English-Speaking Hospitals in Phuket: Compared

Bangkok Hospital Phuket publishes the most for foreigners: free interpreters, an insurance desk and an emergency team ready 24/7. Bangkok Hospital Siriroj has 24-hour emergency cover, and Dibuk Hospital is open 24 hours. For an ambulance, call 1669. Check with your insurer whether it has a direct billing agreement with the hospital before you go.

By Vincent Nguyen and team

Nearest hospital by area

Pick the hospital by where you sleep, then by what you need. The table lists the closest hospital in this guide for each part of the island.

Emergency numbers and ambulances

Call 1669 for a medical emergency. The line is part of a countrywide network and is free of charge. The operators will usually transfer you to the nearest available hospital.

Most private hospitals send their own ambulances for emergencies within reasonable distances, usually for a fee. Bangkok Hospital Phuket and Siriroj run 1719 for critical care and transport. The Tourist Police hotline is 1155.

Bangkok Hospital Phuket: the international desk

Bangkok Hospital Phuket is the private hospital with the most published for foreigners. The Australian embassy list gives its languages as English and Thai. Daily professional interpreters cover Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Scandinavian languages and Spanish.

Interpreters cost nothing and also support your companions. Its emergency physicians, nurses and specialised teams are ready 24/7.

Good for

• Foreign patients who want an interpreter at no charge.
• Insured patients: with your consent the team asks your insurer for a Guarantee of Payment.
• Arrivals by air: a ground ambulance or private limousine from Phuket International Airport can be arranged, subject to insurance arrangement.

Skip if

• You self-fund and cannot front a deposit: for admissions a deposit is typically required unless a Letter of Guarantee is in hand, around 80% of the estimate.

Insurance and payment

Check with your insurer that the policy is valid for your stay and that a direct billing agreement exists with the hospital. Agreements are subject to extensions and suspensions over time.

A Guarantee of Payment is rarely a blank cheque and is usually limited by date, total amount or diagnosis. If your insurer is not on the accepted list you can still be treated, often by paying upfront and claiming later. The hospital takes cash in baht, major credit cards, Apple Pay and wire transfers.

Address and contact

2 / 1 Hongyok, Hongyokutis Rd, Taladyai, Muang, Phuket 83000. Main line 076 254 425; second line 076 655 000. The international insurance desk answers on +66 7625 4425, +66 7636 1000 or +66 7665 5000.

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Bangkok Hospital Siriroj: the trauma centre

Bangkok Hospital Siriroj sits just outside Phuket town on highway 402. It is part of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) and is accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI). The Australian embassy list gives English and Thai.

Good for

• Emergencies near Phuket Town and Wichit: 24-hour Emergency and Trauma Services and a fully equipped trauma centre operating 24/7.
• Transfers by land, sea and air through 1719.

Skip if

• You need a published insurer desk and interpreter list: Bangkok Hospital Phuket publishes both.

Address 44 Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Rd, Phuket 83000. Phone 076 361 888.

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Dibuk Hospital: open day and night in Wichit

Dibuk Hospital (โรงพยาบาลดีบุก) is part of the BDMS network and is certified to the HA standard. It offers services to both Thai and foreign patients. The schedule states it is open 24 hours.

Good for

• Residents of Rawai, Chalong, Kata and Karon who want a hospital with stated 24-hour opening.
• Patients who want a hospital certified to the HA standard.

Skip if

• You want an international insurer desk: Bangkok Hospital Phuket publishes one.

Address: No. 89/8-9 Moo 2, Chao Fah Road, Wichit Subdistrict, Muang District, Phuket 83000. Phones 076 298 298 and 076 609 050.

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Vachira Phuket Hospital: the main public hospital

Vachira Phuket Hospital (โรงพยาบาลวชิระภูเก็ต) is the main hospital of Phuket province and a Ministry of Public Health regional hospital. A person with no insurance or limited funds is likely to be admitted to a government hospital.

Good for

• Self-funders watching costs: government facilities normally cost less than private ones.

Skip if

• You need English beyond the doctors: in government hospitals most doctors can communicate in English, but nursing and other staff are unlikely to.
• You are a tourist or on a short-term visa: you may be charged higher fees than residents.

Address: 353 Yaowarad Rd, Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000.

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Patong Hospital: the west-coast public hospital

Patong Hospital (โรงพยาบาลป่าตอง) is on Sainamyen Road in Patong. Phone 076-342 633-4.

Good for

• Anyone living in Patong: it is the hospital in the same town.

Skip if

• You need a translator: nursing and other staff in government hospitals are unlikely to speak English. The Tourist Police on 1155 can help via the Tourist Assistance Centre.

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Thalang Hospital: the north of the island

Thalang Hospital (โรงพยาบาลถลาง) is at 358 Moo 1, Thep Krasattri, Thalang, Phuket 83110. Phone 076-311034. Its internal phone list includes an accident and emergency unit.

Good for

• Thalang and Bang Tao residents who want a hospital with an accident and emergency unit on their side of the island.

Skip if

• You need English beyond the doctors: other staff in government hospitals are unlikely to speak it.

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Mission Hospital Phuket: Phuket Town

Mission Hospital Phuket is at 4, 1 Thep Krasattri Rd, Ratsada, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000.

Skip if

• You need confirmed emergency hours: Bangkok Hospital Siriroj has a trauma centre operating 24/7.

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Paying: deposits, guarantees and your passport

Show your passport at both public and private hospitals; it is mandatory to get treatment. All hospitals require a guarantee of payment before treating patients.

At a private hospital, self-funding patients are usually asked for a cash deposit before treatment begins. Most private hospitals have an international liaison officer who can liaise with insurance companies.

For a longer stay after treatment, see how to extend a tourist stay in Phuket. Bangkok Hospital Phuket supplies the paperwork; the Immigration Office takes the filing.

Next, read the first week checklist and where to live in Phuket to place yourself near the right hospital.

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Not confirmed: English staff on every shift at Patong, Thalang and Vachira: phone before you go. Prices and insurers: ask Siriroj, Dibuk and Mission for an itemised quote and ask your insurer whether it pays them directly. Whether Mission takes night emergencies: choose a hospital with stated round-the-clock cover.

General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

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