Recommended Doctor and Medical Specialists (Update)

[uhhh ohhh]

Kudos to all of the people who put together the list of doctors in Chiang Mai. It's very comprehensive. I checked quickly through the list and didn't see anything regarding doctors at Bangkok Hospital. Any updates or recommendations for this hospital? I've used RAM a lot in the past but now prefer Bangkok for location, facilities and what appears to me to a better overall English speaking staff. Certainly no knocks against the other hospitals.....just a personal preference.

[elektrified]

It appears they are struggling to fill positions for good specialists there. Many of the docs there are only a few short years out of school - not all, but many. Many specialties are not covered there. Doesn't look promising.

[uhhh ohhh]

It appears they are struggling to fill positions for good specialists there. Many of the docs there are only a few short years out of school - not all, but many. Many specialties are not covered there. Doesn't look promising.

Thanks, Elektrified!!! The other list was last updated in January 2014 and I thought a number of people might have more information than I do about the doctors/staff. I've done minor dental there, blood work, bad colds and an exray for a fall and found the facility to be more to my liking. Hopefully they'll fill those empty positions soon.

[northernjohn]

A 5 star hospital with a 2 star doctor is not what I want. I want a 5 star doctor and will let him pick the hospital.

A friend of mine had all kinds of tests there and was happy with them. Then he went in to see a dermatologist and was charged total 600 baht. He had to make an appointment at the Ram to get the spot frozen or what ever it is they do there because Bangkok did not have the necessary gas. But they had the doctor and the bill.

Myself I did not say any thing but was suspicious when he was told every thing was OK even though he still showed blood in his urine which was the reason he had gone in for the tests in the first place.

Not a doctor but that doesn't sound rite to me. I am sure some one will know more about that than me. He is 72.

[jarhead50200]

where is the list i dont see it

[northernjohn]

Why don't you ask the doctors you have seen a the Ram if they work at the new Bangkok hospital?

Many of them work at more than one hospital.

[chiang mai]

where is the list i dont see it

It's in the Chiang Mai forum, a pinned list of recommended doctors and medical specialists.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/513012-recommended-doctors-and-medical-specialists/

Edited December 17, 2015 by chiang mai

[Lizard2010]

A 5 star hospital with a 2 star doctor is not what I want. I want a 5 star doctor and will let him pick the hospital.

A friend of mine had all kinds of tests there and was happy with them. Then he went in to see a dermatologist and was charged total 600 baht. He had to make an appointment at the Ram to get the spot frozen or what ever it is they do there because Bangkok did not have the necessary gas. But they had the doctor and the bill.

Myself I did not say any thing but was suspicious when he was told every thing was OK even though he still showed blood in his urine which was the reason he had gone in for the tests in the first place.

Not a doctor but that doesn't sound rite to me. I am sure some one will know more about that than me. He is 72.

It is probably called Dry Ice

I have know this for years

A normal treatment

I thought most people in this forum would know this

[mesquite]

A 5 star hospital with a 2 star doctor is not what I want. I want a 5 star doctor and will let him pick the hospital.

A friend of mine had all kinds of tests there and was happy with them. Then he went in to see a dermatologist and was charged total 600 baht. He had to make an appointment at the Ram to get the spot frozen or what ever it is they do there because Bangkok did not have the necessary gas. But they had the doctor and the bill.

Myself I did not say any thing but was suspicious when he was told every thing was OK even though he still showed blood in his urine which was the reason he had gone in for the tests in the first place.

Not a doctor but that doesn't sound rite to me. I am sure some one will know more about that than me. He is 72.

It is probably called Dry Ice

I have know this for years

A normal treatment

I thought most people in this forum would know this

I believe it's called liquid nitrogen.

[chiang mai]

To answer the OP directly:

I have looked at and talked to a number of people about doctors at that hospital and the replies I've got don't surprise. The experienced and well qualified doctors in Chinag Mai are already established in their private practices and hospital routines and don't have that much bandwidth to take on new comer to the CM hospital market. That leaves doctor recruitment from the lower and newer ranks and from out of town, a process that will take time to get established. As things stand presently there does not appear to be any compelling reason to visit on the basis of medical expertise alone although its location on the North East side of town and on the super highway will be a compelling factor for many, particularly for those who live in San Sai, Mae Rim, and Doi Saket and want English speaking brand name attention in an emergency, without having to negotiate cross town traffic.

