The clinic is staffed by one doctor, who visits from a big hospital in town. He or she sees patients there just a few hours a day, in the morning and evening.
I have been several times before, and each time spoken to a new doctor.
That is the way it's done, at least in Bangkok. A patient rarely gets to see the same doctor twice.
Usually I visit a hospital, and see a doctor in outpatient's. Even there I have rarely seen the same doctor twice.
I have now started visiting the clinic instead, which is cheaper, and close to work.
I have now started visiting the clinic instead, which is cheaper, and close to work.
It reminds me of a medical outreach centre, the type you might find in remote spots such as the bush, or the desert.
The doctor sits in one room, with a frosted glass door. In contains a bed and a desk.
It is so small that, from where I sit in the waiting room, I can hear what doctor and patient are saying.
Klong Toey is known for its large slum community. No one here has much money, and they aren't fussed about appearances.
The folk at the clinic keep my medical history on a little card, which the doctor makes notes on every time I visit.
One woman wanted me to address the causes of my sleeplessness, by seeing a psychiatrist at Chulalongkorn Hospital.
One woman wanted me to address the causes of my sleeplessness, by seeing a psychiatrist at Chulalongkorn Hospital.
A second doctor, a young man, focused on treating the symptoms. He asked me to try a new pill in combination with the one I normally get.
A third doctor, another man, just gave me what I wanted.
The other night when I paid a visit, I went too early. The doctor had not yet arrived, and would not be there for another hour. Meanwhile, I was due at work in 30 minutes.
'What's your condition?' the nurse asked, from behind a counter.
'I can't sleep,' I said.
'The doctor is not here,' she said.
Two minutes later, as we discussed whether I should come back, another patient turned up.
'What's your condition?' the nurse asked.
''Whatever it is, he's not here,' I volunteered.
'Is your condition stable?' the nurse asked, turning back to me.
'Yes.'
I will give you the pills, then,' she said, reaching for a large white bottle she keeps on the medicine shelf behind her.
She counted 12 sleeping pills, and put them in a small, clear, unmarked plastic sachet.
She charged me for the drugs alone, without the consultation fee, which I normally have to pay.
This way is best. I no longer have to speak to Dr Cause, or Dr Symptoms. I can get my supply direct from the nurse, with no - or maybe just a few - questions asked.
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