Psychology in Bangkok

Psychology is a scientific discipline that studies the mind and behavior. It seeks to understand the mind, how it works, and how it affects behavior. It encompasses the environmental factors, social pressures, and biological influences that affect how people think, feel, and act. Since it is a broad and diverse field, there are numerous different subfields and specialty areas within psychology. Some of the major areas include clinical psychology, biological psychology, cognitive psychology, and developmental psychology.

A specialist or expert in psychology is called a psychologist. Licensed psychologists have professional training and clinical skills to do psychological testing, perform counseling and psychotherapy, and provide treatment for mental disorders. They are qualified to help people learn to cope more effectively with mental health problems. However, they are not medical doctors. This means that psychologists typically cannot perform medical procedures or write prescriptions. A psychologist will work in association with a psychiatrist or other medical doctor who provides medical treatment for mental illness, while the psychologist provides psychotherapy. 

There are numerous different styles of therapy, but the psychologist will identify the best approach to address the person’s problem that fits the characteristics and preferences of the patients. Some common types of therapy are behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, psychoanalytic or psychodynamic therapies, integrative or holistic therapy, and humanistic therapy.

Psychologists can help a wide variety of people and treat many types of problems. They can help those with mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and phobias. Psychologists can also help with rehabilitation and adjustment to chronic illness or disability. In some cases, people also talk to a psychologist to help overcome addictions, cope with stressful situations, or navigate through short-term problems, such as grieving the death of a family member or feeling overwhelmed by a new job. 

How Long Should I Stay in Bangkok?

You usually do not need to stay in Bangkok any longer than you want to after each treatment session. However, since psychotherapy usually requires more than one session, you can choose to stay in Bangkok until you complete all of your sessions, so you do not have to travel multiple times. Some types of psychological treatment last only a few sessions, but others can take months and even years.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time depends on your specific condition. Most of the time, no recovery time is needed after a psychological test or treatment. You should be allowed to resume your normal routine and even go back to work immediately after. If the treatment makes you feel exhausted, you can take the rest of the day off. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your psychologist will give you a set of aftercare instructions. The instructions are specifically designed for your individual case and are aimed to prevent relapse. You may also be recommended to live an active and healthy life, such as exercising regularly and to eat a healthy diet. 

What's the Success Rate?

Psychology is always growing and evolving. New discoveries and applications of psychology are always being uncovered. This helps psychology tests and treatments to become more successful, accurate, and safe. Today, psychologists can use evidence-based techniques to make treatment more efficient and effective. With psychology, people can improve their decision making, behavior, and stress management based on understanding past behavior to predict future behavior. Psychological treatments can have some side effects, such as becoming sad or fearful, an increase in anxiety, negative changes in the family, or relapse.  

Are there Alternatives?

There are numerous types of mental health professionals you can see to help with mental health problems. You can choose to see a psychiatrist, licensed mental health counselor, mental health nurse, or clinical social worker. In many cases, these mental health professionals work together to deliver the best treatment plan.

Psychology in and around Bangkok

About Bangkok

Bangkok is the Capital city of Thailand and is ranked as one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations. The city holds a magical spell over its visitors and is full of beautifully decorated Buddhist temples, Royal palaces, museums, restaurants, and nightlife. Recently, the city has become the gateway to a large number of medical tourists. According to a BBC report, more than 80% of all medical tourists travel to Thailand, aiming to get the best medical attention, of which Bangkok and Singapore remain the most popular destinations for expats. The trend is increasing by 10% to 15% per year and has been a strong economic driver for the country, next to the tourism industry.

Medical tourism in Bangkok is highly rated within the industry for many reasons, including:

Cost-Efficient Treatments
Experienced Medical Professionals
Top-Tier Facilities
Advanced Technology
Quality Dental Care: Short Waiting Times
Comfortable Recovery:

Popular areas in Bangkok

For starters, Bangkok is a well-developed city. There are plenty of places to stay; shop and explore and deciding where you want to stay can be a difficult decision.

One way to choose the place you will likely stay is to prioritize your activities. For example, if you want to shop then Sukhumvit may be the right district. This 18-kilometer long road is the commercial center and some of the best shopping malls and retail markets are dotted along this road.

