Local ME/CFS Resources and Community in Thailand

[Yair]

I'm creating this post to share resources for those who have ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis also known as 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome') in Thailand.
There don't seem to be any local specialists in the illness, and if you're too sick to travel... well so far you've been on your own.
Hopefully that's changing with the unfortunate rise of Long Covid (which isn't ME/CFS but can turn into ME/CFS. Many of us who have this disease had it triggered by an acute viral infection), and greater global awareness and research into the illness.

The CDC's page on ME/CFS:
https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/about/index.html

Clinical Guidelines and resources for Physicians:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng206/resources/myalgic-encephalomyelitis-or-encephalopathychronic-fatigue-syndrome-diagnosis-and-management-pdf-66143718094021
 https://batemanhornecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Clinical-Care-Guide-First-Edition-2025-1.pdf (video overview)

https://batemanhornecenter.org/providers/
 

As far as local specialists go, I've seen Dr. Hiroshi Chantaphakul at Bumrungrad recommended here, who I will say personally treated me with dignity and respect and I'm grateful for that.
Though regretfully at the time I didn't have enough knowledge to know which treatments to ask for, and Bumrungrad itself didn't have treatment protocols for ME/CFS as far as I know. So I can't speak to the efficacy of treatment there.

Many of the medications and treatments which can be helpful for ME/CFS such as Low Dose Naltrexone, Low Dose Aripiprazole (Abilify), Rapamycin, Mestinon, anti-virals (such as Valtrex, Valcyte), as well as Plasmapheresis (/Immunoadabsoption), Exosomes, Stellate Ganglion Block, IVIG, etc. are either unavailable in Thailand or very difficult to get, and education on the topic is still greatly lacking. 

If other physicians are interested in developing expertise in ME/CFS, in addition to the clinical care guidelines above I'd like to recommend this ongoing series by two US-based ME/CFS specialists (who treat ME/CFS based on the "Septad" model):

https://www.youtube.com/@Unraveledpod
 

If you know of other local providers who can be seen for this illness, please share.
Alternatively, there's the option of seeing an ME/CFS specialist based overseas via telemedicine, but many can only see patients in their own jurisdiction which can get complicated.
One commonly used directory is MEAction's list: https://www.meaction.net/resources/find-your-doctor/

 

Most importantly, we should stick together. Sharing information, advice and resources. This illness is awful enough to have to go at it alone.
If you or someone that you know has this illness, send me a DM. I'll add you to our Line group.