PHUKET - The multi-tier prices for government hospitals to charge tourists higher fees are now in effect in Phuket, the chief of the Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) has confirmed.
“The new pricing regulation came into effect on Sept 29 at all three government hospitals in Phuket – Vachira, Thalang and Patong,” PPHO chief Thanit Sermkaew told The Phuket News.
“They can now charge different fees for the three groups of foreigners – migrant labourers (from Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam), foreigners staying on non-immigrant visas, and tourists,” he added.
The purpose of the regulation is to set standard prices for services at all government hospitals.
“This law focuses on foreigners who do not have any health and accident insurance. Even though the rates might be different (for different groups of people), the prices are now regulated by the government, so foreigners do not need to worry about being overcharged,” the PPHO chief said.
“The prices charged by government hospitals are certainly cheaper than those charged by private hospitals. Government hospitals will not overcharge for their services,” he added.