Bangkok, Thailand
Spring 2027
The Global Health Program is excited to offer rotations at two leading hospitals in Bangkok, Thailand:
Siriraj Hospital Thammasat University Hospital Logistical Details
Siriraj Hospital
Description
GHP has established a strong relationship with Siriraj Hospital at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand. Siriraj Hospital was established in 1888 as Thailand's first medical school and public hospital. It is now a 2,000-bed tertiary medical center and teaching hospital, providing exemplary medical services with interdisciplinary, comprehensive, and compassionate care.
Jyodi Mohole '22, Ayman Ullah '22, and Eviola Nakhla '22 share experiences from their MS4 global health clinical rotation at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand
In the spring of 2027, students can rotate at Siriraj Hospital. The first week of the rotation consists of exposure to traditional Thai medicine at Siriraj Hospital. Students may then choose to rotate in adult infectious diseases, where they may see inpatients with dengue fever, leptospirosis, TB, COVID-19, and opportunistic infections resulting from advanced HIV/AIDS. In adult ID, students spend time in the adult outpatient HIV and general ID clinics, and participate in microbiology rounds, lectures, and journal clubs. Some students will choose a rotation with the pediatric service where students have a combined experience on the general inpatient ward and in a variety of outpatient subspecialty clinics.
Opportunities include a busy infectious diseases clinic with a high volume of TB and HIV patients, a hematology clinic with a focus on the management of children with thalassemia, and a general pediatrics ambulatory experience. At their request, students may be able to participate in other subspecialties of internal medicine and surgery.
While in Bangkok, students are supervised by Thai attending physicians, and will work alongside Thai medical students and residents from Siriraj Hospital. While patients may not be able to communicate in English, many Thai physicians and medical students at Siriraj are comfortable speaking in both Thai and English. Ward rounds and select teaching conferences will be conducted in English and Thai.
Thammasat University Hospital
Description
Chulabhorn International College of Medicine (CICM) is a prestigious institution located in Rangsit, which is a suburb on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand. It is a part of Thammasat University, one of the leading public universities in Thailand. CICM is named after Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn, who has been actively involved in promoting science, technology, and healthcare in the country. As an international college, CICM actively collaborates with renowned medical institutions and universities globally, including UCLA.
Chaiyaporn Charles Vatanatham '23 and Dominic Williams '23, share insights from their global health clinical rotation at Thammasat University Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand
The rotation with CICM takes place at Thammasat University Hospital and is designed to provide students with exposure to one week of Integrative Medicine (both Traditional Thai Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine), as well as two additional weeks rotating within specific specialties, both under the supervision of attending physicians. At Thammasat University Hospital, students will experience patient care at a busy tertiary government hospital with inpatient rounds, outpatient clinics, and surgical suites (if applicable). Students will also participate in additional learning opportunities, such as journal clubs or case conferences.
The specialties offered for this rotation include the list below, and students can choose either one or two specialties for the rotation, in addition to the week in Traditional Thai/Chinese Medicine:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopedics
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Pathology
- Radiology
While rotating at Thammasat University Hospital, students will be supervised by Thai attending physicians, and will work alongside Thai medical students and residents from CICM and Thammasat University. While patients may not be able to communicate in English, many Thai physicians and medical students are comfortable speaking in both Thai and English. Ward rounds and select teaching conferences will be conducted in both Thai and in English.
These rotation have been developed with formal goals and objectives. We are seeking students with an interest in caring for underserved populations, and those with enthusiasm for learning more about global health, infectious diseases, and health care delivery in differently resourced settings. Students will be expected to demonstrate the highest level of maturity, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
Details
Funding and Housing
Students will receive roundtrip airfare and an additional $1,000 in financial support for the Thailand clinical rotation. The host institution will provide housing recommendations. These funds are intended to help offset expenses such as housing, local transportation, and other travel-related costs. Students should anticipate contributing personal funds, as the total cost of the rotation may exceed the financial support provided by the Global Health Program.
Application and Orientation
Applications for this elective are due Monday, September 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Interviews for this elective will primarily be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Limited interview appointments may also be available on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Students selected for this rotation must attend a mandatory, full-day pre-departure orientation in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
Rotation Dates and Post-Rotation Requirements
Rotation dates for this elective have been confirmed. Students applying to this three-week elective must be able to commit to the rotation from March 22 through April 9, 2027. Please note that international travel will require departing Los Angeles approximately two days before the official start of the rotation to allow sufficient time for travel and arrival in Thailand.
Following the rotation, students will be expected to complete written evaluations, participate in a mandatory full-group debrief on Thursday, June 3, 2027, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., and attend a site-specific debrief, which will be scheduled following their return and prior to graduation.
Questions
Questions regarding this rotation should be directed to Dr. Traci Wells at TWells@mednet.ucla.edu.