The ultimate guide to Doctors in Pattaya

Are you considering plastic surgery in Pattaya? You are making the right choice and these are some of the reasons for selecting Pattaya over other medical tourism destinations.

A brief overview of Pattaya

Pattaya is a breathtaking place, an amazing holiday destination. As a coastal city close to Bangkok it attracts millions of tourists thanks to its miles of beaches that draw people who love water sports and also those who love to laze around the beach and get a tan. For those who like quiet beaches, North Pattaya and Jomtien Beach (in the south) are relatively peaceful. Central Pattaya and Bangsaen Beach are water activity and tourist hubs. South Pattaya has only one beach, but it does have a 500 meters long walking street that is full of shops and restaurants.

The place is home to a large percentage of expats and also attracts more than 10 million tourists, many of them medical tourists who come especially for plastic surgeries, eye surgeries, cosmetic treatments and esthetic procedures, dental procedures and even general elective surgeries thanks to the low cost of medical care and medicines in Pattaya.

If you think that low cost means low quality of care, you are wrong. Doctors and surgeons in Pattaya speak English and Thai and sometimes other languages as well, have an excellent medical background and many of them have done some training in western countries or belong to associations there.

Private healthcare centers tend to be modern facilities, equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and a commitment to customer care that puts many foreign visitors’ experiences of their own country’s healthcare systems to shame.

So Pattaya has all the attractions and more as a tourist spot and very good quality medical care with first rate amenities. What’s more you can also get personal care-givers or nurses if you so require to help you with the recuperation process without breaking the bank.

Where is Pattaya?

Pattaya is on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand. It is about 120 kilometers south-east of Bangkok in the Chonburi province.

Why choose Pattaya for plastic surgery?

Cost:

At an earlier time plastic surgery was for celebrities and those that needed to look good and had money to burn. Today plastic surgery is exceedingly popular with normal, everyday people who want to change something about their body that they are not happy with. However, here the cost factor comes into play as such surgeries are quite expensive in advanced countries and not covered by any form of insurance. Pattaya offers affordable plastic surgery and cosmetic treatment options at prices that range from 50-70 percent less, which are great savings.

Some examples of the cost savings for plastic surgery in Pattaya:

• Breast Enlargement in Pattaya average cost AUD 5,000 (USD 3,700; CAN $4,700; UK £2,500; EURO €3,200), compared to AUD 16,500 in Australia (USD 12,200; CAN $15,700; UK £8,500; EURO €10,800).
• Eye lid/Eye bag surgery in Pattaya average cost AUD 1,500 (USD 1,100; CAN $1,400; UK £800; EURO €1,000), compared to AUD 8,000 (US $6,000; CAN $7,700; UK £4,100; EURO €5,200),
• Facelift in Pattaya average cost AUD 8,000 (USD 6,000; CAN $7,700; UK £4,100; EURO €5,200), compared to AUD $25,000 in Australia (US $18,000; CAN $23,700; UK £13,000; EURO €16,200),

Medical Facilities:

Medical facilities in Pattaya are more than a match for healthcare facilities in other parts of the world. These facilities have luxurious surroundings, use the latest equipment and technology and follow international standards in all aspects of medical care. There are also Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited facilities - a distinction awarded only to facilities who meet exceptionally high standards.

Doctor Training and Qualifications:

Globally medical fields have a certain cachet. Usually the standards for admission to medical schools are very strict and this is so in Thailand as well. Medicine is a respected profession with only the best candidates admitted to Thai medical schools. It takes six years of rigorous studies after school to complete the course in medicine.

After this the newly trained doctors have still to intern for a year and then practice for two further years in rural areas before studying further to complete specialization courses. This higher training can be done in advanced countries or further certifications can be done there.

Tourist Locations for pre and post-op recovery:

Pattaya is a tourist haven with all kinds of self contained hotels and resorts that offer luxury at affordable rates. As a medical tourist you can find rooms that meet your budget.

