Barry864 Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Hi friends, I am a 53 year old medical specialist from Europe wishing to relocate in Thailand. I have visited Thailand many times and lived for many months in a row in the past. I can speak basic Thai. I was married for 5 years to a Thai woman but divorced 5 years ago, no kids together. Currently married to a Filipina who does not possess any special skills as those defined by the ASEAN agreements. I know well the regulations on how to obtain a medical licence in Thailand and in the past took the exams a couple of times and failed(mainly because I did not try hard enough). I believe I can now get the licence, but I want to know if there is a way I could work as a doctor in Thailand being a farang foreigner. I know I could get a retirement visa, but I believe I would be very bored to retire at this age. Any comments will be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexRRR Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 There is I believe an Australian doctor working for Bangkok hospital in Pattaya he also is a writer, you may want to do a search for him there through the hospital website failing that contact the hospital itself for his contact details. I have forgotten his name and there is some catch to his employment I think, was explained in one of his books I read, if you can get a hold of him I'm sure he could wise you up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 If you got the license and found employment as a doctor you could get a work permit and an extension of stay. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oncearugge Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 You cannot work as a Doctor until the exams have been passed and a practise license obtained. Once a licence is obtained you could open a clinic but would need a company and a work permit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickJ Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 There is no way around passing the test. The Aussie you spoke of cant treat...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keemapoot Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 A number of international hospitals here employ foreign-qualified MDs to act as patient representatives. In other words, they are not officially allowed to practice medicine, but they act as some sort of "medical ambassador" or something for foreigners. Best bet is to go specifically to each international hospital and enquire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allane Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 I am aware of a foreign doctor who has his own medical practice. Send me a Private Mail if you want more information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 You should try the private hospitals that specialise in tourist medicine, like Bumrungrad. I'm sure that you are aware you'd have to have excellent, not basic, Thai language skills to work with Thai patients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry864 Posted September 24, 2015 Author Share Posted September 24, 2015 I am not trying to find a way around passing the exams, I can pass the exams and get a licence in a few months.From what I understand I need an employment offer to get a work permit. But what I actually had in mind was to open a clinic and be self-employed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oncearugge Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 I know one German speaking orthopaedic surgeon who received his basic medical education in Germany. The man is , however, a Thai who passed the Thai exams at the first sitting. His specialist education was undertaken in Thailand and he now works part time in a large Government hospital and runs a private practice based on having admitting rights at two private hospitals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 (edited) I am not trying to find a way around passing the exams, I can pass the exams and get a licence in a few months.From what I understand I need an employment offer to get a work permit. But what I actually had in mind was to open a clinic and be self-employed. Who would be your target group of patients? I suppose you'd have to employ 4 Thais, or whatever the number is now to start a company. Where would you locate, Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin or Chiang Mai? Do you have lots of money for advertising etc? Edited September 24, 2015 by thaibeachlovers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry864 Posted September 24, 2015 Author Share Posted September 24, 2015 I am not trying to find a way around passing the exams, I can pass the exams and get a licence in a few months.From what I understand I need an employment offer to get a work permit. But what I actually had in mind was to open a clinic and be self-employed. Who would be your target group of patients? I suppose you'd have to employ 4 Thais, or whatever the number is now to start a company. Where would you locate, Pattaya or Chiang Mai? Do you have lots of money for advertising etc? 1. expats, tourists. Locals wellcome 2.yes, I believe so. 3.Pattaya or Bangkok 4. Enough money, not unlimited funds,otherwise I would build my own hospital Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 I am not trying to find a way around passing the exams, I can pass the exams and get a licence in a few months.From what I understand I need an employment offer to get a work permit. But what I actually had in mind was to open a clinic and be self-employed. Who would be your target group of patients? I suppose you'd have to employ 4 Thais, or whatever the number is now to start a company. Where would you locate, Pattaya or Chiang Mai? Do you have lots of money for advertising etc? 1. expats, tourists. Locals wellcome 2.yes, I believe so. 3.Pattaya or Bangkok 4. Enough money, not unlimited funds,otherwise I would build my own hospital How could you treat Thais when you say you only have basic Thai? Your wife is also foreign so you have no local connections. Poor Thais already have clinics they go to, and I doubt you'd make anything on what they charge. Rich Thais go to expensive Thai hospitals. I doubt you'd find a niche in Bkk, but Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket or Chiang Mai, if you were in the right area you might. If you have as much money as you seem to believe you have, you can get a retirement extension on an O visa, and have a nice holiday in Thailand for as long as you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry864 Posted September 24, 2015 Author Share Posted September 24, 2015 I am not trying to find a way around passing the exams, I can pass the exams and get a licence in a few months.From what I understand I need an employment offer to get a work permit. But what I actually had in mind was to open a clinic and be self-employed. Who would be your target group of patients? I suppose you'd have to employ 4 Thais, or whatever the number is now to start a company. Where would you locate, Pattaya or Chiang Mai? Do you have lots of money for advertising etc? 1. expats, tourists. Locals wellcome 2.yes, I believe so. 3.Pattaya or Bangkok 4. Enough money, not unlimited funds,otherwise I would build my own hospital How could you treat Thais when you say you only have basic Thai? Your wife is also foreign so you have no local connections. Poor Thais already have