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Healthcare in Thailand: cost & waiting times
Mixed public / privateThai citizens are covered by the Universal Coverage Scheme ('gold card'), the Social Security Scheme for private-sector workers, or the civil servants' scheme. Public hospitals are busy; Thailand's large private hospitals in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai are internationally accredited and serve many foreign patients.
Emergency number: Ambulance 1669 · Tourist Police 1155 · Police 191
How residents get care
- Private hospitals take walk-ins — International private hospitals have English-speaking desks; no referral needed.
- Public hospitals — Cheaper but busy; useful for residents with UCS or Social Security.
- Medical tourism — Hospitals give written estimates and package prices for procedures.
- Emergencies — Call 1669 for an ambulance; Tourist Police 1155 help visitors.
Official waiting-time source
Thailand doesn't publish waiting times; private hospitals are quick.
No public waiting-time statistics ↗
Typical private costs
Typical self-pay prices — for an exact figure use the official links above or ask a clinic for a written quote.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Private hospital GP consultation | ฿1,000–฿2,500 |
| Private specialist consultation | ฿1,500–฿3,500 |
| Private MRI (one area) | ฿8,000–฿20,000 |
| Cataract surgery, per eye (private) | ฿43,000–฿62,000 |
| Hip replacement (private) | ฿210,000–฿280,000 |
Typical waits & prices by procedure
Typical averages for comparison, not quotes. Public care is free or nominal at the point of use unless noted. Private care has no standard queue — availability depends on the provider. Where an official statistic exists (UK, Ireland, Poland) the interactive guide shows it, dated and sourced.
| Procedure | Typical public wait | Typical private price |
|---|---|---|
| GP / primary-care appointment | ~5 days | ฿1,100–฿2,100 |
| Specialist consultation (first) | ~91 days | ฿3,200–฿5,300 |
| MRI scan (one area) | ~42 days | ฿6,200–฿11,000 |
| CT scan | ~42 days | ฿7,100–฿12,000 |
| Gastroscopy / endoscopy | ~63 days | ฿28,000–฿43,000 |
| Cataract surgery (per eye) | ~126 days | ฿43,000–฿62,000 |
| Knee arthroscopy | ~175 days | ฿80,000–฿120,000 |
| Inguinal hernia repair | ~154 days | ฿53,000–฿80,000 |
| Gallbladder removal | ~182 days | ฿98,000–฿140,000 |
| Hip replacement | ~210 days | ฿210,000–฿280,000 |
| Knee replacement | ~238 days | ฿230,000–฿300,000 |
| Tonsillectomy | ~175 days | ฿53,000–฿71,000 |
| Carpal tunnel release | ~168 days | ฿32,000–฿48,000 |
| X-ray | ~14 days | ฿1,400–฿2,700 |
| Ultrasound scan | ~28 days | ฿2,700–฿5,000 |
| Echocardiogram | ~42 days | ฿4,500–฿7,500 |
| Colonoscopy | ~70 days | ฿32,000–฿50,000 |
| Coronary angiogram | ~42 days | ฿45,000–฿68,000 |
| Varicose vein removal | ~140 days | ฿53,000–฿80,000 |
| Lumbar disc surgery (discectomy) | ~189 days | ฿160,000–฿230,000 |
| Rotator cuff repair (shoulder) | ~175 days | ฿120,000–฿160,000 |
| Hysterectomy | ~140 days | ฿120,000–฿190,000 |
| Vasectomy | ~70 days | ฿7,100–฿12,000 |
| Bunion surgery | ~175 days | ฿71,000–฿98,000 |
Prescriptions
Pharmacies sell many medicines without a prescription; prescriptions in hospitals are dispensed on site.
Dental care
Thailand is a major dental-tourism destination; prices at international clinics are well below UK private rates.
Adult public dental cover: limited. Typical self-pay prices:
| Treatment | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Check-up + X-rays | ฿625–฿1,400 |
| Scale & polish | ฿935–฿1,870 |
| Filling | ฿1,400–฿3,115 |
| Extraction | ฿1,400–฿3,895 |
| Root canal | ฿4,675–฿10,905 |
| Crown | ฿6,230–฿14,020 |
| Implant (post only) | ฿18,690–฿38,940 |
| Implant + crown | ฿31,150–฿54,515 |
| Veneer (per tooth) | ฿6,230–฿14,020 |
| Full denture (per arch) | ฿7,790–฿18,690 |
Finding a doctor or specialist
Well-known hospital groups (listed, not vetted or ranked):
Check a provider's inspection rating or registration with Healthcare Accreditation Institute (HA Thailand) ↗.
Health insurance
Insurers and schemes people in Thailand commonly use, and cover for visitors. Listed for comparison, not recommended — check the policy wording yourself.
| Insurer | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security Office ↗ | National / public scheme | Social Security Scheme health cover for private-sector workers (citizens are otherwise covered by the Universal Coverage Scheme). |
| AXA Thailand ↗ | Local health insurer | Health insurance. |
| Allianz Ayudhya ↗ | Local health insurer | Health insurance. |
| Bangkok Insurance ↗ | Local health insurer | Health and travel insurance. |
Visiting Thailand?
Your entitlement: None — no agreement with the UK and the GHIC isn't valid. Visitors pay, usually at private hospitals that ask for payment or an insurer guarantee up front.
EHIC / GHIC: EHIC/GHIC not valid.
Pharmacies: Pharmacies are everywhere; be wary of counterfeit medicines outside reputable chains.
Insurance: Travel insurance essential — check exclusions for motorbikes, alcohol and diving.
Useful links
- Social Security Office (workers' health cover) ↗
- Ministry of Public Health ↗
- GOV.UK — Thailand health ↗
Content last checked: 2026-10-02. Figures are typical/official-source references, not quotes — see the links above for the current real number.