With room service and other facilities in the hotel when you need rest after your medical procedure you will get it, without have to pay a great deal more for it. Other services in hotels like laundry are also reasonably priced.

Where to stay in Pattaya?

You have a pick of staying options in Pattaya. This beach resort town has a plethora of beaches, each one different from the other, but all have a wide variety of hotels. You can find hotels for as little as USD 30 per day with good amenities or pay more for international luxury hotels and suites.

Depending on the clinic you have booked at, you can stay at a hotel nearby to reduce your commuting time, particularly if you have to visit the hospital or clinic many times pre and post treatment. If you are getting minor treatments done, then you may prefer to stay where there is more action and you can select hotels according to the desired amenities as well.

How safe is Pattaya?

On the whole and considering the number of tourists Pattaya hosts, people are relatively safe. Stray incidents do occur, however, and it is always better to err on the side of safety. It is important to stay alert at beaches and not be taken in by various scams. In the night you must be particularly careful not to let your guard down, particularly in dark and public places, though in your hotel you are safe. Like in other tourist countries, there are criminals who prey on tourists and this can happen via pick pocketing and bag snatching or even mugging. To be on the safe side, it is best not to wear expensive (or expensive looking) jewelry.

You also need to be careful and swim only in designated areas as currents can be strong. When you hire boats or go in for sporting activities keep an eye out on being scammed. Motorcycling, jet-skiing and other high risk activities may prove dangerous.

As long as you watch what and how much you drink and don’t indulge in risky behavior, you are safe. In fact Pattaya is a relatively safe family destination for holidays for locals as well as tourists.

How can I be sure the quality of care is the same as back home?

Even simple medical treatment carries with an element of risk. Surgery is risky wherever you are particularly if your body is more sensitive to certain drugs. If you are aware of your problems you need to tell your attending doctor about it, so that there is minimal risk to your health.

It is always a better proposition to select a doctor/hospital/clinic with a good track record. Accreditations, qualification, training and experience all go a long way in ensuring safety. It is also important that the doctor is compassionate and understands what you want and works towards the goal.

Medical Departures adds a safety factor to ensure reduced risk for you. We always carry out background checks and investigations on the clinics and doctors we list on our website. We verify the qualifications and other certifications of the doctors and their professional memberships. We even visit the clinics and hospitals to ensure that they meet international standards. We also check with patients who have used our services to make sure that they were satisfied and publish their testimonials whether positive or negative so that you can make a considered decision.

What happens if something goes wrong? Do Thailand doctors have warranties or guarantees?

Despite best precautions and care, sometimes problems do occur. If you face any mishap during or after treatment then we are there to fall back upon and we will ensure that your problems are addressed.

You can also get special insurance in case of medical complications for a nominal extra charge and this will cover all extra costs including flight and accommodation charges that you may incur.

Many clinics listed on our website offer their own warranties that cover extra charges for flights, accommodations and even local transport if you need to fly back for any possible complications. You can check with our customer care team for this.

Do doctors speak English?

All the doctors that cater to tourists invariably speak English comfortably. Many of them have done some training in English as well, so you will not suffer from any communication problems.

What payment methods are accepted in Pattaya?

It really depends on the payment method. If you pay cash, it is best to pay in Thai Bahts. However, major world currencies are accepted with international credit and debit cards, wire transfer and other international payment methods.

When is the best time to visit for plastic surgery in Pattaya?

While hospitals and clinics are open throughout the year, you may decide to visit at a specific time to suit your work and other schedules. The peak season is from November to February when the weather is pleasant, not too hot or cold. There may be occasional spells of rain or occasional hot days, but on the whole the weather is great at this time. From March to May the weather turns hot and humid, though it does see an influx of tourists even at this time.

From June to October it is raining and the rain can be quite heavy. As this is off-season, you may want to check this time of the year out when hotel and flight rates are much lower and the weather, when it is not raining, quite pleasant. However, downpours usually occur in the latter part of the day and last for an hour or two at the most.

