Thailand is one of Asia’s more developed nations. If an expatriate from another country wishes to move there, he should be mindful of possible concerns of health care in Thailand. Health care in the country is a big issue for foreigners, especially Westerners.
Unlike a lot of Western and European countries, Thailand does not have a free or subsidized health care system for expats. If one gets sick in Thailand and needs to go to a hospital for treatment, one has to pay the appropriate fees. If one cannot pay, then he or she cannot avail of treatment.
That is why that expats should avail of health insurance so that they can get the best of health care in Thailand. Expats or visitors should have an international health policy from their home country or health insurance can be acquired from a reputable Thai health insurance firm. An expat has to know that there are various kinds of hospitals in Thailand. The most basic kind of hospital is the government hospital that caters to the Thai national insurance system.
The government hospital is extremely affordable for Thai citizens and costs a couple of dollars annually. This guarantees the Thai citizen of very basic treatment and health care services. Government hospitals are not suitable for people who want to avail of better and more expensive services.
Aside from the government hospital, there are also numerous private hospitals throughout the country and a lot of the rooms of these private hospitals cost no more than a hotel room. In Thailand, there are also some really expensive clinics that are world-renowned.
Before deciding to stay in Thailand for the long-term, an expat should be knowledgeable of the country’s health risks. Some of the health risks involved include AIDS/HIV, other STDs, stomach problems, and dengue fever. As much as 2 percent of the Thai population has HIV and expats going to the red light districts of Bangkok or any other Thai city should be mindful of this risk. Expats should practice safe sexual intercourse to avoid HIV and STD risks.
Stomach problems may arise in expats particularly after eating Thai food, which is really spicy. Moreover, these foods are not always cooked in safe and clean environments. As for dengue fever, this is common in Thailand especially during the rainy months.
Dengue fever can also be transmitted from person to person and the symptoms are similar to flu except for the red spot on the forearms. Anyone who does not feel well and has red spots on the forearms should immediately seek medical help.
In time, expats would become familiar with health care in Thailand. Once an expat knows the ropes on how to navigate the health care system, he or she can enjoy life in Thailand. The country has a lot to offer expats and their families as well as retirees. The country also has a good health care system that can address all sorts of health concerns that may be experienced by expats and the locals.
