Healthcare abroad
Healthcare in Thailand: great hospitals, but they want paying
Private hospitals in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai are high standard but expensive, and all hospitals want a guarantee of payment before treatment. Public hospitals outside Bangkok are below UK standard.
- GHIC accepted
- Some free urgent care
- No free healthcare
- Very high costs
Thailand sees a lot of injured British travellers, most from scooter crashes. Many insurers won't pay if you weren't wearing a helmet or didn't hold a motorbike licence, so check your policy before you hire one.
Where care differs
- Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang MaiNo free healthcare
International private hospitals with English-speaking staff. Your insurer will guarantee payment.
- Smaller islandsVery high costs
Clinics only. Serious cases go by boat or air to the mainland, at your cost.
- Public hospitalsNo free healthcare
Cheaper, but often crowded, with limited English outside Bangkok.
Pharmacies and fake medicines
Many medicines are sold over the counter, but fakes circulate, especially from street stalls. Use a proper pharmacy or a hospital pharmacy. UK prescriptions are usually accepted.
Before you go
- Emergency number: 191 (police), 1669 (ambulance).
- Dengue fever is common. Use insect repellent day and night.
- Get rabies advice before you go, and seek help at once after any animal bite or scratch.
Official advice: FCDO health advice for Thailand
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