SammyJ

On 11/13/2021 at 8:33 PM, elektrified said:

I also believe Ajarn Siri is the best there is. His prices have gone up a lot over the years but what hasn't... If you see him at his private clinic it is still inexpensive but he won't do much there anymore except dispense medication. 

While I now recommend Dr. V at Ram, as many others here have, I also believe that Dr. Siri is very good.  I say this as I visited him at the private clinic one night, and it was an interesting experience to say the least.

You mention an "allergy" to the vaccine--can you share what that is?  Doctors here have verified that?  Traveling without vaccination will be more complicated and will endanger you and others near you.

11 hours ago, CMHomeboy78 said:

I wouldn't hesitate to reccommend Ajahn Siri based on a long doctor-patient relationship.

   To respond to your question about his receptiveness to his patients input on treatment options, I really don't know.

   My own options have usually been a stark choice between operating or not operating.

   Any ideas I might have about supplemental treatments with cannabis or Fairy Dust or the local Maw Doo, I keep to myself not sure how seriously the doctor would take me.

Ok, thanks, i guess you understood, I wasn't suggesting one share ideas about "Fairy Dust", but legitimate questions about one's medical situation.  To operate or not to operate is itself usually prompts a serious discussion as to what the consequences to each choice.

On 11/12/2021 at 2:52 PM, CMHomeboy78 said:

Ajahn Siri at the Sripat Skin Clinic, Maharat CMU Hospital.

   This highly competent skin specialist and professor at the CMU Medical Schools has treated me successfully for over twenty years for several types of skin cancer.

   He is at the top of his profession here in Chiang Mai.

Can I ask if he was open to discussion of any potential problems or treatment options?  I ask because living in Thailand for over 20 years, i find some of the top professionals similar to how doctors' attitudes used to be in the US many years ago--which is they don't like to talk much, don't like questions or suggestions about something you've seen or read about one's medical situation.  In recent years, i have seen some improvement  in specialists I have visited, but also, at times, a resistance to any questions that might seem to suggest something different that what the doctor has just stated.  Certainly, language plays a large part in this, but most top specialists speak English and Thai, of course, very well.

11 hours ago, TravelerEastWest said:

I think that you do need to register as an American citizen - at least that is what I did. I am registered on the wall and expat site but no updates from them...

I am registered on those two also--and nothing.  Originally, i read the news articles that said 10% of the initial donation of 1.5 million pfizer doses were to be distributed to foreigners in Thailand.  

Then, yesterday, there was an article that it will be only 5% of the doses provided to foreigners.  And, as you probably know, another 1 million donated doses from the US have also arrived, bringing the total up to 2,5 million.  This was several weeks ago--and i had enrolled on expatvac as that was suggested as the best way to get a pfizer vac--I am also registered on the wall--and have registered, but not paid or heard anymore, for moderna doses.

I have just gone to the US Embassy site and will register.

Thanks for the earlier information.

9 hours ago, FolkGuitar said:

There is a large sign in front of you as you enter the hospital grounds. They continue right around to the rear of the buildings.  Just follow the signs. There are parking guards every 50m too, directing you to the proper location.

 

thank you!

13 hours ago, Alotoftravel said:

I read the embassy email that stated any foreigners born 1956 or before .

Not per your forum note for any ages ?

To get this embassy email, do you need to be registered with the embassy as US citizen?

Also, did it indicate in what area of the hospital to go to for this "walk in"

Thank you

On 1/3/2021 at 4:02 PM, LOUIS65 said:

I had a consultation with Dr. Supon at Sriphat Hospital, the Government Hospital, where he works Saturday mornings 10-12. 

Dr. Supon  also works at the Chaing mai Ram 4 evenings a week, 5-7.

He spoke excellent English, and  had a very patient and kindly manner .  He  also  took plenty of time to go over my medical and PSA tests and listened to my questions .  I had come for a second opinion as it had been suggested I should have 

laparoscopic robotic surgery,  of which he has performed over a hundred such operations at the Sriphat Hospital.

However I was greatly relieved when he told me an operation to reduce my prostrate would not be necessary and that my prostrate would become smaller by taking medication.

Before my consultation I had looked at the hospital ward on the top floor. Since the building was  old I had expected the same for the hospital ward,  but they were brand new and in  absolute pristine condition, with cooking facilities and  an extra bed for a family member. Even great views of Chaing mai! The basic price for 1 night is 2,100 baht but around 3.000 if you need meds. and have your blood pressure checked regularly.

I had also checked the Ram hospital,  the price of a hospital bed starts at 5.000 baht ,  plus extra  for your medications. Even if you stay at the Ram for robotic surgery you will be taken by ambulance to the Sriphat hospital as it's the only hospital with the robotic equipment.

