Bangkok (Lonely Planet) - Andrew Burke [215]
Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital (Map; 0 2711 8181; www.samitivej.co.th; 133 Soi 49, Th Sukhumvit)
All these hospitals have substantial ophthalmological treatment facilities. The best eye specialist in the city is Rutnin Eye Hospital (Map; 0 2639 3399; www.rutnin.com; 80/1 Soi Asoke; Th Sukhumvit; Phetchaburi exit 2; Asok exit 2).
Medical spas mixing alternative therapies, massage and detoxification have taken ‘the cure’ a step further. See Click here for recommendations.
Chinese Medicine
In the Sampeng-Yaowarat district, along Th Ratchawong, Th Charoen Krung, Th Yaowarat and Th Songwat, are many small Chinese clinics and herbal dispensaries, though not so much English; bring someone to translate. Larger is the Hua Chiew General Hospital (Map; 0 2223 1351; www.huachiewhospital.com; 665 Th Bamrung Meuang), a medical facility dedicated to all aspects of traditional Chinese medicine, along with modern international medicine. The team of licensed acupuncturists at Hua Chiew are thought to be Thailand’s most skilled, though there isn’t much English spoken here.
Dentists
They don’t call it the ‘land of smiles’ for nothing. As you wander around Bangkok it can seem there is a dental clinic on every soi. Business is good in the teeth game, partly because so many fà·ràng are combining their holiday with a spot of cheap root canal or some ‘personal outlook’ care – a sneaky teeth-whitening treatment by any other name. Prices are a bargain compared with Western countries, and the quality of dentistry is generally good. That said, remember that you get what you pay for…Clinics worth considering:
Bangkok Dental Spa (Map; 0 2651 0807; www.bangkokdentalspa.com; 2nd fl, Methawattana Bldg, 27 Soi 19, Th Sukhumvit; Sukhumvit; Asok) This is not a typo. Combines oral hygiene with spa services (foot and body massage).
DC-One the Dental Clinic (Map; 0 2240 2800; www.dc-one.com; 31 Th Yen Akat, Lumphini) Reputation for excellent work and relatively high prices; popular with UN and diplomats.
Dental Hospital (Map; 0 2260 5000-15; www.dentalhospitalbangkok.com; 88/88 Soi 49, Th Sukhumvit; Thong Lo) A private dental clinic with fluent English-speaking dentists.
Siam Family Dental Clinic (Map; 0 2255 6664; www.siamfamilydental.com; 292/6 Soi 4, Siam Sq; Siam) Teeth-whitening is big here.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are plentiful and in central areas most pharmacists will speak English. If you don’t find what you need in a Boots, Watsons or local pharmacy, try one of the hospitals listed above, which stock a wider range of pharmaceuticals but also charge higher prices (and you’ll need to see a doctor first). Hospital pharmacies are open 24 hours; smaller pharmacies usually open around 10am and close between 8pm and 10pm. One nonhospital pharmacy that’s open 24 hours is Foodland Pharmacy (Map; 0 2254 2247; 1413 Soi 5, Th Sukhumvit; Nana).
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MONEY
Most travellers rely on credit or debit cards to access cash in Bangkok, where ATMs can be found on almost every corner. The basic unit of Thai currency is the baht. There are 100 satang in one baht – though the only place you’ll be able to spend them is in the ubiquitous 7-Elevens. Coins come in denominations of 25 satang, 50 satang, 1B, 5B and 10B. Paper currency comes in denominations of 20B (green), 50B (blue), 100B (red), 500B (purple) and 1000B (beige).
By Thai law, any traveller arriving in Thailand is supposed to carry at least the following amounts of money in either cash, travellers cheques, bank draft or letter of credit, according to visa category: Non-Immigrant Visa, US$500 per person or US$1000 per family; Tourist Visa, US$250 per person or US$500 per family; Transit Visa or no visa, US$125 per person or US$250 per family. In 20 years of flying into Bangkok we have never been asked to show the contents of our wallets. That said, your funds might be checked if you arrive on a one-way ticket or if you look as if you’re at ‘the end of the road’. There is no limit to the amount of Thai or foreign currency you may