Okay, I've got an open calendar for the rest of April, and I've got some odd medical complaints that I'd like to have looked at.

What's more, I'm really tired of the US healthcare system (which for its combination of astronomical cost, arrogance and ineptitude has to be one of the worst in the world).

Comments here and elsewhere suggest that I might be well served by making a trip to Thailand for a consultative visit at Bumrungrad or one of the other hospitals that are accustomed to farang patients. Based on published prices, I can afford to request a very wide array of diagnostics and testing, and still come out ahead compared to what that would cost me Stateside.

I had pulled up an airline booking engine to begin to look at prices, when it suddenly hit me that a mid-April trip would put me in BKK at Songkran. I'm not keen to get nailed in the face with buckets of water, but can work around that.

What is of concern is that I've read notes about Bangkok "emptying out" for a week or two during this holiday period, and I assume that this includes the city's professional classes, including medical workers.

I obviously don't expect for Bumrungrad and such places to be boarded shut, but would hate to find that it's impossible to get a specialist appointment or to have certain tests run, because particular physicians and staff are away.

What are your thoughts in the matter?

*-d-*

Everything should be back to normal again by Monday 18th. You won't get too soaked in Bangkok unless you go looking for it. Stick to taxis to get about. Mass exodus from the city for 4days.