Assoc. Prof. Khunying Dr. Kaesorn Vajarapongse is the most senior radiologist at the Medical Imaging Centre and one of the most senior physicians at BNH Hospital. Yet, anyone meeting her would never guess she is over 80 years old. She remains energetic, agile, and cheerful. Dr. Kaesorn was also one of the very first doctors in the country to use ultrasound and mammography for diagnostics, making her life story an integral part of the history of diagnostic radiology in Thailand.
The ‘Shadow Doctor’
Dr. Kaesorn grew up in an era when Thailand’s population was only 18 million, a time when education for women was not the norm and societal values prioritised heeding the advice of elders over following one’s heart.
Fortunately, her family was different.
In a household with a civil servant father and a homemaker mother, the initial thought was that a daughter did not need a higher education. However, her brilliant older sister was determined to pursue her studies to the fullest. Seeing their child’s ambition, her parents supported her, despite it conflicting with social norms and their financial means. The family persevered, enabling her sister to earn a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy.
Inspired by her sister, Dr. Kaesorn also aspired to learn. She initially planned to study arts and become a teacher but found that Thai language and art were not her strengths, while she excelled in science subjects. Her aunt hoped someone in the family would become a doctor, so she decided to take the entrance exam and was accepted into the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn Hospital, then part of the University of Medical Sciences.
Ultimately, all four children in the family—three daughters and one son—graduated with university degrees.
After medical school, Dr. Kaesorn spent a year as a resident doctor, or what is now known as an intern, at Suan Dok Hospital. It was there she realised she wanted to be a ‘shadow doctor’—an early term for a radiologist. This led her to pursue a specialised degree in radiology at St. Francis General Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh in the United States, during the Vietnam War.
“The people there were very kind to me, but my language skills weren’t as strong as theirs, so I had to be extra diligent,” she recalls.
During her four years in the US, Dr. Kaesorn studied and worked until she earned her certification from the American Board of Radiology. She then chose to return to Thailand to become a professor at Chulalongkorn Hospital. Shortly after, the US began pioneering the use of ultrasound technology. Dr. Kaesorn received a scholarship for a short course in this new field at Thomas Jefferson University.
At that time, radiology in Thailand consisted only of 2D black-and-white X-rays, which made diagnosis difficult. Dr. Kaesorn, along with obstetrician-gynaecologist Professor Kamol Sanggavasi, introduced medical ultrasound technology to Thailand for the very first time, beginning trials at Chulalongkorn Hospital. Dr. Kaesorn also co-founded the Medical Ultrasound Club, serving as its president for two years. The club later grew into the Medical Ultrasound Society of Thailand, where she now serves as an honorary committee member.
“Doctors in the old days only had a stethoscope, their eyes, and their hands. There were no diagnostic tools. When I returned, it was difficult to convince other physicians to trust ultrasound. I had to go to different wards and ask doctors who suspected cases of liver abscesses, liver cancer, gallstones, or kidney stones to let me try. Once they saw the accurate diagnoses provided by ultrasound, its use became widespread in the hospital.”
The turning point that solidified faith in ultrasound came from a patient at Chulalongkorn who had passed away. The suspected cause was liver cancer, but the ultrasound correctly revealed it was fatty liver disease.
Throughout her nearly 30-year tenure as a professor at Chulalongkorn, Dr. Kaesorn had a reputation for being strict and direct, a trait influenced by her time in the West. One of her proudest moments was being entrusted with the medical care of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother around 1997, for which she was bestowed the royal decoration and the title of “Khunying.”
Her husband, Dr. Duenchai Vajarapongse, was a co-founder of BNH Hospital, and Dr. Kaesorn was one of its first physicians. After retiring from public service, she transitioned to a full-time role at BNH. Many patients from her Chulalongkorn days followed her, a testament to the deep trust she builds, even as a radiologist who is rarely the primary physician.
“Do you remember me, Doctor?” one patient asked recently. “Twenty years ago, I had breast cancer. I was in my 30s with small children. You encouraged me to fight. Now, my child has a master’s degree.”
Vibrant and Bright
“If you were a patient and saw a tired-looking doctor, you wouldn’t feel confident, would you? We want to see a doctor who is well-presented, speaks pleasantly, and smiles. Patients come to us already stressed; we must try not to add to it.”
This philosophy is why Dr. Kaesorn always takes care with her appearance, believing it inspires confidence. As she has grown older, she has prioritised her health, exercising regularly for over 20 years. Now in her 80s, she aims for three gym sessions a week with a trainer.
Life has taught her that happiness is possible without perfection. The once-strict professor whom students feared has become calmer and less rigid. Her mental wellness comes not from formal meditation but from simple joys: watching movies, listening to music, and enjoying snacks.
Longevity in Medicine
Today, Dr. Kaesorn is happy to be physically and mentally capable of caring for others. After nearly 60 years in her profession, she has no thoughts of retiring. She shares the secret to her long and successful career:
“When you work, you must know that you are not the best at everything. You must accept what you can and cannot do, and let others who are more skilled take the lead. An organisation thrives on love, not hatred. Progress is built on love, kindness, and compassion for one another. You can make mistakes, but you must admit them and never lie.”
She readily accepts the limits of her knowledge in the face of rapidly advancing technology, viewing it as a strength. While younger doctors possess the latest knowledge, she offers them her invaluable experience.
“People still ask me many questions,” she says. “I tell them when I don’t know the answer. But I can recommend who to ask. We must not be stubborn or pretend to know everything.”
A Family of Freedom
Dr. Kaesorn credits her supportive husband, Dr. Duenchai Vajarapongse, a senior urological surgeon, for her ability to dedicate herself fully to her work. He encouraged her studies abroad and helped care for their children at a time when household duties were still seen as solely a woman’s role.
Following her own parents’ modern example, she raised her two children with freedom, allowing them to pursue their own passions. Neither chose to become a doctor, a decision she fully supported. Her family also includes rescued stray dogs, whom she cares for with great affection.
“I believe in treating patients as if they are your own relatives. If my relative were sick, how would I want them to be treated? I would never do something that offers no benefit. For me, honesty is the most important thing.”
At over 80 years old, Dr. Kaesorn remains dedicated to her work. Her vast experience, coupled with the unwavering trust of patients who have stayed with her for decades, is a testament to a truly distinguished career.
ทำนัดหมายแพทย์ออนไลน์ | Appointment
Assoc. Prof. Khunying Kaesorn Vajarapongse, M.D.
BNH Breast Health Centre, Diagnostic Imaging Centre
Specialty
Diagnostic Imaging, Radiology, General Radiology
Language
Thai, English
– Board Certifications: Diploma of the American Board of Radiology, 1971
– Fellowships: Diagnostic Ultrasound, 1980
Mammography and Ultrasound
– M.D., Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, 1964
Doctor’s Schedule
| Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 09:30 – 13:00 | BNH Breast Health Centre, Diagnostic Imaging Centre () |
| Tuesday | 12:30 – 19:00 | BNH Breast Health Centre, Diagnostic Imaging Centre |
| Wednesday | 09:30 – 13:00 | BNH Breast Health Centre, Diagnostic Imaging Centre |
| Thursday | 09:00 – 19:00 | BNH Breast Health Centre, Diagnostic Imaging Centre |
| Saturday | 08:00 – 13:00 | BNH Breast Health Centre, Diagnostic Imaging Centre |