Vascular Medicine in Bangkok

Vascular medicine, also known as angiology, is a medical specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all problems that involve the lymphatic and circulatory systems outside of the heart. These problems can involve:

• Arteries, which is the blood vessel that delivers oxygenated blood from the heart to other parts of the body.
• Veins, which is the blood vessel that delivers blood back to the heart.
• Lymphatic system, which is the network of vessels that transport lymph throughout the body.

A physician who specializes in vascular medicine is called an avascular doctor or vascular medicine specialist. They are trained to provide comprehensive and effective care for all kinds of vascular diseases and conditions of the circulatory system. Some of the most common conditions are as follows:

• Peripheral arterial disease or claudication, which is blockages in the leg arteries that can cause pain when walking.
• Renal artery stenosis, which is blockages in the kidney arteries. It can contribute to chronic kidney disease and/or high blood pressure.
• Carotid artery stenosis, which is blockages in the kidney arteries. It can lead to a stroke.
• Venous problems, such as chronic venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
• Abdominal aortic aneurysms, which is a bulging of the aorta. It can cause the aorta to rupture.
• Vasculitis, lymphedema, Raynaud’s, and varicose veins.

Vascular medicine doctors diagnose and treat all blood vessels conditions using numerous non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures, such as:

• Abdominal aortic ultrasound
• Carotid ultrasound
• Venous and arterial ultrasound
• Wound care
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Endovenous laser and radiofrequency ablation
• Sclerotherapy and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy
• Ambulatory phlebectomy
• Anticoagulation management and monitoring.

How Long Should I Stay in Bangkok?

Since most vascular medicine procedures can be performed as an outpatient procedure, you should be able to leave the hospital on the same day. Still, you should plan to stay in Bangkok for at least 3 to 7 days to let your body recover and attend a follow-up checkup, if necessary. However, this depends on the condition and the type of treatment you will have. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Different conditions and procedures have different recovery times. In many cases, you can expect to return to work immediately or within a couple of days and strenuous activities within 5 days or so. However, for more serious conditions, such as renal artery stenosis, longer recovery time may be needed.

What Aftercare is Required?

Your doctor will give you aftercare instructions, which normally include activity restrictions, dietary and exercise recommendations, as well as how to care for yourself at home. Following all of the instructions is important to avoid complications and to speed up your recovery. If your doctor prescribes you medicines, make sure to take them as directed. For certain diseases, such as deep vein thrombosis, you may need to see your doctor regularly for scans to check your blood clots. If you cannot travel multiple times to Bangkok, you can choose to have the checkups with your local doctor.

What's the Success Rate?

Over the last several decades, the clinical practice of vascular medicine has significantly changed. Understanding of vascular diseases is continuously expanding, resulting in the development of new therapeutic approaches. A better understanding of vascular conditions, new techniques, and technological advances have played crucial roles in improving the success rates and safety of vascular medical procedures.  

Are there Alternatives?

There is currently no alternative to vascular medicine. However, if your doctor thinks that you need surgery, they will refer you to vascular surgery. They will also refer you to a relevant specialist if your condition is found to be caused by something else unrelated to the lymphatic and circulatory systems.

Vascular 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.