Some Misc. notes on Bangkok from Kathie
Nov 29th, 2007, 06:10 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some Misc. notes on Bangkok from Kathie
Since we go to Bangkok so often and there are so many reports on Bangkok, I wanted to post just a few notes from our trip rather than a complete trip report. We had time at the beginning and the end of our trip in Bangkok.
Restaurants: We visited a number of old faves including Lemongrass, LaNa Thai at Face, and Chote Chitr. We had hoped to be able to try out Pen (not the hotel, but the place Johnny Apple reviewed), but Cheryl was not in eating mode when we returned from Sri Lanka. We had hoped to pay another visit to Chote Chitr since we now knew how to get there quickly and efficiently from Wat Saket. We also intended to re-visit China House to see how they’ve settled in to their remodeled space and whether things have improved. Those will wait until next trip.
Spas: We visited Face, an old favorite. We were surprised not to get a response to our email, as that is how we have made advance appointments in the past. They are having some kind of problem with their email, so we called once we were in Bangkok. It’s still as wonderful as always.
We tried another spa, Prima spa, on Sukhumvit Soi 3. We were not impressed. We wanted to try the spa that does the 3.5 hour chocolate treatment. That will have to wait for next trip!
Wats: We visited some old favorites, like Wat Suthat and Wat Po. We also visited Wat Arun, as Cheryl hadn’t been there. We were at Wat Suthat just before the crown prince was scheduled to be there, and they were rolling out a carpet for him. We also visited Wat Sakhat, also known as the Golden Mount. We like to visit at least one “new” wat each trip.
New places visited: We love house museums, so visited The Kukrit House. Well worth an hour for those who have been to Bangkok before. Note that it is only open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. We also visited the Nine Days in The Kingdom exhibit at Zen. It was beautifully done and we very much enjoyed the photographic exhibit.
What we learned about being sick in Bangkok: Here’s report no one wants to write. As mentioned in my Sri Lanka report, Cheryl ate something suspect on our last day there and developed food poisoning in Bangkok. We always carry medications along, so anticipated this would be taken care of quickly. Our travel med clinic recommends Levaquin as a good antibiotic for treating GI symptoms. Cheryl waited a full day after the symptoms started to take the Levaquin. After her second dose, she developed a rash, so we discontinued it (a rash can be an indicator of an allergy, so it’s very important to discontinue the antibiotic). Cheryl also took some immodium after two days of symptoms, but it had no effect – not a good sign. The people at the hotel were very concerned. Staff supplied extra water, ask if there was anything they could get her. Friends brought the medications prescribed for them, and the night manager sent Cheryl some chicken congee at night – complimentary. We decided that is the thing to ask for if you are sick – the Thai version of chicken soup. Not spicy, it was very comforting. Since Cheryl was not getting better and she could not take the antibiotics we brought, we decided to go to Bumrungrad. Since we registered at Bumrungrad several years ago, I was able to call the hospital and make an appointment for her quickly and easily by giving them her hospital ID number. She saw a Gasroenterologist who took ordered tests and prescribed medications for her. She had excellent care. Her medical insurance covers urgent treatment outside the US. She submitted her bill and progress notes today, so we'll see what they pay.
We obviously already have lots on our list for our nexy trip to Bangkok!
Restaurants: We visited a number of old faves including Lemongrass, LaNa Thai at Face, and Chote Chitr. We had hoped to be able to try out Pen (not the hotel, but the place Johnny Apple reviewed), but Cheryl was not in eating mode when we returned from Sri Lanka. We had hoped to pay another visit to Chote Chitr since we now knew how to get there quickly and efficiently from Wat Saket. We also intended to re-visit China House to see how they’ve settled in to their remodeled space and whether things have improved. Those will wait until next trip.
Spas: We visited Face, an old favorite. We were surprised not to get a response to our email, as that is how we have made advance appointments in the past. They are having some kind of problem with their email, so we called once we were in Bangkok. It’s still as wonderful as always.
We tried another spa, Prima spa, on Sukhumvit Soi 3. We were not impressed. We wanted to try the spa that does the 3.5 hour chocolate treatment. That will have to wait for next trip!
Wats: We visited some old favorites, like Wat Suthat and Wat Po. We also visited Wat Arun, as Cheryl hadn’t been there. We were at Wat Suthat just before the crown prince was scheduled to be there, and they were rolling out a carpet for him. We also visited Wat Sakhat, also known as the Golden Mount. We like to visit at least one “new” wat each trip.
New places visited: We love house museums, so visited The Kukrit House. Well worth an hour for those who have been to Bangkok before. Note that it is only open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. We also visited the Nine Days in The Kingdom exhibit at Zen. It was beautifully done and we very much enjoyed the photographic exhibit.
