Medical tourism in Thailand

What treatments cost at Bangkok's hospitals in 2026, how the medical visa works, and how to plan the trip.

Updated October 2026 · Prices in baht with US dollars at about ฿33.5 = $1

Not medical advice This guide covers costs and travel planning only. Talk to your own doctor or dentist before booking treatment abroad, and get a written quote and treatment plan from the hospital or clinic. Prices change; always confirm before you travel.

Thailand is one of the world's best-known destinations for medical travel. Bangkok's large private hospitals treat patients from all over the world, publish package prices online, and have international patient teams who handle appointments, interpreters and paperwork. For some treatments, the total cost including the trip is well below what patients pay at home.

This guide is about the money and the logistics: what things cost, how to plan the trip, and what to watch out for.

What people travel for, and what it costs

TreatmentPriceAbout
Health check-up, Bumrungrad Executive Program฿16,300–20,700$487–$618
Dental implant + crown, per tooth (BIDC)฿60,000–95,000$1,791–$2,836
All-on-4, per jaw (BIDC)฿290,000–330,000$8,657–$9,851
FemtoLASIK or ReLEx SMILE, both eyes (Bangkok Hospital)฿101,000$3,015
PRK, both eyes (Bangkok Hospital)฿71,000$2,119

Prices from Bumrungrad International Hospital (valid to 31 December 2026), Bangkok International Dental Center (BIDC) (package rates to 31 October 2026) and Bangkok Hospital (to 31 December 2026). Each has its own detailed guide below.

Is it really cheaper?

For bigger treatments, often yes. A single dental implant with crown costs about $3,000–5,600 in the US according to NewMouth, against roughly $1,791–$2,836 in Bangkok. US LASIK averages about $2,246 per eye in 2026 (All About Vision), close to $4,500 for both eyes, against about $3,015 for both eyes at Bangkok Hospital.

For a single small treatment, the flight and hotel can cancel out the saving. The maths works best when you combine several treatments, or when the trip is a holiday you were taking anyway.

Choosing a hospital or clinic

  • Accreditation. Look for international accreditation such as JCI on the hospital's own website.
  • Published prices. The big hospitals publish packages online. Ask for a written quote that lists what is and is not included.
  • Doctor profiles. Check the named doctor's training and specialty, not just the hospital brand.
  • Aftercare plan. Ask what happens if you need follow-up after you fly home, and who pays for it.
  • Your own doctor. Share the plan and records with your doctor at home before and after.
What we will not cover Some clinics advertise treatments abroad that are not approved at home, such as unproven stem-cell therapies. Treatments are often restricted elsewhere because the evidence is weak or the risks are high. We only cover established procedures with published prices.

Visas for medical travel

Most visitors get 30 days visa-free from 15 September 2026, enough for a check-up, LASIK or one stage of dental work. For longer treatment, Thailand has a Tourist Visa (Medical Treatment). According to the Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC, it allows a stay of up to 60 days, extendable once by 30 days, costs $40, and requires a hospital appointment letter and bank statements. Up to three immediate family members can accompany the patient. Apply online through the official Thai e-Visa site. See Thailand visa rules.

Planning the trip

  • Stay close to the hospital. Bumrungrad is on Sukhumvit Soi 3 near Nana and Phloen Chit BTS stations, where hotels range from budget to serviced apartments.
  • Build in spare days. Do not fly out the day after a procedure. Ask the hospital how long to stay.
  • Pay smart. Hospitals accept cards. A card with no foreign transaction fee, paying in baht, saves 2–3% on a large bill.
  • Insurance. Standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment and its complications. Ask insurers about cover for medical travel specifically.

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Questions people ask

Is medical treatment cheaper in Thailand?

For many procedures, yes. For example, a dental implant with crown costs about ฿60,000–95,000 at BIDC in Bangkok versus about $3,000–5,600 in the US. Include flights and hotels when comparing.

Which hospitals in Bangkok treat international patients?

Large private hospitals such as Bumrungrad International and Bangkok Hospital have international patient centres and publish package prices online.

Do I need a visa for medical treatment in Thailand?

Not for short treatments: most visitors get 30 days visa-free. For longer stays there is a Tourist Visa (Medical Treatment) of up to 60 days, extendable by 30 days.

Does travel insurance cover medical tourism?

Usually not. Standard travel insurance generally excludes planned treatment and its complications, so ask insurers about specific cover.

Keep planning