First trip to Hospital on this trip

[TotallyOz]

The boys were roughhousing today by the pool and one slipped and skinned his knee. I jumped out of the pool to see what happened and sure enough, the cut was deep. It was very deep and I insisted he go to the hospital. He whined and said he would be OK but I insisted and he went.

 

The doctor had to put 3 stitches in the leg and gave him a tetanus shot. He also gave him medicine and pain pills. We need to take him back in one week.

 

The cost for the stitches and the shot and the pharmacy was 2,900 baht and that was an emergency room visit. With that price, why anyone would want to even go to a doctor down a dark soi is beyond me. Bangkok Pattaya is amazing and clean and VERY professional. They just keep impressing me time and time again.

 

 

[Guest laurence]

GT I have had similar experiences at Bangkok-Pattaya and agree they out shine the clinics every time.

[Guest Asmerom]

The cost for the stitches and the shot and the pharmacy was 2,900 baht and that was an emergency room visit. With that price, why anyone would want to even go to a doctor down a dark soi is beyond me. Bangkok Pattaya is amazing and clean and VERY professional. They just keep impressing me time and time again

 

2,900baht. That's £44 for a couple of stitches and a few extras! That amounts to about one and a half week's work based on the average wage in Thailand. Its not exactly a bargain price. and I thought Thais were heavily subsidised and paid about 100baht to get treated.

 

My own recent experience, when I requested a few blood tests ; thyroid, cholesterol, liver function shows them up in a slightly different light. The nurse, after leaving me for a few minutes, returned to tell me these tests would cost 7,045 baht. I looked suitably shocked and disbelieving. She went away again, coming back with a greatly reduced revised estimate of 5,540 baht!!

 

VERY professional? I think not. Of course,if money's of no concern then I agree, the whole operation is wonderfully smooth and efficient.But ,like all Thais, they are after your money. I once went in with a persistant sore throat and the consultant wanted to x-ray my face!! I declined. He prescribed a few tablets which cost twice as much as the same ones bought at Boots.

 

Nevertheless ,it is a pleasure to attend this hospital, and be cossetted by armies of nurses,rounding it off with luncheon in their restaurant, surrounded by them.

 

 

 

 

[Guest joseph44]

2,900baht. That's £44 for a couple of stitches and a few extras! That amounts to about one and a half week's work based on the average wage in Thailand. Its not exactly a bargain price. and I thought Thais were heavily subsidised and paid about 100baht to get treated.

 

My own recent experience, when I requested a few blood tests ; thyroid, cholesterol, liver function shows them up in a slightly different light. The nurse, after leaving me for a few minutes, returned to tell me these tests would cost 7,045 baht. I looked suitably shocked and disbelieving. She went away again, coming back with a greatly reduced revised estimate of 5,540 baht!!

 

VERY professional? I think not. Of course,if money's of no concern then I agree, the whole operation is wonderfully smooth and efficient.But ,like all Thais, they are after your money. I once went in with a persistant sore throat and the consultant wanted to x-ray my face!! I declined. He prescribed a few tablets which cost twice as much as the same ones bought at Boots.

 

Nevertheless ,it is a pleasure to attend this hospital, and be cossetted by armies of nurses,rounding it off with luncheon in their restaurant, surrounded by them.

 

A 'friend' of me turned at some point yellow and vomitted blood, had blood in his stool and urine.

After postponing the way to the hospital, I forced him at some point to go, and there we went......to the EMS of Bangkok Hospital - Pattaya.

After some investigations, X-ray, scans, blood tests (it was 6 p.m.), they suggested that he should stay in the ICU overnight because of his heart condition. Estimated cost until next morning THB 80,000.

 

Since the financial means of my 'friend' were pretty minimal, because of his greedy Thai bf, this would mean, that he would run out of cash in 2 days. I suggested the hospital to transfer him to Sattahip, but that wasn't possible. So he ended up in Chonburi Hospital, where they did all the tests, scans, etc again.

After 8 days he was released, more or less cured from his liver shock after we paid the total of THB 24,000. Way too much, but the same treatment in BHP would have cost approx. THB 200,000.

 

 

 

[Guest]

I know that Bangkok Pattaya is NOT for most Thais and is geared toward expats. But, I have yet to have a problem with a Thai boyfriend when they were not amazing and the care was excellent. I would not go anywhere else for myself and surly would not ask them to go elsewhere either. But, it is all a matter of what one feels is best for themselves.

[Guest joseph44]

I know that Bangkok Pattaya is NOT for most Thais and is geared toward expats. But, I have yet to have a problem with a Thai boyfriend when they were not amazing and the care was excellent. I would not go anywhere else for myself and surly would not ask them to go elsewhere either. But, it is all a matter of what one feels is best for themselves.

