The Doctor Known for Performing the Most Beautiful 4D Ultrasounds, with Another Hat as a Cocoa Farmer
– Dr. Werapath Somchit –
From Aspiring Teacher to Doctor
Dr. Werapath grew up with parents who were both teachers. However, he never imagined becoming a teacher himself. As a top student in his school in Chonburi, he initially thought that being a doctor would offer a stable and honourable career, so he chose to enter the Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital. He was one of two students from Chonburi in his class.
“I was never great at memorising. The idea that you don’t need to memorise much to be a doctor is not true. Before you understand something, you need to memorise it first,” Dr. Werapath recalls.
His first three years in medical school were average, but during his final three years, he started applying his knowledge practically, understanding more than simply memorising. Obstetrics and gynaecology was the first ward he worked in, and he quickly excelled, even tutoring his fellow students. He was assigned to work at Trat Hospital, where he was the only obstetrician on duty for four months with no time off, except for a short break to attend his graduation.
Dr. Werapath felt deeply connected to this community, so much so that he considered establishing a clinic there. However, fate had other plans.
“If you stay there, you can create development in that community, but if you return to teach at Ramathibodi Hospital, you can help train future doctors who will make an impact across the country,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adithep Chaovisit, one of Dr. Werapath’s mentors. This advice led him to return to study maternal-fetal medicine and become a professor, inspired by his mentor’s legacy.
Teaching: A Rewarding Role
“Teaching was so much fun,” Dr. Werapath reflects. “As my mentor said, ‘The day you stand in front of students, it will feel different from treating patients.’ Watching students do what we’ve done or think the way we think brings immense pride. Even today, former students from different provinces still message me about what they’ve learned and achieved. It’s truly rewarding.”
Dr. Werapath has always taught his students that good knowledge leads to the best patient care. “The knowledge we have and the attitude we maintain are what help us survive in today’s world of medicine. When we treat patients, their benefit must come first.”
Though his passion for teaching grew stronger over time, Dr. Werapath eventually decided to leave his full-time teaching role after four years. He wanted to focus more on patient care, so he continued as a part-time lecturer, sharing his expertise with students but dedicating more time to treating patients.
A New Path in Private Practice
When Dr. Werapath moved from medical school to BNH Hospital, he was initially worried about the transition. “At medical school, everything was streamlined. If I wanted lab results, everything was fast because everything was available. At first, I was unsure about working in a private hospital.”
“But once I got here, I saw a new world. I realised that working in a private hospital isn’t as scary as I thought. Lab results were still fast, and the team was great,” he says.
Dr. Werapath highlights the importance of teamwork in a hospital setting. “In a private hospital like BNH, you can’t do everything alone. Decisions are made together, and collaboration brings different ideas. Sometimes, you may not find a solution to a case, but by consulting with others, you might find an answer you never considered.”
He particularly values the role of nurses, who help uncover patients’ underlying needs, advise on nursing care, and assist in achieving the best patient outcomes.
Supporting Every Decision
Dr. Werapath recalls a case where he discovered a baby with a congenital heart defect in utero. The parents were given the choice to either continue the pregnancy or terminate it, knowing that the baby would need heart surgery after birth.
“We gave them all the options. If they chose to continue the pregnancy, we would monitor the baby closely. If they decided to terminate, we supported them. It was a tough decision, and it took them two weeks to decide. Ultimately, they chose to continue, and the heart surgery was successful. The child is now healthy,” says Dr. Werapath.
In situations like this, Dr. Werapath emphasises the importance of offering patients the best information without imposing personal opinions. “We must understand that every family is different. Their circumstances, financial situation, and values influence their decisions,” he adds.
Fostering Mental Health After Birth
Dr. Werapath also focuses on mental health, especially for mothers after childbirth. “Postpartum depression is not a mental illness; it’s a hormonal imbalance. It’s crucial to screen for it and provide support,” he explains.
“At BNH Hospital, we screen for postpartum depression, and if the score is high, we have psychologists or psychiatrists available to assist. We care for mothers long after birth, and even during subsequent pregnancies, as some issues may recur,” he adds.
