Tofer

On 4/17/2021 at 12:00 PM, krabi local said:

Land prices are ridiculous in Krabi I think some people believe there is gold in the ground.

Currently there is land in Nong Thale (near Krabi international school) at 3.5 million per Rai.

Chon Plee 1.5 million for just over 1/4 Rai

A friend of mine just bought a hong in Lanta Noi for 58% of the asking price 2 years ago.

Some owners are getting desperate, especially if there's a Khai Phat (spelling?) waiting in the wings for his money.

Wait until after this high season, and maybe the next. There'll be lots of bargains around.

On 6/28/2021 at 6:06 PM, Dr B said:

We got 1 rai at a family price

What is a family price??

On 7/31/2021 at 5:19 PM, Airalee said:

I don’t live in Krabi although I have been there a couple times and have thought about living there.  One thing that I found lacking was a cinema that showed movies in English as the local multiplex is pretty much all Thai dubbed films.  A small art house style cinema showing movies in English (don’t even have to be new release movies) would be nice to have down there.

We have in Koh Lanta.

On 10/27/2021 at 11:06 AM, bougnat said:

Open driving schools, real ones, you have a potential of 70 million customers, and if successful .... your statue in the center of all the cities of Thailand.

 

 

Why would Thais need a driving school to pass a test that doesn't require them to know how to drive!

If you really want to fly in the face of tradition, start a refuse contracting company, and see if you can clean up the region "properly", with a street bin service, a proper 'dog proof' home wheelie bin refuse service, street cleaning and landscape maintenance service (particularly in Koh Lanta). 

The government are spending billions of baht on infrastructure projects, roads, airport and another bridge to Lanta Noi, so perhaps you could convince them it would be a good investment to create a clean environment also.... You might include an education program / campaign, to "Keep Krabi Clean", good luck with that.

There's a new place called "The Anchor Place" in Baan Hua Laem, on the East coast about 4 km South of Old Town. It's highlighted / tagged on Google Earth.

Woody and Mimi are very pleasant hosts, tel. 0846-471-361, and can speak good English. They have a large artificial sandy beach up to their sea wall, so it's a sea front location. East coast Lanta is very peaceful and unspoilt, and Old Town is the nicest town on the island, where most local boat / island tours leave from Old Town pier, (check availability in these restrictive times).

6 hours ago, superal said:

Just a quick update . I attended the clinic below and had 2 MRI and 1 MRA . The first 2 MRI were on lumbar and also cervical , 3rd was MRA on my carotid arteries . Inside scanner for 1 hour 30 minutes for first 2 , taken out briefly for 1 minute or so to have contrast injection set up , then back in for another 30 minutes MRA . Not a particularly pleasant experience but \i knew what to expect as I have had MRI scans before , secret is to be relaxed and self hypnotic . The staff were very helpful and totally professional . I would not hesitate to use them again . Total cost including contrast was 22500 baht . Received scans on a cd  and the doctor will call me in 2 days to give her interpretation of the results ( speaks English )

 

PRACHACHUEN IMAGING CENTER CO.,LTD (Headquarter)

86 Thetsaban Songkhro Road, Lat Yao Subdistrict, Chatuchak District, Bangkok 10900

TEL: +662-953-9469 l LINE @mrithailand 

Good to hear you're getting sorted.

34 minutes ago, superal said:

BNH ? is that Bangkok hospital in Bangkok ? I do not have my xray or mri  films so I suppose I would have to go through that again ? 

Today I had a quote from the Vejthani Hospital for an MRI at 18500 to 25000 without contrast plus doctor fees and they know I do not have insurance, told them too expensive . They said , sorry take care . Do people pay these prices ?

Sorry about the print style , cannot change ,have to turn off and start again.

BNH is the Bangkok National Hospital, can't remember what they quoted for an MRI. A quick phone call will get you the answer.

Assuming you can cope with the tunnel / doughnut style MRI scanner, it's only B8,500 at the Bangkok Christian Hospital, maybe need a doctors examination and referral first, but that costs only B800. 

