I've lived on Phuket for just short of seven years and have had excellent care for my family and myself at Bangkok Hospital (BKK), Bumrungrad Hospital and Bangkok Phuket Hospital. I found the doctors much more likely to spend some time talking to you and helping to solve your health problems - not at all like the rushed HMO doctors in the States.

Yeah - I too think they overdo the costs of medications at the major hospitals - but it is easy to politely refuse them - ask for the meds in an Rx - take them around the corner and get them filled for 1/2 to 1/5th of the cost. You do need to advocate for yourself. If you always open your wallet and give out what is asked - well . . . what can you expect?

My wife stayed in Bangkok Phuket Hospital about 3-4 years ago - for two weeks. The stay, including a colonoscopy, excellent care, doctor, take-home meds etc - about US$2000. (at the exchange rate at the time - don't forget the dollar has taken a HUGE dive in the last few years - not the Thais fault). That price was about what I paid for an emergency room visit in Tucson Arizona about 20 years ago.

Personally, I have been quite happy with the doctors here - and I HATE doctors in general and see them as bloodsucking **Bleep** (my bleep). But, most of them here are pretty good. I have had the good fortune to meet a few who really spent some time with me and helped solve some quite long-term nagging health issues that weren't well dealt with in the USA, Korea, Taiwan OR Saudi Arabia.

So - I like them here. My wife and I do have an agreement though to head to Singapore should we find ourselves with a SERIOUS health challenge for which we aren't sure what to do. Probably as good as you can get in Asia. I like St. Elizabeth's just off Orchard Rd.