MRI and CT scan costs in Thailand: published prices and what they cover

How hospitals price a scan

An MRI or CT bill in a Thai private hospital is usually built from several parts: the scan itself, any contrast agent injected to show blood vessels or soft tissue, the radiologist's fee for reading the images and writing a report, and, if you were sent by a doctor in the same hospital, that doctor's consultation fee. Some hospitals also add a hospital service charge to outpatient bills.

That is why a published 'MRI from 12,000 baht' figure and the amount you eventually pay can differ. The Bangkok International Hospital promotion we read, for example, states that the radiologist's interpretation fee is included and that any additional investigations are not. Bangkok Heart Hospital's heart and lung CT package includes the cardiologist's consultation fee but excludes additional specialists, treatment and medication.

Price also depends on what is scanned. A single knee or shoulder is a shorter examination than a whole spine, and a scan with contrast takes more time and materials than one without. Ask the hospital to quote for the exact examination your doctor has requested, using the same wording that will appear on the request form.

What hospitals publish, and what they do not

Hospitals in Thailand rarely publish a full imaging tariff. What appears online is mostly promotions: a discounted MRI for a named joint, a screening CT bundled with a consultation, or a PET/CT package. These usually carry an expiry date and are sometimes limited to people buying through the hospital's online shop or to Thai nationals and expatriates living in Thailand.

On the pages we read, Bangkok International Hospital listed one-sided shoulder and knee MRI at 12,000 baht, ankle at 13,500 baht and spine at 13,500–15,900 baht until 31 December 2026. Bangkok Heart Hospital listed a combined coronary calcium score and low-dose lung CT at 9,900 baht, and Bangkok Hospital Phuket listed PET/CT at 65,000 baht. We did not find published standalone prices for other common examinations, such as a brain MRI or an abdominal CT with contrast, on the official pages we read, so ask for a written quote rather than assuming these figures apply.

Public and university hospitals also offer MRI and CT, generally at lower prices, but waiting times for non-urgent scans can be long and the fees for foreigners are not usually published in English. If cost matters more than speed, ask a public hospital's international or outpatient department what a scan would cost and how long the wait is.

Do you need a referral?

Private hospitals in Thailand generally let you book a consultation without a referral, and promotions such as the joint MRI offer are aimed at people with symptoms like knee or back pain. In practice the hospital may still want a doctor to see you first, to decide which scan is appropriate and whether contrast is needed. That consultation is normally charged separately.

If a doctor at home has already requested a scan, bring the written request and any previous images and reports. Ask the Thai hospital whether its radiologist can follow that request, or whether one of its own doctors needs to review it. Either way, confirm in advance who will explain the results to you; a radiologist's written report is not the same as a consultation about what to do next.

Safety questions to raise before an MRI or CT

MRI uses a strong magnetic field, so hospitals screen for pacemakers, some implants, metal fragments and certain devices before scanning. Tell the hospital in advance about any implant and bring its documentation if you have it. CT uses X-rays; tell the team if you are or might be pregnant.

Contrast agents can be unsuitable for people with some kidney conditions or previous reactions, so the hospital may ask for a recent blood test before a contrast scan. If you are claustrophobic, ask whether sedation is available and what it costs, and whether you will need someone to accompany you home afterwards. This guide does not replace clinical advice; ask the referring doctor or radiologist about your own situation.

Insurance and getting your images

If you hope to claim on insurance, contact your insurer before the scan. Many policies cover diagnostic imaging only when a doctor has requested it for a specific symptom, and screening scans bought as promotions are often excluded. Hospitals generally want a guarantee of payment or a deposit; ask what the hospital needs from your insurer and how long approval takes.

Ask for the radiologist's report in English and for the images themselves on disc or by secure download, in a standard medical imaging format, so a doctor elsewhere can review them. Keep an itemised receipt showing the scan, contrast, report and any consultation separately; insurers and doctors at home will want to see exactly what was done.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Bangkok International Hospital (Bangkok Hospital group) — Special promotion on MRI scan
2. Bangkok Heart Hospital — Heart and lung CT scan package
3. Bangkok Hospital Phuket — PET/CT scan
4. GOV.UK — Healthcare and medical services in Thailand
5. Pattaya Mail — Consumer Council says private hospital costs are driven by doctor fees (October 2025)