I am from Thailand and I know people from America it doubt about medical or hospital in Thailand, but they have no idea. It’s so fantastic that the doctor still wear the white coat and the hospital is so clean and beautiful and now I am leaving in USA. I feel like I have been taught chain on the time and well-being care of like the way in Thailand did so. I am glad that you guys had just a great experience and Thailand is a great doctor, and I hope that it’s open your eyes. I’m glad that you be taken care of and have a good experience.
I got really ill in Uzbekistan a dozen or more years ago. Although I never learned the cause of the excruciating abdominal pain, it was likely my gallbladder reacting to some of the fatty meats I was eating (not my norm). Through a tour guide, we secured a room in a hotel and a doctor and her nurse arrived. They suggested I see a surgeon. The guide nixed that idea because of the remote area we were in. To ease my pain, I was giving an injection that translated as an antispasmodic. I fell asleep almost immediately and was on the road again in 90 minutes. It was weeks before I felt back to normal; however, I was grateful for the "home" visit and there was no charge.
What a pleasant surprise on topic choice for this week’s podcast. Love it though! Usually see medical tourism videos from “older” YT’ers. Both my husband and I have had wellness checkups done in Thailand and Malaysia. We both feel the one in Thailand is much more enjoyable and “high class”(one I would even labeled as “white glove” service). The one in Malaysia seems more haphazard. There’s no escorting from different test sites (though, still in the same building but we did get a little lost a couple of times), less fancy equipments and less detailed in the results reviewed by a general doctor instead of specialists like in Thailand. My quest to seek overseas wellness checkup came about when I was denied an MRI in the US even though we have a good health insurance, or so we thought, and after having gone through months (due to appointment [in]availability) of seeing different specialists, was told by insurance to need to go through more channels before it can get approved, such as exercises and physical therapies which can take a few more months and even then it may or may not be approved. And even if it does, I suspect the coinsurance cost would be fairly steep as well. Well, while having the wellness checkup done in Thailand, I was able to add on an MRI scan on the same day and get the results back, reviewed by a specialist that very same afternoon, all for $500. It was a very impressive experience to say the least. Too bad we couldn’t say the same about the Malaysian wellness checkup experience. Curious Question: Why didn’t Lisa have her wellness checkup done too?
This medical experience is typical in private hospitals in Thailand, even in smaller provincial towns. Government hospitals have similar levels of care but the waiting could be longer.
It was very interesting to hear about Josh’s medical experience. Would love to hear more content like this. Lisa, just curious, are you in the medical profession?
Great job getting a checkup, Josh! As a fellow American, I always get my "checkups"/health screenings abroad - so efficient and you know exactly how much it costs. I've found the prices for Malaysia medical checkups are MUCH cheaper than Thailand. Plus everyone speaks English. There are top hospitals but #3 is Sunway Medical Centre - Velocity. I got mine there, for 1/3 the cost of Thailand. The best value I've found is "Beacon Hospital" in Petaling Jaya (near Kuala Lumpur). Buy the screening package upfront online for a discount.
How about booking a flight to your next destination with a free cancellation or credit to rebook another date or another place. On the cell phone situation I use T-mobile and they have international coverage for $75 a month which is $25more than I normally pay plus since I have an iPhone 12 I can also get a sims card from the country I am in since my phone has dual sims. I know it might be a little pricey but it’s convenient and less hassle to the point all I have to do is switch sims anytime I need either sim, T-Mobile which would be my ESim and the country of choice would be an internal sims card
We are starting to travel abroad, from US. This year Canada (Banff and Jasper backpacking!), Guatemala, and Columbia. How do you all solve for the following “fun” things upon arrival in a new country? I hope there are mostly universal challenges. Get local currency, understand local Uber laws on how to use it and not use it, local smaller flights when you don’t speak the language yet changes are needed when a flight is late or missed since you were late due to another airline being late, finding a gym to workout especially when local weather is iffy for outdoors walking or hiking, and last but not least how do you actually really use Google Translate in a variety of real world situations. A lot of questions but you both hoping you both have some ideas on these and can maybe address in a future episode.
