Best Hospital in Bangkok?

[Mancs]

I've had some hip pain, diagnosed in the UK as osteoarthritis. I'm seeing a physio next Thursday in Manchester. I hope to be in Bangkok in January. What hospitals there would you recommend for a second opinion/more explorations? I'm staying in Sathorn. Any experiences/suggestions welcome.

[Brad the Impala]

I would recommend the Bangkok Nursing Home, convenient for Sathorn too. Been going there for forty years, and never been unhappy with their service.

[Manforallseasons]

Bumrungrad International Hospital...Most doctors have trained abroad...1st class facilities.

[Up2U]

By reputation, Bumrungrad would be the first choice (and most expensive).

[searcher]

I would recommend the Christian Hospital in Silom street. A few years ago I sent a Thai friend there, he suffered from "Youth Arthritis which was extremely painful. He could not afford a "real" doctor and had to rely on the "30 Bhat treatment". The doctor at the Christian hospital came to the right diagnosis , he really cared about my friend, checked his blood etc. and gave the right medicine. I showed the doctor s paper to a friend of mine...the boss of a famous hospital.. when I was back in Europe and he told me he would have chosen the same treatment like the Thai doctor. I think the bill was around 4000B , blood check and medicine includeded

[fountainhall]

I agree that Bangkok Nursing Home is the most convenient for you. It's expensive but slightly less so than Bumrungrad which is also an excellent hospital. Both are truly international and I have had treatment at each. I suggest you get two medical opinions before you make a final decision.

[billyhouston]

While in the past I have used Bumrungrad and been very happy with it, living in Chiang Mai now, there are other options. Returning to Europe earlier this year I suffered a severe attack of gastroenteritis and used BNH since I was staying on that Soi. Treatment was efficient and effective, but the thing that struck me was the ambiance of the place. More spacious and less rushed than Bumrungrad is these days.

[fountainhall]

Bumrungrad does feel a bit like a supermarket at times, especially at the pharmacy. It is also attracting an increasing number of Middle Easrern clientele. Sometimes it feels like it's located in one of the Gulf States rather than Thailand.

[Rainwalker]

I think you're coming at this the wrong way...

Almost all major hospitals in Thailand list their doctor's (abbreviated) CVs on their website along with the physician's or surgeon's background and area of practice. That means the well-informed consumer can drill down and pick the doctor whose training and preferred types of procedure most matches your perceived need.

I would suggest picking 3 doctors who you have confidence in - at least on paper - and set up a well-planned introductory appointment/interview. List all of the things that you need to evaluate before firming up a decision including things like commuting distance, distance from a coffee shop, price etc. Once you hear what they have to say about your condition and treatment plan and after appraising all of your criteria, you can decide if he/she is the doctor for you.

As an aside, all the major hospitals can provide a written estimate of almost any medical procedure; other posters are correct in saying Bumrungrad is premium priced but it does have 2 Starbucks, an Asia Books, a MacDonalds, and more such amenities. Also, I've been told that Saudi Arabia pays for all medical costs anywhere in the world which might account for a number of Muslims prepared to go to Bumrungrad, the most expensive but best-reputed hospital in SE Asia.

I was recently a patient at Bumrungrad and was completely satisfied but I ended up there after meeting 3 qualified-on-paper doctors at 3 different hospitals. I picked the Bumrungrad guy because he said all the right things (including that he understood that I need to make the decisions after he advises me) AND he had the proper training.

Another doctor at a different hospital was quickly ruled out as didn't even assess the condition before he told me what treatment option he was going to pursue. He was in charge and I was just supposed to go along with whatever he decided.

Another doctor at a third hospital was imminently qualified but didn't have a bedside manner that worked for me and as my complaint required frequent consultations and decisions, I wanted someone I could fully communicate with.

So, my advice is to get hugely informed on your condition, ignore the hospital, find a small pool of qualified doctors, interview them, and decide which is the one you trust and can communicate with.

Good luck.

[Manforallseasons]

Rainwalker your reference to Saudi Arabia is interesting as Saudi citizens are cannot get a visa for direct travel to Thailand resulting from the theft of "The Blue Diamond".

[Rainwalker]

Interesting... That's what my doctor told me so it's second-hand information from a usually credible source but I think you have a real point there. I don't know the facts but here's some relevant information

It seems that Thailand allows "nationals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, to stay in Thailand for medical treatment up to 90 days without a visa. A medical tourist may be accompanied by up to three individuals who are also Gulf state nationals such as parents, children, spouse or maid - who also have a 90 days visa exemption."

As well...

"Saudi citizens are obliged to get clearance from Saudi Arabian authorities if they want to travel to Thailand and give detailed reasons for such a trip. However, as per a report by Saudi newspaper Al Riyadh, many Saudis are circumventing the ban by travelling via third countries to Thailand.

There are even local Saudi travel agencies that arrange a suitable itinerary, mostly via Dubai, and offer hotel bookings and organised trips without official clearance from official governmental departments.

No Saudi has ever been refused entry to Thailand, but they face problems when going back to Saudi Arabia with the Thai immigration stamp in their passport. Apart from a financial penalty, they also risk a two-year general travel ban."

[Mancs]

Thank you for your advice and comments. I'm seeing an osteopath and a physio in Manchester this week but will go to BNH if my symptoms are the same when I arrive in Bangkok. I want to dance at dj, not twitch in a corner.

[dorayme]

I like BNH Hospital on Soi Convent. Also, I liked Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital. They pick up from one of the Skytrain stations.
https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/sukhumvit/

[Brad the Impala]

Another doctor at a third hospital was imminently qualified

Prefer to wait until they are actually qualified, and if they are eminent that would be so much the better.

[Mancs]

A separate question, which may have no solution. Where should a foreign visitor from a nearby country, like Cambodia, go for medical treatment in Bangkok if they have no money to speak of? A young man who needs medical treatment just messaged me with that problem so it's not theoretical.