The price of robotic surgery for enlarged prostate is 450.000 Baht at Sriphat hospital , a  consultation 500 baht. At the Chaing mai Ram it's 500.000 baht for the same operation.

and a  consultation is 1.000 baht plus,  

Note you should sign a  hospital agreement  with the quote  , which will be the maximum sum you will agree  to pay for the operation.. 

We had a difficult time finding the right Urologist for this problem and I hope this help someone else

 

good to know, Thank you!

14 hours ago, beau thai said:

lazada

i looked on Lazada and never found it--if you did, please post here and i will definitely take another look.

15 hours ago, connda said:

I'm trying to reseed my back yard.  Yeah, I know.  Bad time to do it with hot season coming, but Mrs Connda wants it so Mr. Connda obliges. 

In the past I've put in grass squares (sod) you can get behind Tesco-Lotus in the garden supply shop.  But I can not find just grass seed.
In America it would be easy to buy 25 lbs of grass seed.  It can't even find it here. 

So that is my question.   The companies selling the pre-grown grass strip must by their seed from somewhere?  Where.  I've asked and I get blank stares from "employees". 

My problem is I have a lot of dogs including a new litter of pups and they rip the <deleted> up out of the sod.  I need to get enough seed to give the areas where the sod gets ripped up and give it a chance of growing.

Bottom line.  Where can I buy grass seed.  Please supply a GPS coordinate or a Google Map link. 

I'd really appreciate it!  I'm heading into Chiang Mai Tuesday and would like to buy a few kilos.  Thanks much!

I have tried everywhere and couldn't find it--makes little sense, but then that's Thailand.  As you said, back in the US, i could find all kinds of options for grass seed at Lowes, Home depot, Walmart, etc etc or order on Amazon.  And, the seed i got grew very well.  

I have had to just by the square sods of grass from the Garden shops and cut it further to fit where i wanted.  Of course, such sod at that is much more expensive in the US--but, i have some dirt areas where the dirt has been baked and dry from the sun--so, rough it up, fertilize it a bit, wet it and plant the sod--cut the sod to the various sizes i want to fit the area of land on which i want new grass.

1 hour ago, ianezy0 said:

I tried to convert my O-A to an O 2 weeks ago but was told by immigration and 4 agents that it was not possible unless I left the country and re-entered. So, not being able to leave and re-enter, I extended my expired O-A for 12 months (extension of stay). This was along with the 800k plus HI.

that's news to me--maybe it has always been this way, but most friends i know who kept the OA did not have to deposit funds--had you already used two years or one on the OA?

8 minutes ago, ianezy0 said:

True Sammy, but when you extend your stay in Thailand based on your expiring  O-A. then the financial requirements are having the 800,000 in the bank (same as O visa holders plus HI.

 

its my understanding that once you convert to the O, you no longer have to have the insurance--if you still did, then why convert?

3 minutes ago, ianezy0 said:

True Sammy, but when you extend your stay in Thailand based on your expiring  O-A. then the financial requirements are having the 800,000 in the bank (same as O visa holders plus HI.

 

if that's the path one chooses, then having the O, you would no longer be required to have the insurance,

However, some do not choose that path to convert the OA to an O in country.  I knew a few expats that got the multi year OA, went out of the country near end of year 1, came back and renewed it for one 

more year--then, near the end of year 2, they used time to take a trip back to their home country and 

obtain another 2 year OA--of course, that option now is off the table.

it's nonsense the idea of "discrimination"--non-O holders must have on deposit here 800,000 baht or prove 65,000 baht being transferred monthly--OA holders do NOT have this requirement--yes, they prove income in their home countries, but those funds may remain there and there is no check if the funds used, really do belong to the applicant.  So, if a non-O holder needs money for health care, he/she already has it in the bank or being transferred each and every month.

Yes, not perfect, but a key distinction between the two.

On 9/12/2020 at 11:57 AM, Onrai said:

Thanks. Yes I know that after the fact. We went to great lengths to get the checklist of requirements from the immigration officer. I got the original retirement visa in Chiang Khan and have subsequently moved and am applying for the renewal in Phuket. Unfortunately, Chiang Khan’s checklist did not include the pertinent provision regarding maintaining a balance of 800k after getting the visa. Their mistake by omission but it looks like I am the one who is going to pay. 

But this requirement is so widely discussed and listed in so many places that discuss the "retirement" visa and the 800,000 baht, did you not look on the Immigration website, an embassy or consulate website, or any of many hundreds, if not thousands, of other places, this information is clearly displayed.  Sorry, you missed it, but to blame someone else is really just wrong.  The slightest bit of research on your own would have provided you with very clear details about what is required.

17 hours ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

Directly above this thread

 

Time for an update?

 

Yes, that would be great--I did look over that list, but it is often the result of a single mention of a doctor, but still can be very valuable.

11 hours ago, elektrified said:

What you may not understand is that C.M. doctors work in both government and private hospitals. Some of the top specialists can be found one day in a government hospital and the next day in a private hospital.

