PMG Hospital
PMG Hospital
Thailand, Bangkok
Watcharin Wichapolchaiyakul
9 years of experience
Clinic is certified :
Dr. Watcharin Wichapolchaiyakul is a board-certified gastroenterologist and internal medicine specialist at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University in Bangkok. He completed a gastroenterology fellowship and internal medicine board training at Siriraj. He received his MD from the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. He graduated with First Class Honors (GPA 3.90).
His clinical expertise includes Helicobacter pylori infection, gastric mucosal disorders, and drug-induced liver injury. He has presented research at Digestive Disease Week in Chicago. His work covers gastric microbiota in CagA-positive and CagA-negative H. pylori. It also includes gene-guided N-acetylcysteine for prevention of anti-tuberculous drug-induced hepatitis. He is a member of GAT, the AGA Institute, the Medical Council of Thailand, and RCPT.
Dr. Pichai Kittipanyaworakul is a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Navamin 9 Hospital in Bangkok. He earned his medical degree from Chiang Mai University. Dr. Kittipanyaworakul holds a diploma in gastroenterology and hepatology from Mahidol University, a top-tier Thai institution. He works at a JCI-accredited facility that treats 30,000 patients every year.
Prof. Dr. Varocha Mahachai has of specialized expertise in gastroenterology, focusing on complex digestive conditions at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.
Dr. Premkamol Patraithikul is a general surgeon with advanced training in minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Patraithikul earned an M.D. from Khon Kaen University. Dr. Patraithikul completed a residency in general surgery at Thammasat University. Dr. Patraithikul completed a fellowship in laparoscopic surgery at Mahidol University (Siriraj Hospital) in Thailand.
Clinical expertise includes laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Practice also covers general surgery, obesity and weight‑management surgery, and surgery for gastrointestinal conditions.
Evidence-based treatment for gastric ulcers in Thailand centers on Helicobacter pylori eradication and acid suppression. Thai national guidelines prioritize 10-day sequential or concomitant antibiotic therapies. Modern Potassium-Competitive Acid Blockers like Vonoprazan provide high healing rates. Specialized clinics in Bangkok and Pattaya follow JCI-accredited protocols.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Thailand’s leading gastroenterology departments, such as those at Sikarin Hospital and Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, manage massive patient volumes exceeding 250,000 annually. This high frequency has led to a specific focus on drug-resistant bacteria. Expert specialists like Prof. Dr. Varocha Mahachai, who has over 45 years of experience, often utilize salvage therapies like Levofloxacin-based triple therapy for cases where standard first-line treatments have failed elsewhere.
Thailand houses several Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited hospitals providing safe gastroenterology care. Leading facilities like Bumrungrad International and Bangkok Hospital Pattaya maintain global safety standards. These centers utilize advanced endoscopy and specialized units to treat complex conditions like gastric ulcers and hepatobiliary diseases.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a high concentration of expertise within the BDMS network. Prof. Dr. Varocha Mahachai at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya holds rare North American credentials like a Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Patients seeking complex ulcer care should look for these specific academic backgrounds to ensure Western-standard diagnostic accuracy.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that major private hospitals offer a premium experience with flawless endoscopy procedures. They emphasize that while costs are lower than in the US, the care feels superior due to clear communication regarding H. pylori testing and recovery protocols.
You can obtain common ulcer medications like Omeprazole and antacids over-the-counter in Thailand without a prescription. Pharmacies in major cities routinely stock international brands and affordable local generics. However, chronic symptoms requiring diagnosis should be evaluated by specialists at JCI-accredited facilities.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Thailand’s pharmaceutical landscape offers a unique balance of accessibility and high-level specialized care. While you can buy basic PPIs at most urban pharmacies, patients with complex ulcer issues often seek out experts like Prof. Dr. Varocha Mahachai at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. This facility is JCI-accredited and serves 400,000 patients annually. For long-term relief, travelers frequently combine OTC management with professional diagnostics at major centers like Sikarin Hospital in Bangkok.
Patient Consensus: Travelers note that buying generic PPIs at chain pharmacies is straightforward and requires no passport or prescription. Patients emphasize moving to a clinical evaluation if symptoms like black stools occur to avoid masking serious underlying conditions.
Most patients can travel within 3 to 7 days after non-surgical gastric ulcer treatment. If you experience bleeding, wait 10 to 14 days before flying. Post-surgery travel requires 10 to 14 days for safety. Thai JCI-accredited hospitals provide specialized medical clearance for international flights.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Thai gastroenterology centers like Bangkok Hospital Pattaya serve over 400,000 patients yearly. Leading specialists like Prof. Dr. Varocha Mahachai bring over 45 years of experience to ulcer management. This high volume means clinics are experts at managing flight clearances and paperwork. Always request a formal Fit to Fly certificate from your specialist before booking.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to wait 2 to 4 weeks after treatment. This delay helps them avoid diet disruptions and ensures medications are working well. Many recommend packing bland snacks and antacids since airline food often triggers pain during long flights.
Lifestyle factors for gastric ulcer therapy in Thailand center on dietary discipline and stress management. Patients must strictly avoid spicy `Thai Spicy` foods and alcohol to prevent mucosal irritation. Maintaining high hygiene standards and avoiding NSAIDs like aspirin are critical for healing under the care of JCI-accredited specialists.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Thailand’s high-volume centers, like Bangkok Hospital Pattaya which sees 400,000 patients annually, offer deep specialty expertise. Prof. Dr. Varocha Mahachai has over 45 years of experience in peptic ulcer disease. Choosing a veteran specialist at a JCI-accredited facility ensures access to advanced endoscopy for accurate monitoring of your recovery progress.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize avoiding even mild local dishes like tom yum. They find that eating yogurt during antibiotic treatment helps manage nausea and supports digestive comfort.
Retreatment for H. pylori is widely available in Thailand and recommended if initial eradication fails. Success rates remain high through rescue therapies that use different antibiotic combinations. Specialists typically prescribe bismuth quadruple therapy for 10 to 14 days to overcome bacterial resistance after first-line treatment failure.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Thailand is a hub for gastroenterology, with facilities like Bangkok Hospital Pattaya serving 400,000 patients annually. Highly experienced specialists, such as Prof. Dr. Varocha Mahachai with over 45 years of experience, often manage complex refractory cases. Choosing 14-day protocols instead of 7-day courses at JCI-accredited centers in Bangkok significantly improves eradication outcomes for international patients.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the necessity of confirming failure with a urea breath test rather than a blood test. Many note that adding probiotics and strictly following diet changes during retreatment helped them finally achieve a negative result.