Does anyone (@Sheryl in particular) know of and can recommend a dermatologist in Chiang Mai, someone with at least some experience with skin cancer? I know that skin cancer is quite rare in Thailand, so someone who has done part of their training or education abroad somewhere like Australia or the U.S. would be perfect. A dermatologist practicing in Lampang or Lamphun would also be fine, but seems like more of a long-shot. I know that the best/most experienced dermatologist when it comes to skin cancer are down around Bangkok, but I have responsibilities here that means going to Bangkok is not an option.

 

I have a small wound/blemish (only about 3 mm across) near the bridge of my nose that I would like to have checked. Calling it a wound feels like a bit of an exaggeration, it's more like a superficial scratch, but it's been there for 6+ months now and it's not healing. It scabs over, but when the scab falls off the wound/scratch is still there. It could be nothing, just age related changes, but I would like to have it checked just to make sure.

 

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

 

 

Dr Vachiraporn at RAM hospital. She also has a private practice which she goes to in the evenings and on Saturdays.  I believe it's on the canal road on HW 108.  Vachiraporn-Phitsanu Clinic in Suthep.  Look it up on Google.  

She is one of the few dermatologists who actually caters to light-skinned European-types and the skin conditions that we tend to get.  Most other "dermatologists" are cosmetic surgeons.

Note: She is heavily booked.  But if you have a skin condition that is not healing, you need to get an appointment. 

7 minutes ago, connda said:

Dr Vachiraporn at RAM hospital. 

 

Thanks for the recommendation, is this who you are talking about?

Have you used her for skin cancer, or for other issues?

2 hours ago, Sophon said:

 

Thanks for the recommendation, is this who you are talking about?

Have you used her for skin cancer, or for other issues?

 

  Yes.  Second the recommendation, was just at her clinic this week for skin (pre-cancerous) lesions.

 

  English is excellent and as she was educated in the US, she is quite familiar with Causasian skin.

 

  Less expensive if you see her at her clinic and not at CM Ram.  Strongly suggest you make an appointment.

 

  Name of her place is Dr. Vachiraporn-Phitsanu clinic.

 

  

2 hours ago, Sophon said:

 

Thanks for the recommendation, is this who you are talking about?

Have you used her for skin cancer, or for other issues?

Yep, that's her, and I have bi-annual skin cancer screening with her every 6 months.  You want skin cancer caught early when it is highly treatable. 

There is a famous dermatologist in Sriphat Hospital: Prof Siri. !!

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

There is a famous dermatologist in Sriphat Hospital: Prof Siri. !!

 

Thanks, unfortunately Sriphat Hospitals information about their doctors is quite rudimentary. No information about their education, or whether they have practiced abroad. In Thailand even highly educated and experienced dermatologists can have next to no experience in diagnosing skin cancer, as it is almost non-existent in Thai people.

 

Have you had any personal experience with professor Siri with regards to skin cancer?

1 hour ago, TheAppletons said:

 

  Yes.  Second the recommendation, was just at her clinic this week for skin (pre-cancerous) lesions.

 

  English is excellent and as she was educated in the US, she is quite familiar with Causasian skin.

 

  Less expensive if you see her at her clinic and not at CM Ram.  Strongly suggest you make an appointment.

 

  Name of her place is Dr. Vachiraporn-Phitsanu clinic.

 

  

 

Thank you for seconding the recommendation of dr. Vachiraporn. I like the fact that she did her masters and research fellowship in Boston, since that means she would have been exposed to skin cancer cases. All the better, that she apparently has continued treating westerners after moving back to Thailand building even more experience with Caucasian skin types.

 

I also like that she has her own clinic. Not necessarily because it may be cheaper, but I do find that kind of environment more pleasant than a big hospital.

10 minutes ago, Sophon said:

 

Thanks, unfortunately Sriphat Hospitals information about their doctors is quite rudimentary. No information about their education, or whether they have practiced abroad. In Thailand even highly educated and experienced dermatologists can have next to no experience in diagnosing skin cancer, as it is almost non-existent in Thai people.

