1. FIRST STEPS
1.1 How will you know I am in the hospital?
If you are hospitalised in Thailand, hospitals sometimes notify the British Embassy. Some hospitals only contact us if you wish so or if you are unconscious. We sometimes learn of an admission informally from friends or family.
1.2 Who will you tell?
For reasons of confidentiality, we cannot tell anyone that you have been hospitalised without your permission. This includes family members. We will always ask you what information you allow us to share. We can then give other messages and updates on your behalf.
To save costs on making international calls and to avoid delays due to time differences, your families or other next of kin can get in touch with the Consular Directorate in London.
Consular Desk Officer
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7008 5000
1.3 What the British Embassy can do
- We aim to contact you as soon as possible after being told that you have been admitted to hospital so we can assess how we can best help you. This may include visiting you if you are particularly vulnerable and do not have any family or friends around you to help.
- When we assess your vulnerability, we will think about things like your condition, your ability to speak on the phone, whether you have relatives or friends with you, whether you have a tour company representative and the standard of medical facilities before deciding if we need to visit you
- If you want, we can contact your family or friends in the UK to tell them that you are in hospital.
- If you want, we can help you speak to your insurance company or medical evacuation company. Remember to keep any receipts or doctors’ notes in case you need them to make a claim.
- We can help you communicate with hospital staff about things that do not require specialist language, such as appointment dates or discharge plans, if they do not speak English.
1.4 What we can’t do
We do not usually contact or visit people who have travelled to Thailand specifically for medical treatment unless we decide that a visit is essential.
We cannot provide medical advice as we are not medically trained.
We cannot pay medical bills, negotiate a better rate for you or agree payment terms on your behalf.
We cannot move you to other hospital, but we can liaise with the hospital if you want to move.
2. HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL CARE IN THAILAND
2.1 Can I take my medicine into Thailand?
If you are bringing prescribed medication into Thailand, it should be kept in its original clearly labelled packaging along with a letter from your doctor stating that the medication is necessary and for your own use, together with a copy of the prescription. Medication should not exceed 30 days’ worth of prescribed usage.
Some prescriptions, especially those that contain narcotics, are likely to require a permit issued by the Food and Drug Administration before travelling to Thailand. You can check for more information on FDA website.
More information can be found on the website of the Royal Thai Embassy and on the on the NaTHNaC website on best practice when travelling with medicines.
Thailand legalised the use of marijuana for medicinal and research purposes in December 2018. This is only available to those that have a medical certificate from their doctor and have registered with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) central offices in Bangkok.
2.2 Will I be able to get medication in Thailand?
Mostly yes, however, you should note that some prescribed and over the counter medicines that are available in the UK are considered controlled substances in Thailand. Restrictions usually applies to medication containing narcotic and psychotropic substances.
Many pharmacies may not have a particular brand but quite often they will have a generic version, which could be a fraction of the cost of ‘brand name’ drugs. If you are concerned about the suitability of an alternative, we would suggest that you check with your UK GP or specialist.
2.3 What happens if I run out of my medication?
If you are on medication, you should make sure you have enough to last you throughout your trip and enough to cover emergencies.
Sending medicine by mail can be difficult and it may be seized by the Thai customs. Courier companies tend not to carry medication.
If you run out of a prescribed medication, you can usually find new supplies locally. A wide range of medication is available at private hospitals, but you would usually need to see a doctor first. Pharmacies selling a wide range of products both locally and internationally produced can be found in cities and towns throughout Thailand and on some of the islands. Other than the major retailers (Boots, Watsons, GNC), standards of pharmacies can be variable.
Pharmacists often act only as a salesperson and may not always be able to explain how and when medicine needs to be taken or to check for interactions with other drugs. Private and international hospital pharmacies perform this role and tend to be a more reliable option for those taking new or multiple medications. Pharmacies at major hospitals may charge more for drugs than outside pharmacies.
Often, medicines will be given in a clear bag with simple instructions on how they should be taken. Outside the larger cities, specific information about medical conditions, doses, side effects, in the form of a patient information leaflet, may not be provided. We would suggest that you check with your UK GP or specialist if you have concerns about the medicines, you have been given.
2.4 Are there GPs in Thailand?
The majority of private Thai hospitals offer a similar service, provided by medical professionals. A walk-in consultation service is available at most private hospitals, who can often give further information on specialists within different medical fields. There is usually a minimal waiting time for the OPD service in private facilities and English-speaking staff available to help. Services provided by Government hospitals are often limited compared to their private counterparts. Waiting times are often considerably longer and waiting areas are likely to be crowded. There are also fewer English-speaking staff available.
The fee for a consultation with a medical professional can vary between hospitals and will normally be discussed before proceeding with the service.
2.5 Are there ambulances in Thailand?
Call the emergency hotline 1669 for an ambulance. This service is part of a countrywide network and is free of charge, operated by The Ministry of Public Health. They will usually transfer you to the nearest available hospital. The call operators may speak limited English, but they can liaise with Tourist Police to help communicate with you.
