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Knobby

Free Hospitals ?

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As title suggests are there any in Bangkok?

or

decent ones that dont charge a fortune ?

I  posted about getting testosterone tests done but this is for something else. 

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I think it depends on whether you need a hospital for yourself or for a Thai national. Thai nationals are covered under a universal healthcare scheme. Tourists until now don't have to have health insurance when visiting Thailand. However that will change later this year (I think in November 2019) when tourists will have to pay 100 Baht for a mandatory health insurance policy when entering the country.

According to the Phuket News:

"For now, all tourists with no travel insurance can receive medical treatment at a public hospital in Thailand, regardless whether or not they can afford to pay. 

...

Hospital staff will do their best to make sure that free medical services are provided free, but that any other services are charged."

See also: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/business/2019/05/24/govt-to-charge-tourists-100-baht-for-insurance/

Public / government hospitals are the most affordable.

According to an expat site:

"For common sicknesses, you might not need to go to a hospital. Clinics can also be found all around Thailand and provide you with a decent level of medical treatment, including basic health checkups and blood tests. There are even specialized clinics for skin disease, maternity needs, physical therapy, and so on.

In addition to clinics, in Thailand you are able to buy most medications without prescriptions. Go to any pharmacy and tell them what bothers you"

Hope that helps you.

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You can go to public hospitals and the rates are very cheap, however, the waiting lists are very long and appointments are based on the day not the hour or a specific time. Additionally, if you can't speak Thai, you will probably need to bring a friend to translate for you. Many of the famous doctors from private hospitals also work in public ones a few days a week, so it's not a bad idea if you have lots and lots of time. 

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You would get better response if you posted on https://www.reddit.com/r/Bangkok or Thaivisa Forum. (God help you if you have to post on ThaiVisa) reddit is generally a younger crowd. I suggest this because Bangkok is very big and to narrow down a hospital for you would require knowing what hospitals are in your location. You don't want to go to Bumrungrad if you are in Bang Na area.

I did go to a hospital here once for something and they said they could not treat it and referred me to another hospital in the area. As has been mentioned clinics are everywhere and check with pharmacies as often times the chemist will suggest something and fix you right up. 

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Thanks for the helpful replies so far.

I may need some heart tests/scans so try a clinic or is it a hospital visit thats needed?

I do have travel insurance but ask if there are free places to save the hassle of going through the policy and trying to tell any clinic/hospital.

 

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Travel insurance probably won't cover you, but I don't know your policy. What I do know is that the private hospitals know their way around claim forms and will arrange it all for you, so makes it very easy. Only once was I not able to use my health insurance at a hospital here, I needed an MRI scan on my ankle and the total cost including scans/Dr's fees from a private hospital (samitijev) was less than usd80 which I paid directly, but so small a cost that I didn't bother claiming back from the insurance company. 

 

Unless you speak Thai, just go to a private hospital and get it sorted, youre more likely to run into frustrations in a cheaper hospital aimed at locals because of the language barrier, no one will know what to do with you and many doctors don't speak capable English either unless they are in private hospitals where foriegners go. 

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Two clinics that cater to foreign visitors and that do health check-ups are:

1. https://www.medconsultasia.com  The owner, Dr. Donna Robinson, is a GP from the UK.

The clinic is located next to Samitivej Hospital on Sukhumvit 49/9 in the Thonglor area. Call them for an appointment at:
Phone: 66 (0) 20 187 855
info@medconsultasia.com

2. http://www.globaldoctorclinic.com/#
They cooperate with major health insurance companies so that your medical expenses may be reimbursed directly or indirectly. They are located in Silom across from the Novotel Silom:

Global Doctor - TMVC Clinic Bangkok
Ground Floor, Holiday Inn Hotel, Silom 
981 Silom Road Bangkok 10500

Tel: (66) 2236 8442; (66) 2236 8443; (66) 2236 8444  Fax: (66) 236 8445

gdbkk@globaldoctorclinic.com

The heat and humidity in Bangkok this time of year can be overwhelming and causes your blood pressure to drop and your heart to beat faster...

I don't want to worry you but if you had chest pain or a pain that spread out to your arms or if you had any other signs of a heart attack, even 'only' an NSTEMI, you should see a doctor ASAP!

As pointed out by Ropey, a check-up at a private clinic or hospital in Thailand probably won't break the bank and you don't lose too much precious time...

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Update,

After last night having aches and pains in my chest again I booked an appointment with Med Consult Clinic.

After waiting 2 hours:huh: (no point them having a booking system really) the Doc saw me, told her whats been going on and "some" background.

She had a listen to my heart and came to this assessment (I quote)

Chest pains right side and left ,rule out cardiac cause,could be muscular skeletal.

She said my heart sounds normal and I have pectus excavatum and prominence on right side of chest (that bit I know as am right side dominant)

So while some relief that it looks like I aint gonna drop down dead from a heart attack she said it could either be stress or cholesterol :blink:

Now if it is either of those I will be fucking surprised as I dont feel "stressed" about anything and I keep myself in trim with my work outs and what I eat.

So Sunday I goto the local, Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital and have a stress test. Then go back to the clinic Monday for the results. 

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Thanks for letting us know how you are!

I'm relieved that it's not a heart attack! Also that you went to see a doc to see what's going on in your chest! Better safe than sorry!

Wishing you ALL the best for your stress test on Sunday!!!

Thanks :-)

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I know that in Thailand the health care comes at a price and the service and expertise they can offer dictates the cost of your treatment.

Thus said, on the occasions I have had to have treatment , mainly for food poisoning and dental stuff, it was almost like being in a 5 star hotel.

The NHS in the UK is free and without doubt provides fantastic and revolutionary treatment  but the care and service is awful by comparison.

