Living & visas
Healthcare and insurance in Pattaya: how medical care works here
The first question families and retirees ask us before moving is: what if we get ill? The good news is that private healthcare in Pattaya is strong, and the city's main hospital has interpreters for many languages. Here is where to go, what it costs, which numbers to save and which insurance to choose.
In short
- A private consultation costs about 1,200 – 3,500 ฿, an MRI 12,000 – 16,000 ฿, fracture surgery usually from 150,000 ฿.
- Annual insurance at 40 is roughly 22,000 – 65,000 ฿, at 60 about 58,000 – 160,000 ฿. The O-A visa needs cover from 3 million ฿.
- After an accident: 1669, the police, your own insurer and the compulsory Por Ror Bor (30,000 – 80,000 ฿ for treatment).
In short
- A doctor's consultation at a private hospital costs about 1,200 – 3,500 ฿, a basic check-up from 4,900 ฿, an MRI of one area 12,000 – 16,000 ฿.
- Operations cost tens to hundreds of thousands of baht: an appendectomy about 120,000 – 200,000 ฿, fracture surgery with a plate usually from 150,000 – 250,000 ฿, and complex injuries can exceed 600,000 ฿.
- So insurance here is not a formality. At 40 a good annual policy costs roughly 22,000 – 65,000 ฿, at 60 about 58,000 – 160,000 ฿.
Pattaya hospitals
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya
The city's best-known private hospital and part of Thailand's largest hospital network. Open since 1990 and accredited to the international JCI standard since 2009.
- Languages. The international department provides interpreters for more than 20 languages; an interpreter meets you at registration and takes you to the doctor.
- Emergency care around the clock, with a helipad, mobile ICUs and a sea ambulance.
- Children's centre with vaccinations for all ages and paediatric intensive care.
- International department: tel. 038 259 999, weekdays 8:00–21:00, weekends 8:00–18:00.
Other hospitals
- Pattaya Memorial Hospital (private) on Central Pattaya Road, often chosen for routine check-ups.
- Pattaya International Hospital (private) on Soi 4 off Second Road.
- Banglamung Hospital (public): much cheaper, but with longer queues, and not everyone speaks English. One patient reported an operation quoted at 230,000 ฿ privately was done for 72,000 ฿ at a public hospital.
- Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital in Sattahip: a large hospital for those living in the south.
What treatment costs
Official prices
| Service | Price | Where and when |
|---|---|---|
| Essential check-up | 4,900 ฿ | Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, until 31.12.2026 |
| Advanced check-up, men's and women's | 8,900 and 11,900 ฿ | Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, until 31.12.2026 |
| DTP vaccine for a child | 1,690 ฿ | Bangkok Hospital Pattaya |
| HPV vaccine, children's package | 6,900 ฿ | Bangkok Hospital Pattaya |
| Dental implant with crown | 47,000 – 85,000 ฿ | Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, until 31.12.2026 |
| MRI of one area | 12,000 – 15,900 ฿ | Bangkok Hospital network, until 31.12.2026 |
| Abdominal ultrasound | 4,500 ฿ on offer, usually 7,480 ฿ | Bangkok Hospital network |
| Natural birth | 110,400 ฿ | Bangkok Hospital, Bangkok, until 31.12.2026 |
| Caesarean section | 151,800 ฿ | Bangkok Hospital, Bangkok, until 31.12.2026 |
| Appendectomy, all inclusive | 159,000 ฿ | Phyathai, 2026 |
| A day in intensive care | 25,500 ฿ | Bumrungrad, from 01.01.2026 |
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya publishes packages, while room, surgery and delivery prices in Pattaya are given by phone. So for operations we have listed prices from the same network and major Bangkok hospitals; Pattaya is usually no more expensive.
What real bills look like
From reviews and news in 2024–2026:
- A doctor's consultation at a private hospital is usually 1,200 – 3,500 ฿, up to 6,000 ฿ at a premium one.
- A room at a private hospital costs 20,000 – 50,000 ฿ a night, depending on the level.
- Fractures. Surgery with a plate usually starts from 150,000 – 250,000 ฿. Complex multiple leg fractures cost 685,000 ฿ in one 2024 account.
- Motorbike accidents. By one insurer's 2026 statistics, half of injuries cost under €100 and nine in ten under €420, but some bills exceed €17,000.
- Dentistry. A filling at a private clinic is 1,000 – 2,000 ฿, a crown from 5,000 ฿ (2025–2026).
- Without insurance, hospitals ask for a deposit on admission: usually tens of thousands of baht, and before major surgery, according to Pattaya Mail in 2026, up to 800,000 ฿.
Emergency numbers
Save these, from the Thai Foreign Ministry website:
- 1669 ambulance, free nationwide. There is also the Thai EMS 1669 app with chat.
- 1155 tourist police: 24 hours, English-speaking, help with translation.
- 191 police, 199 fire and rescue.
Insurance
What it costs
Guide prices for a healthy non-smoker on a mid-level plan, in baht per year (broker data for May 2026; the exact price comes from the insurer's quote):
| Age | Luma | Pacific Cross | Cigna | AXA (international) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 14,000 – 20,000 | 18,000 – 26,000 | 22,000 – 32,000 | 25,000 – 38,000 |
| 40 | 22,000 – 35,000 | 32,000 – 48,000 | 40,000 – 55,000 | 45,000 – 65,000 |
| 50 | 38,000 – 58,000 | 52,000 – 75,000 | 65,000 – 90,000 | 75,000 – 105,000 |
| 60 | 58,000 – 88,000 | 78,000 – 115,000 | 100,000 – 145,000 | 115,000 – 160,000 |
| 70 | 85,000 – 130,000 | 110,000 – 160,000 | from 145,000 | from 160,000 |
There are budget Thailand-only options too: for example, Allianz Ayudhya from 47 ฿ a day (about 17,000 ฿ a year at 31–35), and Luma's Long Stay plan for a 70-year-old with a 100,000 ฿ deductible costs about 21,600 ฿ a year. Note that Thai insurers usually accept new clients up to 60–65, Pacific Cross up to 74–75, while Cigna has no upper age limit. So it is best to arrange a policy early.
