Timed to the appointment, not the other way round
Hospital appointments in Bangkok tend to be in the morning, and the drive from Pattaya is two to two and a half hours before you add the city's rush hour. So start by telling us the time on your letter, and whether you need to register or have tests first. We work backwards from that and build in a margin, because arriving flustered and late is the last thing anyone needs on that day.
The early start is easier in a car you do not have to drive. Recline the seat, bring water and something light to eat if you are allowed to, and let someone else watch the motorway. Travelling alone? It can help to share the booking details with a family member, so they know when you leave and when you arrive.
A big campus, so we need the building
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, usually just called Chula Hospital, is a large teaching hospital run by the Thai Red Cross Society. It stands on Rama IV Road opposite Lumphini Park, close to Sala Daeng and Silom stations, and it is made up of many buildings rather than one front door. As a major hospital it is busy from early morning, and the roads around the entrances can be slow, which is one more reason to leave a margin.
Look at your appointment card for the building name or the clinic, and send it to us with the booking. The driver will drop you at that entrance, which saves a long walk across the grounds, especially for anyone who is unsteady on their feet or using a wheelchair.
- Send a photo of the appointment card if you are unsure which building it means
- Bring the letter, your passport or ID, and any previous results
- Say if a wheelchair or walker is coming, so it is loaded first and comes out first
- A family member or friend is welcome to ride along at no extra cost
The quiet ride home
Hospital days run long and rarely finish on schedule. You can book a separate ride back once you know your time, or keep the same driver waiting for you; return trips and waiting time are priced in chat before you go, so nothing has to be discussed at the end of a tiring day. Your driver is there to drive, not to ask questions. If you would rather rest than talk, just say so.
On price: a Van Pattaya to Chulalongkorn Hospital ride is ฿1,900 one way for the whole Toyota Commuter, which suits a family coming along together. For one patient and one companion, a smaller car from ฿1,200 is usually more comfortable and just as quick. Tolls and fuel are included, there is no deposit, and you pay the driver in cash after the trip. If someone else in the family needs the van Pattaya to Chulalongkorn Hospital on a later date, the same chat works for that too.