the Experienced Obstetrician with Many Friends and Activities
– Dr. Narumon Charakorn–
Dr. Narumon Charakorn is one of the most senior obstetricians at BNH Hospital and has earned the trust of countless patients who rely on her care for their entire families. Within the hospital, she continues to dedicate herself to her work, whilst outside of it, she enjoys a rich life filled with numerous activities, which she frequently shares with her patients.
Doctor-Patient Relationships Forged Over Decades
Dr. Narumon is from Lampang, where she grew up in a Catholic girls’ school with foreign teachers – a rare experience more than 60 years ago. As the school had few students, almost everyone had the chance to participate in extracurricular activities, and Narumon became the drum major. After finishing junior high school, she followed her older sister to Bangkok to attend pre-university school.
“In Lampang, I was taught by foreigners, and when I took the entrance exam for pre-university school, I scored full marks in English. When I entered the medical school at Ramathibodi Hospital, my English scores were still great without needing any special lessons. When I started working at BNH Hospital, where there were many foreign patients, my English skills helped,” Dr. Narumon recalls.
Encouraged by her classmates, Dr. Narumon, who was particularly good at chemistry and biology, decided to take the medical entrance exam and became part of the second batch of medical students at Ramathibodi Hospital. After graduating, she completed her internship and went on to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology at Ramathibodi, where there was no subdivision at that time. Dr. Narumon had to study everything related to motherhood, fertility medicine, and gynaecological diseases.
After becoming a fully qualified obstetrician, Dr. Narumon worked at another hospital for 24 years, earning the admiration of her patients. They continued to follow her when she joined BNH Hospital in 2001. Even today, in her 70s, Dr. Narumon still cares for many loyal patients who entrust her with their care, including entire families that continue to recommend her to their loved ones.
“Just recently, I examined the wife of a boy I delivered many years ago. The boy’s mother has been coming for regular check-ups for over 30 years. It’s a bond that makes me grateful I chose this speciality. Whenever a baby is born, the family is so happy, and I share in that joy. I have many patients who, when they walk in, I instantly know who they are and what their name is. Some of them share their life stories with me, as if I’m like a second mother to them. Some even bring me flowers on Mother’s Day, and this creates a special bond with my patients, which gives me the strength to dedicate myself to their care.”
Personalized Care and Attention
What makes Dr. Narumon so beloved by her patients is her genuine care and attention. Many patients come to her with concerns, not just about physical ailments, but also emotional worries. For Dr. Narumon, it’s not unusual for a patient to talk to her for over half an hour. She is always ready to listen and give her time, which is part of her holistic approach to healthcare – Complete Care, addressing both the body and the mind.
Spending time with her patients also allows Dr. Narumon to spot other health issues beyond gynaecological concerns. She works closely with specialists in other fields to diagnose and treat problems early, sometimes uncovering health information about a patient’s family members, which may impact their treatment.
With over 50 years of experience and a large following of loyal patients, Dr. Narumon’s expertise is evident. However, with the natural aging process, she does face some health challenges herself.
“After having knee surgery 10 days ago, a patient called me asking to meet. Even though my supervisor hadn’t given permission for me to work yet, I wanted to meet the patient. It’s the patients who make me want to continue working to this day,” she says.
Good Friends Lead to a Good Life
“Normally, I don’t have much free time, but when I do, I make the most of it. I have so many friends that some months, I hardly have enough time to meet all of them,” says Dr. Narumon.
Now that her four children have grown up and followed in her footsteps as doctors, Dr. Narumon’s free time is mostly spent socialising with friends. She maintains connections with friends from various periods of her life: school friends, university friends, doctor friends, and even friends from different social circles she has met along the way.
One of the most interesting groups of friends is from the National Defence College (NDC), who introduced her to new experiences over 40 years ago.
“My patients actually introduced me to the NDC. It was a significant turning point for me,” Dr. Narumon laughs.
Through these social connections, Dr. Narumon has learned activities like golf, wine tasting, sailing, stock trading, and trying Michelin-starred restaurants, which she had never paid attention to before. With encouragement from her friends, she opened up to these activities.
“I love eating food from Michelin-star restaurants in Thailand. There are only a few left that I haven’t been to. I’ve been enjoying ‘Jay Fai’s’ food since before it was well-known,” she says.
Having worked hard throughout her life, Dr. Narumon believes in investing in her happiness and maintaining a balanced life. She finds joy in trying new things, and many of the dishes she has tried at Michelin-star restaurants she now recreates at home, using top-quality ingredients sourced through her social circle.
“For example, snowfish at some restaurants costs over a thousand baht, but I found a supplier who sells it for only a few hundred baht. I’ve learned how to prepare it myself,” Dr. Narumon says.
Her travels with close friends have also been an important part of her life. Whether it’s a small group trip or an adventurous journey, she enjoys the process and the opportunity to connect with nature and friends. Her recent trip to Madagascar is an example of this.
“I’ve travelled to so many places already. Now, I have to visit Madagascar,” she laughs. “Travelling with a small group of friends is easier. With fewer people, it’s simpler to manage, and we can enjoy our time together, taking in the beauty of the place.”
Finding Balance Through Meditation
“I’ve read a lot about meditation, but I didn’t really understand what worked best. So, I signed up for classes and completed them, earning a teaching certification. Now I understand meditation and use it to help my pregnant patients,” says Dr. Narumon.
By teaching breathing techniques, Dr. Narumon helps her pregnant patients relax and improve oxygen flow to both the mother and the baby. She has found that these practices help her sleep better and help her patients manage their stress.
“I’ve applied these techniques to myself, and I now sleep straight through the night for 8 hours without waking up. If a patient has trouble sleeping, I can teach them how to manage it,” she adds.
Dr. Narumon also volunteers weekly, teaching meditation according to Buddhist principles. When her patients or others are interested, she is happy to share her knowledge and offer guidance.
“Although our focus here is on physical health, we know that when the body suffers, the mind suffers too. Learning meditation can help patients accept their physical suffering with less mental anguish,” she explains.
The Power of Compassionate Care
Dr. Narumon treats her patients with kindness and doesn’t see them merely as cases to be handled. She values the strong relationships she builds with them based on compassion. For her, the happiness that arises from this connection motivates her to continue her work.
“Everything is interconnected. If we have the chance to do good, we should do it. When we do good for others, that goodness will always come back to us.”
Dr. Narumon considers herself incredibly lucky to have good friends, a loving family, and loyal patients. Through her genuine care and positive intentions, good things happen to her every day, making her post-retirement years meaningful and fulfilling.
Dr. Narumon Charakorn, Senior Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at BNH Hospital, continues to provide compassionate care and nurture lasting relationships with her patients, all whilst maintaining a fulfilling personal life.
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NARUMON CHARAKORN, M.D.
พญ. นฤมล ชรากร
Speciality
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Family Medicine
Education
Medical Degree, Doctor of Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand
Board and Sub board Certification
Thai Medical Council, Family Medicine
Thai Medical Council, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mahidol University
Language
English
Thai
Gender
Female
Schedule
Women's Health Centre
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 16:30 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | - |
| Friday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Sunday | - |
This is the doctor's regular weekly schedule. Actual availability may vary — please confirm the available date and time when you make an appointment.