Bangkok Health Checkups: Costs, Packages, and Hospitals

Do you get unexplained, frequent headaches? Does your lower back hurt all the time? Is it hard for you to fall asleep at night?

These are questions you and many other expats might be facing here in Bangkok.

You could assume what the causes are, but it’s still better to seek professional help and find out what’s been causing your symptoms.

And the most effective way to find the root cause of your ailment is to get a health checkup.

This guide shows you how to find the right hospital for a health checkup in Bangkok, what packages are available, what the process is like, and how much it costs.

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Key Takeaways

  • Thailand is a great place to undergo a health checkup because of its quality and cost.
  • Private hospitals are a popular option among expats and tourists.
  • While there are many health checkup packages available, you mainly need to choose based on your age group.
  • It’s possible to just walk in without having to make an appointment.
  • You can also get a health checkup at a clinic, which can be more affordable than at a hospital.

Why are Health Checkups Important?

Health checkups help you find potential diseases or injuries before they become too serious to treat.

The human body is a complex system that goes through wear and tear.

As we age more, we become less supple and become more prone to diseases and injuries.

Whether it’s blood pressure that’s too high or blood sugar that’s too low, health checkups reveal what’s causing those pesky body aches and pains.

Why Thailand?

Expats usually find to their amazement how health checkups are a more pleasing experience in Thailand compared to back home.

a luxirious registration at Bumrungrad hospital
The waiting room inside Bumrungrad international Hospital.

International hospitals in Bangkok have English speaking medical staff. And walking into an international hospital is like stepping into a five-star hotel.

Quality 

There are many great hospitals in Thailand with experienced doctors and modern facilities. These hospitals are internationally certified.

This essentially means that the quality of the health check-up you receive in Thailand will be on a similar level to that from leading countries such as the USA, UK, and Germany.

Affordability

Health checkups in Thailand are some of the cheapest in the world. Average checkup packages start at just 3,700 baht. That’s roughly $112.

The price for this package gets you all the basic tests you need, such as:

  • body mass index test (BMI)
  • blood work
  • cholesterol checks

Compare this price with the average cost for a health checkup in America at $2,164.

You can even get a free health checkup from buying health insurance, in addition to medical treatment coverage. 

Convenience

Aside from the affordable prices, you should also get your health checkup in Thailand for the simple convenience of it all.

You can easily find hospitals online, compare services and prices, and make an appointment in just a few minutes.

Waiting time is comparably short and tests are usually completed in a few hours.

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You can complete your health checkup in half a day. This means you can schedule a hospital visit and still enjoy your vacation in Thailand.

Where to Get a Health Checkup? 

Depending on where you live or are staying in Bangkok, there are many government hospitals, private hospitals, and clinics that offer health checkups.

Private Hospitals

Private hospitals are the most popular options for expats. They mostly offer first-class healthcare and a majority of their doctors have gotten their medical degrees abroad.

Therefore, you can easily talk to and explain to your doctor your health concerns without worrying about anything getting lost in translation.

While private hospitals are the most expensive option, they are still cheaper than top hospitals in the West.

And you only spend a few hours getting a health check up at a private hospital compared to spending all day at a government hospital.

If you live in Bangkok, all premium hospitals provide health checkups. Even if prices tend to be a bit higher than some private hospitals in Bangkok, the overall experience is second-to-none.

Some of them are:

In addition to these premium hospitals, there are also smaller private hospitals that are more affordable, including:

If you live or are staying in Samutprakan, and would rather not travel to Bangkok, you can get a health checkup at:

Regardless of where you are, you’re bound to find a private hospital where you can have your health checkup done.

Government Hospitals

Government hospitals in Bangkok offer quality care for the price, and some of the doctors at government hospitals also practice at private hospitals.

But in most cases, doctors and staff won’t be as fluent in English as with private hospitals, so you may have some trouble explaining yourself if you can’t speak Thai.

Prices at government hospitals are cheaper, but they tend to be overcrowded.

You have to show up early in the morning and wait in long lines. The process can take almost an entire day.

And you won’t get to spend too much time talking to the doctor.

You can get a health checkup at government hospitals like

Clinics

You can also go to clinics in Bangkok for a health checkup.

If you’re near the Thonglor area check out MedConsult.

If you’re near Silom Road check out Global Doctor Thailand.