The Siam district would be a great place to stay as the more popular and trendy shopping centers can be found here with a great selection of restaurants. There are various other attractions too, the Siam Ocean World, Kidzania, Erawan Shrine, Madame Tussauds, and the BACC, Bangkok's biggest art gallery, and cultural center.

Other popular tourist locations are Sukhumvit, Pratunam, Silom, Chinatown, Khaosan and the famous Bangkok Riverside.

Weather and climate in Bangkok

Bangkok endures a tropical monsoon climate, it is hot and humid for the vast majority of the year with temperatures reaching thirty degrees centigrade. The best weather for visiting tourists in Bangkok is experienced between December and February as the temperature is much cooler and

There are three seasons in Bangkok –

• The hot season that stretches from March to June

• The Monsoon or the rainy season, which starts in July and lasts until October

• The cool season is generally late November and ends late February.

Getting around in Bangkok

There are two airports that serve Bangkok. All the international flights land at Suvarnabhumi International Airport and almost all of the domestic carriers, operate from Don Mueang Airport.

It takes sixty minutes to travel between the two airports and you must check with the airlines which airport your carrier is operating out of. You must also remember to check in for your flight at least two hours in advance to avoid the last minute rush.

Within the city, sky-trains and the underground MRT trains are the best ways to avoid heavy traffic. Taxis and tuk-tuks can also be used for shorter journeys around the city. Most taxis have meters, and you should avoid any that don't to protect yourself from scams. Ask your hotel to help you call for a cab, as they often have relationships with trustworthy companies. For a scenic view of the city, try hopping on a riverboat down the Chao Phraya River.

Tourist Visas in Bangkok

If you wish to visit Bangkok, you will have to go to your nearest Thai embassy to get a visa. The Thai government has a bilateral trade agreement with various countries. It allows citizens of 64 countries to enter without any visa. They can stay for a maximum period of thirty days before having to leave the country.

The latest price for a tourist visa to Thailand depends on the type of visa you apply for and your nationality.

For citizens of most countries, the following visa fees apply:

• Single-entry visa: 2,000 THB (approximately $65 USD)
• Multiple-entry visa: 4,000 THB (approximately $130 USD)

You can pay the visa fee in Thai baht (THB) at the Thai embassy or consulate where you apply for your visa.

To apply, you’ll need to visit a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Required documents typically include:

• A valid passport with at least six months remaining before expiration
• A completed visa application form
• One recent passport-sized (4 x 6 cm) photographs
• Round-trip air ticket or e-ticket (paid in full)
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover your expenses (at least 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family)
• Proof of Hotel or private accommodation booking

Be sure to apply at least four weeks before your travel date. You can make your application online at the Thai E-Visa official website https://thaievisa.go.th/.

Additional Information

1. The local currency is the Thai Baht. Before you travel to Bangkok, it is advisable that you arrive with local currency. Your currency is exchangeable at most banks in Bangkok and at exchange bureaus. You will have to look out for specialized signboards that read “Bureau De Change”. 1 US Dollar is roughly 34.5559 THB as 2023. Exchange of foreign currency at the airport is also possible and it may not be at the best rate possible.

2. Bangkok banks and retail outlets accept all types of credit and debit cards. There are ATMs in most of the popular places for the convenience of tourists. Hotels and restaurants also accept credit and debit cards. Tipping is mandatory at ten percent of the value of the goods and services.

3. Thai is the official language of the country. Nevertheless, a majority of the population will speak and understand English. 

4. Buddhism is the official religion of the city and yet nowhere else in the world will you find a sterling example of cultural diversity. A massive 94 percent of the city’s population practices Buddhism and the remaining six percent follow the other world religions such as Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity.

5. There are a lot of festivals and holidays celebrated in Bangkok. The Gregorian and the Chinese New Year are the major festivals. A host of Buddhist festivals such as the Makha Bucha Day and the Visakha Bucha Day are also celebrated. Important dates in relation to the royal family are also prominent as the people celebrate the coronation day of the Monarch.