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

ThailandVisa RulesSoft Power VisaMedical VisaDiabetes CareBangkok Hospitals
Sep 8, 2025
6 days ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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
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TLDR : 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.
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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.
5 days ago
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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!
5 days ago
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Hamad ********
Why not apply for a regular medical visa for the first year, that way you'll meet those requrements?
6 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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.
6 days ago
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Anonymous *************
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Ning ******
Try Bumrungrad?
6 days ago
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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
6 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Okay, thank you. I appreciate the info
6 days ago
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Anonymous *************
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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?
6 days ago
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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
6 days ago
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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.
6 days ago
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Shandy ********
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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.
6 days ago
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Shandy ********
@Greg *******
 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.
6 days ago
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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?
6 days ago
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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.
6 days ago
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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.
6 days ago
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Greg ********
@Shandy *******
 What other documents are you suggesting could be used to apply for a medical visa?
6 days ago
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Shandy ********
@Greg *******
 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.
6 days ago
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Greg ********
@Shandy *******
 So you can get a DTV with just an appointment letter from a clinic or hospital?
6 days ago
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Shandy ********
It's possible but not guaranteed.
6 days ago
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Shandy ********
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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.
6 days ago
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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
6 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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.
6 days ago
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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.
6 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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.
6 days ago
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Anonymous *************
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John **********
Anonymous participant i wouldn't. Why complicate things?
6 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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.
6 days ago
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Anonymous *************
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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
6 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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.
6 days ago
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Anonymous *************
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