clinics they go to, and I doubt you'd make anything on what they charge. Rich Thais go to expensive Thai hospitals. I doubt you'd find a niche in Bkk, but Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket or Chiang Mai, if you were in the right area you might. If you have as much money as you seem to believe you have, you can get a retirement extension on an O visa, and have a nice holiday in Thailand for as long as you want. I can communicate with Thais rather well. I have lived in Thailand summing up it all, about 5 years in total. I consider my Thai as basic, mainly because I need more work on writing in Thai or reading advanced thai texts ( no problem with medical texts in Thai). Poor thais are NOT my target group nor other poor patients as I am not planning to work for charitable NGOs.Of course many times in my career I had to help poor patients withouts asking much. Rich thais may very well become my patients as I am one of the best in my specialty. Expensive Thai Hospitals ? I believe you mean private hospitals like Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital etc. Most probably would spend a lot of time there if I could get a work permit. Although my wife is a foreigner-by choice-I have some connections who can give advice but wanted some more oppinions in case someone had some extra legal knowledge. My ex-Thai wife helped me very little in the past and she was rather a burden than a bridge to the local society. I did not said I have much money, I said I have enough to start this task.(By the way what is much money ?) ... "I seem I believe I have" ???. And last, I believe I was clear I am not interested in a retirement visa and " a nice holiday in Thailand" , so thanks for the suggestion, but no thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Who would be your target group of patients? I suppose you'd have to employ 4 Thais, or whatever the number is now to start a company. Where would you locate, Pattaya or Chiang Mai? Do you have lots of money for advertising etc? 1. expats, tourists. Locals wellcome 2.yes, I believe so. 3.Pattaya or Bangkok 4. Enough money, not unlimited funds,otherwise I would build my own hospital How could you treat Thais when you say you only have basic Thai? Your wife is also foreign so you have no local connections. Poor Thais already have clinics they go to, and I doubt you'd make anything on what they charge. Rich Thais go to expensive Thai hospitals. I doubt you'd find a niche in Bkk, but Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket or Chiang Mai, if you were in the right area you might. If you have as much money as you seem to believe you have, you can get a retirement extension on an O visa, and have a nice holiday in Thailand for as long as you want. I can communicate with Thais rather well. I have lived in Thailand summing up it all, about 5 years in total. I consider my Thai as basic, mainly because I need more work on writing in Thai or reading advanced thai texts ( no problem with medical texts in Thai). Poor thais are NOT my target group nor other poor patients as I am not planning to work for charitable NGOs.Of course many times in my career I had to help poor patients withouts asking much. Rich thais may very well become my patients as I am one of the best in my specialty. Expensive Thai Hospitals ? I believe you mean private hospitals like Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital etc. Most probably would spend a lot of time there if I could get a work permit. Although my wife is a foreigner-by choice-I have some connections who can give advice but wanted some more oppinions in case someone had some extra legal knowledge. My ex-Thai wife helped me very little in the past and she was rather a burden than a bridge to the local society. I did not said I have much money, I said I have enough to start this task.(By the way what is much money ?) ... "I seem I believe I have" ???. And last, I believe I was clear I am not interested in a retirement visa and " a nice holiday in Thailand" , so thanks for the suggestion, but no thanks. OK, then I suggest you find another western Dr that has done what you want to do and ask him/ her for advice. I doubt the average TV poster would have a clue. IMO it is a bad idea, and you will probably lose your money, but what do I know, as only been coming to and living in Thailand for over 40 years- not long enough to know much about Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nawanakorn1 Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 I met an American Dr. near Korat who worked for Doctors without Borders volunteering his time I am assuming. You may want to give them a try until get things sorted out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry864 Posted September 24, 2015 Author Share Posted September 24, 2015 "OK, then I suggest you find another western Dr that has done what you want to do and ask him/ her for advice. I doubt the average TV poster would have a clue. IMO it is a bad idea, and you will probably lose your money, but what do I know, as only been coming to and living in Thailand for over 40 years- not long enough to know much about Thailand." 40 years is a long time indeed. My 35 years is very little in comparison. But my legal knowledge on the subject of a western professional who wishes to come and work in Thailand is limited, and probably would have to contact some legal company as Sunbelt. Thanks for your encouraging comments anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kanook Posted September 24, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted September 24, 2015 Welcome to the Thai Visa forum, Barry864. Don't be deterred by some of the negative comments you will and have received on the forum. If Larry Page, Richard Branson or Warren Buffet announced that they were moving to Thailand to start a business, I am positive a few Thai Visa posters would turn up to predict their failure. As a businessman myself, I have often found myself thinking what would be the fail safe profession for a farang to open a business in Thailand; one that usually pops up is doctor. I am positive you will have the same problem here as doctors in private practice have around the globe, more patients than you can handle. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 The OP did not ask for business advice. He asked about being able to work as a doctor here. Any further off topic posts will be removed without notice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilbaz Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 What is your medical specialty? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryLH Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 OP, I suggest you contact poster that goes by 'Citizen33'. I think he can answer your questions. Terry "Whitch Doctor..." Seems like someone put a 'spelling curse' on you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SantiSuk Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 (edited) We could do with some more specialised expertise. You'll get biz from ThaiV by revealing your skill/location if you get the qual. Edited September 24, 2015 by SantiSuk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allane Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 To Barry864: I have just sent you a Private Mail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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