Thread: Can anyone explain this World Hearlth Organization article to me???

Some background: My sister sent the article when I mentioned that I was giving my Thai girlfriend, 3000 baht a month for her mother's diabetes treatments. Although I am not wealthy, this is very affordable. My sister felt like it was a scam because she is suspicious of everything. My girlfriend has a straight job, unconnected to the bar circuit, and has yet to demonstrate any signs of being untrustworthy. It's difficult to discuss this article with her because her grasp of certain concepts in English is not good. She works at a restaurant and speaks and writes very basic English. It's hard to believe that her mother is unaware of any universal health care. I really had no answer for my sister when she sent this article, because I had always been told that poor people in Thailand had two options (1) get sick, and (2) Die. I'm just trying to find out if her mother has access to benefits that she may not be getting.

It could be that the Bills you are asked to provide for are genuine.

My understanding is that the 30 BHT scheme only covers the Hospital which you are registered for.

If you seek treatment in the Public System, but not at your registered Hospital, it could be pay as you go.

Also, the treatment might be through Thailand's Private hospital network and they, of course, charge for that.


So, some gentle information digging might be called for.

Find out what Hospital/Clinic she is being treated at.

Ask her what Hospital she is registered for.

Ask for a copy of the Hospital/Clinic Bill ... that will reveal a lot.


My MinL is Diabetic, but gets treated for next to nothing.

The Hospital's Doctor comes to the Local Village and treatment is free, but maybe she pays for the actual medicine.