 

I have a full time job at a Thai company and therefore I'm entitled to medical assistance because they and I participate in the Thai Social Security Fund.

This means that my 'insurance' cost me Thb 1,500 per month (my boss pays 50%).

I have to go to Queen Sirikit Navy Hospital (but also can go to Laem Chabang or SriRacha).

The care is excellent, friendly and with no extra costs.

 

I know a lot of expats who visit this hospital in case of medical problems.

I once went there (not having the purple card from the social security) and I was following the crowd; waited for my turn and was really one of the many 'ordinaries'. Investigation, medication: THB 300.00

 

4 Weeks later I went back (for the same problem) and I tried to follow the same path but now with my social security card. No way!!!!

I was escorted to another room: The social security room"! Almost private, no ques, English speaking doctors, nice nurses, a separate waiting room for the medication (was fetched by one of the staffmembers, while I was enjoying some coffee) and after getting my social security card back, I could go.

Of course, not many expats do have a social security card, but it's just to explain that for a high level of medical care, you don't have to go to BKK Hospital - Pattaya. There plenty of other hospitals in the area.

 

[Guest GaySacGuy]

2,900baht. That's £44 for a couple of stitches and a few extras! That amounts to about one and a half week's work based on the average wage in Thailand. Its not exactly a bargain price. and I thought Thais were heavily subsidised and paid about 100baht to get treated.

 

I realize this might be high for Thai wages, but have you tried an emergency room visit in the USA. It is $500+ (15,000 baht) and that is for just walking through the door. Then they charge for every bandade, swap, etc. For the few stitches and the meds, I am sure it would have been well over $700 US (21, 000 baht)

[Guest lester1]

Luckily, I have never had to go to hospital in Pattaya for personal reasons. However, I have taken a variety of wounded Thai youth and one farang friend.

First, dont take a Thai to the Bangkok/Pattaya. As soon as they see a farang the cost goes up. They assume that any Thai who goes there is either rich or with you. Always take a farang to the Bangkok/Pattaya if he has good medical insurance. Take Thais to the Chonburi hospital where ordinary Thais go and get good value treatment.

Of interest was one occasion when I took a Thai with a broken toe to the Bankok/Pattaya and was told it would cost tens of thousands of baht for an operation to put a pin into a broken bone. I said No...sorry, where else could I go and they said Chonburi. I did, and when we arrived the boys records and x-rays had already beed faxed across. I was impressed.

My advice is, if you know the process is basic or simple and with an obvious end (ie a cut or broken bone) but that you would be prepared to make sure the treatment is good, then go for the middle ranking of the hospitals in pattaya, the Pattaya Memorial hospital at 2nd road and khlang. Excellent facilities, English speaking staff to greet you, nice and central, and reasonable prices.

As far as the basic Thai street clinic goes, I never know whether you are being seen by a qualified medical person or not. I also get the feeling that its money before service. If a Thai friend suggests you take him to such a place, my advice is to use common sense and ask yourself what would you do back home. If you are in doubt, go to the hospital.

One final thing, wherever you go they will try and sell you an amazing collection of pills. Nine times out of ten you end up paying lots for simple pills you could get at half the price in a pharmacy and all that happens anyway is that your Thai freind after promising to take them as instructed immediately chucks them away.

[Guest laurence]

Having made a few visits for myself and the bf to Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital I noticed an odd/amusing thing. As we check in, the admittance computer screen has a long list of patients (as they scroll for our names) and a number of them are listed as "street kid". Yes that is exactly how the patient is listed, no other name that I recognized.

Not sure if these are thai boys who are taken by farang or what.

[Guest]

Having made a few visits for myself and the bf to Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital I noticed an odd/amusing thing. As we check in, the admittance computer screen has a long list of patients (as they scroll for our names) and a number of them are listed as "street kid". Yes that is exactly how the patient is listed, no other name that I recognized.

Not sure if these are thai boys who are taken by farang or what.

 

I would not think just Thai boy. Perhaps one without ID? I have always taken my guys there and they all have a record and account just like I do. Two years ago we all went to the dentist there. All records were there and waiting for us when ready and always the same on other visits.

 

As far as the term Thai Boy, I don't think the hospital takes anyone without pay. Am I wrong in this? I assume that someone pays for them but I may be wrong.

