Assuming it is the Samui Clinic you are referring to, I knew a couple of trans women who went there about five or so years ago. It was regarded as a second tier, bargain surgery for SRS. One girl was generally satisfied but thought depth and appearance could have been better, though being a lesbian, she wasn't bothered much, the second had a problem w/ too prominent positioning of the clitoris, causing too much stimulation and painful chafing. It eventually settled down but for nearly a year she taped a small cup over it to avoid stimulation.

There has also been some online controversy about them: http://www.tsroadmap.com/international/thailand.html

The Samui Clinic

From a reader in October 2006.

I strongly discourage people to even consider this option in Thailand, the hospital has little to offer and the nurses have problems understanding English when I'd visited. The problem with surgery outside Bangkok is that patients has little option left if they run into problems/ complications – there's no 2 nd clinic in Koh Samui who can attend to you immediately if unforeseen situation arises.

When questioned at the counter, the nurse isn't aware of the website dedicated to Samui Clinic. It's also strange that the Samui Clinic's website is totally different from it's Official website: http://www.sih.co.th, official email: info@sih.co.th.

The Koh samui website is: http://www.bandonhospital.com, email is info@bandonhospital.com, I think it was said somewhere that the person managing the koh samui website is already dead. I'll forward you the link once I found it.

Patients are recommended to consider Bangkok first over any other destination for Transition, for the Thailand option.

Note: I received the following from another reader on 19 November 2006, in response to the reader information posted above:

"I would just like to say that the Samui Clinic is as far as I am aware still fully operational as it has been since its inception some 6 years ago. Currently it is operated by Nick Connor who has done so for the past three years.

Initially when the clinic first opened it had a hospital presence which consisted of an office with a reception area within the Bandon Hospital. The hospital where the safe and efficient procedure were carried out by Dr Choomchoke and other competent surgeons..

As the site operates solely online Nick Connor decided to forgo the office and continue to operate online and take referral only from that source any other referral went direct to and are dealt with by Dr,. Choomchoke who as far as I am aware still operates out of Bandon International Hospital Koh Samui and Bandon Hospital Surat Thani where he is Medical Director.

What I find misleading about the comments are the following. The writer goes all the away to Koh Samui and then the hospital (Bandon International Hospital I presume) - not the other mentioned which is relatively new. The writer then speaks to a receptionist who could have joined the hospital staff a few days earlier and then signs the clinic off as non-existent or suspect.

Did anyone for instance enquire or request that they speak to Dr. Choomchoke who has always been associated with the Samui Clinic that I suggest may have been a wise move. The writer then goes one step further and mentions that Koh Samui has not any medical facilities to speak of. Let me assure you and say this Koh Samui has treacherous roads and had when I lived on the Island over many years up to 7 traffic accidents a day of which one was a fatality or required serious hospitalisation. The medical care and attention was provided for efficiently by the The Bandon International Hospital and later shared along with the Chaweng Hospital then the newer facilities".

Links are no longer valid. Current link for Clinic is http://www.srsthailand.com/ Prices at http://www.srsthailand.com/pages/srscosts.html

Transward

The same topic in India: http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com/ar ... india.html .

More information by: http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com/enquiry_form.php .

Riverwind (imported) wrote: Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:12 am Thailand has been doing this for several years, the real cost is getting there, but if you have the time and money this is a great way to do it, plan to stay a few extra weeks and see the country, its very beautiful and worth seeing.

River

A great way to utilize the distance and the fare is to check with the Star Alliance. They have very attractive round the world fares that not only get you to Thailand but allow you a plethora of other stops. One itinerary might start in Chicago, go to Rio, to Paris, Rome, Istanbul, Bangkok, Sydney, Auckland and Honolulu then Chicago for less than a full fare round trip from Chicago to Bangkok would cost. Just recently I did an around the world in Business Class (almost as comfortable as First Class these days.) and visited five continents, sixteen cities and could spread it out over two months. With these fares you are not locked in to travel on a specific day. You must use only carriers that are part of the Star Alliance but that's no difficulty as they include United, Lufthansa etc: You will not end up on an off brand carrier whose safety is easily questionable. I paid just over fourteen thousand dollars for my ticket but my travel agent figured that if I'd just bought it on a straight point to point basis, the cost would have been over forty thousand dollars. The round trip full business class fare from Chicago to Bangkok is about twelve thousand dollars to, for a few thousands more, you effectively get the world.

