Hospital in Thailand

Hospital: Excellent medical care is available in Bangkok. Many physicians have been trained in the United States and other Western countries and many speak English. Outside Bangkok, medical care may be variable, and it may be difficult to find an English-speaking physician. Many expatriates go to one of the following, all of which provide 24-hour emergency care:

* Global Doctor Clinic (Sumait Premmanisakul MD, Medical Director; G Floor, Holiday Inn Silom, Bangkok; ph. 66-2236-8444, mobile 661 8379957, email sumait@globaldoctorclinic.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; consultation by appointment or walk-in; also house calls; all medications made by international drug companies; most major credit cards accepted)

* Bumrungrad International Hospital (33 Sukhumvit 3 (Soi Nana Nua), Wattana, Bangkok 10110; ph. 66-2-667-1000 – general, 667-2999 – emergency; website http://www.bumrungrad.com)

* Samitivej Hospital (133 Sukhumvit 49, Vadhana, Bangkok 10110; ph. 66-2-392-0011 – general, 712-7007 – emergency; website http://www.samitivejhospital.com)

* BNH Hospital (9/1 Convent Rd, Silom, Bangkok; ph. 66-2-686-2700; website http://www.BNHhospital.com; also offers an international travel clinic) For infectious diseases, travelers can also go to the Thai Travel Clinic at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Mahidol University (420/6 Rajvithi Rd, Rajthewi Bangkok 10400; ph. 66-23549100 x1420, x1225; website www.thaitravelclinic.com) For a guide to physicians and other hospitals in Thailand, go to the Welcome to Thailand document (Appendix K) on the U.S. Embassy website.

Many doctors and hospitals will expect payment in cash, regardless of whether you have travel health insurance. Life-threatening medical problems may require air evacuation to a country with state-of-the-art medical facilities.

Ambulance: For a public ambulance in Thailand, call 1669. Response time is usually 10 minutes in cities and 30 minutes in rural areas. For a private ambulance in Bangkok, call 66-2-667-2999 (Bumrungrad International Hospital) or 66-2-712-7007 (Samitivej Hospital)