คุณเคยเจอคุณหมอยิงมุกใส่มั้ย?
– ทญ. มรกต กฤตย์กุลเจริญ –
Dr. Saranrat ‘Praew’ Toeywatanachai, a specialist in gastroenterology and hepatology at the BNH Hospital GI Centre, finds joy in the simplicity of her daily routine, balancing a demanding medical career with a fulfilling personal life.
From a Childhood Dream to a Medical Career
“I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was a little girl.”
“I was often unwell as a child, which meant frequent trips to the hospital,” Dr. Praew recalls. “I had the same doctor from birth until I was about ten years old. As I remember, he was kind, lovely, and very friendly, and he became close to our family. My mother told me that one day, when I was about four or five, I walked up to him and announced, ‘When I grow up, I want to be like you.’ It’s quite a funny memory.”
Dr. Praew’s family was very supportive of her ambition. Coming from Chinese families on both her mother’s and father’s sides, they were primarily involved in business, with no doctors in the family. They instilled in her the value of education from a young age, hoping she would achieve a high level of academic success.
She was a diligent student for as long as she can remember. She attended a Christian school that emphasised academic discipline, receiving academic awards from kindergarten through primary school. She later gained admission to the prestigious Bodindecha School and then Triam Udom Suksa School for her upper secondary education, before successfully entering the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital.
“But I was never naturally brilliant; I relied on being diligent and good at memorisation. Every exam I passed was the result of sheer effort, not luck. I remember when I was studying for the entrance exam to Triam Udom, I slept only four hours a day for a whole month. The rest of the time was spent studying, attending tutorials, and eating. At first, I didn’t think I’d make it, but I did. I was very proud of that.”
The Realities of Medical School
“Once I started medical school, there were many times I felt disheartened. I never imagined it would be so much more demanding than I had pictured. However, I’m the kind of person who, once I decide to do something, never turns back. I was determined to finish. The word ‘quit’ was never an option, so I persevered until the end.”
Intense studies, hard work, no time for holidays, and no time to see family—this was the reality of medical school that the young student faced. She endured it all and moved on to the next stage: her internship at a hospital in Ratchaburi province.
“Working as an intern was a truly eye-opening experience. It was my first time working as a fully-fledged doctor, managing my thoughts, performing medical procedures, and making decisions about diagnoses and treatments. In a regional hospital that receives referrals from many provinces, we faced limitations in human resources, medical equipment, and our own experience. There were many moments of anger, despair, sadness, and exhaustion. But looking back, it was one of the best experiences of my life. It taught me patience, how to push beyond my physical and mental limits to give patients the best chance of survival, and how to let go when we had done all we could. I am incredibly proud that I made it through without quitting, and the knowledge I gained then is still useful to me today.”
Amidst the hardship, there was a silver lining. The medical team, facing these challenges together, supported one another and formed incredibly strong bonds. This friendship was another reason Dr. Praew remained committed to her path.
Finding Her Speciality
“During my second year of internal medicine residency at Phramongkutklao Hospital, we rotated through various specialities like cardiology, haematology, and nephrology. When I got to the gastroenterology department, I was truly impressed by the consultants and the nature of the work. The diseases were interesting, and the inclusion of procedures like endoscopy made the work varied and engaging. It was challenging and fun. Gastrointestinal diseases are also very common, so I felt it would be a rewarding career.”
This realisation led Dr. Praew to specialise in internal medicine and sub-specialise in gastroenterology. This period marked another turning point, teaching her to shift her perspective from being serious about everything to becoming more relaxed, understanding, and human. With her skills in treatment, communication, and patient psychology fully developed, her next step was BNH Hospital.
The Role of a Modern Gastroenterologist
Despite having been a doctor for 13 years, Dr. Praew is often told she looks very young. “I’ll be turning 40 in a few years!” she laughs. One of her challenges is therefore to inspire confidence and trust in her patients.
To bridge this gap, she makes it a daily mission to show patients she cares about their concerns. She identifies their problems and leverages the strengths of being a new-generation doctor, breaking down barriers with a relaxed and open approach. She also studies the methods of respected senior physicians, adapting their wisdom to her own style to foster the smoothest possible doctor-patient relationship.
“There are many minor symptoms that some might dismiss as not serious enough for a doctor’s visit. But I see that these issues diminish a person’s quality of life. They can’t enjoy their food or sleep well. If it were me, I’d want to see a doctor to get better. I try to be empathetic, to be a good listener, and not to judge.”
Many of her patients suffer from chronic gastrointestinal diseases and know their conditions intimately. This can sometimes make it difficult to persuade them to try new approaches.
“These patients know best what is happening with their bodies and what works for them. Everyone has a different background, and they have every right not to believe me. They might be right, and I might be wrong. Some even teach me things, which makes me feel like I’m always learning something new if I keep an open mind. If you think, ‘I’m the expert, I know everything,’ you stop growing. Today, there are so many alternative treatments out there; what we learn in medical school is just one small piece of the puzzle.”
In these cases, Dr. Praew avoids telling patients they are right or wrong. Instead, she advises that if their current practices are not causing harm, they can continue with them, which often encourages them to try her suggested alternatives alongside their own beliefs. “A hospital visit isn’t just about diagnosing an illness and getting a prescription. It’s a chance for patients to share their perspective and vent their frustrations. That helps them feel better and makes coming to the hospital a positive experience.”
A Mother’s Dream
Today, Dr. Praew has embraced a new role: mother to her 10-month-old son, a role that has made her life feel even more complete and has taught her more about letting go.
“Another dream of mine was to be a mother, and now I am. The feeling is a mix of happiness and hardship. Happiness when I see him well-fed, sleeping soundly, and smiling. Hardship when he is sick or when I have to come back to work. The first few months after giving birth were very difficult; I was filled with anxiety. Because I am dedicated to everything I do, I was a very dedicated mother. Things finally settled down after six months. I’m lucky to have a supportive husband and help from both our families. But ultimately, I had to find my own balance—making time for myself, getting rest. I believe that when I am happy, my son will be happy too.”
“If you ask me what happiness is today, it is simply this: today, I am healthy, I get to do work I am skilled at, my workplace is beautiful, and my colleagues are wonderful. Then I go home to my son and my family. That is all.”
ทำนัดหมายแพทย์ออนไลน์ | Appointment
SARANRAT TOEYWATANACHAI, M.D.
พญ. ศรัณย์รัตน์ เตยวัฒนะชัย
Speciality
Internal Medicine
Gastroenterology
Clinical Interest
Gastroenterology
Education
Medical Degree, Doctor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand
Board and Sub board Certification
Gastroenterology, Phramongkutklao Hospital
The Medical Council of Thailand, Internal Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital
Certificate
Gastroenterology and hepatology observership, Banner University Medical Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, USA (2026), University of Arizona College of Medicine, United States of America
Orientation BNH, BNH Hospital, Thailand
Language
English
Thai
Gender
Female
Schedule
Digestive Care Centre
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 11:00 - 19:00 |
| Tuesday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | - |
| Friday | 08:00 - 16:00 |
| Saturday | - |
| Sunday | 08:00 - 16:00 |
This is the doctor's regular weekly schedule. Actual availability may vary — please confirm the available date and time when you make an appointment.