“What is the best Hospital in Thailand?” Many expats who have never been to a Thai hospital may have had this question in their mind. Thailand is an excellent place to receive medical care, but within every country there is nevertheless a range in quality among hospitals. When the times comes to receive treatment for any particular ailment, it pays to do research on which hospitals consistently deliver a high level of care.
Conducting such research, however, may not always be simple and straightforward – particularly outside your home country. But it is worth taking the time to gather information sooner rather than later, as it’s impossible to know when you will need to see a doctor to address pressing health needs.
With that in mind, here are some tips on how to determine which are the best international hospitals in Thailand.
1. Seek local advice as well as input from other expats living in Thailand
Sooner or later we all need medical attention, and the most accurate advice often comes from those with firsthand experience in seeking medical treatment. Although treatment quality may indeed vary between different departments within the same hospital, if several people recommend (or advise against) visiting a particular medical facility, their suggestions should be taken seriously.
2. Listen to people in the industry
Anyone involved with the healthcare industry, from nurses to people in the insurance or pharmaceutical business, will be able to tell you which doctors have a strong reputation for excellence. The same people will also be familiar with the best options available for medical treatment in the area. Every medical facility develops its own reputation over time, and those in the healthcare industry are best placed to differentiate between the first choice international hospitals in Thailand and their less impressive competitors. Be aware, however, that in Thailand, the same doctor can work in many different hospitals. The doctors with the best reputations are often very well booked and the waiting period can be long. At LUMA we offer a unique medical referral service. If our member is not too sure about the type of doctors to see, our experienced doctors can refer to the right medical specialists.
3. Select preferably hospitals with international accreditation
International organizations such as JCI are set up specifically to make the hospital selection process easier, by putting their stamp of approval on a select group of medical facilities that meet their strict requirements. The best international hospitals in Thailand are very likely to be the ones that receive accreditation from such respected institutions.
4. Ensure that the hospitals are set up to receive foreign patients
When you have narrowed down your list of hospitals to consider, determine whether each one has experience treating foreign patients. International translators and bi-lingual staff are very important resources for a hospital to have, because they surely help in the communication between the medical profession and yourself.
There are other points to consider as well, when preparing to receive professional treatment in Thailand Hospital. For most patients, location will be an important variable, as accommodation, transport and general local atmosphere can add or detract from the overall experience.
Choosing Hospitals in Thailand
Disclaimer: The following medical centers are typically used by western expats in Thailand. Hospitals are listed in no particular order, and we neither endorse or recommend them. If you choose to receive medical care at any of these facilities, that is at your sole discretion, and LUMA assumes no responsibility in relation to their management of care.
When choosing the right hospital in Thailand for you, there are three factors to consider: the facility’s quality and special medical treatments offered; and the service. Below is a list of top hospitals in Thailand, broken down by region.
Central Thailand
Central Thailand, consisting of 22 provinces, is home to many of the country’s premier medical facilities. If you’re looking for the best hospital in Bangkok, these hospitals are some of the most well known and many specifically cater to expats:
- Samitivej Hospital, Bangkok – over 2,000 health professionals and 400 specialists treat patients at this 275 bed tertiary care hospital.
- Bangkok Hospital – this hospital has a long history of treating international patients.
- Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok – though not specifically catering to foreigners, many expats often cite Siriraj as one of the best government hospitals in Thailand.
- BNH – this medical facility is recognised as Thailand’s first international private hospital, and has been serving expats for over 120 years.
- Bumrungrad – one of South East Asia’s largest hospitals, this 580 bed medical center has a long history of treating international patients.
East Thailand
Consisting of 7 provinces, East Thailand is bordered by Cambodia to the east, Central Thailand to the west, and the gulf coast to the south.
- Bangkok Pattaya Hospital – one of the best known hospitals in Pattaya. This 400 bed facility is a JCI accredited, multidisciplinary hospital.
- Pattaya International Hospital – another option for expats searching for a hospital in Pattaya, this 80 bed private hospital offers emergency services and some common medicine and surgery care. Some of Pattaya International Hospital’s specialties include plastic surgery and state of the art orthopedic and dermatology centers.
- Pattaya Memorial Hospital – offers emergency services, medicine and surgery care.
Northeast Thailand
Also known as Isaan, northeast Thailand is the country’s largest region and is home to 20 provinces. Laos borders the region to the north and east, and Cambodia borders the south. Here are some of the best known hospitals in Isaan.
- Bangkok Hospital Udon – a JCI accredited hospital located in Udon Thani.
- Srinagarind Hospital – The main tertiary medical referral center in Isaan, this hospital in Khon Kaen is the principle teaching hospital for Khon Kaen University’s faculty of medicine.
- Ake Udon – this hospital in Udon Thani has 350 beds and has been in operation since 1997.
North Thailand
Home to 9 provinces, north Thailand borders Myanmar, Laos, Isaan and Central Thailand. Here are some of the best known hospitals in Chiang Mai.
- Bangkok Hospital, Chiang Mai – JCI accredited, multidisciplinary hospital in Chiang Mai that is part of the Bangkok hospital BDMS group.
- Chiang Mai Ram Hospital – this Chiang Mai hospital is well known among local expats.
- Maharaj Nakorn Chiangmai hospital – a government tertiary care hospital that has 1,400 beds and 69 intensive care units.
- Kasemrad Sriburin Hospital – established in 1996, this Chiang Rai hospital offers a broad range or medical specialties, as well as a dental clinic.
- Chiang Rai Prachanukhro Hospital – perhaps most famous for being the hospital where the children in the cave recovered, this is a government hospital located on Satharn Payabarn Road.
Southern Thailand hospitals
Bordering Malaysia to the south and connected to Thailand’s central region via the narrow Kra Isthmus, Southern Thailand is home to 14 provinces.
Here are some of the best-known hospitals in Southern Thailand, including the top hospitals in Samui and Phuket.
- Bangkok Hospital, Samui – a 50-bed multidisciplinary hospital in Samui that is part of Bangkok hospital BDMS group.
- Bandon International Hospital Samui – offers 24-hour emergency services and has departments in cardiology, neurology, general surgery and other common medical practices.
- Koh Samui Hospital – located on the west side of the island, this is the only public hospital on the Samui.
- Siriroj International Hospital – previously known as Phuket hospital, this is a 150-bed, multidisciplinary medical facility.
- Vachira Phuket Hospital – a tertiary government hospital in Phuket.
- Dibuk Hospital – opened in 2015 as a 29 bed hospital, this medical facility will expand to 224 beds in the coming years.
The Bottom Line
After deciding on your list of the best international hospitals in Thailand, it is very important to select an insurance policy that covers you at these hospitals and offers cashless treatment. Indeed, even under the best of conditions, recovery from a serious accident or illness is challenging, so it is essential that you should not be worry about cost of treatment and its payment obligations.