 

In Bangkok, the best hospitals are government hospitals - not private. Siriraj (government) is world-class. In fact, it was where the late King of Thailand went - exclusively I believe.

Since you write a sensible answer, I will reply==and rest assured from living in Thailand over 20 years, in bkk, pattaya and hua hin, and now chiang mai, I completely understand what you are saying.  I believe you are correct about Siriraj hospital and the former King--and, in my previous posts, I clearly acknowledged that there are outstanding govt hospitals and doctors and that many also had their own private clinics.   

But, unfortunately, the outstanding govt hospitals are usually in larger provincial hospitals, and regardless that some may think, those smaller rural govt hospitals often have problems attracting both good doctors and sufficient funding.  Certainly, there are excellent, dedicated doctors that will stay in a rural govt hospital as they are dedicated to their profession and want to help a local community, but, many gain experience and take more training and move on to larger cities and hospitals where their own clinics can be supported--yes, there are tons of clinics in rural areas, but often run, despite the white coats but doctors, and they must charge small fees or the rural community would not be able to afford to go to them.  It's in the larger cities that their clinics can be well supported by volume and fees--it's just simple logic and accurate knowledge which comes from being informed and having lived many places within Thailand and with a great many Thai friends who have used these medical facilities.

However, that all aside--I did not create an original post to debate the pros and cons of hospitals--i regret being drawn into it--my own fault--but it what i have seen far too many times on here when someone posts anything--trolls come and hijack the topic and twist it into a debate or argument.  Fellow expats warned me about but i thought asking a simple question about which doctors members liked would not only help me, but be a potential benefit for others.  There are many instances where one does not have the opportunity to choose a doctor, but sometimes there are, and knowing preferred names would be helpful.  As was stated here by another poster--for me, and many others, it is NOT the hospital or fancy building that attracts, but an outstanding doctor with great manner and skill.  I think most would agree, whether it was here in Thailand or the US or the UK, most medical facilities have both good, and some not-so-good, doctors. The success of one's treatment could depend on having one of the "good" doctors.

Thanks for your feedback, but it is unlikely, I will post--no loss to anyone, I understand, but I will no longer feed the trolls.

18 hours ago, connda said:

Britmantoo has a valid point.  You've immediately dismissed government hospitals as being somehow inferior.  I've used both private and public.  I'm not particularly impressed by private hospital specialists.  The best providers I've come across in the last 13 years have been at Maharaj government hospital and the doctor who treats my family in the government hospital in our Amphur. 
Then your assertion that somehow a '50 baht place' by which you mean a government hospital is going to provide inferior care for serious aliments.  And yet those in our villages go to the government hospitals for all the serious aliments that your can probably think of.  If I had a heart attack I'd want to be taken to Maharaj.  Chances are I'd be seen by the same doctor who you see at the extra-special care facility with the huge price tag. 
Anyway, for those who are afraid of dying or having a heart attack, perhaps you all should get your spiritual life in order (cause you will die, gonna happen, 100%) and then take steps to stay in the best of health.  The average expat that I've seen is over-weight and out of shape but thinks they are going to live forever.  And when the heart attack comes they want the best doctor!  <laughs>
If you've lived a good life and taken care of yourself, when the time comes you're not so worried about being in a extra-special top-notch world-class facility with the extra-special specialist (who really aren't that special).  You accept the frailties of the aging human body and accept the care that virtually everyone else gets in this country.  And the government hospital care is pretty good. Good enough for me. And if it's time to go?  Then it's time to go...

Fellow expats advised me NOT to post questions on Thaivisa as they are too often taken over by trolls that twist the conversation--here, a simple inquiry has turned into a debate over private or govt hospitals, something i never intended, comments on getting old, invasive surgery, etc, etc and it appears that so much of the trolling comes from those with ZERO experience of living in Thailand or interacting with Thai people--it must be a burden for you trolls so remain so uninformed about so much.  I have seen this same thing happen so many times on others' posts--as an example, a question on another forum from a poster about advice on what to do with a soi dog that was making his life miserable by being overly aggressive, practically turned into an indictment of the poor guy as being unkind to animals, etc, etc--just a tremendous waste of time.

well, i have learned my lesson--no more, leave it to the trolls who have no life--good luck to you!

