Krabi Expat Guide
Hospitals and health insurance in Krabi
There are no international hospitals in Krabi. The nearest ones are in Phuket, some 2-3 hours' drive away. Krabi Hospital is definitely not of international standard, although some people find it adequate for minor treatments, particularly if you are able to tell them exactly what is wrong with you - diagnosis is not their strong point.
The private Muslim Hospital in Krabi Town is cleaner and has quicker service. They accept patients of all denominations for minor treatments. There are also several private clinics in Krabi Town, some run by specialist doctors. One example is the the paediatric clinic on Maharat Soi 9 (opposite Seng Ho bookstore, run by a doctor from Bangkok-Phuket Hospital).
Opthamologists are widely available - most expats use the excellent S.K. Optik shop, with branches in Ao Nang and Krabi Town.
Dentists are not considered to be very good here; for serious dental work it will be necesary to travel to Phuket or Bangkok.
International networks such as BUPA offer health insurance in Thailand, or you may be covered by your insurance from home. These schemes usually cover treatment in international hospitals, although you still have the problem of getting there in the first place.
Many drugs that are prescribed in the west are available over the counter in Thai pharmacies; if you have a regular prescription, you should be able to get it here directly from a pharmacy - remember to bring the generic name, as some drugs are marketed under different names in the Asia-Pacific region.
To commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami that devastated the coast of Krabi on December 26, 2004, The Sriphong Phukaoluan Foundation has produced a DVD to raise funds to sponsor children orphaned in the disaster.
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