The Chonburi Experience w/ Dr. Suporn - Video Review

[Adabelle]

While I was in Chonburi for my surgery earlier this year I made a series of short videos as sort of a review of the non-surgical aspects of being in Chonburi after SRS. There's lots of material out there about the medical side of things, but I had a harder time finding images of the hotel, rooms, streets, shopping center, and local restaurants. So I decided I'd make a little video for others.

It's not meant as a comprehensive review or anything like that - but just to give an idea of what it's like to be in Chonburi recovering, living at the hotel, etc. I hope it's helpful to anyone who is going to Chonburi, and I hope it serves as a nice reminder for those who have already been.

I look back at my time there as one of the most beautiful experiences. I'm so grateful to have experienced it.

[Elainagirl59]

Thanks for the "walk down memory lane."  I had SRS with Dr Suporn in December
2010.  I have so many wonderful memories of my time in Chonburi.

[mintra]

What an amazing video, Adabelle. I'm happy to hear you had positive experience. I didn't go with Suporn but some of my friends did. I think this video will tremendously help a lot of girls who plan to have surgery with him to deal with many things like culture shock and nervousness and can see the real environment instead of just mental pictures.

And you look gorgeous by the way.

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

Thank You Adabelle.  I am glad some one gave a walk about and showed some of the places local.

[Beth Andrea]

Tagged...thank you!

eta: Oh. My. Goodness! You are such a warm and charming presenter! Talk about informative and relaxing and...such a pleasure watching this video!

It literally makes me want to go there for my SRS, just so I can start missing it like you have...Wow. Just an awesome video experience.

*hugs*

[calico]

While I didn't go to suporn myself I found the video very nice and I would like to compliment you by saying you are a very pretty young lady, 

[Kiwi4Ever]

  I had a different experience to Adabelle's while I was in Chonburi.  I was there at the same time.  I was nervous (before going) because I have never coped well around people who are trans, but more especially those who have lived their lives as male, married and fathered children.  Something I have never done and never could do.  I have just celebrated my 55th birthday, so I was 54 when in Chonburi.  I saw people who were younger than me having surgery but that didn't mean they were any more feminine than anyone else.  I have to say that my surgery was done when I was very young...18.  But back then, many people who might have wanted surgery never qualified because they hadn't lived long enough (as female) or weren't female enough.  That's a terrible judgement (and not mine) but it was what prevented many from having irreversible surgery back then.  I understand mine was done to save my life.

Back then there was so much prejudice in the world, and if you were challenged for not being what you appeared the consequences were dire.  Now though, that prejudice has been swapped for human rights...In those days you simply didn't get surgery unless you were feminine enough.

I went to Chonburi for FFS and there were one or two other girls there having similar, but nothing as extensive as mine.  Most were there for SRS. 

There were people having SRS which shocked me.  One is seared in my memory because I could never relate to her as female.  The first time I saw her I thought she was an older male man who was a bit weird.  When I later learned she had SRS I was worried how she would fit in a female world and I didn't feel any closer to her.

There were some beautiful people there and I was fortunate enough to meet (one) and I spent a considerable amount of time with her and her Mum.  We went on little trips together, into Bangkok and out for meals.  (We still keep in touch with each other from opposite sides of the world)

But the rest of the time was very lonely.  So much so that I cancelled the last week of my booking at the hotel and came home a week earlier.  This was expensive as my room rate was adjusted (more expensive) but it was worth all the added expense, including the extra cost to fly home earlier.

I am returning to Chonburi in 2014 but I won't be alone.  I will be with my best friend and we will share the experience just as we share so many others.  (I am having SRS repair - as Dr Suporn said, my surgery represents what was done 30-40 years ago) No one should have to live with what they did to us back then, the surgery was hideous.

Footnote:  Both of us are soon to journey together to Seoul where I will undergo VFS at Yeson.  Both of us are excited and can't wait.  My friend will finally enjoy not having to listen to my opinions, at least for a week!

But we won't be alone, we'll have each other and these journeys will never be forgotten because of what they will represent.

[NYCTSGirl01]

While I was in Chonburi for my surgery earlier this year I made a series of short videos as sort of a review of the non-surgical aspects of being in Chonburi after SRS. There's lots of material out there about the medical side of things, but I had a harder time finding images of the hotel, rooms, streets, shopping center, and local restaurants. So I decided I'd make a little video for others.

It's not meant as a comprehensive review or anything like that - but just to give an idea of what it's like to be in Chonburi recovering, living at the hotel, etc. I hope it's helpful to anyone who is going to Chonburi, and I hope it serves as a nice reminder for those who have already been.

I look back at my time there as one of the most beautiful experiences. I'm so grateful to have experienced it.

Aside from the medical costs. What is the cost of living/being in thailand for a month? The cost of the hotel, travel and food etc.

[Adabelle]

There are various rates for the Chon Inter, but their rates are posted on their website. The clinic gets a special rate at the hotel that are a bit cheaper than advertised on the Chon Inter website. I want to say it's $45-$60 each night. But well worth the expense as you are close to the clinic (walking distance) and the nurses check on you daily right in your hotel room (which you don't get if you stay somewhere else.)