You can get cheap healthcare at these clinics, although the standards might not be on par with government and private hospitals.

When to Get a Health Checkup

You should start getting yearly health checkups when you’re in your twenties and thirties.

Although you may feel like there’s no reason to get one at this age, especially if you feel great, some preventive care can go a long way.

If you’re in your forties you may be too distracted with career and family life to get a health checkup. But you could be putting your health on the back burner.

It’s important to get regular health checkups at this age to check for the development of chronic ailments.

As you ease into the golden years of your fifties, your health checkups should be preventative in nature.

You can expect your health checkups to include:

  • bone density scans
  • fecal occult blood tests
  • hearing assessments
  • and many others

Cliche as it may sound, an ounce of prevention is still worth more than a pound of cure.

No matter what your age, with critical information about your health you and your doctor can come up with the right strategy to prevent health issues in the future.

Common Packages and Costs

The most common health checkup packages include tests for:

  • blood pressure
  • cholesterol
  • glucose levels
  • body mass index
  • complete blood count
  • kidney function
  • liver function
  • urinalysis
  • chest x-ray
  • electrocardiogram

If you’re female, you have the option to get a Pap test and mammogram.

If you’re male, you have the option for a testicular exam.

Here is a comparison of the most basic packages from three hospitals popular among expats for males under 30 years old.:

Common TestsBangkok HospitalVejthani HospitalSamitivej Hospitals
Physical examination
Vital signs, BMI
Complete Blood Count
Fasting Blood Sugar
Lipid Profile: Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Triglyceride
Kidney Function: Creatinine
Kidney Function: BUN×
Uric Acid
Liver Function: SGOT (AST) and SGPT
Urine Exam
Stool Exam with Occult Blood××
Chest X-ray
Electrocardiogram
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)××
Hepatitis Test××
4,900 baht4,900 baht5,000 baht

Depending on your age, other tests may be added such as:

  • eye checks
  • cervical cancer screening
  • prostate checks
  • hearing tests
  • abdominal ultrasound
  • lumbar hip tests
  • carotid Doppler
  • bone density scans

Prices for these tests range from 3,700 baht to over 30,000 baht depending on the type of health checkup you need. Prices can be higher for older patients.

Most basic programs will require a couple of hours, but programs with more tests may require four to six hours.

Choosing Your Package

Hospitals in Thailand offer an extensive array of choices when it comes to health checkups. In general, hospitals provide health checkup packages based on age range. 

You only need to get a health checkup based on it. If you need any extra tests, you can just tell your hospital about it. 

Age groupings and package names differ at each hospital, so you should talk to the medical staff to find out which of these packages to choose.

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Twenty to Thirty Years Old

The most basic programs like the ones in the table above are most commonly known as a basic package.

These checkups usually last two to three hours, and are recommended if you’re twenty to thirty years old. They cost about 3,070 baht to 5,000 baht.

Thirty to Fifty Years Old

The next level is the Executive Checkup. 

This checkup usually lasts three to four hours, and are recommended if you’re thirty to fifty years old. They cost about 11,500 baht to 21,700 baht.

This checkup comes with tests such as:

  • ALP
  • EKG
  • ultrasound
  • eye screening
  • hearing screening
  • tumor marker tests

Over Fifty Years Old

For those over fifty years old, there are packages that are sometimes called Comprehensive, Comprehensive Advanced, Ultimate Checkup, or Premium Life Program.

These packages are more suitable to senior citizens and are about four to eight hours long and cost between 23,900 baht and 38,750 baht.

These packages will include tests like:

  • Gamma GT
  • thyroid panels
  • Hepatitis screening
  • tumor markers
  • eye exams
  • Vitamin B12 and Calcium deficiency
  • electrolytes exam
  • bone density test for L-spine and hip
  • ankle brachial index
  • Microalbuminaria

Prenuptial Programs 

Many hospitals also offer Prenuptial Programs for people looking to get married or have kids

These tests include:

  • Hepatitis screening
  • ABO Grouping and Rh Group
  • Venereal disease
  • Anti HIV
  • Hemoglobin Typing
  • Rubella IgG

Prices for these tests range from 4,620 baht to 5,360 baht.

Making an Appointment

For a basic health check-up, you usually don’t need to make an appointment. You can just visit a hospital in the morning and ask for the health check-up. 

When it comes to a more comprehensive check-up, it’s better to make an appointment in advance. By making a prior appointment, it’s also possible to choose a doctor of your preference. 

