Anesthetics in Thailand

Anesthetics are a medication that causes temporary loss of sensation or awareness. They are used during tests and surgical operations to prevent patients from feeling pain and discomfort, keeping them comfortable and enabling a wide range of medical procedures to be performed. 

There are several types of anesthetic, including:

• A general anesthetic puts you in a sleep-like state, preventing you from feeling any pain. You will be unaware of your surgery, do not move, or feel anything while it is carried out. It is mainly used for major surgeries, such as heart surgeries and knee and hip replacement. 
• Local anesthetics will numb a small area of your body, but you will not lose consciousness, meaning you will be fully awake during the procedure. They are commonly used in minor surgery, such as stitching a deep cut, wisdom tooth removal, or a skin biopsy. However, they can also be used to treat painful conditions or relieve pain after surgery. In some cases, they may be used for major surgery that requires you to be awake, such as awake craniotomy.
• Regional anesthetic works the same way local anesthetic does by numbing a specific area of your body while you stay awake. However, it numbs a larger part of the body. It is usually used for orthopedic surgery on an arm, leg, hand, or foot.
• The epidural anesthetic is a type of regional anesthetic. It is usually used to numb the lower half of the body, such as during childbirth. It can also be used to help control pain after major surgery to the chest or belly.
• A spinal anesthetic is another type of regional anesthetic. It is used to give total numbness to the lower parts of the body, such as in the lower back or the base of the spine. It is commonly used during arthroplasty, joint replacement, vascular surgery on the legs, and hemorrhoidectomy.
• Sedation is a medication that relaxes you mentally and physically and often makes you feel sleepy. It is used to keep you calm during minor, unpleasant, or painful procedures and is often used with a regional or local anesthetic to help you feel calm. 

Anesthetics are given by an anesthetist (doctors who have received specialist training in anesthesia) in a number of ways, including as a gas you breathe in, as an injection into a vein, or as an ointment, spray, or drops.

How Long Should I Stay in Thailand?

With local anesthetics, you should be able to leave the hospital on the same day. If your surgery involves a general anesthetic, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days. In general, plan to stay in Thailand for at least 2 to 14 days. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time depends on your specific situation, the type of surgery you have, and the type of anesthetic used. The effects of local anesthetic usually wear off in a few hours. General anesthetics may affect your memory, reflexes, and concentration for a day or two. It is generally recommended that you take time off work for at least a week or two, but, again, it depends on the type of surgery you undergo.

What Aftercare is Required?

Specific instruction will be given by your doctor, which may include food and activity restrictions. It is important to follow all of these instructions closely. Although the instruction will be tailored to your specific condition, you may be advised to avoid driving, drinking alcohol, or signing any legal documents for a few days.

What's the Success Rate?

Undergoing surgery and receiving anesthesia is safer today than ever before. Thanks to continuing advancement in equipment, medication, and training, serious problems are becoming rarer. However, this does not mean that there are zero risks. Although very rare, all types of medical procedures carry a potential risk, such as nerve damage and an allergic reaction to the anesthetic medication.

Are there Alternatives?

There are no alternatives to anesthetics. Without anesthetics, surgeries can be very painful and dangerous. Also, some surgeries would not be possible to be carried out without anesthetics. 

Anesthetics in and around Thailand

About Thailand

Thailand leads the way for Asian countries with over 60 state-of-the-art JCI accredited facilities and consistently voted one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It's known for its tropical beaches, floating markets, stunning royal palaces, and Buddhist temples. In Bangkok, the capital, an ultramodern cityscape rises with brand new high-rise condominium developments next to quiet canalside communities. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the most popular tourist areas outside of Bangkok are Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Pattaya, all with great yacht chartering opportunities.

Thailand welcomes hundreds of thousands of medical tourists each year, many of which travel for Anesthetics procedures. Medical Tourists travel from all across the globe, particularly from the local SE Asia region, Australia, United States, Middle East and an increasing amount are traveling from China. An outstanding private healthcare system combined with a hot tropical climate and competitive prices means that Thailand is now the third most popular destination in the world for medical tourism. The most popular procedures tend to be cosmetic surgery (breast augmentations, gender reassignment surgery, and CoolSculpting to name a few), cardiac surgery, orthopedics, and urology.