What is the downside? What should I know about getting plastic surgery in Pattaya?

When you get surgery aboard you are in an unfamiliar surrounding among foreign people, which may make the experience unnerving to some people. As long as you are realistic in your expectations, you can have a good time and safe a great deal of money without compromising on the quality of care.

If you are going with someone, a partner or friend, then that person, too, should be willing to make compromises and be there for you when you need him or her. If you are having plastic surgery you are not going to be going on sightseeing trips immediately post-operation. Obviously, what you will be doing and when after surgery will be down to how you feel as much as the standard downtime for the procedure. Your companion will need to understand that and be happy to remain near you in the hotel you’ve chosen for your recovery. Most hotels have swimming pools and gyms attached; some have spas as well, so there are many entertainment options available so that your companion (and you when you start to feel more mobile) will have things to do without having to go too far.

If you have certain procedures, you may need to be in your room and out of the sun as well. You need to make sure that the hotel will be able to supply meals that cater to your taste and follow any dietary requirements (liquids or soft foods only after some surgeries).

What else is there to do in Pattaya?

There is a great deal to see and do in Pattaya. However, you have to decide how much time you spend holidaying before your surgery and how much time you may need to recuperate afterwards. Partly this depends on the kind of surgery you will undergo. You may also have some dietary restrictions before your surgery, so do take care of that aspect and follow medical advice.

In Pattaya the major attractions are found on the beaches. You can choose to sunbathe on the beach or opt for water based activities like swimming, jet skiing, banana boating, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing and the like. There is also golf available close to Pattaya and for the nature lover there tropical gardens and wildlife sanctuaries.

For shopping you can go to Central Festival Pattaya Beach, which has over 200 retail outlets, theatres, shops and restaurants in the premises. For quaint and old style shops you can go to Central Shop Pattaya. Then there is the Royal Gardens Shopping Mall. Theprasit Market near Jomtien Beach is a weekend night market.

Pattaya is also known for its party culture and you can dance the night away or simply hang out at bars, restaurants and night clubs, which are a hub of frenetic activity. You can also take in live cabaret shows that have lady boys enacting.

Don’t forget to indulge in some massage and spa treatments at a decent place at affordable rates. You need to be wary of places that are sleazy and may try to scam you.

Reaching Pattaya

The closest international airport to Pattaya is Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Major airlines from all over the world land here. You will have to make a road journey of about 120 kilometers to reach Pattaya. Air conditioned buses take around two hours from the airport to the city. However, if you take charter flights that come from many places, you can land at U- Tapao International Airport, about 45 minutes away from Pattaya.

Transport in Pattaya

You will not find it difficult to move around in Pattaya. You can travel by

• Songtaew, a kind of minibus. This can be hailed anywhere and you can get off anywhere. The fares vary by distance.
• Three different bus lines (designated by color) ply there on three different routes.
• Motorbike taxis (where you will be pillion rider) also ply, but it is best to negotiate the fares beforehand.
• Hired motorcycle.
• Tuk-tuks
• Rental car
• Private taxi
• Cycle (which you may be ale to get from your hotel)

Approximate flight times from other destinations to Thailand:

Flight times can vary and depend on whether there are stopovers or not and how long the stopovers are. These are approximate flight times:

Los Angeles to Bangkok – 17 hours
New York to Bangkok – 18 hours
Toronto to Bangkok – 17.5 hours
London to Bangkok – 12.5 hours
Sydney to Bangkok – 10 hours
Auckland to Bangkok – 12.5 hours

To this you will add another estimated two hours of road travel to reach Pattaya.

Visa Requirements:

From western countries like U.S.A., U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand visas are not required for a stay of 30 days. If you plan to stay longer then you can apply locally or apply for a longer visa from your home country. For other countries it is best to check online.

What now?

Do try out our quality checked clinics.

Look below to talk to our customer care team, ask for more information or complete your booking for plastic surgery in Pattaya.