[Guest Asmerom]

I realize this might be high for Thai wages, but have you tried an emergency room visit in the USA. It is $500+ (15,000 baht) and that is for just walking through the door. Then they charge for every bandade, swap, etc. For the few stitches and the meds, I am sure it would have been well over $700 US (21, 000 baht)

 

I reckon then, it is slightly cheaper in the US. Assuming the average wage to be about $40,000 -that's $769 a week. According to you this simple treatment would cost "well over $700" ie.about ONE week's average wage, as opposed to one and a half at the BKPattaya hospital. So it looks like our local hospital is more expensive than the US. But its difficult to fault the treatment.

[Guest buckeroo2]

I sliced my finger open a few weeks ago and as I am on Plavix for my heart the bleeding would not stop. I went to Pattaya International hospital, was seen immediately, received four stitches, was given antibiotics and pain killers and in less than 1 hour I was sent on my way - 3100 baht. I have used BKK-Pattaya Hospital in the past, but Pattaya International was easier to travel to for me - the service was comparable at both hospitals and I would not have second thoughts about going to either in the future.

 

As an aside, I went to BKK-Pattaya Hospital last year to see about some plastic surgery. I talked to a dermatologist who then referred me to a plastic surgeon. So, I had 2 consultations on the same day. I decided against the procedure - the hospital charged me 200 baht for nursing services - they said they did not charge for a doctor as I only talked to them - they said "no charge just to talk" - 555.

 

 

Luckily, I have never had to go to hospital in Pattaya for personal reasons. However, I have taken a variety of wounded Thai youth and one farang friend.

First, dont take a Thai to the Bangkok/Pattaya. As soon as they see a farang the cost goes up. They assume that any Thai who goes there is either rich or with you. Always take a farang to the Bangkok/Pattaya if he has good medical insurance. Take Thais to the Chonburi hospital where ordinary Thais go and get good value treatment.

Of interest was one occasion when I took a Thai with a broken toe to the Bankok/Pattaya and was told it would cost tens of thousands of baht for an operation to put a pin into a broken bone. I said No...sorry, where else could I go and they said Chonburi. I did, and when we arrived the boys records and x-rays had already beed faxed across. I was impressed.

My advice is, if you know the process is basic or simple and with an obvious end (ie a cut or broken bone) but that you would be prepared to make sure the treatment is good, then go for the middle ranking of the hospitals in pattaya, the Pattaya Memorial hospital at 2nd road and khlang. Excellent facilities, English speaking staff to greet you, nice and central, and reasonable prices.

As far as the basic Thai street clinic goes, I never know whether you are being seen by a qualified medical person or not. I also get the feeling that its money before service. If a Thai friend suggests you take him to such a place, my advice is to use common sense and ask yourself what would you do back home. If you are in doubt, go to the hospital.

One final thing, wherever you go they will try and sell you an amazing collection of pills. Nine times out of ten you end up paying lots for simple pills you could get at half the price in a pharmacy and all that happens anyway is that your Thai freind after promising to take them as instructed immediately chucks them away.

[Guest buaseng]

Pattaya Memorial was easier to travel to for me and I would not have second thoughts about going (there) in the future.

Have to concur with the comments about Pattaya Memorial Hospital (PMH). I have needed hospital services in Pattaya on three occasions over the past ten or so years - 1 hospital stay of 5 days, one OP visit with a b/s to get treatment for the viral chest infection he had and 1 visit plus follow-up for two broken bones in my foot. Each time I was either taken to or opted to use PMH.

 

The service provided has been beyond reproach on each occasion. The hospital is easy to find and get to, most of the staff speak adequate English (or will find someone who can) and the medical services provided are comparable with every 'western' hospital I have ever visited (and in a lot of cases much better).

 

Above all the fees they charge are extremely reasonable:

My 5 day hospitalisation included 2 days in the high dependency unit and 3 in a private ward, xrays, transfer by ambulance to Queen Sirikit hospital in Sattahip for an endoscopy and return, blood transfusion (2 units) and saline drips, medication, food etc - total cost 57,000 Baht.

The OP visit for the b/s viral infection cost 1900 Baht including chest xray, consultation and a 14 day course of medication.

The fractured foot visit(s) cost 5700 Baht including 3 xrays, a semi-cast, the provision of crutches and medication/bandages.

 

I have compared what I was charged with other farangs who have used Bangkok/Pattaya hospital, or similar in Bangkok and they have been most impressed and said that it would have cost at least twice as much at BPH and probably 3 times as much at Bumrungrad.

 

I have heard farangs declare that they would not use PMH because it is not geared to farangs but that is just not so. OK, if you want to pay over the odds at a more 'westernised' and up-market hospital go for BPH or similar but there is absolutely nothing wrong with PMH in my opinion (other than the administrative bureaucracy - but we all know that is de rigeur in all levels of public service in Thailand!).