Getting sick or hurt abroad is the thing people quietly worry about. The good news: Phuket's healthcare is genuinely good, especially the private hospitals. The trick is knowing where to go for what, so you're not sat in an emergency room for a cold, or trying to tough out something that actually needs a doctor.

For something serious: the private hospitals

Bangkok Hospital Phuket is the big one. It's internationally accredited, part of the large BDMS network, and treats around 90,000 foreign patients a year with English-speaking coordinators. Bangkok Hospital Siriroj (also known as Phuket International) is another strong option, good for surgery and emergencies. These feel more like a hotel than a hospital ward, and the care is excellent. You pay for it, but it's exactly where you want to be if something is genuinely wrong.

For minor stuff: clinics and pharmacies

You don't need a big hospital for a stomach bug or an infected cut. Local clinics are everywhere, quick and cheap, and the staff usually speak enough English. And Thai pharmacies are brilliant: the pharmacist can hand over a surprising amount over the counter, antibiotics, strong antihistamines and the rest, without a prescription and for very little. For everyday niggles, start at the pharmacy.

Dentists

Worth a mention, because it surprises people. Thai dentists are excellent and cheap, often half the price of the UK or US or less, and many trained in the West. Plenty of expats simply time their check-ups and bigger dental work for when they're here.

In an emergency

Save these in your phone today:

  • 1669, the national ambulance line.
  • 1155, the tourist police (English-speaking).
  • Your nearest private hospital's direct emergency number.

If it's serious, a lot of people take a Grab or taxi straight to a private hospital's emergency department rather than wait for an ambulance, depending on traffic and how urgent it is.

The bit that catches people out Private care is high quality but not free, and hospitals will want payment or your insurance details. That's the whole reason to have cover. With the right policy the big hospitals bill your insurer directly, so you're not fronting a huge bill. I ended up at Bangkok Hospital Phuket at 3am in my fourth month here, the full story's in the health insurance guide, and it was a 15,000 THB lesson in why it matters.

FAQ

Where do expats go to hospital in Phuket?

For anything serious, expats use the private hospitals: Bangkok Hospital Phuket is the main one, internationally accredited and English-speaking, with Bangkok Hospital Siriroj (Phuket International) another strong option. Both are high quality and used to treating foreigners.

What is the emergency number in Thailand?

1669 is the national ambulance line and 1155 is the English-speaking tourist police. Save your nearest private hospital's direct emergency number too. For something serious, many people take a taxi or Grab straight to a private hospital's emergency department.

Do you need a prescription for medicine in Thailand?

Often not. Thai pharmacies dispense a wide range of medication over the counter, cheaply, and the pharmacists are knowledgeable. For everyday niggles the pharmacy is a good first stop, but see a doctor for anything serious.