 

Have you had any personal experience with professor Siri with regards to skin cancer?

Yes, I've been there 2 weeks ago with a similar problem.

He is experienced. Good English.

Highly recommended in CM.

21 hours ago, Sophon said:

 

Thank you for seconding the recommendation of dr. Vachiraporn. .../...

 

I also like that she has her own clinic. Not necessarily because it may be cheaper, but I do find that kind of environment more pleasant than a big hospital.

Yes she is very professional, and extremely skilled, and I am absolutely recommending her. I visit her at Chiangmai Ram skin clinic, 300m before Chiangmai Ram hospital, back from Starbucks coffee. I did not know she has another clinic but as she is quite busy here, no idea how she can handle both as she is quite busy here.

On 8/30/2025 at 2:53 PM, Sophon said:

 

Thank you for seconding the recommendation of dr. Vachiraporn. I like the fact that she did her masters and research fellowship in Boston, since that means she would have been exposed to skin cancer cases. All the better, that she apparently has continued treating westerners after moving back to Thailand building even more experience with Caucasian skin types.

 

I also like that she has her own clinic. Not necessarily because it may be cheaper, but I do find that kind of environment more pleasant than a big hospital.

Hi There,    did you end up seeing one of the doctors?  what was your experience?  

11 hours ago, ThaiNoobie101 said:

Hi There,    did you end up seeing one of the doctors?  what was your experience?  

 

Not yet, I have an appointment with dr. Vachiraporn next Saturday at her clinic. She is quite busy, and as her clinic is only open a few hours weekdays and Saturdays, that was the earliest I could see her (afternoon appointments are a bit problematic for me as I don't live in Chiang Mai).

41 minutes ago, Sophon said:

I have found a lot of these smaller clinics with good doctors are just show up and wait in the queue.  



 

 

41 minutes ago, Sophon said:

Not yet, I have an appointment with dr. Vachiraporn next Saturday at her clinic. She is quite busy, and as her clinic is only open a few hours weekdays and Saturdays, that was the earliest I could see her (afternoon appointments are a bit problematic for me as I don't live in Chiang Mai).

 

I highly recommend the doctor at Ram Hospital that has the private clinic she spent many years in Boston and she is a real dermatologist she diagnosed a little spot on my face it turned out to be cancerous within less than two or three days I had it removed with no problem I actually went into Ram Hospital and told him that I thought it was an emergency so I was able to get in there pretty easily because usually she’s very heavily booked 

Prof. Siri in Sriphat Hospital.

On 8/30/2025 at 6:37 AM, connda said:

Dr Vachiraporn at RAM hospital. She also has a private practice which she goes to in the evenings and on Saturdays.  I believe it's on the canal road on HW 108.  Vachiraporn-Phitsanu Clinic in Suthep.  Look it up on Google.  

She is one of the few dermatologists who actually caters to light-skinned European-types and the skin conditions that we tend to get.  Most other "dermatologists" are cosmetic surgeons.

Note: She is heavily booked.  But if you have a skin condition that is not healing, you need to get an appointment. 

I can confirm this recommendation.

 

Have taken a buddy with skin cancer and my kid for violent acne. Both at her private clinic. 

She was helpful and affordable 

 

It's my turn to confirm Dr. Vachiraporn's excellence, at least for skin cancer. She eliminated the secondary spots with her laser, only available at Ram Hospital, in a few weeks. At the same time, she halted the progression of the main lesion.

Then I left CM for Pattaya, but I didn't find similar expertise there. The problem then worsened on the main lesion, requiring me to have a skin graft with a piece of skin taken from the groin crease.
Estimate: 350,000 euros at the private hospital in Pattaya, 16,000 euros at the government hospital in Chonburi, 70 km away.

