Bangkok 2008 Day 110: A Visit to Burumgrad- Hotel or Hospital?

After all the sightseeing I started feeling ill. I was able to hold back from being sick for nearly a week, but the following weekend my fever kicked in, sore throat started bothering.

So I decided to go see a medical practitioner.

Here in Bangkok, I don't see many clinics around, the only medical facility I know is Burumgrad hospital located in between Soi 3 and Soi 1.

A hospital or hotel? You be the judge.


Burumgrad is REALLY HUGE! I think there are altogether 3 main buildings. Each housing a particular department of medicine. I was led to Building one which houses general medicine.

Comfy huh?

Okayyy... this looks too good for comfort... I am very sure they are compensating with something.

They have general procedures before letting a doctor attend you. First you have to check your weight, take temperature and then check blood pressure. Mine was a little high according to the nurse. Better start exercising more.

The place was is so orderly, from being attended by a medical practitioner, to being led to a cashier aisle then to a pharmacists counter to collect medicine. Just within few minutes you are done!

My service number. I'm awaiting payment.

Pharmacists counter.

My suspicions are confirmed. We, the patients have to compensate for such luxurious establishment. Just for having sore throat (light flu) and light fever, I have to shell out for the following:

1) Doctor's fee: 700 Baht
2) Facility: 20 Baht
3) Medicine: 930 Baht.

Altogether I have pay a hefty sum of 1,830 Baht... *Gulp*

Well I guess it goes to say what you see is what you get... Err... in my case, what I see is what I pay. Sigh~

The hospital is so hotel-ish, they even have their own Starbucks outlet. Free wifi too.

There's even a 24-hour McDonalds. >.<

All in all, I think it's great that they build up a facade which is wonderful to put patients at ease. But it gets very ridiculous when the bill arrives.

In a way, I am also a little disgusted now that the world has turned health into cha-ching factory rather then really helping people.

Bangkok 2008 Updates: As of 8th June 2008

Heyaz all,

This could very well serve as my final update to my journey in Bangkok. It has been very fantastic throughout my stay and I appreciate each and everyone who has contributed to it.

Kindly refer to the following updates:

1) Bangkok 2008 Day 95: Bayoke Sky Hotel (The Tallest Hotel in Bangkok)

2) Bangkok 2008 Day 101: The Amazing Race (Part 1)

3) Bangkok 2008 Day 102: The Amazing Race (Part 2)- Erawan Falls, Srinakarin Dam, Bridge Over River Kwai

4) Bangkok 2008 Day 103: Dinner at Condoms & Chillin at Bed Supperclub

Hope you enjoyed it.

Bangkok 2008 Day 103: Dinner at Condoms & Chillin at Bed Supperclub

Somrat! Very happy to see you again! It's been too long. =) Hope to be able to catch up when I'm back in Malaysia.

In any case, we had dinner at Cabbages and Condoms (My second time). I was surprised that the place closes at 10.30pm. I thought it would be later. Nevetherless, the food was great, and the company even better.

We headed for Bed Supperclub at 11pm.

It was Monday night. So the crowd wasn't really there.

I love this speaker shaped like an '8'.

Ladder to a 'Bed'. =P

This is the room located on the left wing. It's more of a dining hall. Instead of tables and chairs, you get beds with trays (Sorta like breakfast served in bed. ;-P ). Very coowl concept.

The kitchen.

Crossing over to the right wing. Dance hall baybeh!

The crowd started picking up passed midnight. Got to see a lot of interesting people. =)

Had a few drinks and left at 1am. Thanks Somrat and g/f for the company! It was very good seeing you both. ;-)

Bangkok 2008 Day 102: The Amazing Race (Part 2)- Erawan Falls, Srinakarin Dam, Bridge Over River Kwai

The next day was free and easy day. The rally was on for only a day and we had the next day all to ourselves. Took the opportunity to do some sightseeing.

Woke up at 5.30am. Went for breakfast at 7.30am - 8am. Left the resort officially at 9am I think. Our next destination was Erawan waterfall located in Kanchanaburi province (Where we were already at).



It was nearly an hour drive to the falls. There were quite a lot of coffee shops there and we made orders. The food would then be delivered to the falls where we picnic'ed.

Beautiful lush forest path.

After 10 minutes of walking, we could hear the sound of a stream. This is the first one we came across.

Erawan waterfall consists of 7-tier falls. This being the zeroth if not mistaken.

The water is so clear you can even see fishies.

This is the first tier

Approaching 2nd tier falls. On the right you could see thai colleagues setting up the picnic spot.

2nd tier falls contains the biggest pool area and the most accessible. This is where the masses concentrated.

Changing rooms?

Yums yums* I didn't eat much because I was frightened of getting tummy aches. I already had 3 day constipation, didn't want to overload when still in 1/3 way of the trip.

Originally I didn't want to get wet. Because I didn't have enough clothes with me. But then again decided to jump in anyway when the falls just seemed too good to miss out. There's a small opening behind the falls and we climbed up the rock formations and just chilled there.

Spent a whole lot of time here. We played catch, jumping off each other's shoulders etc. Even getting our feet nibbled by fishes! Yes, there were a whole lot of fishes swimming with us.

The water was clear, but it was a tad salty. >.<


Next destination was to the Srinakarin dam (If not mistaken the biggest dam in thailand) just half hour drive from the falls.

The dam

The other side of the dam.

Road along the dam.

There's a small park at the other side of the dam. The air is fresher here and it's got a serene view.

Next destination, The Bridge over River Kwai. There's historical significance to this place. The bridge actually carries a railway track.

The place is full of food outlets and packed with tourists.

Crossing over to the other side. Occasionally trains would pass through, but we are able to stand on the side platforms built especially for pedestrians when the train crosses. Trains would normally go very slow when crossing.

A boat pulling a dinner booth.

Yeah made it to the other side!

Final destination, dinner at Phra Pratom Chedi (Biggest chedi in Thailand) located in the Nakhon Pathom province on our way back from Kanchanaburi.

The Chedi.

Lots and lots and lots of food stall as far as the eye can see.

The highlight of the evening is there's this ice-cream stall. And a old man who operates it. From time to time he would do a show. That evening I got to see him hurl a scoop of ice-cream high high up into the air and a spectator would catch it with a serving cup. See the video below.



I reached my service apartment at about 10pm. Was so beat that I zzz'ed straight away, after showering of course, I could still smell the erawan river smell on me.