Guide: healthcare
Healthcare in Phuket: hospitals, emergencies and insurance
Good private healthcare is one of the reasons people choose Phuket over quieter islands. It is also paid for, every time. Here is where the hospitals are, what to do in an emergency, and how to think about insurance.
Updated 27th October 2026 · 7 min read
How healthcare works for foreigners
Phuket has two systems side by side. Private hospitals have English-speaking staff, international patient teams and short waits, at private prices. Public hospitals are much cheaper, busier, and English is more limited.
Three things to know before you need them:
- There is no free care for UK residents. Thailand has no reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK.
- Hospitals want a guarantee of payment first. Every hospital asks for payment or an insurer's guarantee before treatment. Carry your insurance card and know your insurer's emergency line.
- Most expats use private hospitals for anything serious, and insure accordingly.
The main hospitals
Accreditation is shown where the hospital or its group publishes it. Checked October 2026.
| Hospital | Type | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok Hospital Phuket | Private (BDMS group) | Phuket Town | JCI accredited; the first hospital in Phuket to gain it. International patient services. Clinics in Laguna and Kamala for everyday care. |
| Bangkok Hospital Siriroj | Private (BDMS group) | Phuket Town | JCI accredited; the hospital reports three successive accreditations. Formerly Phuket International Hospital. |
| Dibuk Hospital | Private (BDMS group) | Chao Fah Road, Wichit | Positioned by BDMS as its more affordable Phuket hospital. Convenient for Chalong and the south. |
| Mission Hospital Phuket | Private, not-for-profit | Thep Krasattri Road, Phuket Town | Founded in 1940 by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Generally cheaper than the Bangkok Hospital group. |
| Vachira Phuket Hospital | Public (Ministry of Public Health) | Yaowarat Road, Phuket Town | The province's main hospital, with 551 beds. Lower costs, longer waits. |
| Patong, Thalang and Chalong hospitals | Public | Patong, Thalang, Chalong | Smaller local hospitals for first treatment and stabilisation. |
Sources: Bangkok Hospital Phuket and Siriroj websites, BDMS, Vachira Phuket Hospital records, Phuket101 hospital directory (updated September 2026).
In an emergency
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Ambulance and emergency medical | 1669 |
| Police | 191 |
| Fire | 199 |
| Tourist police (English spoken) | 1155 |
The UK government also advises dialling 191 and asking for an ambulance. In practice, many residents call their private hospital's own emergency line, which sends the hospital's ambulance. Save that number in your phone, along with your insurer's 24-hour assistance line and your policy number.
Where you live matters. The main private hospitals are all in or near Phuket Town; from Rawai and Nai Harn they are typically 20 to 30 minutes by car. Check the drive from any home you are considering.
Clinics, dentists and pharmacies
Clinics. For everyday problems, most people use a clinic near home rather than a hospital. Bangkok Hospital Phuket runs clinics in Laguna and Kamala for consultations, blood tests and minor treatment, and there are private GP-style clinics across the island.
Dental. Phuket has many private dental clinics, from check-ups to implants. Ask for a written treatment plan and price before you start.
Pharmacies. Pharmacies are easy to find across the island, and hospitals and pharmacies usually accept UK prescriptions. Rules on which medicines need a prescription differ from the UK's, so ask before you assume.
Bringing your own medicines. Some medicines that are routine in the UK are controlled in Thailand, including some strong painkillers, sleeping tablets and ADHD medication. Check the Thai Food and Drug Administration's rules before you fly, and carry a doctor's letter.
Health insurance for expats
You can buy cover from an international insurer or from a Thai insurer.
International expat plans usually cover you worldwide or in a region, often with options for treatment at home in the UK, and are designed for people living abroad long term. They cost more.
Thai domestic plans are cheaper and are accepted for visas such as the O-A and O-X, but may cover treatment only in Thailand and often set lower limits.
Whatever you buy, check these points:
- Inpatient and outpatient limits. Some visas set minimums for each.
- Age limits and renewal. When can you join, and is renewal guaranteed for life?
- Pre-existing conditions. What is excluded, and for how long?
- Direct billing. Does the insurer settle bills directly with Phuket's private hospitals?
- Evacuation and repatriation. Is medical evacuation covered?
An insurance adviser who places expat cover in Thailand can compare policies for your age and history. Insurance advisers working in this market include Pacific Prime and AA Insurance Brokers, which has an office in Phuket. They are named for reference, not as a recommendation.
Insurance required by each visa
Minimum cover as of October 2026. Even where none is required, private treatment is paid for in full.
| Visa | Insurance required? | Minimum cover |
|---|---|---|
| Non-O retirement (and yearly extensions) | No | None set |
| O-A long stay | Yes, for the whole stay | ฿3,000,000 or US$100,000 per policy year; a foreign policy needs a Foreign Insurance Certificate |
| O-X long stay | Yes, Thai insurer only | ฿40,000 outpatient and ฿400,000 inpatient; some embassy pages also cite ฿3,000,000 |
| Long-Term Resident (LTR) | Yes, or an alternative | US$50,000, or Thai social security, or US$100,000 held in a bank for 12 months |
| Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | Not listed by Thai missions | None set |
| Marriage (Non-O) | No | None set |
Sources: Thai Immigration Bureau via thailand.go.th, Royal Thai Consulate-General Los Angeles, Royal Thai Embassy Washington, BOI LTR office. More on visas in the [Thailand visas guide](route:guide-visas).
What treatment costs
Prices vary by hospital, room type and doctor, and change often, so the figures below are examples only. The larger private hospitals publish package prices for health checks and common procedures, and will give a written estimate before planned treatment. Ask for one, and send it to your insurer before you agree.
When checked on 7 November 2026, Bangkok Hospital Phuket's website listed health check-up packages at its Wellness Center from ฿2,750, a low-dose CT scan for lung cancer screening at ฿3,500, and a brain health programme at ฿10,200 to ฿25,000. Some of these are promotional prices that run only to the end of 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is healthcare free in Thailand for foreigners?
No. Foreign residents pay for treatment, at private or public hospitals, unless they are covered by Thai social security through a Thai employer. Thailand has no reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK.
Do I need health insurance to live in Thailand?
Some visas require it: the O-A, O-X and LTR all set minimum cover. The Non-O retirement and marriage visas do not. Either way, hospitals ask for a guarantee of payment before treatment, so insurance is strongly advised.
Which hospitals in Phuket are internationally accredited?
Bangkok Hospital Phuket and Bangkok Hospital Siriroj, both in Phuket Town, are accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI). Both are part of the BDMS group.
How much is health insurance in Thailand?
It depends mostly on your age, your medical history and the level of cover. Ask an insurance adviser for quotes at your age; premiums rise as you get older, and some policies stop accepting new members at a set age.
What is the emergency number in Phuket?
1669 for an ambulance, 191 for police, 199 for fire and 1155 for the English-speaking tourist police.
Hospital details, emergency numbers and visa insurance rules were checked in October 2026. Confirm cover and costs directly with hospitals and insurers. This is general guidance, not medical or legal advice.
Next steps
Want to live near the right hospital?
Tell Khun Mark what matters, from the school run to the drive to Phuket Town, and he will shortlist homes that fit.
