Healthcare in Pattaya

Emergencies

Call 1669 for an ambulance; it is the national emergency medical line coordinated by the National Institute for Emergency Medicine. The Tourist Police answer 1155 around the clock with interpreters, and 191 reaches the police. Private hospitals run their own emergency services: Bangkok Hospital Pattaya lists a 24-hour Emergency Medical Service Center on +66 38 259 986, and Pattaya Memorial says it has a 24-hour emergency room and an ambulance on call across the city.

Bangkok Hospital Pattaya says it is verified as a level 2 trauma centre by the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand, with a helipad, mobile intensive care ambulances and an emergency boat.

Getting to hospital, including from Koh Larn

Pattaya is compact, and most hospitals are within a short drive of Beach Road and Jomtien, although Sukhumvit Road and the central streets can be slow in the evenings and at weekends. Visitors to Koh Larn and the other islands off Pattaya depend on boats to reach the mainland, so allow for the crossing if someone is injured or falls ill there.

If a case needs specialist care that is not available locally, patients may be transferred to Bangkok by road or, for serious cases, by air. Road traffic injuries are common across Thailand; the World Health Organization reports that motorcyclists accounted for most of the country's road deaths in 2021.

Language and international patient services

Both Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and Pattaya Memorial say their interpreters cover more than 20 languages, though neither lists them all, so confirm your language before a planned visit. Bangkok Hospital Pattaya also offers insurance help and embassy liaison, and Pattaya Memorial's expat care service lists airport transfers and help with visa extensions for inpatients. Banglamung Hospital is listed by the Australian Embassy as serving patients in English and Thai.

Costs and insurance

Private hospitals in Pattaya generally charge less than the leading Bangkok hospitals but much more than the public hospital. Hospitals ask for a guarantee of payment before treatment, so keep your insurance details and your insurer's assistance number with you. Retirees and long-stay residents should check whether a policy covers pre-existing conditions and chronic care in Thailand, and ask the hospital whether it can bill the insurer directly.

Pharmacies and minor care

Pharmacies are found on most main streets, and many clinics treat minor illness and injury without an appointment. The UK government says pharmacies usually accept UK prescriptions, but warns that medicines sold on the street may be fake or stolen. For anything beyond a minor problem, use a hospital outpatient department.