tonyd

Thank you for mentioning this, Chalk Face. I have been planning to touch on this subject again for some time. Yes, there is two tier pricing in Thailand, at least in Phuket. But, there is no way AO's wife would know this because it relates to "international" insurance not "Thai" insurance. Since she sells only Thai-based insurance her clients would have never encountered the two levels of pricing.

I don't know how wide spread this is, but I have no reason to believe that it extends outside of the areas heavily populated by international tourists, such as Phuket. It may only be limited to Phuket. I haven't run across it anywhere else. But Phuket Hospital makes no secret of it.

Phuket Hospital has 2 sections, the "Thai" section and the "International Insurance" section. The International Insurance section is more expensive than the "Thai" section. Only people with "International Insurance" are put in the "International Insurance" section. Everyone else, farang or Thai, goes into the "Thai" section. But, they assure me, if you have Thai insurance and want to stay on the international side and pay the additional cost, you can.

International insurance costs buyers considerably more to purchase and pays considerably higher benefits. Since they have the additional coverage, Phuket Hospital apparently provides them some of the additional benefits they are covered for.

It makes sense. I have to admit, though, that I was shocked (calling for a client) when the very sweet and helpful person answering the phone at Phuket Hospital first quoted me one room rate and then lowered that rate by half when she heard my client had Thai insurance.