by Caitlin Kenney

Bumrungrad.
Kate Raynes-Goldie/Flickr

The mezzanine of Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok.

David M. writes:

I am an expat American architect living and working in Bangkok, Thailand. I have been following the US health care debate closely. Bangkok happens to have some of the best private hospitals in the region, and patients fly here from all over the world for excellent treatment at affordable costs.

I happened to go with a friend last evening to the top hospital for "health care tourists" in Bangkok called Bumrungrad. The place felt like a stylish luxury boutique hotel, literally. Starbucks on 2 floors, Au Bon Pain, state of the art everything, etc. US and UK trained physicians.

 

My friend's bill for visiting his specialist doctor (that included a leisurely conversation of about 30 minutes) was just under $24. He got name brand medications that cost about $150 and I am sure the hospital profits from that. BUT, correct me if I am wrong, this is still really cheap!! I know lots of things cost less here in Thailand, including construction of hospital buildings and salaries of doctors and nurses. I believe malpractice suits (and lawsuits in general here) are rare, and the ones I have heard of paid very low settlements.

It's mind-bending to see what is possible here at affordable prices as compared with the US.