The Bangkok Hospital have  / had a promotion @ B9,000 for lumber spine MRI in an open MRI scanner, but you definitely have to subject yourself to their doctors examination and referral first, at B1,700 total.

The MRI Centre in Prachachuen have a more open scanner @ B12,500, not sure about needing a referral, as Dr Weerasak sent me there with his referral and scan request.

Rather than waiting until next June and paying to return to the UK, I personally would spend that money on one of the recommended surgeons, Sheryl highlighted, and get your life back now, assuming you are currently inThailand.

On 11/14/2021 at 3:04 PM, davidkas said:

Yup that's what it will be eventually but they say until I can barely walk, start loosing control of my bowls or so much pain I am unable to live any kind of life they wont consider surgery

I agree with Sheryl, and it might be good to get a second opinion anyway.

On 11/13/2021 at 3:20 PM, superal said:

Thought so , mine was with the overrun NHS who I don't think would take too kindly to that request .  As it stands my next appointment in the UK with the NHS spinal surgeon is next June and that is just for a review of my condition . He is reluctant to operate on me and preferred me to take pain killers , none of which work or 2nd step was to be physiotherapy . BTW , I took my Thai MRI pics with me to the UK but the surgeon said they were inferior and could not be enhanced on his computer and so I had another MRI done . Trying to contact them , even when in the UK , is very long winded as they put you in a queue and sometimes up to number 20 something . ( once I queued for 45 minutes, spoke a couple of words and was cut off ) . I was not a happy bunny .   Sorry to say that the once great NHS is broken and as an example there are waiting times of up to 5 years for hip or knee replacement operations and with the winter around the corner plus the covid pandemic there are serious concerns for the NHS .

In which case, I wouldn't bother with the UK, assuming you can afford, or have health insurance, to cover private treatment in Thailand.

You could still make it more affordable by visiting the government hospitals where these good surgeons also practice, just be prepared for more of a wait and some queues. You won't get the 2 day whirlwind service I got in the private hospitals, but still no where near the years waiting you noted in the UK, and no airfares to UK. 

Hope it all works out for you.

On 11/13/2021 at 2:49 PM, superal said:

Unfortunately all images are in the UK 

Bangkok Christian hospital is B8,500 for a lumber MRI, and probably a bit cheaper than the B2,400 I paid for 4 X-rays at the Bangkok Hospital Phuket.

3 hours ago, superal said:

I can understand your ordeal cos the first time I had an MRI it was a bit scary being so confined and the 45 minutes seemed like hours but I have had 3 since and learned how to control my nerves and put myself into a semi hypnotic state .

That's the biggest hurdle over with then.

Now go and see the doctor with your MRI and X-ray images , and hopefully get yourself sorted, once and for all. ????

I've just seen a video of an ''upright MRI scanner'' in USA. It looks far less confining and stressful than the ones you are required to lie down in with a massive machine squashing your nose and stomach.  

How I wish this had been available last week in Thailand, but hey ho, it's only money, and I survived the anesthetic.

4 hours ago, Galong said:

Yes, when we set up our business account they wanted all sort of things that I considered none of their business, such as income amounts.

Why is it none of their business? Or do you have no intention of paying income tax in Thailand.

18 hours ago, superal said:

Before he operated on you did he explain the risks and/or the percentage rate of success ? 

Your story is encouraging and there is nothing better than a good recommendation , thanks to you and Sheryl for taking the time to give such good info  .

Yes he did, thoroughly and unhurried. The risks were the usual risk of infection, the anesthesia and of course the operation.

I'd already been under anesthetic, the previous day for my MRI scan, so was unconcerned about that. Infections can be treated, post op. if necessary, so a relatively minor concern. 

I was concerned that he was working so late after being at Chulalongkorn Hospital, but he assured me he was only in for a couple of meetings, and he was bright eyed and bushy tailed while reviewing my scan images at 8-8.30pm in the evening. I was thoroughly reassured that he was conducting himself professionally, with due care and concern.

