thalenoi Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 For details on the accident see the "How dumb are Thais" tread. We have a tambon (district) medical centre (anamai?) nearby (less than 1km), the nearest governemental hospital being 9km away. The gf was in heavy pain and I thought she had one or more bones broken by the fall of the metal gate. She had an open wound on her arm and a leg. I did not se a doctor there, but they had at least 3 nurses on duty, one lady was just finished being taken care of when we entered the nursery(?) We were taken care of very well immediately. I had my knees bleeding from lifting the heavy metal gate and my wounds were cleaned at the same time and in the same room as the gf. She was given a anti-tetanos shot and they insisted on giving me also a shot, but I showed them my vaccination card. Luckily she had nothing broken and we chatted with the nurses, relaxing after the incident. Then we both showed our id's whilst two nurses logged their intervention in a register. We walked out of the first-aid post with a lot of medication (pain relievers and creams) and the gf thanked them. So I asked how much to pay? The nurses just smiled, and the gf said "free now", With Toxin 30 baht, now free. Well I wonder if this is so for any farang entering a governement run hospital??? I also see these first-aid post in every district (the building is always from the same design) and I don't think we have something similar in Europe or Americaahhh. At least something they did right in this country. The governement hospitals are an other story, they are overcrowed with patients and I wonder how they can cope with the work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liquidflux Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 Never heard of a farang being covered by the government health care program, but I guess anything is possible. Maybe they just couldn't be bothered to do the billing paperwork. TiT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samak Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 maybe you were the first Farang in this hospital and they had no clue how to deal with you re payment! certainly NOT free in all the tourist areas, in opposite, foreigners pay more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 When I went, cast, a bunch of x-rays and meds all came to a total of abouy 1600 baht. Even got to see a specialist. At first they were going to charge me 30 baht, but changed it. I arrived without passport so I think they thought I had a work permit or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keedar Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 They may have placed you on your wife's gold card. Do you work here? In which case you do have a free nominated hospital with your Social Security payments~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thalenoi Posted April 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 I do think Thais MUST go the nearest health center from their legal domicile, so Thais registred in their home village will not get free medicare if they work away from home? (many do) I also think the nurses here did not have second thoughts since we live in the same house nearby. Probably the first farang ever wo needed medical care. One of the nurses even came over to our place to have a look at the fallen gate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKKanalist Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 I have had the experience of rushing an injured six year old to Bumrungrad. Several nurses, two different doctors, stitches, a score of shots. Think the total was around three hundred baht about ten years ago. The later visit to take the stitches out was something like thirty baht. From other experiences at other gov and private hospitals I think that emergency care is Thailand is very cheap. I think the subsidised 30 baht idea was for other non-urgent care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickfarang Posted April 4, 2007 Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 In 2001 and 2002, while living up-country, a loooong way from any private hospitals, I went to government clinics twice for minor complaints. Both times, I registered with the hospital using my U.S. passport for identification, never giving an address, and I was seen by doctors. There was no charge, except about 20 baht for medication one time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flacko Posted April 27, 2007 Report Share Posted April 27, 2007 I have used Police Hospital in Bangkok several times,excellent service you just wait a little longer.Your never charged Doctor fee's in a government hospital only for medicine and treatment. I went in oneday for severe back pain,I was seen at the emergency entrance filled out forms saw a English speaking doctor within a hour.The doctor prescribed medicine and arranged for me to see a specialist the next day.I was only charged for medicine that day 340 baht. The following day I saw a orthopedic specialist was sent by him to get a full body x ray.The x ray cost me about 1000 baht.I was never charged for the doctors visit just for medicine and x ray. Hell I would have had to pay a small fortune at Bumrungrad or ST Louis.The government hospitals or a excellent alternative for ex pats on a small budget. I highly recommend Police Hospital if you dont have insurance or you have a limited income. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorldFun Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 very cheap how about pregnancies(delivery) I wonder - free as well post thaksin??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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