As we become aware of new recommended doctors at the hospital I will be sure to see they are posted to the list, as things stand currently however the centres of medical excellence in CM remain more easily found at Suan Doc, Sriphat, Ram and Rajavej.

[Konini]

It is probably called Dry Ice

I have know this for years

A normal treatment

I thought most people in this forum would know this

I believe it's called liquid nitrogen.

Both correct, just like vacuum cleaners are called hoovers, liquid nitrogen is called dry ice.

(And it hurts like buggery if you get a little hanger in the armpit and think it's a good idea to get rid of. It's not a good idea. It was like a tetanus jab. 'Ha - that didn't - aaaaaaarrrrrrrrhhhhggggg')

[northernjohn]

A 5 star hospital with a 2 star doctor is not what I want. I want a 5 star doctor and will let him pick the hospital.

A friend of mine had all kinds of tests there and was happy with them. Then he went in to see a dermatologist and was charged total 600 baht. He had to make an appointment at the Ram to get the spot frozen or what ever it is they do there because Bangkok did not have the necessary gas. But they had the doctor and the bill.

Myself I did not say any thing but was suspicious when he was told every thing was OK even though he still showed blood in his urine which was the reason he had gone in for the tests in the first place.

Not a doctor but that doesn't sound rite to me. I am sure some one will know more about that than me. He is 72.

It is probably called Dry Ice

I have know this for years

A normal treatment

I thought most people in this forum would know this

Just a senior moment. Have lots of them. Shoot me.

[northernjohn]

To answer the OP directly:

I have looked at and talked to a number of people about doctors at that hospital and the replies I've got don't surprise. The experienced and well qualified doctors in Chinag Mai are already established in their private practices and hospital routines and don't have that much bandwidth to take on new comer to the CM hospital market. That leaves doctor recruitment from the lower and newer ranks and from out of town, a process that will take time to get established. As things stand presently there does not appear to be any compelling reason to visit on the basis of medical expertise alone although its location on the North East side of town and on the super highway will be a compelling factor for many, particularly for those who live in San Sai, Mae Rim, and Doi Saket and want English speaking brand name attention in an emergency, without having to negotiate cross town traffic.

As we become aware of new recommended doctors at the hospital I will be sure to see they are posted to the list, as things stand currently however the centres of medical excellence in CM remain more easily found at Suan Doc, Sriphat, Ram and Rajavej.

Will you add that they practice at Bangkok to the ones who are already on the list and practice there?

Edit

I know it is a major undertaking as there are changes I am sure since the list was made in 2013.

For instance

CHIROPRACTOR

Dr Philip Parry now only comes every three weeks.

Edited December 17, 2015 by northernjohn

[Ginkas]

It is probably called Dry Ice

I have know this for years

A normal treatment

I thought most people in this forum would know this

I believe it's called liquid nitrogen.

Both correct, just like vacuum cleaners are called hoovers, liquid nitrogen is called dry ice.

(And it hurts like buggery if you get a little hanger in the armpit and think it's a good idea to get rid of. It's not a good idea. It was like a tetanus jab. 'Ha - that didn't - aaaaaaarrrrrrrrhhhhggggg')

Sorry, totally wrong!

Dry Ice (used for keeping food stuffs cold, amongst other things) is solid carbon dioxide.

Liquid nitrogen is something completely different and not 'ice' at all, very dangerous stuff to handle.

Google to see the differences - which are great, especially temperature wise.

[northernjohn]

To answer the OP directly:

I have looked at and talked to a number of people about doctors at that hospital and the replies I've got don't surprise. The experienced and well qualified doctors in Chinag Mai are already established in their private practices and hospital routines and don't have that much bandwidth to take on new comer to the CM hospital market. That leaves doctor recruitment from the lower and newer ranks and from out of town, a process that will take time to get established. As things stand presently there does not appear to be any compelling reason to visit on the basis of medical expertise alone although its location on the North East side of town and on the super highway will be a compelling factor for many, particularly for those who live in San Sai, Mae Rim, and Doi Saket and want English speaking brand name attention in an emergency, without having to negotiate cross town traffic.

As we become aware of new recommended doctors at the hospital I will be sure to see they are posted to the list, as things stand currently however the centres of medical excellence in CM remain more easily found at Suan Doc, Sriphat, Ram and Rajavej.

One more thing that might have a little bit to do with it is traffic. The doctors only have so much time. I was at Sarh Phat (sorry about the spelling) and the doctor was late he had been held up in traffic.