Popular Parts of Thailand

With a population of just under 70 million people spread across an area of around 500k square km, Thailand’s most popular regions/cities include Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Koh Samui, and Hua Hin. The capital city Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in the world, whilst Thailand as a whole receives over 30 million tourists each year, the vast majority of these will enter Thailand through Bangkok. 

As Bangkok is the only urbanized region mentioned, all others are centered around island/beach life, with the exception of Chiang Mai, set in the northern Thailand jungle.

Weather and Climate in Thailand

Known for its truly tropical climate and scorching temperatures, Thailand, in general, is hot and humid all year round. The coastal locations do benefit from the cooling sea breeze, a luxury urban Bangkok is denied. Average temperatures range from 28°C (82°F) up to 35°C (95°F). However, during the Hot Season (March to June), temperatures can top 40°C (104°F).

The infamous Rainy Season tends to start in July and continue through to October; during this time expect heavy rainfall, often amounting to flooding in some areas. It will remain warm to hot but humidity levels will rise and the mosquitos will come out to play!

November to February is often referred to as the Cool Season when less rain is expected and the temperatures tend not to rise above 35°C (95°F).

From a tourist perspective; High Season lasts from November to March and Low Season April to October. But be aware of the Shoulder Seasons of April to June and September to October, when Thailand is less impacted by the Rainy Season and less busy with tourists – these can be the ideal times to visit.

In a nutshell, Thailand is a Shorts and T-shirt Country, you’re never really going to be cold, so pack light; shorts, t-shirts, vests, skirts, singlets, and light dresses. Maybe pack jeans and shoes if you’re planning on going to a swanky roof-top bar in Bangkok or to a temple where flip-flops are not acceptable.

Don’t forget mosquito spray as the little pests can get everywhere; big ones and little ones! Always protect against the sun; high factor sunscreen and UV-protective sunglasses. The usual medications found at home should be available in most pharmacies.

Getting around in Thailand

With the Suvarnabhumi International Airport being serviced by some of the world’s major airlines, tourists can fly into Thailand from almost anywhere in the world, sometimes with a connection along the way. All the popular regions have their own international airports, with the exception of Pattaya, which is just a 90-minute taxi ride from Bangkok. However, arrival destinations are slightly limited outside of Bangkok, but the likes of Emirates and Qatar Airways will fly into Phuket International Airport. The rest, mostly fly in from local countries on budget airlines, including Scoot, SilkAir, AirAsia and Lion Air to name a few.

For domestic flights, the airports are nicely linked in Thailand with flights from as little as $45 USD one way. There are several budget airlines servicing these routes, including Thai Lion Air, AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Smile.

The train allows for even cheaper travel within Thailand and is far more comfortable than spending hours sitting on a bus. Bangkok has the BTS, or Skytrain, which allows for fast transfer from the airport into the city. Given the traffic in central Bangkok, the BTS offers a great alternative to being stuck in traffic jams.

Taxis are great, however, be sure to confirm the price before you begin your journey or better still, insist the ride goes on the meter – that is how you guarantee the cheapest and fairest price. But expect traffic in the city and any built-up areas.

Tourist Visas in Thailand

Whilst Thailand is most welcoming of tourists from all over the world, travelers should check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand for confirmation. Those with a UK, US, German, Australian, Singaporean passport, for example, do not require a visa when entering and can stay for up to 30 days. Whereas Chinese and Indian passport holders are required to apply for a visa on arrival, which lasts up to 15 days – for more information, click here.

Additional Information

1. The Thai Baht (THB) is the local currency and $1 USD will get you 30-33 THB, or in other words, 1,000 THB is worth approximately $32 USD.
2. ATMs are readily available across Thailand and accept virtually all major bank cards (Visa, Mastercard). Credit card payment is accepted in most established restaurants and outlets, with the more local food vendors, for example, only accepting cash. Tipping is common as service is not included at restaurants, anything around 10% is fine.
3. Thai is the local language but due to the extremely well-established tourism industry in Thailand, English is spoken by most locals who work with tourists, and often signs will have an English translation.
4. Buddhism (95%) is the primary religion throughout Thailand, with a large Muslim population (4%) mostly focused in the south. The Royal Family is deeply revered throughout the country and should never be disrespected, such behavior is severely punished. Pointing with your feet and touching another person’s head is considered extremely rude.
5. There are many public holidays in Thailand, which aren’t always on the same day each year, including Songkran (Thai New Year), which is celebrated in mid-April, Labor Day, and Coronation Day in early May, Asanha Buja in July and Constitution Day in December.