They will also tell you exactly what you need to do to prepare for your health checkup.

You can make an appointment by calling a hospital or sending them an email.

Preparing for Your Health Checkup

When you have your health checkup scheduled, the hospital will tell you what you need to do to prepare yourself for the health checkup. You should strictly follow the instructions.

Here are a few things you normally need to do to get ready for the next day’s checkup:

  • Get eight hours of sleep. Sometimes, not having enough sleep can affect test results for body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate.
  • Wear comfortable clothing so nurses and doctors can get to your upper arms for the blood pressure tests.
  • Don’t eat or drink within eight to ten hours before your checkup. You could occasionally drink water to stay hydrated.
  • Don’t drink alcohol within 24 hours of your checkup. This may cause an abnormal result in your renal ammonia tests.
  • Continue your medications as prescribed by your doctor.

For women, don’t schedule a health checkup seven days before or after your menstrual period.

If you really need to get the checkup while on your period, tell the nurse so they can cancel the urine test.

You should also avoid a digital mammogram if you’re on your period since swollen breasts and tenderness are fairly common at this time.

Inform the nurse or doctor if you’re pregnant so they can cancel x-ray exams.

Tell your doctor if you have a chronic illness or other health problems.

And it helps your doctor if you can bring previous test results or medical reports.

What Your Results Mean

After your health check-up, you get a small medical book with all your results and the doctor meets with you to go over them.

The doctor usually asks questions about any chronic diseases, family health history, and your lifestyle.

Be prepared to have this info on hand since it helps your doctor to interpret the test results.

Your test results may come back as positive, negative, or inconclusive.

A positive test result means that a certain indicator for a health condition is present or higher or lower than normal.

A negative result may mean a substance wasn’t found or it’s present in normal amounts.

Inconclusive tests are, as the name implies, those that are neither positive or negative, or that the amount is clear enough to indicate normal levels or not.

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Follow Up Treatments

After your health checkup your doctor usually recommends doing exercise or making diet changes. He or she may even suggest more tests.

You can elect to take more tests right then and there, or you can waive them and take your medical concerns to another specialist.

Usually, doctors can also refer you to a specialist that they know if you don’t have one.

Paying with Health Insurance

A comprehensive health insurance plan usually covers the cost of a health check-up. 

For example, Cigna Global has an annual limit of 7,500 baht for a health check-up. With ACS Health in Asia, you can claim up to $300 (~9,000 baht) for a health check-up every three years. 

While the number may seem low, it’s sufficient for a basic health check-up in Thailand.
You can read our health insurance for expats in Thailand article to find out more information. 

Where to Get an STD, HIV, or AIDS Test?

You can visit any hospital in Bangkok to get an STD test. Many prenatal checkups or baby delivery packages also include STD tests. 

As for HIV/AIDS, you can check at any clinic. 

If you want to get tested at a clinic that specializes in checking for STDs, the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Center has an anonymous clinic where you can get an STD test at an inexpensive price.

For example, it costs less than THB200 to get an AIDS test. And you should know the results within an hour.

Do You Need an Annual Health Checkup?

How often you go for health checkups depends on your age.

If you’re in your twenties or younger, getting a health checkup once every two or three years should suffice.

If you’re in your thirties you should get a health checkup once every one to three years.

And if you’re in your forties or older, you should get a health check up every year.

If you smoke, drink, have hereditary health conditions, or possess any risk factors, your physician may recommend for you to come in more often.

And if you have a chronic condition, you may need to work with your physician to customize a personal checkup schedule.

Many insurance providers, including Luma and even Thailand Social Security, give you a free health checkup every year. Getting it can be a great way to keep your body in check.

Now, on to You

No matter what your age, gender, or current health condition, getting regular health checkups is a good way to identify health problems before they become bigger.If you’re still uncertain about which hospital to visit for your health checkup, check out these hospitals.

When not writing blogs and website content, Francine is busy with her hobby: photographing children and families.

1 thought on “Bangkok Health Checkups: Costs, Packages, and Hospitals”

  1. CBC, FBS,SGPT,
    Lipid Profile (F)
    S. Creatinine,
    S. Electrolytes,
    Anti H. Pylori antibody
    Urine for R/E
    ECG
    USG of W/A
    How much total price for check up
    Let me know.

    Reply

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