Tropical medicine in Bangkok

Tropical medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on infectious and non-infectious diseases, which are usually diseases that thrive in hot and/or humid conditions, particularly in areas with poor infrastructure. Tropical medicine doctors can diagnose, investigate, manage, and treat rare and exotic bacterial and parasitic diseases, as well as a variety of noninfectious diseases. These include:

• Malaria, caused by disease-carrying mosquitoes
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
• Tuberculosis
• Dengue fever, caused by a specific mosquito
• Ebola virus disease
• Amoebic dysentery and liver abscesses
• Filariasis (which may cause elephantiasis)
• Leprosy
• Snakebite
• Leishmaniasis (skin disease or kala-azar)
• Typhoid
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Scorpion stings
• Toxin-related cardiac and neurologic manifestations
• Schistosomiasis (an acute or chronic disease caused by parasitic worms).

The following are the general services provided by tropical medicine diseases:

• Diagnose tropical diseases. Tropical medicine doctors use laboratory tests, such as microscopy of blood films for malaria, skin biopsies for leprosy, and stool microscopy for gut parasites. Tropical medicine doctors usually work closely with medical virologists and microbiologists. 
• Develop treatment plants and oversee treatments. Tropical medicine doctors usually prescribe antibiotics or antiviral drugs to treat tropical diseases.
• Identify potential outbreaks of infectious diseases and take steps to prevent these diseases from reaching serious levels. If necessary, they may advise patients to isolate and quarantine to prevent the spread of infectious tropical diseases.
• Order specialized tests to find out the nature of specific diseases.
• Give specialist advice and expertise to public health specialists.

How Long Should I Stay in Bangkok?

Some tropical diseases require hospitalization or even isolation, others do not. In general, it may take around two weeks until you are allowed to travel home. In some cases, however, you may need to stay longer in case the disease returns. Your doctor and/or medical travel team will be able to advise you on this matter.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery times vary widely, depending on your specific disease and your general health. Many tropical diseases, such as dengue and malaria, requires around two weeks of treatment. You will be given a recovery timeline that may include when you can go back to work, resume your normal activity, and take part in strenuous exercises.

What Aftercare is Required?

Your doctor will likely prescribe medicine, make sure to take it as directed. You will also be given specific aftercare instructions that you need to follow to avoid complications and to speed up your recovery period. You may also be asked to make some lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and avoid smoking. For some diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, you may need lifelong management and regular checkups. 

What's the Success Rate?

The continuous research in tropical medicine has given specialists a deeper understanding of tropical diseases and found better approaches to diagnose, treat, manage, and prevent tropical diseases. As a result, the success rates of tropical medicine is higher now than it was before. For example, HIV/AIDS was a life-threatening condition a few decades ago, but it can now be managed as a chronic health condition and the life expectancy of a person living with it has improved significantly. Those with malaria can also be cured and all of the parasites can be cleared from the body. 

Are there Alternatives?

Alternatives depend on the specific disease you have. With infectious diseases, for example, an infectious disease doctor may be the one who oversees your treatments. It is best that you discuss this with your GP.

Tropical medicine 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.