I know just a little thing but the traffic is only going to get worse and the Doctors still have to travel from Hospital to Hospital to their own clinic.

[NancyL]

The established hospitals like Sripat and CM Ram also have a nasty practice of forced retirement for doctors once they get over a certain age that most of us from the west would consider very young -- like age 60 or 65. They now have the services of a good cardiologist and orthopedic specialist from this short-sighted practice.

Also, they have doctors who come up from Bangkok two or three days a week. Remember, airfares are cheap in this country. Recently I had a colonoscopy at Bangkok Hospital and my experience was a better than Hubby's recent colonoscopy at CM Ram. Plus my bill was 7000 baht cheaper.

Although we live within walking distance of CM Ram, I've really grown weary of their practice of telling you that you have a 1 pm appointment, only to be handed queue card No. 8 when you arrive at 12:55. What do they think they are ? CM Immigration? I'm sorry, but if I'm going to pay five star prices I want to be treated accordingly. If I want a queue card, I'll go over to Suan Dok, where the nurses are more mature and competent.

[uptheos]

The established hospitals like Sripat and CM Ram also have a nasty practice of forced retirement for doctors once they get over a certain age that most of us from the west would consider very young -- like age 60 or 65. They now have the services of a good cardiologist and orthopedic specialist from this short-sighted practice.

Also, they have doctors who come up from Bangkok two or three days a week. Remember, airfares are cheap in this country. Recently I had a colonoscopy at Bangkok Hospital and my experience was a better than Hubby's recent colonoscopy at CM Ram. Plus my bill was 7000 baht cheaper.

Dr Paiboon Orthopedic Surgeon at Ram is over 70, fit as a fiddle and I would trust him to do surgery on me.

Six months ago I had a combined gastroscopy & colonoscopy at Ram which was 25,000.

I thought that was a good price.

Can I ask what Bangkok Hospital charged you just for the colonoscopy please?

[chiang mai]

+1 for Dr Paiboon and also for the ortho doctor who must be older than time itself (you know who I mean), he's simply excellent.

[uptheos]

+1 for Dr Paiboon and also for the ortho doctor who must be older than time itself (you know who I mean), he's simply excellent.

Dr Sudthee?

Now retired and just works part time, also over 70 but excellent and was ortho doctor to the late Queen Mother I believe.

[evenstevens]

The established hospitals like Sripat and CM Ram also have a nasty practice of forced retirement for doctors once they get over a certain age that most of us from the west would consider very young -- like age 60 or 65. They now have the services of a good cardiologist and orthopedic specialist from this short-sighted practice.

Also, they have doctors who come up from Bangkok two or three days a week. Remember, airfares are cheap in this country. Recently I had a colonoscopy at Bangkok Hospital and my experience was a better than Hubby's recent colonoscopy at CM Ram. Plus my bill was 7000 baht cheaper.

Although we live within walking distance of CM Ram, I've really grown weary of their practice of telling you that you have a 1 pm appointment, only to be handed queue card No. 8 when you arrive at 12:55. What do they think they are ? CM Immigration? I'm sorry, but if I'm going to pay five star prices I want to be treated accordingly. If I want a queue card, I'll go over to Suan Dok, where the nurses are more mature and competent.

are u ever happy??, immgr now ram, u must dream of queue cards

a nice morning to all

[Konini]

are u ever happy??, immgr now ram, u must dream of queue cards

a nice morning to all

Both valid grumbles though - I'd be annoyed at Ram if I were paying their exorbitant prices and wasn't seen very close to my appointment time - I've walked out of the office of a few specialist in Melbourne, 30 minutes is my limit.

(I have a Roy Orbison DVD for you - send me a PM)

[Sparkles]

A 5 star hospital with a 2 star doctor is not what I want. I want a 5 star doctor and will let him pick the hospital.

A friend of mine had all kinds of tests there and was happy with them. Then he went in to see a dermatologist and was charged total 600 baht. He had to make an appointment at the Ram to get the spot frozen or what ever it is they do there because Bangkok did not have the necessary gas. But they had the doctor and the bill.

Myself I did not say any thing but was suspicious when he was told every thing was OK even though he still showed blood in his urine which was the reason he had gone in for the tests in the first place.

Not a doctor but that doesn't sound rite to me. I am sure some one will know more about that than me. He is 72.

It is probably called Dry Ice

I have know this for years

A normal treatment

I thought most people in this forum would know this

I believe it's called liquid nitrogen.

