high-cost medicines
Most elective/cosmetic care
Overseas evacuation
Convenience second opinions at non-network private hospitals

Co-payments:Care at registered SSF hospital is generally low-cost, but private upgrades and out-of-network care can be expensive. If you bypass your assigned hospital for convenience, expect to pay privately unless emergency/referral rules apply.

How to enrol:Employer registers eligible employee with the Social Security Office and payroll contributions begin. Ask HR which hospital you are assigned to, how to change hospital during the allowed window, and how dependants are handled.

Waiting period:Coverage access depends on registration and contribution status; confirm with employer before relying on it.

Private healthcare: Private hospitals and clinics

Who can use it:Anyone who can pay or has accepted insurance.

When it makes sense:Most expats use private care for English-speaking doctors, shorter waits, direct billing, international standards, complex care, maternity packages, paediatrics, mental health, dental specialists, travel medicine and second opinions.

Monthly cost:Local private plans can be modest; international plans often cost THB 60,000-300,000+ per year depending age and family.

Major providers:

BumrungradBangkok HospitalSamitivejBNHMedParkBangkok Hospital PhuketBangkok Hospital Chiang MaiBDMS network

Accessing care

GP system

No strict GP gatekeeping for private care; expats often book directly with hospitals or clinics.

Specialist referral

Private specialists can usually be booked directly. Insurers may require pre-authorisation for imaging, admission, surgery, or high-cost medicines.

Emergency care

Call 1669 for medical emergency or go to the nearest emergency department. Private hospitals may require deposit, guarantee of payment, or insurer confirmation. In a serious accident, nearest competent care can matter more than your preferred premium hospital; transfers can happen later if medically safe.

Out of hours

Private hospital ERs are 24/7 in major cities; small clinics and pharmacies fill gaps for minor issues.

Prescriptions

Many medicines are easier to obtain than in Europe/US, but controlled medicines, psychiatric medications, ADHD medicine, and opioids require care and documentation. Brand names differ; keep generic names, dosage, diagnosis and doctor letters in English, and ask a hospital pharmacy before you run out.

Dental

Private dental care is affordable and widely used by expats; complex implants and orthodontics should be checked for credentials and aftercare.

Mental health

Private English-speaking therapy and psychiatry exist in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and online; insurance coverage varies widely.

Maternity

Private maternity packages are common. Confirm obstetrician, NICU, C-section policy, insurance waiting period, newborn cover, paediatrician, birth certificate process, embassy paperwork and what happens if complications exceed package pricing.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Choose nearest emergency hospital
Confirm insurance direct billing
Save allergies and medicines in Thai/English
Register with a dentist
Check vaccination and travel medicine needs
Store insurer guarantee-of-payment instructions
Keep passport and policy number accessible
Identify a 24-hour pharmacy or hospital pharmacy near home

Finding English-speaking doctors:Strong in premium private hospitals and expat clinics; weaker in public/provincial hospitals.

International insurance:Strongly recommended for retirees, families, DTV holders, and anyone using private hospitals or needing evacuation.

Emergency card info:Carry passport copy, insurance card, emergency contact, allergies, blood type if known, chronic conditions, Thai address, preferred hospital, current medicines and insurer hotline. Add the same information to your phone medical ID.

EHIC notes:European EHIC/GHIC cards do not cover Thailand. Travel insurance is not a substitute for long-stay medical insurance.

Pharmacies (Raan Khaai Ya)

Hours:Many pharmacies open daily; hospital pharmacies follow hospital hours; some tourist areas have late-night pharmacies.

After-hours / emergency:No universal rotating emergency pharmacy system. Use hospital ER/pharmacy for urgent needs.

Prescription rules:Rules exist for controlled medicines; enforcement and availability vary. Bring original prescriptions and doctor letters for essential medication.

Available over-the-counter:

Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Antihistamines
Oral rehydration salts
Mosquito repellent
Antacids
Basic antibiotics only with pharmacist/doctor guidance

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	THB 0–1,000 copay at network hospitals; free with direct-billing insurer at many premium hospitals
GP visit (private pay)	THB 1,000-3,500 private hospital; cheaper at local clinics
Specialist visit	THB 1,500-5,000+ private hospital
Emergency visit	THB 2,000-20,000+ before admission/tests; serious cases much higher
MRI scan	THB 10,000-35,000+
Prescription average	THB 100-3,000+ depending medicine and hospital markup
Dental check-up	THB 800-3,000
Baby delivery	THB 80,000-250,000+ private package; complications/NICU extra

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