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Thailand - Phyathai Hospital



Our group visits Phyathai Hospital (September 2006)
(Left to Right)
Dr. Li Poa, MD, Krissada Dhanapathani, Charlie Jutabha, MBA, Hien ( ?) from Netgear, Maria Todd, MHA PhD, Molly ( formerly of J&J) James Sul, MD, Uday Karmarker PhD, Rome Jutabha, MD

Thailand - Bangkok International Hospital


I have many fond memories from my visits to Bangkok International Hospital. The staff here is friendly, the facility well appointed and huge, and very capable. Bangkok Hospital is part of the Dusit Group. Bangkok Hospital was established in 1972 by a group of doctors and pharmacists. Over the years it has gradually expanded its network to many provinces in Thailand and is now the flagship hospital of the Bangkok Hospital Group.

Maria K Todd, MHA PhD and Larry Preston, MBA FHFMA (June 2006.)


They employ roughly 400 full time and consultant physicians and 600 nurses. About 2,500 patients a day - 32% foreigners according to their own published reports. This is one of the top five hospitals in Thailand. Bangkok Hospital was the first private hospital in Thailand to receive the ISO 9002 and 9001:2000 accreditation; Prime Ministers Export Award for best service provider; first price of the Hospital Management Asia Award in 2002; among the 200 "Best Under A Billion" companies chosen by Forbes Magazine two years in a row. They are JCI accredited at the present time.

I underwent diagnostic testing here and had a dynamic ultrasound. The local hospital in my hometown wanted close to $4000 for the testing and consultations combined between physician, facility and orthopaedic surgeon charges. I had everything done in 42 minutes, unscheduled, I might add, as a courtesy add on after a business meeting. My bill was $43.45 and included a private shuttle ride 45 minutes across Bangkok back to the apartment. That included an orthopaedic surgeon consult to verify the prescription from my local physician at home, ( I had to wait 9 minutes because I didn't have an appointment! Perish the thought!) Then across the hall to radiology where the radiologist performed the test and SPOKE TO ME in English the entire time during the test. (When was the last time you met a radiologist during your testing in the US?) The radiologist told me his impression and typed in his own report into the EMR as the tech cleaned the aquasonic gel off my knee. Then I want back to the locker room (same layout as the US hospitals) changed into my street clothes and headed back to orthopedics to finish up with the post-test consultation and findings with the orthopedic surgeon.

Would I return? Absolutely! No question. I can fly there, eat Thai food, stay in a serviced apartment, have my procedure, eat more Thai food, visit friends, shop, have more suits made, eat more Thai food, smile, shop some more and come home all for less than the price of my co-pay at home with my Anthem PPO policy- airfare included!

A patient room in the international section. This is the area across from the patient bed for guests and family members who accompany the patient to the hospital. As you can see, there is no reason to rent a hotel room for the companion traveler. A room such as this (patient and companion quarters) costs roughly $240 per day, perhaps less, depending on where you are located.

Thailand - Bumrungrad Hospital




An aerial view of Bumrungrad from our penthouse apartment in Central Bangkok.
(Click to view the detail)

Everyone that is anyone in Medical Tourism or even remotely interested in the topic has heard of Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok. I have been treated at this hospital after a fall in Bangkok. First, I should tell you, I was in and out of the ED, having paid my bill and received my prescriptions at discharge, in 47 minutes. My bill for EVERYTHING was $49.70 USD. No I did not mislocate the decimal point. I was with a colleague, Larry Preston, FHFMA who went through the entire ordeal with me. We were greeted in English, found them to be HIPAA compliant, and the staff spoke English well enough to take my history and provide appropriate treatment.

We selected Bumrungrad not because of its notoriety, but because its location was an alley away from our apartment. In a city of 9 million+, there is something to be said about not having to face the traffic on the one-way streets in Bangkok when you are in pain and your knee is subluxed.

Let's show you the new International Building.
Jackie Hodges, MBA RHIA and Maria Todd, MHA PhD

First things first, coffee anyone? This is in the Lobby in the reception area at both the new wing and the older section of the hospital. What was interesting is that the pricing for Starbuck's Coffee is not reflective of other price values in Thailand. Oh, and bring Baht, the stored value card doesn't work here. I just love it when American hospital administrators and others ask me if the hospitals have sealed floors in Thailand. Yes, and they are spotlessly clean too!


(Click photo to view the detail)

The international reception area is inviting and has a lot of Arabic speaking clientele, so signs are not only in Thai and in English, but also in Arabic.
Click photo to view the detail)

Next let's take a look at the Patient Access / registration desk. Click the photo to enlarge for detail so that you can see the signage and the lollipop camera used for HIPAA security identity and other details often lacking in US hospitals.
The dramatic lighting is just a small part of the ambiance of this beautiful facility. While touring the facility, we noticed many modern technological amenities we've never encountered in US hospitals. Some were installed with an eye for energy conservation and a "green" building environment.


