Since the 1990s, Thailand has had a national public health insurance scheme. However, so far the Social Security Scheme mainly covers employees aged between 15 and 60 years in private companies with more than ten staff members. Their contributions are deducted directly from the employee’s salary and paid into the Social Security Fund.
There are other public healthcare policies as well. The Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme covers public sector employees and their dependents, and since 2002, the Universal Coverage Scheme provides for poorer families. The latter, though, does not always cover the same treatment that the other two plans provide.
Health Insurance for Expats: Private Insurance — The Preferred Choice
Thailand’s national health insurance plans do not always include expats, and they don’t cover high-quality private healthcare, either. Therefore most expats take out a private insurance policy.
These healthcare plans are often provided by multinationals or US American companies. Of course, there are Thai insurance companies with private healthcare plans as well. However, the language barrier with its resulting problems of getting an English-language policy and contract deter many expatriates from making use of this possibility.
No matter where you are insured, make sure to have your insurance papers and enough cash at hand when you go and see a doctor at a clinic. Unless it’s an emergency, you are usually expected to pay upfront and be reimbursed by your insurance later.
Health Advice
Avoiding Unwelcome Ailments
In addition to housing, healthcare is a vital component of expatriate life everywhere. In preparation for living in Thailand, you should make sure to get all necessary immunizations at home and to gather information on taking precautions against common diseases.
Recommended vaccinations for Thailand include tetanus, diphtheria, polio, pertussis, MMR, influenza, and hepatitis A. Moreover, for longer stays, you should also get immunizations for hepatitis B, rabies, typhus, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis.
While some institutes of tropical medicine have issued a swine flu warning for Thailand, and there have been occasional reports of avian flu in the country, it’s insect-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and chikungunya that are actually a greater risk for the average resident. You should make sure to wear light, but long-sleeved clothing, use anti-insect repellants daily, and hang up mosquito nets at night.
Moreover, in order to avoid diarrhea, pay attention to proper food hygiene, and never drink any tap water. Don’t even use it for doing the dishes or brushing your teeth.
While merely consulting a doctor costs at least 800 to 1,500 THB, a private clinic with an international department may require you to make a large deposit in advance before staying for stationary treatment.
Medical Facilities: Public Hospitals vs. Private Clinics
Despite the higher expenses, expatriates indeed prefer private medical services providers, the quality of whose care is often excellent. Public hospitals, on the other hand, tend to be understaffed and underfunded.
When you choose a clinic, ask whether they have a family doctor for consultations. There is a shortage of general practitioners in Thailand, but you may prefer not to consult a specialist for every complaint.
You can find a list of clinics (including dental clinics) in Bangkok via Allianz Worldwide Care.
If you need an ambulance and would like to avoid a government clinic, do not phone 191 (the general emergency number in Thailand). Instead, call the hospital of your choice directly. Below, there’s a contact list of four local hospitals that are especially popular in the expatriate community.
• Bumrungrad Hospital
33 Sukhumvit 3 (Soi Nana Nua)
Wattana Bangkok 10110
+66 2 667 1000
• Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital
9/1 Convent Road
Silom Bangrak Bangkok 10500
+66 2 686 2700
• Samitivej Hospital (Srinakarin)
488 Srinakarin Road
Suanluang Bangkok 10250
+66 2378 9000
• Samitivej Hospital (Sukhumvit)
133 Sukhumvit 49
Klong Tan Nua
Wattana Bangkok 10110
+66 2711 8000