Thai hospitals often have mobile intensive care units which are sometimes used in emergency situations. Voluntary emergency rescue teams are also widely used throughout Thailand to support as first responders for incidents such as road traffic accidents. They are usually the first to arrive at the scene. Most private hospitals can deploy their own ambulances in an emergency and within reasonable distances but there is usually a fee included for this service.
2.6 What are the conditions like in Thai hospitals?
There are excellent private and international hospitals in Thailand. Many can be found in the main cities such as Bangkok, the provincial capitals and the area’s most popular with tourism. The quality of care and the standard of medical treatment can be on par with some of the best hospitals in the UK. Staff can generally communicate in English to a high standard.
Conditions in government hospitals especially outside of major cities are usually crowded. Major regional government hospitals, especially those in popular tourist area, may have a designated international liaison team but the majority of the staff (and in particular the nursing staff) will speak little or no English. They also provide walk-in service, but the queue is normally longer than private hospitals. We recommend that you call to check first.
The majority of Government hospitals and clinics in Thailand are not equipped to deal with major trauma, particularly in the southern islands and many districts outside Bangkok and the provincial capitals.
It is mandatory to show your passport at both public and private hospitals to get treatment.
2.7 How much does treatment cost if I go to hospital?
It depends whether you use government or private medical facilities and your health condition.
Government facilities normally cost less than private ones. Some fees, like Hospital Service Fee as an example, could be slightly more expensive for foreigners. However, Treatment Fee and Medication Fee should be the same rate with Thai Nationals.
Public facilities normally charge an extra Doctor Fee which could start from 500THB per appointment. Most public hospital charge expatriates the same rate as Thai nationals, but if you are a tourist or on a short-term visa, they might charge you slightly more.
Price and conditions vary. We recommend checking with the hospital first for more detail.
We also strongly encourage you to take comprehensive health insurance during your stay in Thailand. Treatment, even in an emergency, is rarely free of charge. Medicine, medical supplies and laboratory costs can be expensive. You may have to pay your bill first before you can be discharged. Credit cards are often the best and quickest way to pay.
You would normally be admitted to a private hospital if you have medical insurance. Almost all the private hospitals in Thailand can help liaise with insurance companies.
If you don’t have insurance and you have limited funds, you would normally be admitted to a Government hospital.
If you don’t have insurance but you are able to cover the costs, you could be admitted to private hospitals. They will usually require a large cash deposit before giving you medical treatment.
2.8 Can family and friends visit?
If family members or friends wish to visit you in hospital, they should arrange this with the hospital. The Consular team can help.
2.9 Will it always be the same doctor in charge of my treatment?
Most doctors in Thailand work at a number of different hospitals that are spread over a large area. Because of this, doctors are likely to go from one hospital to another, doing their rounds and performing surgery. In most cases, these doctors also have private clinics. This can make it difficult to speak to specific doctors or specialist doctors without an appointment.
2.10 Are there care facilities in Thailand?
There are many private care home facilities throughout Thailand that specialise in providing care to elderly or longer-term patients. The majority can be found in the larger cities such as Bangkok and the provincial capitals. They can help with daily basic needs and liaise with medical professionals. Most major hospitals have developed strong relations with local care homes in the area so the referral process is usually very straightforward. Most care homes in the major cities will have English-speaking staff.
See our list of care homes for British nationals in Thailand for further information on the facilities available.
2.11 Are there facilities for treating mental illness in Thailand?
Several of the large provinces have mental health service facilities available, including psychiatric hospitals. These facilities often have teams of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and social workers. They usually provide support for both adults and children. In smaller towns, you should speak with the nearest medical professional available, who will signpost you to the referral process, if necessary.
A stay at a private psychiatric hospital can be expensive. It is essential that you have a deposit, or a payment guarantee before you are admitted. The staff are usually willing to work out payment plans with family or relatives, if required.
Admittance to public mental health institutions in Thailand usually requires either a direct referral via the Royal Thai Police or a recommendation from a doctor. These institutions are often overcrowded, and vacancies are very limited.
2.12 Can I get medical reports from hospitals in Thailand?
We can help liaise with Thai hospitals but sometimes they refuse to give the reports to us due to privacy regulations. You and your relatives may have more success by contacting the hospital directly. Most hospitals do not have a computerised records system, including some of the international ones. Handwritten notes are the norm and in government hospitals, they are sometimes written in Thai. Also note that medical reports are not always readily available.
2.13 Useful links:
Road traffic accident, medical cover, expenses
Ministry of Tourism and Sports Compensation form
2.14 DISCLAIMER
This information pack was compiled by the Consular Section, British Embassy Bangkok. We revise it on a regular basis. If any of the information contained in this booklet is wrong, please tell us so that we can correct it. We have tried to make sure that the information in this booklet is accurate and up to date, but the British Embassy cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information. Local proceedings are subject to change at any time.
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