18 hours ago, connda said:

Britmantoo has a valid point.  You've immediately dismissed government hospitals as being somehow inferior.  I've used both private and public.  I'm not particularly impressed by private hospital specialists.  The best providers I've come across in the last 13 years have been at Maharaj government hospital and the doctor who treats my family in the government hospital in our Amphur. 
Then your assertion that somehow a '50 baht place' by which you mean a government hospital is going to provide inferior care for serious aliments.  And yet those in our villages go to the government hospitals for all the serious aliments that your can probably think of.  If I had a heart attack I'd want to be taken to Maharaj.  Chances are I'd be seen by the same doctor who you see at the extra-special care facility with the huge price tag. 
Anyway, for those who are afraid of dying or having a heart attack, perhaps you all should get your spiritual life in order (cause you will die, gonna happen, 100%) and then take steps to stay in the best of health.  The average expat that I've seen is over-weight and out of shape but thinks they are going to live forever.  And when the heart attack comes they want the best doctor!  <laughs>
If you've lived a good life and taken care of yourself, when the time comes you're not so worried about being in a extra-special top-notch world-class facility with the extra-special specialist (who really aren't that special).  You accept the frailties of the aging human body and accept the care that virtually everyone else gets in this country.  And the government hospital care is pretty good. Good enough for me. And if it's time to go?  Then it's time to go...

sorry, you also did not read carefully, because i did not immediately dismiss govt hospitals but added that they were outstanding govt hospitals and doctors that worked in them.  However, if you think that most Thai doctors long to work in govt hospitals rather than private, especially in larger provincial cities, then you are living in  dreamworld--and if you think that, overall, govt hospitals are better than most private--not all--then, again you are delusional/

41 minutes ago, fcgprg said:

You might be quite surprised how good one of the Hospitals mentioned is , San Sai is a good government Hospital in my opinion i have no complaints from any treatments that i have had at this Hospital.

I agree--and as I shared here repeatedly, there are some outstanding govt hospitals and doctors that are dedicated that work within them.

32 minutes ago, ThaiPauly said:

I really think that it's the doctor not the hospital that is important.

 

I have not been happy with some doctors at the most expensive hospitals in CM, and some are just brilliant.

 

I will give you the name of a fantastic doctor, but he works at Ram.

Dr.Chalempong EENT.

 

Maybe others can add to this list for the benefit of us all

I agree and stated that in one of my posts--that is why, I don't care if some of the CM hospitals have fancy buildings or not--if the doctor is outstanding in what he/she does, that is what is important.

1 hour ago, elektrified said:

Your information is totally inaccurate. Some of the best doctors in C.M. do regular shifts at Nakhorn Ping and Maharaj. They also have fancy private clinics where they see patients in the evenings and on weekends for a whole lot more Baht. Maharaj does have many young interns and residents but with anything serious you will be seen by an older, experienced professor. If you want the best go to C.M. Ram (where you can see some of the same specialists at NP or Suan Dok).

Sorry, you have misunderstood--you state the exception and not the rule--you may understand that for Chiang mai, but it appears you did not really even read my information before disagreeing with it.

Yes, in larger cities like Chiang Mai, dedicated, experienced doctors can do that ,and still make good money--simply NOT TRUE for most rural areas of Thailand where the majority of the govt hospitals exist--read more and be informed before shooting your mouth off.

2 minutes ago, faraday said:

With that post, what sort of doctor do you need...?

at this moment, none in particular, but thought it wise to ask in advance, and as other members may have shared different doctors in different specialties, then if needed in the future, there is no scramble to find a name, rather than just take any doctor who happens to be on duty--in some instances where urgency is key, then, of course, one must take, and hope for the best, any doctor that is on duty when you arrive at the hospital.

but, if, for example, someone thinks there is a great cardio dr at one of those hospitals, that would be good to know if one were going in for a check up, or review of hbp meds. 

24 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Yes I would.

Seen too many of my pals die in agony after being whittled away, I've outlived them all.

Obviously I'd let them burn a skin cancer off, but anything inside (excluding repairs to accident damage) no thanks.

wow, just, wow--i would a feel a responsibility to my family who depends upon me for a great deal--if you don't have that responsibility, then, just wow??

1 minute ago, lopburi3 said:

It is more than heard - have been using facilities here since 1969 and would not even consider most private hospitals outside of Bangkok and Chiang Mai (although was not impressed when I used one in CM - much better from a clinic - which outside of Chiang Mai would not normally rate as a good choice).  Bangkok is the medical center for Thailand and the region.  Outside of Bangkok most people would likely be in better hands at a government hospital (as young doctor will have older supervision - not likely in private hospital) or a clinic that a good government hospital doctor runs during off hours.  

 

That said a good doctor can make up for a bad hospital so yes there can be and are are exceptions.  We don't want a bad doctor.

again you demonstrate that you simply do not know what you are talking about--it defies simple logic and intelligence, but that appears to be you.  ur individual experience aside, does not make it true overall--and, if you think that most expats prefer the waits and inexperienced doctors at a typical govt hospital (and i have acknowledged that there are some excellent govt hospitals but most do not prefer to experiment with their health to find them), then you are, once again, sadly mistaken.  And what medical experience do you have that private hospitals have no level of supervision over doctors--boy, you just make it up as you go along.  did you start drinking early today?