So the operation was performed at Chonburi in almost two hours and was a complete success.

Today 4 years after my skin cancer is completely cured.

 

 

Had my appointment with dr. Vachiraporn this morning. I came away impressed by her professionalism and competence. Excellent English ability as well, not surprising given her stay in Boston. 

 

Her initial diagnosis was basal cell carcinoma, and she did a total of three biopsies; the small wound on my nose mentioned in the OP, a second smaller and more recent but very similar spot close to the first one, and a third spot on my forehead. She also froze another pre-cancerous spot on my forehead.

 

Total cost so far Baht 8,550 including some antibiotic cream for an infected cyst on my shoulder. The results of the biopsies will be ready in a weeks time, and if it turns out (most likely) that the l cell carcinomas has to be removed, she will refer me to a plastic surgeon. Because of the location on the bridge of my nose, she will not do it herself.

 

 

The biopsy lab report confirmed Dr. Vachiraporns diagnosis of three basal cell carcinoma lesions. The one on my forehead had been completely removed by the biopsy, but the two on my nose will require surgery. Because of the location, she referred me to a plastic surgeon Dr. Opart Pinchai.

 

Had my first consultation with Dr. Pinchai on Sunday. Normal procedure is to surgically remove the carcinoma lesions with a 4 mm margin, to make sure that all the cancer cells has been removed. However, because of the limited amount of skin on the nose this would require a skin graft. Instead he suggested a narrow margin surgery, where you limit the margins to only 1-2 mm, and send the removed tissue to the lab for analysis. If it turns out that you don't have clean margins, then a second surgery is required to trim a little further. 

 

I have an appointment with him for the surgery next Sunday.

3 hours ago, Sophon said:

The biopsy lab report confirmed Dr. Vachiraporns diagnosis of three basal cell carcinoma lesions. The one on my forehead had been completely removed by the biopsy, but the two on my nose will require surgery. Because of the location, she referred me to a plastic surgeon Dr. Opart Pinchai.

 

Had my first consultation with Dr. Pinchai on Sunday. Normal procedure is to surgically remove the carcinoma lesions with a 4 mm margin, to make sure that all the cancer cells has been removed. However, because of the limited amount of skin on the nose this would require a skin graft. Instead he suggested a narrow margin surgery, where you limit the margins to only 1-2 mm, and send the removed tissue to the lab for analysis. If it turns out that you don't have clean margins, then a second surgery is required to trim a little further. 

 

I have an appointment with him for the surgery next Sunday.

Alternative approach would be MOHs surgery but very seldom available in Thailand. 

A final update.

 

The plastic surgeon Dr. Pinchai did the surgery two weeks ago. He removed a 3.5 cm long and 1 cm wide strip of skin to make sure he got both lesions plus safety margins. Subsequent pathology report from the lab confirmed the initial diagnosis of Basal Cell Carcinoma, and also confirmed that the lesions had been removed with clean margins.

 

I found the cost more than reasonable, especially since plastic surgeons normally charge more than other surgeons. Total cost was Baht 10,000 which included:
Initial consultation,

Surgery,

Follow up visit two days after surgery to check for infection,

Another follow up visit after one week to remove the sutures.

A final visit after 12 days to check healing and explain pathology report,

Lab pathology cost

 

The wound has healed well, and there have been no sign of infection. The skin on both sides of the incision is still quite red/purple because of the stretching of the skin to cover for the part that was removed, but that should disappear with time.

 

I went to her clinic today it was a very enjoyable experience the girls that worked there are very pleasant and easy to deal with I was your first appointment at 5 PM I was out of there paid the bill and everything by 5:30 I’m a happy camper in case anybody wants the phone number of our clinic and S. Canal Rd. at 093-7596957. I highly recommend her she’s a very knowledgeable dermatologist there was much easier singer at our clinic than waiting at Chang Mai   Ram hospital if you go there tell her you got the number for Mark she’ll probably laugh