He explained the operation risks which, worse case scenario, were potentially loss of the use of a foot only, in my case, if he touched and damaged the nerves, and he described the alarm system which would be hooked up to my nervous system to indicate if he touched the nerve during the operation.

Being perfectly honest, I was not in the least bit nervous about the operation, even whilst lying awake for 20 mins inside the operating theatre, watching the surgical team prepare, whilst I waited for the anaesthetist to knock me out. Quite frankly, I was in a living hell anyway, with my sciatic pain and disability, so there was little to lose, in my mind.

I would not recommend someone so highly in respect to such an important subject, unless I was completely confident in their abilities and professionalism. I would send my child to see him if the need arose, and would certainly not spend so much time suffering as I did, should the need arise again.

Dr Weerasak literally saved my life overnight, since the life I had pre-op. was no life at all. You've seen the CV Sheryl posted, and I've looked at many others in my early days of searching. I don't believe I've seen any better. Have a look around by all means. When I met him, I took him at face value, since I'd not seen his CV on the BCH website.

I can fully understand your concerns, and rightly so, but I personally would not hesitate for a second, another time around.

If you're suffering, why not simply take a trip to see him, and see for yourself, you don't have to commit to any treatment, if you're not confident. He will spend as much time as you need to explain the whole procedure for you to feel confident and comfortable.

Compared with a visit to my GP in the UK years ago, wherein I was cut short and told she only had 10 mins / patient, and I was not at liberty to raise an additional issue of concern, my consultation with Dr. Weerasak was akin to meeting a friend for a relaxed chat and, believe me, I like to chat... He had a queue of patients waiting outside, but never once indicated any haste to get done with me.

Good luck.

2 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

He is also at Vejthani Hospital and Bangkok Hospital.

 

His impressive CV can be seen here  https://www.vejthani.com/doctor/dr-weerasak-singhatanadgige/

Interesting, thanks.

I never got to see his CV, as the BCH didn't display it, but once I'd seen him I felt very comfortable in his hands, and didn't investigate further. Truth is I didn't have the time to...., it was a whistle stop schedule.

Not only is his CV impressive, he is a thoroughly good / decent and pleasant person, who truly has his vocation in his heart. I cannot imagine you would find any better.

I feel very sorry that his lovely wife and daughters have to take second stage to his work, and only hope I can repay him in kind with our open invitation for them to have a holiday based with us in Koh Lanta.

On 10/26/2021 at 11:49 PM, Golden Triangle said:

I went to Bangkok Pattaya hospital when I started having balance problems, 25 k baht for a brain scan ( MRI ) that was about 3 or more years ago, I still have the CD of the event, they couldn't even get the date right. Took it to another hospital, same result, fall a huge scam.

 

Oh, and the problem gets progressively worse, chuffin great, not.

If you're still suffering, get along to see Dr Weerasak at the Bangkok Christian Hospital in Silom. I wholeheartedly recommend him.

4 hours ago, superal said:

I had an MRI spinal scan at the Bangkok hospital in Korat last year . The doctor wanted to operate on me the next day to ease up the pinching by 4 vertebrae on the sciatica nerve . Operation in excess of 1 million baht . I declined as I had a need to return to the UK  . In the UK I asked my doctor for some pain relief tablets but instead was given a referral to my local hospitals spinal unit . The surgeon viewed  by MRI films from the Korat BH and said they were not clear enough to be enhanced on his computer and told me to have another MRI scan on their more modern equipment , which I did and it took 45 minutes .

However the interpretation did not reveal anything too untoward accept that of spinal stenosis cause by degenerative bone disease . He decided trying pain killers , which I did and no benefit , 2nd would be physiotherapy and finally surgery which he said would carry a risk and was loathe to operate .  When I sit down there is no pain but standing and walking ( maximum 100 meters is my limit )  just knots me up with the pain radiating to my hips and I have to sit down.

