Where to go in an emergency or a medical check-up in Chiang Mai – Hospitals and clinics in Chiang Mai
Hospitals in Chiang Mai are everywhere! For such a small city in both population and area, there is a rather large number of hospitals. In fact, unlike most urban centres around the world, the number of medical facilities are increasing. This is because in Thai culture, you go to the doctor for literally everything. Kid got a paper cut? Hospital. Stuffed up nose? Hospital. Someone threw up? Hospital.
Seems extreme, but if I had to take my daughter to the hospital in our home country it would be up to an 8 hour wait. Here, she’d be seen within half an hour. In Chiang Mai, no one waits for long. It’s one of the many benefits of hospitalization here and what makes it so popular. Learn about the private, public, and clinics available.
Find Emergency Numbers to Call in Chiang Mai Here
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Commonly asked questions about hospitals in Chiang Mai
Are the doctors good?
Access to experts is surprisingly quick. You can get an appointment with a specialist sometimes the same day that you’ve shown up. If not then, then within the same week is common. This is in sharp contrast to some western nations where you could wait months to a year for specialist attention. The large majority of doctors and specialists are also trained overseas. This means they are proficient in English and modern medical practice. You will find that the nursing staff are not always proficient in English, which can be frustrating, but they are trying their best.
How much will it cost?
Costs are low for out-patient services, though you may be wagering whether to get health insurance for your family. It is always recommended. Especially consider that you are in a foreign country and unfortunate surprises do happen. Insurance can be arranged prior to your travels with an agent from your home region, or you can just as easily get it here.
Note that out patient (OPD) cover is included at an extra cost in nearly every plan. In general, outpatient costs can be low and may not be worth paying out of pocket for if you don’t use them. Weigh your options though! What you absolutely need health insurance for is in-patient care (IPD). There will be a charge for every little thing. In-patient costs will be expensive. Expect your bill to be a bit of a shock if you are admitted for any health reason and are without health coverage!
Should we go to the hospital or a clinic?
It depends on the severity of the issue. The private hospitals in Chiang Mai give you access to all the high-end medical equipment for serious inquiries or injuries, while clinics can help with superficial incidents or prescription of medication.
Public hospitals are also an option and can be much cheaper. They do not however, always meet western standards. Hospitals are open 24 hours.
Clinics are open from the late afternoon or early evening and stay open until late. The clinics are usually run by the same doctors who work at a regular hospitals during the day. You can be assured you getting the same expertise at a clinic, that you would at a private hospital. All of the doctors speak English as well, although their staff may not. Wait times may be longer than the hospital’s
What do you need?
When you first enter any hospital or clinic, you’ll be asked to register. You must have a form of valid ID, for example a passport for the family member who will use the services. You will also be asked if you have insurance. The insurance card or ID should be presented and the hospital will contact the insurance company for you.
What if we have to stay overnight?
In the event that you have to stay for the night, check if your insurance will cover it and up to what amount. The hospital will try to put you in the most expensive room, but you are allowed to request to change rooms. Be careful if you don’t have insurance because they will still try to gauge you for the room. Ask to be placed in the cheapest room.
Having stayed in a few Chiang Mai hospitals overnight, we have to say the rooms are all quite nice! Your family will have an entire room to yourselves and some are even akin to having your own condo for the night! There is always a sofa in the room, a TV, and air conditioning. Some rooms have a balcony, a wardrobe, a microwave and a small kitchenette. The bathrooms are all lovely too. And all the rooms have wifi to keep everyone entertained and distracted.
The best part, is that you (the parents) are both allowed to sleep in the same room, as would the kids be allowed to if you happened to fall ill. It’s common here for entire generations of families to stay with their sick family member. There are also no set visiting hours that I’m aware of. People just come and go as they please at all hours.
The doctor (although it may not be the same one) will visit you in the morning and again in the afternoon. They will be the best people to make inquiries to as you’ll find the nursing staff’s language proficiency is not always great. If you need confirmation of anything, most hospitals have a translation service.
Which hospital should we go to?
The closest one?! Each hospital has it’s own reputation if you ask around. Find a listing below of the private hospitals and public hospitals in the city. What if it’s not an urgent matter? Visit one of the trusted clinics around the city.
Private hospitals in Chiang Mai
The advantages of choosing a private hospital are many, with the only disadvantage being the potential high cost. Your family can expect high standards, sometimes even greater than hospitals in your home country. Access to doctors and specialists is very quick. Lab tests, x-rays, etc are efficiently done and results are typically given within an hour. If you need to, you can also request to take a copy of your results or medical reports with you at no extra charge. Here’s a list of the most popular private hospitals in the city:
Public hospitals in Chiang Mai
What are the advantages of a public hospital? Well, in some cases they may be the closest option, and this is important in an emergency. After the initial medical assessment, you can ask to be transferred to a private hospital if you wish. Public medical centres are also a heck of a lot cheaper than the private ones. You even have access to the same caliber, and sometimes even the exact same doctors, as the private institutions. Doctors are required to work a certain amount of hours in the public system. One of the reasons the cost will be so much less is that the government subsidizes costs to make care affordable for local Thais. Another reason is that the standards of care are different and equipment is usually older.
What are the disadvantages? Besides the lower standards and older equipment, there will be a tremendous language barrier. Public hospitals could still an option for you family if you’re on a budget. Here are some of the more well-known ones:
Medical clinics
These are essentially walk-in clinics where you have access to a general practitioner (GP). The doctor can prescribe medicine and refer you to specialists at hospitals in Chiang Mai. Appointments will be booked at your family’s convenience. Wait times can be a bit long as there is only one doctor on staff trying to meet every patient’s needs. Each clinic determines their own independent operating hours with most Thai walk-in clinics being open in the evening. Here are three of the more popular and highly recommended medical clinics. Keep in mind there are dozens more. Look for signs with a green cross on a white background which commonly indicates a clinic. The doctor will speak English, but the staff may not.
