Healthcare and insurance

Bangkok's private hospitals are among the best in the region, with English-speaking staff and short waits. They're also priced as businesses. Walk-in visits are straightforward; anything that needs admission will ask for a deposit or proof of insurance before treatment starts.

In an emergency call 1669, the national ambulance number. For anything less urgent, a private clinic or a hospital outpatient department is quicker than an ambulance in traffic.

Pharmacies sell many medicines over the counter that need a prescription at home, and pharmacists are a good first stop for minor problems. Bring your own prescription drugs in their original packaging with a doctor's letter, and no more than a 30-day supply. Controlled drugs, including many opioid painkillers, need a Thai FDA permit before you travel.

Insurance is the decision that matters. Visitors should buy travel cover that includes medical evacuation, and check it still pays if you ride a scooter. Residents on some long-stay visas, the O-A retirement visa among them, must hold a set level of cover; the healthcare guide lists the rule for each.

The catch: cheap local policies often exclude outpatient care and pre-existing conditions, and premiums rise sharply with age. Read the exclusions before you compare prices.