 If the cost of MRI is a major factor , there is a company based in Bangkok that specialise in MRI/ MRA scan only and appear to be very competitive . They recently quoted me 6000 baht for a neck scan on my carotid arteries . Company name is    Prachachuen MRI Center

That's the one, Pratchachuen MRI Centre. I was quoted B12,000 for the cost of a lumber MRI scan in their open scanner, via a referral from Dr Weerasak of the Bangkok Christian Hospital.

It was not the one I had, as I explained earlier, I returned to the Bangkok Christian Hospital for an anesthetic MRI scan, and this was in the old style tunnel / doughnut scanner. I'm led to believe the imagery of these older style machines is clearer than the newer open type scanners. The scan was B8,500, and the anesthetic plus health examinations was approx. B27,000.

I sat down with Dr Weerasak in front of my scan images, and it was extremely clear that I had a severely herniated disc, as the light coloured conduit (sciatic nerve channel) with grey streaks inside was completely trapped at my L4/5 disc, it was a completely black void with absolutely no evidence of any such channel / conduit. My pain level was running at maximum, so there was no pretending it was not severe. There was no question of my sitting on a plane back to the UK for 13-14 hours, I struggled with a 1 hour 20 minute flight from Krabi to Bangkok. Plus I would not have got the same instant treatment, as I got from Dr Weerasak late on a Friday night, when he should have been at home with his family.

As I noted before, I would have absolutely no reservations about recommending Dr Weerasaks' team at the BCH, I am 100% delighted with my treatment and the unbelievably satisfactory outcome. I no longer spend all day and night in screaming pain in all positions, sitting standing or lying down, and expect a full recovery of my mobility, when the operation wound is completely healed, and my back has recovered / strengthened in the next couple of months.

Should the need arise again, I would be completely confident to place my life in Dr Weerasaks hands, as I trust his, and his teams, expertise and professionalism implicitly. Had it not been for Covid, and the wait for vaccinations, I would have been there months ago.

Your quotation from Korat sounds somewhat excessive, although I am not aware of the extent of the surgery they proposed. It sounds like you would have needed micro discectomy surgery to remove the bone impingements on your nerve. FYI, my surgery, care, 1 night hospital stay and medication amounted to approx. B300,000, including the anesthetic MRI scan. Even without health insurance, I'm still quids in compared to the outrageous insurance premiums I would have paid over many years, and happily I can afford to take the risk.

I would unreservedly recommend you make a trip to the BCH and consult with Dr Weerasak about your problem. B600 for his initial consultation. Alternatively, if you are not desperate, he also practices from the public Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok, which would likely be cheaper, but not so instantaneous.

Life's too short and precious to suffer such debilitating pain, get it sorted. ????

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Very helpful, thanks.

I had no idea the Prachachuen MRImplace had an open scanner, very good to know.

You're very welcome, the least I could do, and thank you for all your efforts in supporting peoples medical enquiries.

17 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Thank you for the update. I'm glad it all worked out for you.

 

Two questions, for future reference:

 

1 - When you say it didn't work out at Bangkok Hospital, what exactly was the problem? Did they nto have an open machine or what?

 

2 - Is the imaging center you refer to this one, or another?    https://www.mrithailand.com/en/

1. Bangkok hospital, Bangkok have the open scanner, as you advised.

It was entirely my problem with not being able to stay still for an hour in the scanner with my pain, and my underlying claustrophobic tendencies, since the overhead plate is over your face and very close. They administered a sedative and sleeping tablet, but they had no effect whatsoever, until about 5 hours later.

They were somewhat cursory in their approach, in that they did not have me change out of my clothes, simply whipped my shorts off on the scanning tray.

I was also unimpressed with the doctor who made the preliminary examination. He was quite aggressive and inconsiderate of my pain. Of course the environment was akin to a 5* hotel, however that's not what's important. I would not recommend them, especially since the MRI scanner in Prachachuen is better, in my opinion, and you don't require the obligatory doctors examination, as in the hospitals. However, I did have the referral from Dr. Weerasak of the BCH, so perhaps that's not a valid comment, although I imagine there may be a way to access a scan without a referral, but I'm not entirely sure.

