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Answereda year ago

What are the best hospitals in Bangkok for diabetes treatment to apply for a soft power medical visa?

Thailand Visa Rules Soft Power Visa Medical Visa Diabetes Care Bangkok Hospitals

Anonymous *************

Anonymous *************

OP

asked Sep 8, 2025

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Hello, I was thinking about applying under soft power medical for diabetes but I received this response from a hospital in bangkok stating I need to see their doctors for a year for diabetes care which doesn't help me now 😅

Does anyone have any experience or recommendations for a hospital in Bangkok?

Otherwise, it's looking like I'll be applying under the cooking soft power.

Thanks

Answer summary

An expat is considering applying for a soft power medical visa for diabetes but faced challenges with hospital requirements in Bangkok, specifically needing to see doctors for a year for treatment. They sought recommendations for hospitals and mentioned the possibility of applying under the cooking soft power visa instead. Community members shared their experiences with hospitals, suggesting Bumrungrad Hospital and advising on documentation, appointment setups, and considerations for regular medical versus soft power medical visas.

28 repliesnewest first

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Ross **********

Ross **********

Hi,

I had previously tried the medical route. Any enquiries I made the doctor wanted an in person examination first before issue of DTV.

Worked out a lot easier just doing MT.

1

Kim ********

Kim ********

Darn, that’s what I was going to use also.

Can you go as they stated, on a tourist visa and establish care by chance?

Good luck!

0

Hamad ********

Hamad ********

Why not apply for a regular medical visa for the first year, that way you'll meet those requrements?

1

Anonymous *************

Anonymous *************

OP

I guess I want the peace of mind to have a 5 year visa. Also I didn't even think to do this. Thanks, I will consider it.

0

Ning ******

Ning ******

Try Bumrungrad?

0

Alain ***************

Alain ***************

Try downloading the bumrungrad hospital application and create an account. In there you can make an appointment with a diabetes doctor for video call. They sent me a list of upcoming appointments abd a note that i need lifetime treatment for my kidney transplant and stroke. But i know my doctors in Bangkok for years. Let your doctor write a note that you need regular check ups ( mine are every 3 months). You could even show upcoming appointment in the hospitals app if immigration asks for it. I only once had to say purpose of stay is mefical treatment. No further explanation needed

1

Anonymous *************

Anonymous *************

OP

Okay, thank you. I appreciate the info

0

Shandy ********

Shandy ********

I don't know why the medical provider would be in the position to determine eligibility for a visa. They can decide what treatment you need and it would be up to the embassy to decide this based on the facts, no? Are they refusing treatment because you're not on a proper visa yet?

0

Todd *********

Todd *********

@Shandy *******

no. You can specifically apply for DTV for medical treatment. But need a letter from your provider outlining the treatment plan.

And you don’t need a visa at all to get medical treatment

0

Shandy ********

Shandy ********

I got a DTV for medical treatment myself, but I didn't involve my care provider in visa issues. The provider says that they only will provide a letter for a DTV for a patient who's only been in their care for over a year among other requirements that the OP can't meet right now. The hospital didn't say that they wouldn't provide any treatment plan at all, just not for DTV applications, which personally I don't think is their call because their expertise is not immigration.

1

Greg ********

Greg ********

@Shandy *******

They are not refusing treatment. Did you read the post? Looks like they are saying they will not provide documentation unless the person has already been a patient.

3

Shandy ********

Shandy ********

Also, the hospital's answer specifically relates to patients "eligible to apply for the DTV," not whether they would be able to seek treatment at the hospital.

0

Shandy ********

Shandy ********

Is there something stopping him from registering as a patient at the hospital and then receiving the documentation? Is the issue that he needs to DTV to enter Thailand at all based on his nationality?

0

Shandy ********

Shandy ********

It's possible but not guaranteed.

0

Greg ********

Greg ********

@Shandy *******

So you can get a DTV with just an appointment letter from a clinic or hospital?

0

Shandy ********

Shandy ********

The requirement for soft power, for most embassies, is an appointment letter, with no guidelines as to format. OP's mistake was asking for a letter for the DTV in his first contact, which now makes the healthcare provider worried about reputation management.

0

Greg ********

Greg ********

@Shandy *******

What other documents are you suggesting could be used to apply for a medical visa?

0

Shandy ********

Shandy ********

My point is anyway that there's nothing stopping the OP from bypassing their refusal and using other treatment documents they provide, which they could obtain with a medical visa or otherwise.

0

Greg ********

Greg ********

@Shandy *******

The hospital stated he can have treatment on a tourist or medical visa does it not? They are not refusing treatment at all. It looks like they will not support DTV applications unless already a patient for a period of time. You are reading too much into one line from someone who is not a native English speaker. Bottom line. The hospital does not support DTV applications with documentation unless already a patient for this illness.

0

Greg ********

Greg ********

They may want to be certain the person is genuine. There are people on the DTV happily bragging they got it for medical treatment then subsequently cancelled the appointments.

5

John **********

John **********

No recognised hospital is going to issue you with documentation for the DTV without first examining you and then drawing up a treatment plan

4

Anonymous *************

Anonymous *************

OP

Okay, I can understand where they are coming from. I'm wondering if I should mention I will be receiving care for it along side thai cooking courses in my application.

0

John *********

John *********

Anonymous participant Apply for ONE reason.

Cooking school is perfectly fine and works.

If you choose to go medical: This hospital is not the only hospital. You could call around. The best hospitals have English speaking staff on the phone.

Get to Thailand as tourist. See their doc. Get a treatment plan outlined and say you’d like to use that for a DTV.

If you get pushback or they say they’ve never done it, find another place.

0

Anonymous *************

Anonymous *************

OP

I think I will apply for the cooking and establish long term care with a doctor in Thailand. So if there is any issues during a border run or they ask me down the road or there policy changes, I can then claim and show Ive been using medical care too.

0

John **********

John **********

Anonymous participant i wouldn't. Why complicate things?

0

Anonymous *************

Anonymous *************

OP

I thought like a one line statement in my cover letter that along side my learning thai cooking i will also be using medical care in Thailand. But I agree. I don't want to complicate the issue.

0

Alex *********

Alex *********

Anonymous participant if you have had a previous medical history in Thailand, that could surely help. If not, well, then it's a gamble cuz if could be taken either in a good or a bad way. Perhaps you could write a cover letter explaining why you like Thailand and u want a long term visa. You could write a couple of lines saying that you are diabetic and that Thailand is also a perfect place for taking care of your health issues

1

Anonymous *************

Anonymous *************

OP

Yes, this makes sense. Apply for cooking and add that Thailand is perfect for covering my medical needs as a another reason why I want to stay long term.

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