It is liquid nitrogen(cyrogenic freezing) which is very cheap and the applicator is like a small spray can which they re fill from a large tank as required. I have had over

40 years about 1,000 BCC's treated with it ,very sensitive on ears ,scalp ot nerve ends,jep ,jep. For Bangkok Hosptial not to have one is unbelievable

but had that experience in Bangkjok, at the higher cost hospitals, they prefer using a laser which cost about 20 times more.

I am not surprised Bangkok Hospital don't have a lot of business .I sent them 2 seperate emails asking for approx prices on procedures and never received

a reply. Yes they have ben trying to encourage specialist from RAM to move across but most already alternate between their own clinics and Suan Doc etc

[NancyL]

The colonoscopy at Bangkok Hospital was 17,000 baht. And if I'm kept waiting for more than 5 or 10 minutes for an appointment there, the nurses are all over themselves explaining that the doctor is held up in traffic, has an emergency case, etc, without my asking. Plus they don't seem to have the practice of changing three times the outside rate for prescription drugs. Admittedly I've only bought a couple prescriptions there, but they compared very well with the outside pharmacy prices. Within 10 - 15%.

[northernjohn]

The established hospitals like Sripat and CM Ram also have a nasty practice of forced retirement for doctors once they get over a certain age that most of us from the west would consider very young -- like age 60 or 65. They now have the services of a good cardiologist and orthopedic specialist from this short-sighted practice.

Also, they have doctors who come up from Bangkok two or three days a week. Remember, airfares are cheap in this country. Recently I had a colonoscopy at Bangkok Hospital and my experience was a better than Hubby's recent colonoscopy at CM Ram. Plus my bill was 7000 baht cheaper.

Dr Paiboon Orthopedic Surgeon at Ram is over 70, fit as a fiddle and I would trust him to do surgery on me.

Six months ago I had a combined gastroscopy & colonoscopy at Ram which was 25,000.

I thought that was a good price.

Can I ask what Bangkok Hospital charged you just for the colonoscopy please?

I don't know if he is still there now. But Dr Sudhee was at the Ram two years ago. He also repaired the damage for two of my friends done by younger surgeons. He was 71 at the time.

[uptheos]

The established hospitals like Sripat and CM Ram also have a nasty practice of forced retirement for doctors once they get over a certain age that most of us from the west would consider very young -- like age 60 or 65. They now have the services of a good cardiologist and orthopedic specialist from this short-sighted practice.

Also, they have doctors who come up from Bangkok two or three days a week. Remember, airfares are cheap in this country. Recently I had a colonoscopy at Bangkok Hospital and my experience was a better than Hubby's recent colonoscopy at CM Ram. Plus my bill was 7000 baht cheaper.

Dr Paiboon Orthopedic Surgeon at Ram is over 70, fit as a fiddle and I would trust him to do surgery on me.

Six months ago I had a combined gastroscopy & colonoscopy at Ram which was 25,000.

I thought that was a good price.

Can I ask what Bangkok Hospital charged you just for the colonoscopy please?

I don't know if he is still there now. But Dr Sudhee was at the Ram two years ago. He also repaired the damage for two of my friends done by younger surgeons. He was 71 at the time.

I think he goes to Ram one day a week just in the morning, but not sure.

Yes a good man, certainly doesn't look or act his age.

[uptheos]

The colonoscopy at Bangkok Hospital was 17,000 baht. And if I'm kept waiting for more than 5 or 10 minutes for an appointment there, the nurses are all over themselves explaining that the doctor is held up in traffic, has an emergency case, etc, without my asking. Plus they don't seem to have the practice of changing three times the outside rate for prescription drugs. Admittedly I've only bought a couple prescriptions there, but they compared very well with the outside pharmacy prices. Within 10 - 15%.

That's a great price, but I'm guessing it was either special promotion to drum up business or you got a discount as chairperson of the CMEC. I don't think any other hospital will do it at that price.

[chiang mai]

The colonoscopy at Bangkok Hospital was 17,000 baht. And if I'm kept waiting for more than 5 or 10 minutes for an appointment there, the nurses are all over themselves explaining that the doctor is held up in traffic, has an emergency case, etc, without my asking. Plus they don't seem to have the practice of changing three times the outside rate for prescription drugs. Admittedly I've only bought a couple prescriptions there, but they compared very well with the outside pharmacy prices. Within 10 - 15%.

That's a great price, but I'm guessing it was either special promotion to drum up business or you got a discount as chairperson of the CMEC. I don't think any other hospital will do it at that price.

