Encounters in the Thai Hospital

We have had our first encounter with the Thai health care system and it was as pleasant as could be expected. It all began when we were rushing to get the ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Ko Lanta. I went to put my shoes on and scraped my hand across a broken glass window valance. Although it was not a large cut it was right between my index and middle fingers, was quite deep and I immediately suspected that I might need stitches. However, we were unable to change our ferry tickets, and being the budget minded travelers we are, I grabbed a wad of towels and we headed onto the ferry.
Once we arrived in Ko Lanta we settled into our bungalows and learned that the cost of a taxi to the hospital would be 1500 bht but the cost of renting a moped for 24 hours would be 250 bht. Of course we choose the moped and my ambulance driver (Kenny) did great sound effects all along the drive. He also took a wrong turn along the way so we traveled on some dirt roads, through a rubber plantation, and saw some monkeys.
Once we got there we signed in, waited about five minutes, and then had a very professional nurse named Bee, who spoke limited English, numb me up and give me some stitches. While I was being taken care of I admired the geckos running along the ceiling and the view of palm trees and jungle through the open windows. Nurse Bee sent us on the way with pain killers, antibiotics, stitches, and a bill for the entire experience for 540 bht or about $16.30 USD. We must have been in the hospital for no more than 45 minutes. When we left the hosptial we headed out to explore the island since we got to keep our "ambulance" for 24 hours. The only bad thing is that I can't get my stitches wet for seven day and I look kind of funny in the pool and ocean holding my hand up in the air.