- A private hospital bill for an outpatient visit usually combines a doctor's fee, a hospital service charge, and any tests and medicines.
- Few hospitals publish standard consultation fees; published examples on the pages we read included online consultations from 500 baht per 15 minutes and specialist visits from 1,000 baht.
- Public hospitals are generally cheaper for outpatient care but can charge foreigners more; one university hospital publishes a 500 baht service fee for foreign nationals.
- Doctor fees vary with the doctor's seniority and specialty, and can be the largest part of a private bill.
- Ask for an estimate before you are seen, and an itemised bill afterwards for insurance.
| Provider | Published fee | What the page says it covers | Valid | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samitivej Virtual Hospital (online) | Online health clinic from 500 for the first 15 minutes; specialist online clinics 800 per 15 minutes | Video consultation; medicine delivery charged separately (100 per route in Bangkok). Not for emergencies. | Colorectal rate and delivery fees to 31 Dec 2026; other rates undated | samitivejhospitals.com — Samitivej Virtual Hospital |
| Bangkok Hospital Siriroj, Phuket | Dermatology consultation from 1,000 | Starting fee for a consultation at the dermatology institute. | No date published | bangkokhospital.com — Phuket International Dermatology Institute |
| Superior A.R.T., Bangkok | Fertility consultation 1,000, plus 100 facilities fee; ultrasound 1,000 if required | In-person specialist consultation; remote consultation for patients abroad 3,000 per 30 minutes. | No date published | thaisuperiorart.com — FAQ |
| Mae Fah Luang University Medical Center Hospital, Chiang Rai (public) | Public health service fee for foreign nationals: 500 | Announced fee for foreign nationals; some groups, such as permanent residents and registered migrant workers, pay Thai rates. | From 1 Oct 2025 | mch.mfu.ac.th — Fee announcement for foreign nationals |
How an outpatient bill is built
At a private hospital in Thailand, the bill for a straightforward outpatient visit normally has several lines: the doctor's professional fee, a hospital or outpatient service charge, and then anything else done or prescribed, such as blood tests, X-rays, injections and medicines. A short visit for a minor illness can therefore cost several times the doctor's fee once medicines and tests are added.
Doctor fees in private hospitals vary with the doctor's specialty, seniority and the length of the visit, and are usually not published. Thailand's Consumer Council said in October 2025 that professional fees, mostly doctors' fees, made up about 45% of total private hospital costs in 2022, up from about 31% in 2018, and argued that they, rather than medicines, are the main driver of private hospital costs.
What hospitals publish
Published standard consultation fees are rare. Online services are the main exception: Samitivej's virtual hospital lists a general online consultation from 500 baht for the first 15 minutes and several specialist online clinics at 800 baht per 15 minutes, with medicine delivery charged separately. Some specialist departments also publish a starting fee: Bangkok Hospital Siriroj in Phuket lists dermatology consultations from 1,000 baht, and the Bangkok fertility clinic Superior A.R.T. lists a consultation at 1,000 baht plus a 100 baht facilities fee.
Many hospitals bundle the doctor's fee into health check-up and screening packages instead. That can make a package look good value if you also need the tests, but it is not the same as a consultation about a specific problem. Our guide to health check-up packages covers these in detail.
Public hospitals: lower fees, longer waits
The UK government's guidance describes government hospitals as tending to be cheaper for outpatient care, with considerably longer waits and fewer English-speaking staff than private hospitals, and notes that you may need to register before you can book. It also notes that tourists and short-term visa holders may be charged more than Thai nationals and foreigners who live in Thailand.
Some public hospitals publish their charges for foreigners. Mae Fah Luang University Medical Center Hospital in Chiang Rai announced a 500 baht public health service fee for foreign nationals from 1 October 2025, with permanent residents, registered migrant workers and some other groups charged at Thai rates. Separately, from 1 August 2026 Samut Prakan Hospital began charging 150 baht per visit to non-emergency patients using its emergency department overnight, citing a Ministry of Public Health circular, and a report on that change said Songkhla Nakarin Hospital charges 300 baht for similar visits. These are individual hospitals' charges, not national rates.
Many public hospitals run special after-hours or premium clinics where you can see a specialist with a shorter wait, at a higher fee than the regular clinic. Ask the hospital's information desk or international office what these cost.
Clinics, telemedicine and pharmacies
Outside hospitals, private clinics (known as 'polyclinics' or medical clinics) offer GP-type consultations, often in the evenings, usually at lower fees than hospital outpatient departments. Clinics must hold a facility licence from the Department of Health Service Support, whose lookup at hosp.hss.moph.go.th shows the licence type and status.
Online consultations are useful for minor problems and follow-up, but are not for emergencies: Samitivej's page states that its online service does not provide emergency care. For a medical emergency anywhere in Thailand, call 1669. Pharmacists can advise on minor ailments and sell some medicines without a prescription; our guide to pharmacies and prescriptions explains what to expect.
Insurance and avoiding surprises
If you have health or travel insurance, ask whether it covers outpatient visits, as many policies cover only inpatient care or have an outpatient limit. Some hospitals can bill insurers directly for outpatient visits; others will ask you to pay and claim back. Keep the itemised receipt and the doctor's notes or medical certificate for a claim.
Before you are seen, ask the registration desk for an estimate of the doctor's fee and service charge. Before you pay, check the itemised bill, especially for medicines, and ask about any item you do not recognise. Hospitals generally discuss fees before proceeding with tests or treatment if you ask; the UK guidance recommends checking fees in advance where you can.
Before you see a doctor in Thailand
- Ask for an estimate of the doctor's fee and the hospital service charge before you register.
- Ask whether the doctor is a GP or a specialist, and whether the fee differs by doctor.
- Check whether your insurance covers outpatient visits and whether the hospital can bill it directly.
- Ask what any tests or medicines will cost before agreeing to them.
- Keep your passport, insurance details and a list of current medicines with you.
- Ask for an itemised receipt and a medical certificate or notes if you plan to claim.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to see a doctor at a private hospital in Thailand?
Few hospitals publish standard fees. On the pages we read in October 2026, specialist consultations were listed from 1,000 baht at some providers, plus hospital charges, tests and medicines. Ask for an estimate before you are seen.
Are public hospitals cheaper?
Generally yes for outpatient care, but waits are longer and foreigners can be charged more than Thai nationals. One university hospital in Chiang Rai publishes a 500 baht service fee for foreign nationals.
How much is an online doctor consultation?
Samitivej's virtual hospital lists general online consultations from 500 baht for the first 15 minutes and several specialist online clinics at 800 baht per 15 minutes, with medicine delivery extra.
Why is my bill higher than the doctor's fee?
Private hospital bills usually add a hospital service charge, plus any tests and medicines. Ask for an itemised bill to see each charge.
Will my travel insurance cover a doctor's visit?
It depends on the policy; some cover only inpatient care or have outpatient limits. Check with your insurer and keep itemised receipts for a claim.
Sources
- Samitivej Hospitals — Samitivej Virtual Hospital
- Bangkok Hospital Siriroj — Phuket International Dermatology Institute
- Superior A.R.T. — Frequently asked questions (fees)
- Mae Fah Luang University Medical Center Hospital — Public health service fee for foreign nationals
- Hfocus — Samut Prakan Hospital fee for non-emergency patients in the emergency department (July 2026)
- Pattaya Mail — Consumer Council says private hospital costs are driven by doctor fees (October 2025)
- GOV.UK — Healthcare and medical services in Thailand
- Pattaya Mail — Public urged to check clinic licences on the Department of Health Service Support system