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1 hour ago, taaseesanuk said:

I know that in Thailand the health care comes at a price and the service and expertise they can offer dictates the cost of your treatment.

Thus said, on the occasions I have had to have treatment , mainly for food poisoning and dental stuff, it was almost like being in a 5 star hotel.

The NHS in the UK is free and without doubt provides fantastic and revolutionary treatment  but the care and service is awful by comparison.

I'm sure if you went private in UK you would be equally impressed with the service and comparing apples with apples. As it is, Thais also have a version of the NHS and most private hospital Dr's actually have to work in the public hospitals too, so knowing your specialist from Bumrungrad or etc and finding what public hospital they head too for the remainder of their work week can save a lot of money if your not insured. 

Edited by Ropey

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1 hour ago, Ropey said:

I'm sure if you went private in UK you would be equally impressed with the service and comparing apples with apples. As it is, Thais also have a version of the NHS and most private hospital Dr's actually have to work in the public hospitals too, so knowing your specialist from Bumrungrad or etc and finding what public hospital they head too for the remainder of their work week can save a lot of money if your not insured. 

Yep, had private treatment in the Uk and it is incredibly expensive which is why so many Brits opt to travel abroad for their treatment. 

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21 hours ago, Thanks said:

Thanks for letting us know how you are!

I'm relieved that it's not a heart attack! Also that you went to see a doc to see what's going on in your chest! Better safe than sorry!

Wishing you ALL the best for your stress test on Sunday!!!

Thanks :-)

Your relieved ? how you think I felt then? 

Still... it raises more questions now. If its not heart then what the fuck is it?

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18 minutes ago, Knobby said:

Your relieved ? how you think I felt then? 

Still... it raises more questions now. If its not heart then what the fuck is it?

Is it not worth getting a second opinion? For peace of mind if nothing else!

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Hmmm dunno

Gotta do this stress test Sunday then go back Monday for the results so will do that 1st. 

IF thats all clear so to speak then she says it COULD be cholesterol. So can then have a test for that.

If i do I think I will get her to do a Testosterone test while I am there as was thinking of getting that done anyway. 

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18 hours before my flight to USA.

I came down with a severe case of diarrhea for which  I'll spare the details, but  the toilet was a "bridge too far" from the bed, and I had to wait for a lull  to grab a taxi BNH.   Before leaving  gave the desk a message that "clean-up needed on Floor 11."

Less than five minutes later after arriving ( I was registered previously over the years)  I was in  an ER bed. They examined me, did some tests, then an antibiotic mix and fluid  dripped in.  Temperature normalized and chills disappeared. 

Went back to the hotel, tipped the maid very well, slept a bit, then out for a night of ladyboys. Made my Bkk-NRT-ATL flight feeling fine, even grabbing a light breakfast selection at the First Class lounge.

The entire bill from BNH (including a take-away RX), was $60 or so, reimbursed by my USA employee health insurance as a "emergency!"   I did not file it as Workers Compensation:P

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Today I was up at 6am :wacko:

Got to Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital and was meant to be there for 7am for an 8am appointment. (so the quack told me)

9am is my appointment :huh:

So I go in and to the stress test on the treadmill. All goes well and I pass. Spoke to the Dr there. He said my heart seems fine and my symptoms have less than a 10% chance of being heart related. So looks like its either my chest muscles or poss cholesterol. 

I started to think the bill was gonna run into the 10.000's and up but my bill was just under 6k.

So back to the quacks Monday with the results and she what she says. 

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49 minutes ago, Knobby said:

Today I was up at 6am :wacko:

Got to Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital and was meant to be there for 7am for an 8am appointment. (so the quack told me)

9am is my appointment :huh:

So I go in and to the stress test on the treadmill. All goes well and I pass. Spoke to the Dr there. He said my heart seems fine and my symptoms have less than a 10% chance of being heart related. So looks like its either my chest muscles or poss cholesterol. 

I started to think the bill was gonna run into the 10.000's and up but my bill was just under 6k.

So back to the quacks Monday with the results and she what she says. 

sounds like you need to treat yourself to a nice session with a young temptress....especially knowing your not gonna keel over!

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1 minute ago, taaseesanuk said:

sounds like you need to treat yourself to a nice session with a young temptress....especially knowing your not gonna keel over!

Was thinking the same...... was thinking "donkey cock pooh" in the chit chat section :hubbahubba:

I will ask about getting a cholesterol test done and also testosterone while I am there.

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Just now, Knobby said:

Was thinking the same...... was thinking "donkey cock pooh" in the chit chat section :hubbahubba:

I will ask about getting a cholesterol test done and also testosterone while I am there.

looks like you got your mojo back then! You be careful taking on that truncheon! 

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1 minute ago, mikel said:

Fucking hell. Relax man! Have a massage, a manicure, a facial, haircut, ten tequilas & a blow job. Get a motorbike taxi to race through traffic and film it while laughing like a lunatic. Then go to CIB and organise a threesome. We'll meet you at Foodland for a big brekky at 5am and do it all again. Bangkok baby!

you been watching Hangover or something?!

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Yea not out of the woods just yet but looking more like it aint my heart.

Would on the one hand like to know what it is but I gotta watch my budget, I know its my health and all that but still my budget allows for for punting.

Said before I dont wanna pull the trigger on my travel insurance unless I really have to.

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2 minutes ago, mikel said:

Fucking hell. Relax man! Have a massage, a manicure, a facial, haircut, ten tequilas & a blow job. Get a motorbike taxi to race through traffic and film it while laughing like a lunatic. Then go to CIB and organise a threesome. We'll meet you at Foodland for a big brekky at 5am and do it all again. Bangkok baby!

See above... budget !! This trip is not my usual 2 or 3 week trip, I can have some fun yes but cant go mad. Am here mainly to study.

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