A Trailblazing Endocrinologist Who Dares to Be Herself
– Dr. Chotiwan Tanwattananikul –
At the Heart, Kidney & Metabolism Centre of BNH Hospital, you’ll meet Dr. Chotiwan Tanwattananikul, a specialist in endocrinology and metabolism. With her extroverted charm, striking fashion, articulate speech, and vibrant energy, she’s far from the conventional image of a doctor. Her life’s journey is one of bold decisions, resilience, and authenticity.
Rooted in Heritage, Driven by Purpose
Born into a large, middle-class Hokkien-Chinese family in Phuket, Dr. Chotiwan was raised amidst deep-rooted cultural traditions such as Lunar New Year, Qingming, offerings, and spoken Hokkien, which she later forgot after starting school. Her father, who had dreamt of becoming a doctor but couldn’t pursue education due to family responsibilities, passed away before seeing her in medical school. Later, her grandfather, also gravely ill, expressed a final wish to see someone in the family become a doctor, two powerful motivations that shaped her path.
Growing up under one roof with nearly 20 relatives, she was never lonely. The bustling household provided companionship, warmth, and a multigenerational perspective. “Even if my parents were unavailable, other family members filled in, be it school pick-ups or or emotional support.”
A Confident Voice Among the Quiet
Her colourful and social upbringing fostered confidence and open expression. Though academically gifted, she was also active in co-curricular activities and debate teams from secondary school through university. At the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, she represented her faculty in debate from her first year. “I realised I was talkative, unlike the typical bookish student of the time. I wasn’t an introvert at all.”
These experiences shaped her into someone who understands people, situations, and how to influence with both heart and mind.
From Director to Disaster Responder
Upon graduation, she served her public health term in a small hospital in Nan province and, within a year, was appointed hospital director during the transition from family health cards to the ’30-Baht Healthcare Scheme’. It was an intense learning phase – rewarding yet demanding. “It was a period of great personal growth. I was free, happy, and able to explore both clinical and administrative roles.”
However, she soon realised that administrative work, daily meetings, handling government budgets, and infrastructure planning wasn’t her passion. After completing her service obligation, she returned to Ramathibodi Hospital to specialise in internal medicine and later focused on endocrinology. “I liked internal medicine because it covers the whole body from head to toe. Endocrinology still lets me look after the person as a whole.”
Answering the Call of Crisis
During her residency, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami struck. The very next day, Dr. Chotiwan volunteered and flew with a Japanese rescue team to Phang Nga and later to Vachira Phuket Hospital. “Being a local, I knew the area well and spoke the dialect fluently, which helped greatly in connecting with victims and staff.”
The tragedy reminded her of impermanence. “We never know when life might end. But I also saw immense compassion for Thais and foreigners helping side by side. Private and public healthcare teams worked together. Though our country had the capacity to respond, the scale made it impossible to aid everyone at once.”
Joining the BNH Family
After completing her fellowship, she worked in southern hospitals before joining BNH Hospital about ten years ago. She enjoys its family-like atmosphere, streamlined communication, and integrated care model. “The hospital’s ‘Complete Care’ approach—championed by our director, Dr. Nopparat—really works here because departments collaborate naturally.”
Healthy Living, Healthy Leading
Dr. Chotiwan believes that health professionals must walk the talk. Her diet includes unrefined carbs, low-fat meals, and daily vegetables, especially salads. “Healthy food makes me feel good. It helps with digestion and keeps my energy up.”
She exercises 3–5 times a week, cycling, running, swimming, or brisk walking. “You can have all the money in the world, but if you’re ill in retirement, that’s not fair to yourself. Good health can’t be bought, you must earn it.”
Now in her 50s, she stays in shape with cardio workouts. Though she struggles with sports requiring precision like tennis or basketball (“I often miss or get hit by the ball”), she thrives in solo endurance activities. Aerobics classes can be tricky too – “I end up bumping into others!” she laughs.
Climbing New Heights—Literally
In recent years, she discovered indoor rock climbing in both bouldering and top-rope styles. “After watching a series where the heroine tried climbing to impress her crush, I wanted to try – not to be the heroine, but because it looked fun and challenging!”
