Ironically, seeing so much of one doctor may just help you keep all the other doctors away. In today's age, a physical visit isn't even necessary as you can just follow teachings and words of advice through various types of media. Thidakarn Rujipattanakul is one such doctor that proactively shares what she knows in an easy-to-digest format so the masses can easily understand.
Thidakarn Rujipattanakul. Photo courtesy of Thidakarn Rujipattanakul
With 14 science/health-related books published, this doctor-writer's books span a wide range of health topics from dieting, love chemistry and staying young to microbiota and cookbooks with health-conscious menus. If you're more of an online person, the doctor also garners quite a following on Instagram (@thidakarn), with her quick health pick-me-ups or fuss-free recipes for clean eating.
Specialising in anti-ageing, Thidakarn is armed with certification from the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine. Alongside her job as the assistant hospital director at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, she is also the owner of PleaseHealth Solutions, a publishing house that produces books by professionals in various health segments. Written in a way that can be understood by people of all ages, Thidakarn first started this house with hopes that people would start caring about their health as early as being in their teens.
What are you reading now?
Start With Why by Simon Sinek. It teaches you another viewpoint when doing business. Most people who sell things just talk about what they sell and why it's good but never start with telling the customer why it's something they must have, which is actually the most important point.
What is your favourite book of all time?
Handbook For Mankind by Buddhadasa. It's the facts of life and how to live life. It's not just about adapting his advice to be used, but it should be used as principles on how to lead your life too. It works in real life and really helped me get through my father passing away.
What is one book you've wanted to read and never got around to?
The book set Dhammakode by Buddhadasa -- it's what he's studied, researched and where he compiled all the core teachings of Buddha for the public. There are many different topics and over 10 books.
Has any writer been a great influence on your own work?
There's a lot, but for sure there is Haruki Murakami, Bill Bryson, Michael Pollan and Seksan Prasertkul. Not that I can even write one tenth of what these people can, but the energy from these writers pushes me to want to write too.
You enjoy cooking. Do you read any cookbooks and do you have any to recommend?
From abroad, Jamie Oliver's Everyday Super Food, but from Thailand, I recommend Clean Desserts from Amarin Cuisine, where I also offered advice regarding recipes and health facts.
What do you usually read to find more information about health and self-care?
I like to read various medical journals. The one I usually read is the Journal Of The American Medical Association and The American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition. What I like to listen to while I run in the morning is Ted Talk, especially TedMed, which always brings up interesting health issues for me to follow.
I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong. It connects science, philosophy and finding answers to life altogether. Small things in our bodies, especially microorganisms in the large intestines, have a very important role in our bodies. They're so important that it begs the question whether our bodies really belong to us, whether they can be controlled by us or if they even exist. This book invites you to think that sometimes science and religion overlap.