The visitor cafeteria is actually a food court. Although we've seen food courts in US hospitals, this was unparalleled in both food quality and dining area ambiance.

Thailand - Vejthani Hospital


The Quality Team at Vejthani Hospital.

At the invitation of the hospital COO, we toured Vejthani Hospital. Vejthani is in the midst of preparation for its accreditation inspection with the Joint Commission International (JCI). This beautiful facility is clean, modern, and beautifully decorated. It is smaller than most of the medical tourism facilities we visited, but I loved the flow, the layout and the staff. The facility is very close to the airport and has a mediSpa, a wellness center and several specialty service lines including joint replacement and fertility clinics that have international patients from all over the world.

Thailand - Siriraj Hospital


During our tour of Siriraj University Hospital, we met with the faculty leadership and learned of their efforts to build an outstanding addition to their service lines, The Heart by Siriraj.

Let's take a tour!

The reception area at The Heart, by Siriraj.
(Click the photo to enlarge for detail)

The Heart is actually a hospital within a hospital, dedicated to serving both the Thai population and global travelers alike. The physicians here enjoy having most everything they need in one place, from supplies, to operating theatres, to patient rooms and diagnostic testing all efficiently designed for excellent patient flow, specialty nursing care, and a beautifully appointed facility.

As they continue to prepare for international patients, they continually improve things like signs in both Thai and English. This one is still in Thai.

Welcome to Thailand!

Come, wake up. It' s time to get up and go to work. Besides, you won't want to miss Bangkok's glorious summer sunrises. I took this from our apartment in July. I'll make the coffee.


Thailand is one of my favorite countries on the planet! I feel as at home in Bangkok as I do in my own home town these days. I have been coming to Thailand since January 2006. Medical tourism is sort of a national passion in Thailand.

The Thai government has decreed that it wishes to establish Thailand as a medical hub of Southeast Asia. To this end, it has committed resources including time, cash, and human capital in various departments of government. The university teaching hospitals are involved as are the private hospitals.

In Thailand, the first thing you will notice is the graciousness of the people. It truly is the land of smiles. What was and still is truly amazing to me is that the people are gracious despite financial adversity, crowding and in some cases, (not all) abject poverty. For the most part, the Thai people possess a quiet dignity that beckons to me and always makes me happy to return.
Thailand offers many excellent reasons to return - frequently. My favorite Tailor in Thailand is Lord's Tailor on Sukhumvit Road. Here, Danny, Happy, Anan and their capable assistants Rushan and Suresh will take their time to assist you in selecting wonderful fabrics and do whatever it takes to ensure the perfect fit. I now have 9 suits designed by them, and Jackie Hodges has 10!...and I was sworn to secrecy on what else! I can tell you that we each also now have custom tailored silk pajamas and several silk blouses. The suits that I wear for work and speaking engagements are either custom tailored here from Lord's Tailor or they are Christian Dior. If you visit them, tell them Jackie and Maria sent you, and have them identify for you our favorite little Thai restaurant behind their shop for Pad See Lew (with chicken or pork) for when you are done or if you have a fitting near lunch time. If I keep going back, I am going to need a bigger closet!


Another thing you must absolutely do in Thailand is to take time for a culture and history tour. to properly prepare for this, buy a guidebook, any one - and read it. Then remember to bring supportive footwear, a camera appropriate clothes. My suggestion for this is a wicking shirt like those made by Royal
Robbin or Ex Officio, and hiking pants with zip off leggings. In Buddhist countries, it is inappropriate to visit their temples and sacred places in immodest clothing. While you can wear a tank top or short sleeve tee shirt, bare arms and legs are not appropriate. With the two above suggestions you can tie the shirt around your waist when not wearing it, and keep the leggings in the pocket of the pants until you need them. Also, bear in mind that you will be removing your shoes frequently, so take along some socks that you will wear and consider velcro sandals as you will leave them outside, unattended, as your tour the temples.


Welcome to Germany (2007)

Welcome to Germany! My favorite city thus far is modern Frankfurt. From Frankfurt, I know my way around the area to drive the Autobahn, and find little villages along the rivers.
I can direct you to medical care, eis cafes, Bakeries, and Wineries that all will dazzle you and leave you wanting to find an excuse to come back for more. My German language skills are again sufficient to eat, drink, sleep, find medical care, shop, and navigate the Autobahn driving on my own.



Germany boasts lots of technology. Medical tourism for cosmetic and therapeutic limb lengthening are two specialties that the Germans are known for. Facilities are modern or institutional in nature, and there are many military hospitals in the area.

In addition, lots of traumatic restoration is done here. Many US soldiers are treated in Germany because of the high technology that abounds and the training of the physicians. There is much advancement here in orthopedics and plastic / reconstructive surgery.

One other thing about Germany, Don't miss the museums, the bratwursts on the street corners, hot pretzels and street fairs. If you are a tall woman with big feet, you are going to love shopping for shoes in Germany! Bring extra suitcases to carry your purchases home!