Medical Visa?

[7Chan7]

Hello everyone,

I’m 66 years old, female, and currently looking into getting a knee replacement operation in Bangkok. My doctor at home says it’s time, and I’ve been researching hospitals in Thailand that seem to have excellent reputations for this kind of surgery. I think I’m going to go for a somewhat expensive hospital but seemingly the best, Banrungrad.

My main question is about visas – what type would I need if I want to come for the operation and possibly stay for a couple of months during recovery? Would a regular tourist visa be enough, or is there something like a medical visa available that would make things easier?

If anyone has gone through this process, I’d love to hear your experience – how long you were able to stay, and what kind of visa worked best.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Any recommended beach not far from Bangkok?

[Rob Browder]

46 minutes ago, 7Chan7 said:

is there something like a medical visa available

Yes - and the Thai hospital would provide the necessary paperwork to submit to the Thai Consulate - #5 on their list:

https://thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/non-immigrant-type-o-medical-treatment

(You would use the closest embassy to you - but the list should be similar)

 

You could get a tourist-entry - but that is only 60-days, and then have to go to immigration to extend it for only 30 more days. 

Another option is a DTV, for which your procedure would likely qualify - but only if you wanted to stay in Thailand longer-term.

 

Beaches "near Bangkok" are not the best - but, there are beautiful beaches on islands offshore not far from Bangkok - have hotels, guesthouses, etc.  The Thai beaches famous in films are down South.

[proton]

Good luck friend in UK had 2 done, one private 15k one on the NHS, recovery is not very pleasant especially at first. Make sure they give you decent pain killers you need weeks of physio and exercises