@Paulie ********

This post didn't age well. OP stood his ground and won. Stop playing the guessing game went you lack knowledge and most importantly, experience, in being in similar situations.

@Julie **********

Please stop "guessing" based on what you think. This isn't a guessing game, it's real life. I've been here since 2010 and have had many similar scammy encounters with Thai hospitals. You don't have to pay the scam and the police will very rarely be involved. In OP's case (as updated by him), they threatened to call the police but never did. It's almost always a bluff. If you stand your ground you are leaving the hospital without paying every time, as it happen to me many times. The price should NEVER be above what was mentioned at the beginning.

OP ended up paying 33.3% of the $600 ($200), after negotiating because his insurance refused to pay. He could have gone away with $0 if he had argue further, but whats the point?

@Craig *******

This is factually incorrect. You can refuse what they "choose", which will often be the most expensive option. The staff who told

@Ahmed *******

that insurance was covering it had no freaking clue, they just wanted the foreigner money. I've been here since 2010, I know how Thai hospitals operate. Ahmed did the right thing by standing his ground, as I told him to do so yesterday. He paid $200 extra to not argue anymore, with more pushing it would have been $0 extra. Next time, you need to stand your ground much earlier in the process (the second you test positive).

@Derek **********

Even if you overstay it's 500 baht per day and a notice in the passport... which is no big deal.

@Maxime ********

Chiang Mai airport is the most lay back in all Thailand. I travel through that airport more then 10 times. First, you overstayed by 1 day, not 12 hours, it's counted in days. Second, overstay is 500 baht fine per day, but for a day usually you don't get charged. Do you remember if you got charged and if so, how much? Third, no, you won't have problem when you come back. The stamp you got is a "overstay notice", which tens of thousands of foreigners get every year. I have had several of these stamps in the last 12 years. It's not a problem as long as you overstayed for less then 90 days. Anyone who tell you otherwise is using google at their information.

Do not listen to the newbies below with their "2 weeks" of life experience in Thailand. You DO NOT have to pay given the situation explained above. If the hospital refuse to speak with your insurance company with phone in hand you can at any time leave the hospital. The hospital is "testing" every foreigner resilience in such situation.

@Brian *******

is 100% correct.

@Bobby *******

You are a grumpy old fart, there is no retirement visa for under 50 years old :)

@Bobby *******

Some people have money and don't want to leave the country, and on the other end some people don't have 400k for a marriage visa, etc, but still want the visa. Yes, everyone gets their cut, but it's valid and authentic, all the stamps are the same you would get if you had done it yourself.

@Bobby *******

You said "dodgy visa" it's not dodgy it's authentic. The same goes for a lotto ticket on the black market, if you win you get paid, it's legit.