Thai hospitals publish more of their prices than almost anyone else in Asia — but the headline often isn’t the whole bill. The clearest example comes from Bangkok Hospital itself: its standard knee replacement package is 310,000 baht, and the implant isn’t included. Its robotic package is 460,000 baht with the implant. Read the exclusions before you compare.
What Treatment Actually Costs
Joint replacement — Bangkok Hospital’s published packages (international patients, valid to 31 December 2026):
| Procedure | Nights | Price | Implant included? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total knee replacement, one side | 4 | 310,000 baht | No |
| Total knee replacement, both sides | 5 | 500,000 baht | No |
| Anterior hip replacement, one side | 4 | 420,000 baht | No |
| Anterior hip replacement, both sides | 5 | 713,000 baht | No |
| Robotic knee replacement, one side | 4 | 460,000 baht | Yes |
| Robotic knee replacement, both sides | 5 | 745,000 baht | Yes |
| Robotic partial knee, one side | 3 | 402,000 baht | Yes |
Cancer treatment — published ranges:
| Range | |
|---|---|
| Chemotherapy | From about $1,000 |
| Breast cancer | $5,000–9,500 |
| Lymphoma | $6,500–12,500 |
| Leukaemia | $7,500–16,500 |
Private hospitals typically cost 30–40% more than public university hospitals.
Health check-ups in Bangkok:
| Package | Range |
|---|---|
| Basic | 3,700–8,000 baht |
| Executive | 13,000–30,000 baht |
| Comprehensive, over 50 | 34,000–45,900 baht |
The Exclusions That Change the Total
Bangkok Hospital’s joint replacement packages include the operating and recovery room, medical supplies, the surgical and anaesthesia teams, a standard room, nursing care, meals and post-operative medication.
They exclude:
- The implant, except in robotic packages
- Specialist consultation fees
- The pre-surgery medical clearance
- Laboratory and pathology tests
- ICU stays beyond the package allocation
- Treatment of underlying conditions, and medication for them
What that means in practice: the gap between the 310,000-baht standard knee and the 460,000-baht robotic knee is smaller than it looks, because only one includes the implant. Ask for the implant price before deciding the standard package is cheaper.
The Budget Limit Nobody Mentions: Time
Since 15 September 2026, the visa-free stay for 60 countries — including the US, UK, Canada and Australia — is 30 days, down from 60. A one-time extension of up to 30 days is possible, but discretionary.
That turns time into a budget item. For joint replacement, UK guidance advises avoiding long-haul flights for weeks after surgery, so a 30-day stay can run out before you’re cleared to fly. If your plan might run longer, look at the Non-Immigrant MT medical treatment visa — a one-year multiple-entry visa allowing 90 days per entry — and arrange it before you travel. Our how long to stay in Thailand after surgery guide covers this in detail.
Where Care Actually Happens
Orthopedics — five verified hospitals:
- Bumrungrad International Hospital (Bangkok) ✓ Verified by Wellmap — over 1.1 million patients a year from 190 countries, 30 specialised centres. JCI, ISO 9001, HIMSS Stage 7. Rated 4.8/5 across 8,900 reviews, premium.
- Bangkok Hospital ✓ Verified by Wellmap — one of Asia’s most advanced private hospitals, known for orthopedics and cardiac care, and the source of the package prices above. JCI. Rated 4.7/5 across 5,200 reviews, mid pricing.
- Vejthani Hospital (Bangkok) ✓ Verified by Wellmap — mid-size international hospital focused on orthopedic and spine surgery. JCI. Rated 4.6/5 across 1,200 reviews, mid.
Also verified: Phyathai 2 Hospital and Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.
Oncology — three verified hospitals: Bumrungrad International, Bangkok Hospital and Samitivej Sukhumvit ✓ Verified by Wellmap — a premium hospital known for oncology, fertility and paediatrics. JCI, ISO 9001. Rated 4.8/5 across 621 reviews, premium. How we verify clinics.
What to Bring
- Imaging and specialist reports on disc
- A list of what your home specialist has already tested — it may save you the separate clearance and lab charges
- Current medication list
- Proof of funds, and your return flight details for immigration
- If your stay may exceed 30 days, the hospital’s letter for an MT visa application
Getting Started
Ask each hospital for a written quote that names the implant and its price, the number of nights, and what the pre-operative clearance and tests will cost. See verified orthopedic clinics in Thailand, verified oncology clinics in Thailand, or ask our AI assistant.
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