The Bangkok Christian hospital is perfectly acceptable in it's presentation, and the medical team were excellent, in their manner and performance, plus you'll likely save a bit of money in comparison to the sparkling private hospitals.

The journey and hotel costs, were more than worth it, since the Phuket BH is both showing it's age, and the most expensive of all 3 hospitals I visited, although Dr. Treenarong there was very good.

2. Yes, that's the place. The MRI scanner is shown in the gallery photos, along with the very sympathetic and considerate operator. They went to great lengths to try to get me comfortable, to endure the hour long scan, but the pain made it absolutely impossible. They even offered to let me lay inside the machine for 10 mins to try to get accustomed to it, before commencing the scan.

The operator sits outside behind a large viewing window, which is also very reassuring when you're locked away in a small room and trapped within that machine.

My head remained outside the overhanging plate, and I was able to elevate it on extra pillows, to mitigate the sensations of choking / inability to swallow lying flat.

The only negative was the space available between the base and overhead plates, and with my slight excess of midriff, they had to squeeze me inside with my stomach strapped, which consequently forced my arched back into the base plate and ramp up cushions, causing additional pain.

I must add that, beyond my expectations, all 3 abortive scan attempts, including Phuket & Bangkok BH and the MRI centre at Prachachuen did not make any charge for their actual MRI scanning services, which included the gowns required to change into, which obviously then need laundering, machine cleaning, admin etc.

On 10/29/2021 at 5:32 PM, Sheryl said:

 

Any of the benzos (valium, xanax etc) would likely work but these are controlled drugs, you cannot legally buy over the counter.

 

If you do decide to take something I suggest to make it something you have taken before (or do a trial run) as some people have paradoxical reactions. And of course do nto plan on driving afterwards.

Thanks for your advice Sheryl.

I tried the Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok, without success. Then Dr. Weerasak of the Bangkok Christian Hospital directed me to try the specialist X-ray centre near Bongkasai Market in Pracha Chuen (? spelling), at the same time as holding open an anesthetic scan appointment for me at the BCH in the afternoon. 

The X-ray centre was an even better machine than the BH open scanner, more open and head outside the single arm supported cantilevered scanning plate, although to compensate there is a scanning plate under your back, which caused way too much pain arching my back, for me to endure 1 hour without moving a millimetre, as I was told was required to achieve satisfactory scan images.

I ended up back at the BCH for an anesthetic scan. Dr. Weerasak very kindly came back in after an evening surgical procedure, to review / discuss the results. He also arranged an emergency operation, micro- discectomy, for the next evening to remove the severely herniated disc which completely cut off my sciatic nerve at L4/5.

For future reference, the BCH, Dr Weerasak and his team provided exemplary treatment, service and reassurance. He was the most pleasant and understanding doctor I have ever met, and his commitment to diagnosing and resolving my problem quickly, far exceeded my expectations. I could not recommend him more highly. Also the BCH charges are probably the most reasonable throughout the private treatment centres.

I hope this feedback and knowledge will help someone else in the future.

1 minute ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

do you mean EVERYONE who gets  covid  ends  up  in hospital  unable to breath ro do you want to give me a percenatge that do

You just carry on as you are, if you believe you're invincible. Almost 5,000,000 people around the world would disagree with you, If they could!!

1 minute ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

why would  tbhat be happening then

When you catch Covid...

5 minutes ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

sick of what?

When you're lungs are collapsing and you can't breath unaided, and you would probably die if you didn't get to a hospital for help.

5 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

i never found my MRI that bad tbh, worst part was it was freezing!

Just one of those things, I cannot stand tight confining spaces. I had to stop watching a film called "Buried Alive" one evening, I was becoming panicky just watching it, and was sure I'd have nightmares if I didn't quit.

Thanks for the heads up I'll take a cardigan. ????

2 minutes ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

I stew at home

Until you get sick...