Bangkok Aesthetic Trip Planner — VERZO CLINIC Medical Tourism Guide

Getting around — taxis and cars

Install: Grab, Bolt

Does not work in Thailand (zh): 滴滴 DiDi

Does not work in Thailand (ja): GO, Uber

Does not work in Thailand (ar): Careem, Uber

Does not work in Thailand (en): Uber, Lyft

Bolt is usually cheaper, Grab has more cars. Both accept card or cash and both will drop at the clinic door. Install before departure — both need SMS verification, which is easier on your home number.

Trains — BTS and MRT

Install: Google Maps

You do not need a transport app. Buy a single-journey ticket at the machine, or tap a contactless Visa/Mastercard straight at the BTS gate — that has worked on the Sukhumvit line since 2024. The clinic is at BTS Ekkamai, Exit 1.

Maps and directions

Install: Google Maps

Does not work in Thailand (zh): 高德地图, 百度地图

Google Maps is the only map with reliable Thai coverage, including bus and boat routes. Chinese visitors: 高德 and 百度 have almost no Thai data, and Google Maps is hard to install once you are in China — do it before you leave. Download the Bangkok area for offline use.

Paying for things

Install: Your existing Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay

Does not work in Thailand (ja): PayPay, 楽天ペイ, d払い

Does not work in Thailand (ms): Touch 'n Go, GrabPay MY wallet

Cards are accepted in malls, hotels and clinics; markets and small restaurants are still cash. Chinese visitors are the exception — Alipay 支付宝, WeChat Pay 微信支付 and UnionPay 银联 work in many Bangkok businesses including this clinic. Japanese and Malaysian payment apps do not work in Thailand at all.

Cash and exchange rates

Install: Your bank app, Wise (optional)

Airport exchange counters give the worst rate in the country. Change a small amount there for the taxi, then use a SuperRich or Vasu branch in the city — the rate difference on a week of spending is real. Thai ATMs charge a fixed foreign-card fee per withdrawal on top of your bank's, so take out more, less often.

Talking to people

Install: Google Translate, LINE

Does not work in Thailand (zh): 微信 for local businesses

Download the Thai pack in Google Translate for offline use — its camera mode reads menus and signs well. LINE is how Thailand messages: shops, hotels and clinics all use it, including this one (@verzo). Chinese visitors keep WeChat for talking home, but Thai businesses will not be on it.

Staying connected

Install: An eSIM app — Airalo, Holafly, or your carrier's roaming

An eSIM activated before you land means Grab and Maps work from the moment you clear immigration, with no queue at the airport SIM counter. Thai tourist SIMs are cheap if you prefer a physical one; you will need your passport.