“What is the best Hospital in Thailand?” Many expats who have never been to Thai hospital may have 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 it comes time 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.
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.
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 you to the right medical specialists.
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.
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.
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, 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:
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.
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.
Home to 9 provinces, north Thailand borders Myanmar, Laos, Isaan and Central Thailand. Here are some of the best known hospitals in Chiang Mai.
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.
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.
For younger people unsure of why they should be concerned about potential health issues, please see our recent article The 3 Biggest Reasons Young Expats in Thailand Visit the ER. We also have a follow-up article, The 6 Most Common Life Threatening Causes of Hospitalization in Thailand, providing further background on the reality of health issues around the country for people of all ages.