The Cocoa Farmer
Outside of his medical career, Dr. Werapath has another passion: cocoa farming. “I love dark chocolate,” he says.
His family’s land in Nan, once used for growing oranges, is now home to a thriving cocoa farm. Dr. Werapath, inspired by his love for chocolate, began learning about cocoa cultivation, attending workshops and collaborating with experts. He gradually transformed the land into a cocoa farm, and after four to five years, the farm began producing cocoa beans.
As his cocoa farm flourished, Dr. Werapath began to explore ways to help the local community by encouraging them to grow cocoa and providing support in maintaining product quality. “It was challenging at first, as many people didn’t know what cocoa looked like. But over time, with the local economy struggling, people started to grow cocoa as an additional source of income,” he explains.
Now, Dr. Werapath’s cocoa business is expanding, and he is experimenting with making his own craft chocolate. Using his background in food science, he is developing a unique flavour for his chocolate, which he hopes will one day become a recognised brand.
As a doctor, he also sees the potential for using cocoa products in medical applications, particularly in the development of probiotics and other therapeutic uses.
Finding Fulfilment in Both Roles
For Dr. Werapath, the greatest joy comes from seeing his patients thrive. “When I see a mother give birth and later bring her baby back for a check-up, it’s incredibly fulfilling. Knowing I played a part in their journey brings me immense happiness. Even when there are complications, seeing patients recover and live healthy lives gives me the motivation to keep going.”
His life today may not follow his initial passion of being a full-time teacher, but Dr. Werapath remains dedicated to caring for mothers and children. He continues to balance his medical work with his personal interests, ensuring his patients receive the best possible care whilst fulfilling his own passions as both a doctor and a cocoa farmer.
Dr. Werapath Somchit, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at BNH Hospital, specialising in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, is committed to the highest standards of patient care, prevention, and education, ensuring that his patients and their families receive the best possible outcomes, both physically and mentally.
ทำนัดหมายแพทย์ออนไลน์ | Appointment
นพ. วีรภัทร สมชิต
ศูนย์สุขภาพสตรี
ความชำนาญพิเศษ
เวชศาสตร์มารดาและทารกในครรภ์
ภาษา
ไทย, อังกฤษ
– General Obstetrics and Gynecology
– Maternal and Fetal medicine
– Fetal Anomal Screening
– Fetal Ecchocardiography
– Fetal 3D and 4D Ultrasonography
– Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2014
– Maternal and Fetal medicine, 2018
– Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi hospital, Mahidol university, Bangkok, Thailand, 2003-2009
– Department of Obstetrics and gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi hospital, Mahidol university, Bangkok, Thailand, 2011-2014
– Maternal and fetal medicine, Obstetrics and gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi hospital, Mahidol university, Bangkok, Thailand, 2016-2018
ตารางออกตรวจแพทย์
| วัน | เวลา | แผนก |
|---|---|---|
| จันทร์ | 07:00 – 16:00 | ศูนย์สุขภาพสตรี |
| พุธ | 13:00 – 19:00 | ศูนย์สุขภาพสตรี |
| พฤหัสบดี | 07:00 – 16:00 | ศูนย์สุขภาพสตรี |
| ศุกร์ | 13:00 – 19:00 | ศูนย์สุขภาพสตรี |
| เสาร์ | 07:00 – 19:00 | ศูนย์สุขภาพสตรี |
WERAPATH SOMCHIT, M.D.
นพ. วีรภัทร สมชิต
Speciality
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Education
Medical Degree, Doctor of Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand
Board and Sub board Certification
The Medical Council of Thailand, Maternal and Fetal Medicine
The Medical Council of Thailand, Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Certificate
Orientation BNH, BNH Hospital, Thailand
Orientation, BDMS
Language
English
Thai
Gender
Male
Schedule
Women's Health Centre
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 07:00 - 16:00 |
| Tuesday | - |
| Wednesday | 13:00 - 19:00 |
| Thursday | 07:00 - 16:00 |
| Friday | 13:00 - 19:00 |
| Saturday | 07:00 - 19:00 |
| 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.