Escape the Countryside – Bangkok – July 2025

“Necessity is the mother of invention” – so the saying goes.

It was necessary for us to go to Bangkok for my medical, logistics appointments & to enjoy a short city break. The need had been building for awhile as the health of my urinary tract was causing me problems for over 12 months and I was referred for assessment. This situation was thanks to side effects from previous prostate cancer surgery & radiation treatment. Separately we needed to attend the Australian Embassy for some paperwork, so why not combine this with a city break, given we had been limited for travel during our house building period.

Bangkok Day 1

On Sunday, 20 July 25 with airline tickets in hand and hotel reservations (using the current Government 50 – 50 scheme) we ventured, via Nakhon Phanom airport, to Don Muang airport in Bangkok. It was lunch by the Mekong River at a local Nakhon Phanom eatery before going to the airport for late afternoon flight. Nice there is free outdoor parking at our local airport.

After collecting our luggage, we waited no time to secure a taxi to a ride to our hotel. The taxi driver from Don Muang airport misunderstood the location that Ace had asked to be taken to, so we had a slightly longer trip, but after just over an hour we eventually arrived at the Norn Riverside Hotel on the Chao Phraya River & checked in for a 4 night stay.

We chose this location as it was close to & easy access for Siriraj Hospital complex where I had some medical appointments. It turned out that the area immediately by the hotel was hosting an evening street market, for 10 days, with stalls for food & goods open every evening, adding to the ambiance of the area. After some browsing about we found a streetside restaurant for dinner, amongst the busy market, for some people watching – the food was very good & reasonable.

Bangkok Day 2

The next morning we had an early appointment with the Australian Embassy consular section for some paperwork and to say hello to colleagues from our time as Honorary Consul in Chiang Mai. Early Monday morning traffic in Bangkok is hectic and it took us about 1.5 hours to travel 7 kilometers to the Embassy. We had planned initially to have breakfast before our appointment but the travel time was such that we headed straight into the Embassy consular section. It was nice to catch up with some of the team that we worked with previously and to meet some of the new staff from Australia. We managed to get our paperwork sorted, & then we went across the road to the new One Bangkok complex for morning breakfast & coffee.

We then had another appointment & some running around to do in the city. Luckily there was a free EV shuttle bus that went from One Bangkok to the BTS Ploenchit station, the area where we had an appointment. After some business we took time for lunch at nearby Central Chidlom upmarket food court. Then in the afternoon it was an indulgent treat at “McDonalds” across from Central World Shopping Center. Eating McDonalds is not something that can be done anywhere near where we live. It is reminder of the fast food world that is ok for a now & then treat. Ordering & payment was done on a large tablet screen with food delivered to your table – modern hospitality?

We also indulged in some takeaway Canadian Tim Horton donuts (my Canadian background) for afternoon coffee. After some relaxing at the hotel we decided to head out to Central Pinklao Shopping Center for dinner and a movie. Getting around Bangkok by taxi was very easy & reasonable. Nearby our hotel on the river was a “river boat station” so there were always taxi’s available. At the shopping center we went to the food court area and I enjoyed a toasted Pastrami sandwich & Ace had spaghetti. We then planned on taking in the new Superman movie at the Major Imax Cinema. We had just sat down and the movie had started when we received the call about the passing of our dog Lex at the dog kennel in Nakhon Phanom – that ended the movie outing abruptly.

Bangkok Day 3

Tuesday, 22 July 25, was dedicated to medical appointments (morning & evening) at Siriraj Hospital complex with the urologist that had performed by prostatectomy back in 2016. First appointment was at the Siriraj Private Hospital (Piyamaharajkarun) & later in the day an appointment at the Siriraj Public Hospital (outpatient after hours clinic) with the same urologist.

In the morning we discussed my concerns, history and medical referral from the Nakhon Phanom urologist. The doctor advised that he wanted to undertake a Cystoscopy procedure to visual inspect the urinary tract before any other bladder testing – as the symptoms suggest a “stricture”. Prior to the evening consultation some blood tests, ECG & Xray were ordered. All this took most of the morning & we were told to return after lunch to collect the results for our next appointment.

