Before confirming your appointment at the hospital, please consider the entry requirements for Thailand. You may need to get vaccinated or apply for a visa to enter the Kingdom of Thailand.

Health and Vaccinations

As with traveling to most countries, health authorities advise all travelers to ensure they are up to date on all their vaccinations before the trip. Every traveler should be up to date on routine vaccinations, including the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, the chickenpox vaccine, the polio vaccine, the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, and the regular flu vaccine.

For more information please visit CDC Travel Health Notices

Foreign citizens wishing to enter the Kingdom of Thailand are generally required to obtain a visa from a Royal Thai Embassy or a Royal Thai Consulate-General. However, nationals of certain countries do not require a visa if they meet visa exemption requirements, including:

1. Nationals of countries which are exempted from visa requirements

2. Nationals of countries which hold bilateral agreements with Thailand on the exemption of visa requirements

For more information please visit  Thai Embassy and Consulates 

New process for applying visa to Thailand

For nationals of certain countries who are required to apply for a visa, the E-Visa applicants do not need to submit their passport and original supporting documents in person at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate. Applicants will receive a reference number by email to monitor their application status

Once the e-Visa application is approved, a confirmation email is sent to applicants. It is advisable to print a copy of the confirmation email when ready to travel, as it will be presented to airlines and Thai Immigration officials when traveling to Thailand.

For more information about e-visa please visit Thai eVisa.

If you’ve decided to travel to Bangkok, you might be interested in learning more about Thailand and how to make the most of your trip. A great starting point for your research is the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s website. It offers a wealth of information on various topics, including:

• General information about Thailand

• General information about Bangkok

• Thailand’s weather

• Frequently asked questions about traveling in Thailand

BEFORE TRAVELLING

• Confirmation Packet: After confirming your medical appointment and trip, our travel team will send you a packet of important information. Please review this before traveling.
• Research: Visit the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s website to learn more about Thailand and how to make the most of your trip.

Traveling by Air:

In general, if you have the below conditions; it is prohibited to travel by air.

• Have passed 36 weeks of pregnancy (or 32 weeks if you are carrying twins, triplets, etc.).

• Have a recent heart attack or stroke. Or any type of surgery, especially stomach, brain, eye, orthopedic (bone and joint) surgery including stomach, eye, or head injury. Please check with your doctor to see when it is safe for you to travel.

• Have an implanted cardiac device such as pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD); please check with your doctor before travelling by air. Don’t forget to carry your personal device identification card with you at all times.

• Have flu-like symptoms with or without tuberculosis like symptoms such as prolonged cough, weight loss, night sweat, fatigue, fever, and chest pain for more than 2 weeks. We strongly advise you to not travel at this stage, and for them to continue treatment with their current care team until his symptoms have resolved completely.

• Are suffering from the below signs and symptoms, please check with your doctor to see when it is safe for you to travel.

  • Chest pain
  • Any disease that you can easily spread to other people.
  • Severe sinus, ear, or nose infections.
  • Breathlessness at rest, difficult breathing.
  • Psychotic illness except when fully controlled.
  • A fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or greater.
  • Skin rash
  • Confusion
  • Bruising or bleeding (without previous injury)
  • Diarrhea that does not go away.
  • Vomiting that does not go away (other than motion sickness).

During the flight:

• Keep all of your medications in your hand luggage.

• Hydration: Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and loosen mucus.

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Prevention: For long flights (4+ hours), get up and move around regularly when permitted. Stretch and wiggle your feet frequently (every 30 minutes). Consult your doctor for additional DVT prevention measures if needed (compression socks, aspirin, or anticoagulants). (Also see CDC Blood Clots and Travel )

  • If you have a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, your doctor can help you work out what measures you may need to take prior to flying. This may include graduated compression stockings, aspirin, or anticoagulants.

• Oxygen Requirements: Request oxygen in advance if needed. A Medical Information Form needs to be submitted to the airline for approval (processing time: 3-5 working days).

PRE-OPERATION PREPARATION

• Inform Your Doctor: Disclose any existing medical conditions, medications, and previous surgeries before surgery.

• Medications: Inform your doctor if you are taking blood thinners such as aspirin, Persantin®, Ticlid®, Plavix®, warfarin, Orfarin®, heparin, and Fraxiparine®, herbal supplements, and vitamin E before the operation.

• Smoking and Alcohol: Avoid smoking and alcohol for at least one week before surgery to minimize complication risks.

• Underlying Conditions: Inform your doctor about any underlying diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, cancer, allergies to medications, current medications, diagnoses, and ongoing treatments.

PREPARE FOR MEDICAL TRAVEL

1. Passport and Visa: Ensure your passport is valid and obtain a visa if required for Thailand.
2. Finances: Plan your medical payment method (cash or credit card). Bring additional local currency and inform your bank about potential large transactions abroad to avoid blocked accounts.
3. Contact Information: Have contact details for your clinic, transportation provider, and patient assistant readily available.
4. Weather and Vaccinations: Check Bangkok’s weather forecast and research necessary vaccinations.
5. Clinic Appointment: Confirm your clinic appointment and any reservation fees.
6. Nail Polish: Remove nail polish, as nail bed color can aid in monitoring your health.

Items to bring

1. Mobile Phone and Charger
2. Personal Documents: ID card, passport, and visa (if required)
3. Credit/Debit Card and Local Currency
4. Medical Records: Current diagnosis, medical imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT scan, ultrasound), biopsy results, and contact information
5. Medications: Daily medications in original packaging, information on any chronic diseases
6. Comfortable Clothing: Pajamas, bathrobe, loose trousers, shorts (depending on surgery), zip-up blazer (optional)
7. Underwear and Socks
8. Footwear: Comfortable shoes (trainers for orthopedic procedures, slippers for upper-body surgery)
9. Rehabilitation Clothing: Tracksuit and sneakers (if needed for physiotherapy)
10. Optional: Casual clothes and comfortable shoes for sightseeing (consider mobility limitations after surgery)

FROM AIRPORT to the CITY

Suvarnabhumi Airport offers various convenient transportation options to reach Bangkok’s city center:

• Free airport shuttle bus Limited service operates between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airport. Not ideal for city center travel.
• Free shuttle bus within the airport  Connects terminals and public transport centers within the airport complex. Useful for navigating the airport itself.
• Bus Terminal
• Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) bus line, the largest city bus system in Thailand
• Airport Rail Link  High-speed train offering a comfortable and efficient connection to downtown Bangkok.
• Airport taxis Convenient door-to-door service. Metered fares apply, and surcharge fees might be added during peak hours or specific locations.
• Public vans Shared vans can be a budget-friendly option for specific destinations within Bangkok. Research routes and boarding points beforehand.

At Don Mueang International Airport, there are also a number of public transportation options for you to choose from.

Get AROUND BANGKOK

Bangkok boasts a well-developed public transportation network. Here are some popular options:

• BTS Skytrain: Elevated train system offering a fast and convenient way to navigate central Bangkok’s major districts. Purchase tickets at stations.
• MRT Subway: Underground metro system covering a wider area than the Skytrain. Purchase tokens or use reloadable cards for fares.
• Public Buses: Extensive network, but routes can be complex for first-time visitors. Consider using a navigation app or asking locals for guidance.
• Canal Boats (Khlong Saen): Traditional and scenic mode of transportation along Bangkok’s canals. Affordable option for shorter distances.
• Taxis (metered) and ride-hailing services (Grab, Bolt) are also widely available for point-to-point travel.