Rajavej does a colonscopy only for 15k (for me), Mrs CM had one at the start of the year and paid 9k, hmm!.

[MESmith]

The colonoscopy at Bangkok Hospital was 17,000 baht. And if I'm kept waiting for more than 5 or 10 minutes for an appointment there, the nurses are all over themselves explaining that the doctor is held up in traffic, has an emergency case, etc, without my asking. Plus they don't seem to have the practice of changing three times the outside rate for prescription drugs. Admittedly I've only bought a couple prescriptions there, but they compared very well with the outside pharmacy prices. Within 10 - 15%.

That's a great price, but I'm guessing it was either special promotion to drum up business or you got a discount as chairperson of the CMEC. I don't think any other hospital will do it at that price.

Rajavej does a colonscopy only for 15k (for me), Mrs CM had one at the start of the year and paid 9k, hmm!.

They charged me the same as you. What pi$$ed me off, was when you're in hospital gowns, waiting to be seen to, had the laxatives the night before & in the morning, but you still need to "go", you have to wander through the hospital foyer in hospital clothes to get to the loo.

[NancyL]

The colonoscopy at Bangkok Hospital was 17,000 baht. And if I'm kept waiting for more than 5 or 10 minutes for an appointment there, the nurses are all over themselves explaining that the doctor is held up in traffic, has an emergency case, etc, without my asking. Plus they don't seem to have the practice of changing three times the outside rate for prescription drugs. Admittedly I've only bought a couple prescriptions there, but they compared very well with the outside pharmacy prices. Within 10 - 15%.

That's a great price, but I'm guessing it was either special promotion to drum up business or you got a discount as chairperson of the CMEC. I don't think any other hospital will do it at that price.

My goodness Uptheos, you and NorthernJohn sure want to prove me a lair or someone receiving a special benefit.

First, about certain doctors continuing to "practice" at CM Ram longer than others -- you may want to inquire as to their status as employees vs. owners. They have different rules concerning retirement age for different categories of doctors.

Now about the price I "enjoyed" for the colonoscopy at Bangkok Hospital, it was in no way related to my being president of CEC, although if you two read your CEC e-Newsletters carefully you could have received the same "deal" https://madmimi.com/p/2e53f6?fe=1&pact=34804259293

[NancyL]

The colonoscopy at Bangkok Hospital was 17,000 baht. And if I'm kept waiting for more than 5 or 10 minutes for an appointment there, the nurses are all over themselves explaining that the doctor is held up in traffic, has an emergency case, etc, without my asking. Plus they don't seem to have the practice of changing three times the outside rate for prescription drugs. Admittedly I've only bought a couple prescriptions there, but they compared very well with the outside pharmacy prices. Within 10 - 15%.

That's a great price, but I'm guessing it was either special promotion to drum up business or you got a discount as chairperson of the CMEC. I don't think any other hospital will do it at that price.

Rajavej does a colonscopy only for 15k (for me), Mrs CM had one at the start of the year and paid 9k, hmm!.

They charged me the same as you. What pi$$ed me off, was when you're in hospital gowns, waiting to be seen to, had the laxatives the night before & in the morning, but you still need to "go", you have to wander through the hospital foyer in hospital clothes to get to the loo.

I used to go down to Bumrungrad every year for an annual "physical" but got, as you put it pi$$ed off for a somewhat similar reason, in the mammogram area. You're suppose to change into the hospital gown and then sit in a hallway to wait for your mammogram, only they allow "family members", i.e. husbands to wait with you. No self-respecting western male is going to go into the hallway where the women wait for mammogram, but all the Arab men do. In fact most western men, like Hubby, use the occasion of their wife's annual female exam as an excuse to go wait and drink beer in Bumrungrad's posh dining area until wifey is done. The Arab women throw their abayas over their hospital gowns, but I don't have that option. So, I have to sit waiting in my hospital gown, while the Arab men eye me like I'm a Nana bargirl.

So, all things considered, once Bangkok Hospital opened, and I saw they had a special offer for mammogram and female exams, I thought "why not"? I found the experience to be much more dignified than what Bumrungrad has become lately and have switched all Bumrungrad business to them.

P.S. with the colonoscopy -- there was no indignity about having to use the toilet. In fact, they asked me several times if I needed to use it and it looked like at every opportunity I would have had privacy and not had to be on display in front of others. In fact, I didn't see any other patients the entire time I was there for the colonoscopy. They were very good at using curtains, etc.