Been following you all for the past few years and my fiancé and I are planning to do a year long honeymoon like you all traveling the world next year! 🌎 How did you decide on Bangkok Hospital for where to do your medical appointment? Medical tourism has been super intimidating for me to figure out what is a good facility vs a bad one.
For first-timers to both countries, and having 2 weeks, would you recommend doing 1 week in Japan and 1 week in South Korea or do 2 weeks in 1 country and do a future trip for the other country? Which is your favorite of the 2 countries and why? What would be your ideal itinerary for 2 weeks? Thank you!
One of those fake flights websites absolutely saved my ass last year. Travelling to New Zealand from Japan towards the end of a 14 month trip. Slipped my mind that NZ needs an onward flight. Also turned up very late to check in due to a late transfer. Guy was literally turning us away that minute and saying we were to late and I booked the first fake flight on the dodgiest looking websites ive ever seen (like mid 90s website design) and it actually worked. Could not believe it but I'm never doing it again haha
If you are saying that routine health check up in Thailand is very good value for money compared to a lot of other countries, that's very true. The level of details and the great hospitality would impress anyone. If you are saying as a young person with no serious unhealthy habits it's a good idea to get comprehensive checkup, you are very wrong. Studies have shown that not only is it not useful, doing unneeded tests can have bad consequences on your health.
In the US, going for medical care is an open ended commitment. You have no idea of the costs for just about anything. Never get a straight answer. Then you'll be getting various bills for weeks or months. Just a crap experience.
I am from Thailand and I know people from America it doubt about medical or hospital in Thailand, but they have no idea. It’s so fantastic that the doctor still wear the white coat and the hospital is so clean and beautiful and now I am leaving in USA. I feel like I have been taught chain on the time and well-being care of like the way in Thailand did so. I am glad that you guys had just a great experience and Thailand is a great doctor, and I hope that it’s open your eyes. I’m glad that you be taken care of and have a good experience.
I got really ill in Uzbekistan a dozen or more years ago. Although I never learned the cause of the excruciating abdominal pain, it was likely my gallbladder reacting to some of the fatty meats I was eating (not my norm). Through a tour guide, we secured a room in a hotel and a doctor and her nurse arrived. They suggested I see a surgeon. The guide nixed that idea because of the remote area we were in. To ease my pain, I was giving an injection that translated as an antispasmodic. I fell asleep almost immediately and was on the road again in 90 minutes. It was weeks before I felt back to normal; however, I was grateful for the "home" visit and there was no charge.
What a pleasant surprise on topic choice for this week’s podcast. Love it though! Usually see medical tourism videos from “older” YT’ers. Both my husband and I have had wellness checkups done in Thailand and Malaysia. We both feel the one in Thailand is much more enjoyable and “high class”(one I would even labeled as “white glove” service). The one in Malaysia seems more haphazard. There’s no escorting from different test sites (though, still in the same building but we did get a little lost a couple of times), less fancy equipments and less detailed in the results reviewed by a general doctor instead of specialists like in Thailand. My quest to seek overseas wellness checkup came about when I was denied an MRI in the US even though we have a good health insurance, or so we thought, and after having gone through months (due to appointment [in]availability) of seeing different specialists, was told by insurance to need to go through more channels before it can get approved, such as exercises and physical therapies which can take a few more months and even then it may or may not be approved. And even if it does, I suspect the coinsurance cost would be fairly steep as well. Well, while having the wellness checkup done in Thailand, I was able to add on an MRI scan on the same day and get the results back, reviewed by a specialist that very same afternoon, all for $500. It was a very impressive experience to say the least. Too bad we couldn’t say the same about the Malaysian wellness checkup experience.
Curious Question: Why didn’t Lisa have her wellness checkup done too?
