Hi Julie,
For a 2 level procedure, the cost will be about 800,000 Thai baht, which is about $20,000 US at the current exchange rate of about 40 Baht/Dollar. That is assuming an uncomplicated outcome and about a 4 day hospital stay.
The hospital web site is http://www.bnhhospital.com
Dr. Wicharns email is wicharn@thaispinecenter.com
The Spine Center is http://www.thaispinecenter.com It is written mainly in Thai so it is not so helpful unless you know or have a friend that can read Thai.
Dr. Wicharns' CV can be viewed at http://www.thaispinecenter.com//cv-eng.asp
He has been very responsive to my e-mails perhaps in part because I am an MD but I am sure he would respond kindly to anyone.
I know he is very skilled, the local J and J representative who promotes the Charite disc, chose him over all the Asian Surgeons she encounters in her promotion and working with Surgeons doing ADR procedures, saying he is the best, he did a 2 level replacement on her, I visited her 2 days post op and she was pain free, walking and sitting and flexing without pain in her back. Only pain was at the surgical site.
My own procedure is on Feb 3rd 06, and I will have 2 (or possibly 3 level, pending the outcome of an L5-S1 Discogram) discs replaced.
He is trained in doing Charite and Prodisc, and he seems to be having excellant results, the J & J rep relayed that information to me. Another patient who had cervical surgery praised him as well (I was waiting to see him for my first appointment).
Good luck for your friend, life with back pain should not be allowed, the US medical system is slowly sinking, getting so costly and so complicated to deal with the Doctor/patient ratio rapidly diminishing. I see it every day.
Robert