What we learned about being sick in Bangkok: Here’s report no one wants to write. As mentioned in my Sri Lanka report, Cheryl ate something suspect on our last day there and developed food poisoning in Bangkok. We always carry medications along, so anticipated this would be taken care of quickly. Our travel med clinic recommends Levaquin as a good antibiotic for treating GI symptoms. Cheryl waited a full day after the symptoms started to take the Levaquin. After her second dose, she developed a rash, so we discontinued it (a rash can be an indicator of an allergy, so it’s very important to discontinue the antibiotic). Cheryl also took some immodium after two days of symptoms, but it had no effect – not a good sign. The people at the hotel were very concerned. Staff supplied extra water, ask if there was anything they could get her. Friends brought the medications prescribed for them, and the night manager sent Cheryl some chicken congee at night – complimentary. We decided that is the thing to ask for if you are sick – the Thai version of chicken soup. Not spicy, it was very comforting. Since Cheryl was not getting better and she could not take the antibiotics we brought, we decided to go to Bumrungrad. Since we registered at Bumrungrad several years ago, I was able to call the hospital and make an appointment for her quickly and easily by giving them her hospital ID number. She saw a Gasroenterologist who took ordered tests and prescribed medications for her. She had excellent care. Her medical insurance covers urgent treatment outside the US. She submitted her bill and progress notes today, so we'll see what they pay.
We obviously already have lots on our list for our nexy trip to Bangkok!
Nov 29th, 2007, 07:04 PM
#2
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hope you're better Cheryl. And glad you two got home safely. And yes, Bumrungrad is excellent. I went in with my knee situation and only called the day before I wanted an appointment. I too already had a medical ID card with them and it was very speedy. Saw a specialist and was prescribed two medications all for US$40+. I feel in good hands when I'm in Bangkok. Happy Travels!
Nov 30th, 2007, 06:54 AM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for your concern, Cheryl is fine. There is othing like getting the right drugs!
Gloria, it only takes maybe 15 minutes to register at Bumrungrad. You go to the 2nd or 3rd floor international desk. You'll need your passport. Having a card makes all the difference for getting an immediate appointment. We called early in the morning and got a same day appointment for Cheryl.
Also, we have routine dental care done at Bumrungrad, and you need your id number to request an appointment via the internet.
Next year? WHo knows! We do want to return to Sri Lanka, but probably not next year. We're thinking about the Pandaw Mekong cruise among other things.
Gloria, it only takes maybe 15 minutes to register at Bumrungrad. You go to the 2nd or 3rd floor international desk. You'll need your passport. Having a card makes all the difference for getting an immediate appointment. We called early in the morning and got a same day appointment for Cheryl.
Also, we have routine dental care done at Bumrungrad, and you need your id number to request an appointment via the internet.
Next year? WHo knows! We do want to return to Sri Lanka, but probably not next year. We're thinking about the Pandaw Mekong cruise among other things.
Nov 30th, 2007, 10:23 AM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bhutan and Burma are certainly on our list as well as India. The Phillipines are farther down the list, but I'm sure we'll get ther eventually. I'm awaiting Robbie's report on Bhutan. Another option is an earlier trip to Japan. We're interested in the Pandaw cruise at it gives a nice opportunity to see life in the small villages. So many places, so little time...
Dec 4th, 2007, 03:41 PM
#12
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Levaquan is considered a 'last chance' antibiotic & I have no idea how any responsible travel clinic would Rx it for traveler's diarrhea... Cipro or Bactrim-DS work, as does doxycyline (although most women get yeast infections).
I had a terrible reaction to Levaquan when it was mistakenly Rx-ed to me for a kidney infection, that was not an infection.
One per day caused extreme anxiety within 20--30 minutes so that I was fearful & racked with anxiety. The next day, the same thing happened. The urologist said that this reaction was not uncommon, as was a ruptured tendon!!! And, told me to stop taking it immediately.
So, it's good she stopped the Levaquan as a ruptured tendon is a not uncommon side effect & that is the last thing you need on a trip.
BTW, did you take Dukoral vaccine?
I learned about it on this board & we are definitely going to take it.
I had a terrible reaction to Levaquan when it was mistakenly Rx-ed to me for a kidney infection, that was not an infection.
One per day caused extreme anxiety within 20--30 minutes so that I was fearful & racked with anxiety. The next day, the same thing happened. The urologist said that this reaction was not uncommon, as was a ruptured tendon!!! And, told me to stop taking it immediately.
So, it's good she stopped the Levaquan as a ruptured tendon is a not uncommon side effect & that is the last thing you need on a trip.
BTW, did you take Dukoral vaccine?
I learned about it on this board & we are definitely going to take it.
Dec 4th, 2007, 04:05 PM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is significant resistance to Cipro in TD in SE Asia. That is why my travel med doc prescribed Levaquin(which is not really an antibiotic of last resort). While a ruptured tendon is a side effect that has been associated with Levaquin, the incidence level is very low. All medications have side effects.
No, neither of us have chosen to take Dukoral. Dukoral is available in Canada, but has not been approved in the US.
By the way, any antibiotic can cause vaginal yeast infections. The data on doxy indicates that it is not more likely to cause yeast infections than other antibiotics.
No, neither of us have chosen to take Dukoral. Dukoral is available in Canada, but has not been approved in the US.
By the way, any antibiotic can cause vaginal yeast infections. The data on doxy indicates that it is not more likely to cause yeast infections than other antibiotics.
Dec 4th, 2007, 04:34 PM
#16
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kathie...My non-fodors GTG friends went on the Pandaw cruise some years ago and loved it. Did you talk with them when you were at my GTG? They were sitting at the same table with you. Happy Travels!