On a related topic, a friend who is a surgeon in New Zealand reports that surgeries done in Malaysia are top quality, the hospitals specialize first in medical care but second in patient comfort and care. I asked if he would have something done there and he said, sure. But he wouldn't tell anyone in New Zealand he'd done it for obvious reasons.

Both Thailand and Malaysia do state of the art surgeries on everything from the heart and brain to our particular interest, the modification of male privities.

considering (imported) wrote: Tue Dec 25, 2012 12:33 pm A great way to utilize the distance and the fare is to check with the Star Alliance. They have very attractive round the world fares that not only get you to Thailand but allow you a plethora of other stops. One itinerary might start in Chicago, go to Rio, to Paris, Rome, Istanbul, Bangkok, Sydney, Auckland and Honolulu then Chicago for less than a full fare round trip from Chicago to Bangkok would cost. Just recently I did an around the world in Business Class (almost as comfortable as First Class these days.) and visited five continents, sixteen cities and could spread it out over two months. With these fares you are not locked in to travel on a specific day. You must use only carriers that are part of the Star Alliance but that's no difficulty as they include United, Lufthansa etc: You will not end up on an off brand carrier whose safety is easily questionable. I paid just over fourteen thousand dollars for my ticket but my travel agent figured that if I'd just bought it on a straight point to point basis, the cost would have been over forty thousand dollars. The round trip full business class fare from Chicago to Bangkok is about twelve thousand dollars to, for a few thousands more, you effectively get the world.

On a related topic, a friend who is a surgeon in New Zealand reports that surgeries done in Malaysia are top quality, the hospitals specialize first in medical care but second in patient comfort and care. I asked if he would have something done there and he said, sure. But he wouldn't tell anyone in New Zealand he'd done it for obvious reasons.

Both Thailand and Malaysia do state of the art surgeries on everything from the heart and brain to our particular interest, the modification of male privities.

I think you'd better re-check your prices. No way would a round trip Chicago to Bangkok cost $12,000 on a scheduled airline, not even first class

$12 000 for an airline alone is overkill. There has to be a miscalculation here nods

I'm showing Seattle to Bangkok for about $1000 round trip.

kristoff wrote: Tue Dec 25, 2012 3:52 pm I think you'd better re-check your prices. No way would a round trip Chicago to Bangkok cost $12,000 on a scheduled airline, not even first class

Just did a quick search of Expedia for round trip, Chicago to Bangkok, first class for random dates. Price was from $12,000 to over $20,000.

Transward

Link to the site that wants to charge this fee?

Paolo wrote: Tue Dec 25, 2012 8:40 pm Link to the site that wants to charge this fee?

Expedia shows prices at the moment so can't link to final page, but go to Expedia: http://www.expedia.com/Flights. Enter Chicago, IL in "from" field, Bangkok in "to". I put in random dates of 1/14/13 for leave and 3/20/13 for return, and clicked first class. Hit search. Low price was $11,512 up to $22,180.

Transward

I think high prices have a lot to do with simple instantaneous convenience(you book today and fly tommorow rather than book a flight apointment and wait several months down the line) and garantee that the flight isnt going to be altered in some way. Usually decent price airline deals have a lot to do with the seasonal specials and remember hotels need to accomodate people when business isnt very boomy.At least this is what I gather from flights being ultra cheap or midranged.

I could be wrong though

NB = Plan ahead, don't wait last min. And be on the ball with changes that may occur with the airline tickets.