How to choose a policy
- Travel insurance covers only sudden illness or injury during the trip. Chronic conditions, planned treatment and check-ups are not included.
- An annual policy covers inpatient and often outpatient care and renews each year. Look at: the annual limit, the daily room limit, whether outpatient care is included, the deductible (which you pay yourself), waiting periods and the age limit.
- A deductible lowers the price. A policy with a 40,000 – 100,000 ฿ deductible is noticeably cheaper: you pay small costs yourself and insurance covers the big ones.
For the O-A retirement visa
You need a Thai or foreign policy with cover of at least $100,000 (3 million ฿) for the whole stay, including COVID-19. A foreign policy certificate is certified at the embassy. A list of Thai insurers for the O-A is on longstay.tgia.org.
How direct billing works
If you have insurance, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya can bill your insurer directly. The hospital has agreements with more than 1,200 insurers.
- Show your documents
On admission: passport, a signed copy, your insurance card or certificate and the policy.
- The hospital requests a guarantee
It sends the insurer the documents and an estimate and asks for a guarantee of payment, usually received within a day.
- You pay only your share
The deductible, anything not covered and the room price above the limit.
- Everything before discharge
The insurance claim must be opened before discharge; afterwards the hospital will not open it.
Foreign insurers usually do not pay outpatient visits directly: pay yourself, get an itemised bill and the doctor's report and claim reimbursement. Without a guarantee from the insurer, the hospital will ask for a deposit on admission.
What insurance usually does not cover
- Chronic and pre-existing conditions. Usually excluded or covered after a 12 – 24 month wait.
- Waiting periods. Some conditions have a waiting period, for example 120 days at Allianz Ayudhya.
- Dental, eyes, check-ups are usually only an optional extra.
- A motorbike without the right licence or without a helmet. A common reason for refusal: a licence for scooters up to 50 cc does not cover a 125 cc bike. An international permit is valid only if it includes the motorcycle category.
- Damage to a rented bike is not covered by health insurance.
Always check the exact exclusions in your own policy.
A motorbike accident: what to do
- Call for help
Ambulance 1669, police 191, tourist police 1155. Do not leave the scene.
- Mention Por Ror Bor at the hospital
This is the compulsory insurance on every bike and car. It immediately pays for treatment up to 30,000 ฿ per person, and if the injured person is not at fault up to 80,000 ฿, plus 200 ฿ a day in hospital for up to 20 days.
- Call your insurer
So it issues the hospital a guarantee of payment under your policy.
- Get a police report
At the station for the district where the accident happened, ideally within a day and with a Thai speaker. The report states who was at fault.
- Claim
A Por Ror Bor claim must be filed within 180 days. You need copies of your passport, licence, bike registration and policy, the hospital receipts and the report.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are everywhere, including the Boots and Fascino chains. Many common medicines are sold without a prescription, and many pharmacies speak English. Bring your regular medicines with a supply to spare and a prescription in English.
If you have children
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya provides paediatricians, vaccinations and paediatric intensive care. Family life is covered in Pattaya with kids, and long-stay visas in A visa for buying property.
If you are looking for a home in Pattaya, we will help you choose the area and the condo.
FAQ
How much is a doctor visit in Pattaya?
At a private hospital usually 1,200 – 3,500 baht, up to 6,000 baht at a premium one (2026). Public hospitals are cheaper.
How much is fracture surgery in Thailand?
Surgery with a plate at a private hospital usually starts from 150,000 – 250,000 baht; complex multiple fractures can cost over 600,000 baht.
How much is health insurance in Thailand?
By broker guide prices for May 2026, about 22,000 – 65,000 baht a year at 40 and 58,000 – 160,000 baht at 60, depending on the insurer and plan.
Are there Russian-speaking doctors in Pattaya?
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya has an international department with interpreters for 20+ languages, including Russian.
What is the ambulance number in Thailand?
1669, free nationwide. The 1155 tourist police speak English and help with translation.
What is Por Ror Bor?
The compulsory insurance on every bike and car. It immediately pays for treatment up to 30,000 baht per person, and up to 80,000 baht if the injured person is not at fault.
Does insurance cover a motorbike accident?
Often not, if you do not hold the right licence or were riding without a helmet. Check your policy in advance.
Sources
- Bangkok Hospital Pattaya: international services and interpreters
- Bangkok Hospital Pattaya: insurance and direct billing
- Bangkok Hospital Pattaya: packages and prices
- MFA Thailand: emergency numbers
- MFA Thailand: O-A visa insurance requirements, PDF
- TGIA Long Stay: insurers for the O-A visa
- Bangkok Hospital: MRI prices
- Bangkok Hospital: delivery packages
- Phyathai: laparoscopic appendectomy price
- Bumrungrad: intensive care rates
- Allianz Ayudhya: health insurance
- Roojai: compulsory Por Ror Bor insurance
- Thailand Starter Kit: cost of healthcare in Thailand
This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Laws, fees and project terms change: before a deal we check the current conditions for the specific property.