At the Chon Inter your breakfast is included (and it was pretty good even though I am vegetarian). If you venture out of the hotel food is really cheap, we ate at street restaurants a lot or just got stuff at the grocery store and depending on the restaurant it was $3-$10 per person per meal - not expensive. Don't be afraid to try the local food! Groceries also are not expensive, you can find ramen noodles, crackers, and all kinds of things in the store that aren't too expensive. Western food (like Pizza) costs more.

Thai massages were about $10 for an hour. It was amazing - just tell them to be very gentle if you're post-op. Amorvero is great because they know the suporn clinic patients.

Travel to an from the clinic from the airport is included, but getting around Chonburi isn't too expensive. It might be $10 for a 30 minute cab ride or something like that - so if you split it with other girls it's quite inexpensive. You can also take a tuk tuk for around $3 for the same distance but it's open air without air conditioning then. Travel to and from Thailand of course varies widely - you'd have to look up those rates.

[NYCTSGirl01]

There are various rates for the Chon Inter, but their rates are posted on their website. The clinic gets a special rate at the hotel that are a bit cheaper than advertised on the Chon Inter website. I want to say it's $45-$60 each night. But well worth the expense as you are close to the clinic (walking distance) and the nurses check on you daily right in your hotel room (which you don't get if you stay somewhere else.)

At the Chon Inter your breakfast is included (and it was pretty good even though I am vegetarian). If you venture out of the hotel food is really cheap, we ate at street restaurants a lot or just got stuff at the grocery store and depending on the restaurant it was $3-$10 per person per meal - not expensive. Don't be afraid to try the local food! Groceries also are not expensive, you can find ramen noodles, crackers, and all kinds of things in the store that aren't too expensive. Western food (like Pizza) costs more.

Thai massages were about $10 for an hour. It was amazing - just tell them to be very gentle if you're post-op. Amorvero is great because they know the suporn clinic patients.

Travel to an from the clinic from the airport is included, but getting around Chonburi isn't too expensive. It might be $10 for a 30 minute cab ride or something like that - so if you split it with other girls it's quite inexpensive. You can also take a tuk tuk for around $3 for the same distance but it's open air without air conditioning then. Travel to and from Thailand of course varies widely - you'd have to look up those rates.

Thanks, congrats on your transition.

[Donna Elvira]

I had a different experience to Adabelle's while I was in Chonburi.  I was there at the same time.  I was nervous (before going) because I have never coped well around people who are trans, but more especially those who have lived their lives as male, married and fathered children.  Something I have never done and never could do.  I have just celebrated my 55th birthday, so I was 54 when in Chonburi.  I saw people who were younger than me having surgery but that didn't mean they were any more feminine than anyone else.  I have to say that my surgery was done when I was very young...18.  But back then, many people who might have wanted surgery never qualified because they hadn't lived long enough (as female) or weren't female enough.  That's a terrible judgement (and not mine) but it was what prevented many from having irreversible surgery back then.  I understand mine was done to save my life.

Back then there was so much prejudice in the world, and if you were challenged for not being what you appeared the consequences were dire.  Now though, that prejudice has been swapped for human rights...In those days you simply didn't get surgery unless you were feminine enough.

I went to Chonburi for FFS and there were one or two other girls there having similar, but nothing as extensive as mine.  Most were there for SRS. 

There were people having SRS which shocked me.  One is seared in my memory because I could never relate to her as female.  The first time I saw her I thought she was an older male man who was a bit weird.  When I later learned she had SRS I was worried how she would fit in a female world and I didn't feel any closer to her.

There were some beautiful people there and I was fortunate enough to meet (one) and I spent a considerable amount of time with her and her Mum.  We went on little trips together, into Bangkok and out for meals.  (We still keep in touch with each other from opposite sides of the world)

But the rest of the time was very lonely.  So much so that I cancelled the last week of my booking at the hotel and came home a week earlier.  This was expensive as my room rate was adjusted (more expensive) but it was worth all the added expense, including the extra cost to fly home earlier.

I am returning to Chonburi in 2014 but I won't be alone.  I will be with my best friend and we will share the experience just as we share so many others.  (I am having SRS repair - as Dr Suporn said, my surgery represents what was done 30-40 years ago) No one should have to live with what they did to us back then, the surgery was hideous.

Footnote:  Both of us are soon to journey together to Seoul where I will undergo VFS at Yeson.  Both of us are excited and can't wait.  My friend will finally enjoy not having to listen to my opinions, at least for a week!

But we won't be alone, we'll have each other and these journeys will never be forgotten because of what they will represent.

Hi Kiwi4ever,
Apart from being gratuitiously antagonistic to quite a lot of people here  (I am the married with children who are actually very supportive of my transition and maybe, just maybe, have very good reasons for only transitioning late in life...), what exactly was the point of your post?
Otherwise, wishing you all the best with your SRS repair and the VFS at Yeson.
Cheers.
Donna

P.S. To Adabelle. Thank you for the very informative post and video and wishing you all the best for the years ahead.