The Private Hospital is very modern & has restaurants on site so we headed to MK restaurant for lunch. It was interesting to find, that like McDonalds, you order your food on a touch screen situated at each table. The food is then delivered by a ‘robotic waiter’ – the waitress then places the food on your table. An interesting approach – not much need to talk to anyone anymore? After collecting the test results we took a river boat ferry from the hospital to our hotel. This is an easy way to travel up & down the river while offering different views of Bangkok.

In the evening we took the results of the tests to the after hour appointment (18:30) to discuss next steps with the urologist. He advised that his team was available for the procedure on Friday 1 August & morning test results showed nothing of concern for the cystoscope procedure. I was advised that if the initial exploratory procedure identified a stricture, then a DVIU procedure would be performed to remove scar tissue. While I would initially be under sedation only, if cutting is required then either local or general anesthetic would be administered. While in the west this is normally a day procedure, at this Thai hospital it requires admission and a minimum 2 night stay (1 night before & 1 night after) for the surgical procedure. So after seeing the doctor we were directed to the planning and booking section to complete the preparations for admission on 31 July 25.

As it was rather late into the evening when we finished (9:30) we decided to return to the streetside restaurant nearby the hotel for a light dinner. While chatting over dinner we decided to cut our trip short, given the death of our beloved dog – LEX, & to return home to pick him up to bury our furry best friend. New tickets needed to be purchased & arrangements made for our early return, so bedtime was near mid-night.

Bangkok Day 4

On Wednesday 23 July we had slow start to the day, with a later wake up and morning coffee while watching the always busy Chao Phraya River traffic. With an early afternoon flight we decided to head to the Don Muang airport for lunch & to await our flight home. We had a very chatty taxi driver who gave us a tour on the side roads of Bangkok, staying off the overhead freeways, as we were in no rush. There are lots of food options at the airport for us to enjoy lunch. We also decided to take a few Krispy Creme donuts home with us for an afternoon treat.

When we landed in Nakhon Phanom airport, we loaded our truck & drove to the Hope Vet Hospital and collected Lex & Izzy. The team brought LEX to the truck on a stretcher (he had been in deep freeze awaiting our return). It was an emotional pick up and 40 minute drive back home to That Phanom.

During the day, while we were in transit, it was arranged for some locals to dig a grave at the rear of our house. Once home we set about burying LEX, our family pet. It was a traumatic and emotional home coming. See our Family Pet Page for further details.

Back to Bangkok

We are scheduled to return to Bangkok next week for my admission & surgical procedure at Siriraj Hospital. It is planned to fly down on Wednesday 30 July, hospital admission on 31 July, & the procedure on the 1 August. Hopefully I will be discharged on Saturday, August 2 or Sunday 3rd, 2025.

The urologist is planning these procedures, as necessary. Cystoscopy and DVIU are two distinct urological procedures, often related in cases of urethral strictures. Cystoscopy involves visualizing the urethra and bladder using a small camera (cystoscope). DVIU, or Direct Visual Internal Urethrotomy, is a surgical procedure to widen a narrowed section of the urethra (stricture) using a cystoscope and a cutting instrument. Essentially, cystoscopy can be used to diagnose a urethral stricture, and DVIU is a treatment option for that stricture. 

I am clinging to the hope that my urinary challenges can be resolved (at least for now) and that I can rid myself of using a catheter on a frequent basis for the longer term. Time will tell.

Thai Cambodian Border Conflict

Just a side note in response to some questions I have been receiving – I wanted to confirm that the current tensions between Thailand & Cambodia are occurring some distance, about 360 km or more away, from where we are located. It isn’t having an impact on life here, but is sadly causing loss of life in the conflict area. It is hoped that dialogue will prevail to find a peaceful solution to the long running differences involved. Here is link to the Thai Government PR – Facebook page for official information.