Her highest climb equals a four-storey building – not extreme, but satisfying. “Climbing gives a sense of freedom and achievement. It’s like solving increasingly tough cases; you just keep going. You see the world differently from up there.”
Style Is Her Signature
Fashion is her passion. Dr. Chotiwan often wears bold graphic skirts, bright blouses, high heels, chic bags, and perfume from her personal collection, changing scents daily. “If everyone’s growing long hair, I’ll go short. If everyone has it straight, I’ll perm it. I just don’t like sameness.”
She often arrives at events with a unique look – sometimes because she misunderstood the theme, sometimes on purpose. “Now I dress for myself and feel good doing it.”
She balances work and play with full-hearted enthusiasm. “If it’s time to dance, I dance! I’m not worried about my image, as long as it’s appropriate.”
A True Adventurer
Dr. Chotiwan’s spirit has always been adventurous. During her early years in Nan, she and colleagues would explore northern Thailand by car, even on winding mountain roads that nearly caused accidents. Once, returning from outreach, their truck passed through a forest fire while hugging a cliff edge. “It was like a scene from Die Hard! It was thrilling, but thinking back it was extremely risky.”
Although she no longer undertakes such daring feats, she channels that energy into sports like climbing and encourages her teenage son to embrace life’s full experiences. “I want to raise him to be happy and true to himself. We work out together, watch films, and discuss them, building a strong and lasting bond.”
Her Legacy: To Uplift Others
“For me, the value of life is in doing something meaningful for others. If I can contribute to someone’s positive experience, that’s enough.”
Dr. Chotiwan’s journey, colourful, bold, and deeply human, is a shining example of a doctor who dares to be different, without ever compromising on compassion and care.
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Coronary Artery Disease, Stroke, Lung Cancer Screening package
Take good care of these 3 vital organs that work hard every day, with a special check-up package by specialized doctors
Coronary Artery Disease, Stroke, Lung Cancer Screening package
Take good care of these 3 vital organs that work hard every day, with a special check-up package by specialized doctors.
- Cardiovascular disease screening test : Carotid Doppler Ultrasound
- Coronary calcium scan: CT Calcium Score
- Lung cancer screening: CT Chest Low Dose
Brain, Lung Examination Package
Care for Your Body’s 2 Most Critical Systems: Special-Price Screening Package by Leading Medical Specialists
Brain, Lung Examination Package
Care for Your Body’s 2 Most Critical Systems: Special-Price Screening Package by Leading Medical Specialists
- Cardiovascular disease screening test : Carotid Doppler Ultrasound
- Lung cancer screening: CT Chest Low Dose
CT Calcium Score Screening
A coronary calcium scan is used to predict the occurrence and assess risk of cardiac event. The goal is to determine if CAD is present and to what extent, even if there are no symptoms. The information is also used to find an appropriate preventive measurement for coronary artery disease for each patient.
Who should have a coronary calcium scan?
A coronary calcium scan should be performed for people with the following risk factors:
- People aged 50 and older
- Patients with an intermediate risk of developing heart disease
- Patients with diabetes or kidney failure
- Patients with High cholesterol levels or high blood pressure
- Smoking
Carotid Doppler Ultrasound Package
The Carotid Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves to examine the blood flow through the carotid arteries and to detect narrowing of your carotid arteries or potential blockages caused by plaque. It helps to determine if you are at risk of having a stroke and to determine appropriate preventative measure or treatment to lower your risk.
Who should check this package?
Your doctor will recommend carotid ultrasound if you have medical conditions that increase the risk of stroke, including:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Family history of stroke or heart disease
- Recent transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke
- Coronary artery disease
- Overweight or obese
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
CHOTIWAN TANWATTANANIKUL, M.D.
พญ. โชติวรรณ ตันวัฒนานิกุล
Speciality
Internal Medicine
Endocrinology and Metabolism
Education
Medical Degree, Doctor of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
Board and Sub board Certification
The Medical Council of Thailand, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ramathibodi Hospital
Thai Medical Council, Internal Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital
Language
English
Thai
Gender
Female
Schedule
Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic Centre
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | - |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00 - 16:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00 - 15:00 |
| 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.