Great content, thanks
This medical experience is typical in private hospitals in Thailand, even in smaller provincial towns. Government hospitals have similar levels of care but the waiting could be longer.
I love Travel Thursday and the pod casts. Even though I’ll have your travel Thursday jingle in my head until bedtime😊
It was very interesting to hear about Josh’s medical experience. Would love to hear more content like this. Lisa, just curious, are you in the medical profession?
Great job getting a checkup, Josh! As a fellow American, I always get my "checkups"/health screenings abroad - so efficient and you know exactly how much it costs. I've found the prices for Malaysia medical checkups are MUCH cheaper than Thailand. Plus everyone speaks English. There are top hospitals but #3 is Sunway Medical Centre - Velocity. I got mine there, for 1/3 the cost of Thailand. The best value I've found is "Beacon Hospital" in Petaling Jaya (near Kuala Lumpur). Buy the screening package upfront online for a discount.
Really interesting episode, as always! :)
Question. If u want to transfer your google voice back to a usa plan or mint mobile, Verizon etc
How about booking a flight to your next destination with a free cancellation or credit to rebook another date or another place. On the cell phone situation I use T-mobile and they have international coverage for $75 a month which is $25more than I normally pay plus since I have an iPhone 12 I can also get a sims card from the country I am in since my phone has dual sims. I know it might be a little pricey but it’s convenient and less hassle to the point all I have to do is switch sims anytime I need either sim, T-Mobile which would be my ESim and the country of choice would be an internal sims card
How about booking a flight to your next destination with a free cancellation or credit to rebook another date or another place
I saved over $10K by doing my dental work in Costa Rica compared to the U.S and had a good time on vacation
We are starting to travel abroad, from US. This year Canada (Banff and Jasper backpacking!), Guatemala, and Columbia. How do you all solve for the following “fun” things upon arrival in a new country? I hope there are mostly universal challenges. Get local currency, understand local Uber laws on how to use it and not use it, local smaller flights when you don’t speak the language yet changes are needed when a flight is late or missed since you were late due to another airline being late, finding a gym to workout especially when local weather is iffy for outdoors walking or hiking, and last but not least how do you actually really use Google Translate in a variety of real world situations. A lot of questions but you both hoping you both have some ideas on these and can maybe address in a future episode.
Been following you all for the past few years and my fiancé and I are planning to do a year long honeymoon like you all traveling the world next year! 🌎
How did you decide on Bangkok Hospital for where to do your medical appointment? Medical tourism has been super intimidating for me to figure out what is a good facility vs a bad one.
For first-timers to both countries, and having 2 weeks, would you recommend doing 1 week in Japan and 1 week in South Korea or do 2 weeks in 1 country and do a future trip for the other country? Which is your favorite of the 2 countries and why? What would be your ideal itinerary for 2 weeks? Thank you!
Can you share the link of the hospital you chose?
One of those fake flights websites absolutely saved my ass last year. Travelling to New Zealand from Japan towards the end of a 14 month trip. Slipped my mind that NZ needs an onward flight. Also turned up very late to check in due to a late transfer. Guy was literally turning us away that minute and saying we were to late and I booked the first fake flight on the dodgiest looking websites ive ever seen (like mid 90s website design) and it actually worked. Could not believe it but I'm never doing it again haha
Lisa you enjoy making Josh cringe with the travel thursday jingle hahaha
If you are saying that routine health check up in Thailand is very good value for money compared to a lot of other countries, that's very true. The level of details and the great hospitality would impress anyone.
If you are saying as a young person with no serious unhealthy habits it's a good idea to get comprehensive checkup, you are very wrong. Studies have shown that not only is it not useful, doing unneeded tests can have bad consequences on your health.
In the US, going for medical care is an open ended commitment. You have no idea of the costs for just about anything. Never get a straight answer. Then you'll be getting various bills for weeks or months. Just a crap experience.
US medical needs to be dragged, all for profit😢