If you’ve recently relocated to Thailand for work or to start a business, one of your primary concerns, along with finding a convenient place to live, is finding health insurance for expats in Thailand. Many people are aware that Thailand offers excellent healthcare. The country is part of the modern medical tourism phenomenon, where foreigners visit the country specifically to access the private healthcare system of Thailand.
We’ll explore the public and private healthcare systems and examine the costs of expat health insurance in Thailand. We’ll also highlight why having expat health insurance protection in Thailand is always a good idea.
Why Have Health Insurance in Thailand?
Apart from taking care of all your health issues, there are some hazards to living in Thailand every expat should be aware of. The three most significant threats to people in Thailand with no previous health problems can be:
- Traffic Accidents
- Air Pollution
- Tropical Diseases
Health insurance can ease your mind and allow you to focus on establishing a good life and career in Thailand.
Two Systems of Thai Healthcare
Thailand has two healthcare systems: a public, government-subsidized system and a private one to which many health insurance plans provide access. Both systems offer excellent quality healthcare, with some of the country’s best doctors dividing their practices between public and private hospitals.
Public Healthcare System
The public, government-subsidized healthcare system is designed to offer access to necessary medical treatment for a fraction of the cost of the private system. This includes the 30-baht scheme for citizens, which charges a flat rate of THB 30 per doctor visit. It also includes the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS), which is available to both Thai citizens and expats working for Thai-registered companies enrolled in the program. The UCS members pay a small portion of their monthly salary to the program.
The upside to the public health program is that it guarantees low-cost, high-quality healthcare to all Thais. The downsides are the sometimes lengthy waiting times for treatment, the fact that you’re limited in the hospitals you can use (you’ll be assigned to a hospital near your home) and, in the case of expats, the lack of English-speaking skills by some doctors and staff.
Expats can be admitted to a government hospital and will be charged less for treatment than at a private hospital. However, language and communication may become problematic if the expat doesn’t speak Thai.
Private Healthcare System
The private healthcare system is open to everyone. It’s a payment-for-treatment system that offers the most advanced medical equipment, cutting-edge procedures and the best doctors and staff in Thailand. In Thailand, many expat health insurance plans provide coverage for private hospital treatment.
Another upside to the private system is that private hospitals generally offer English-speaking staff, and you can walk into a private hospital and see a doctor without having to make an appointment.
These hospitals often provide a deluxe, almost hotel-like experience for expat patients far superior to the hospitals in their home country. This is part of the reason why medical tourism is so popular in Thailand.
Types of Health Insurance in Thailand
Most insurance companies in Thailand offer two types of health insurance plans.
IPD Coverage
Basic insurance is called In-patient department or IPD coverage. This covers you if you’re hospitalized, have an accident or emergency requiring medical treatment. The plan may cover all the expenses or be limited in the coverage of the cost of hospital rooms, doctor’s fees, medications, testing, surgeries and recovery treatment.
Comprehensive Insurance
Comprehensive insurance covers all medical costs, including pre-existing conditions. If you have IPD coverage and experience a recurrence of a pre-existing condition, your IPD plan may not cover the medical expenses. This makes comprehensive insurance a must-have for some people with serious chronic conditions.
Visit Bangkok Garden
For expats relocating to Bangkok for long-term residency, the number one concern is finding a spacious and comfortable long-term serviced apartment in Bangkok with convenient public transportation options.
Bangkok Garden offers two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments and serviced apartments in a three-acre, walled tropical garden setting in the heart of the city.
Expats who have recently arrived in the city should contact Bangkok Garden to see the range of serviced apartments and amenities that make life in the heart of Bangkok an enjoyable and desirable lifestyle. Call us today.
Citations:
- The 2025 Guide to Expat Health Insurance in Thailand: How It Works, Requirements, and Where to Buy – Date Accessed – 5/30/25 – https://btisolutions.co/expat-health-insurance-thailand/
- An Expat Guide to Medical Care in Thailand 2024 – Date Accessed – 5/30/25 – https://i-brokers.com/expat-guide-thailand-2024/#:~:text=Expat%20health%20insurance%20in%20Thailand,for%20a%20tailored%20quote%20here.
Bangkok Garden Apartment is a premier provider of fully furnished luxury serviced apartments in the Sathorn district of Bangkok CBD. Our world-class apartments are set within three acres of lush tropical grounds, offering a safe and relaxing environment for comfortable and convenient living. There are state-of-the-art facilities to suit every lifestyle, with a children’s playground, swimming pools, a jogging track, a basketball court, a football pitch, and a fitness center.