Thailand
World-Class Healthcare in the Land of Smiles
Average Savings
60-75%
vs typical prices in many patients' home countries
Quick Facts
Medical cities
3
Popular procedures
4
Peak season
November to February
International patients (yearly)
Over 2.5 million per year (pre-pandemic peak)
Why Choose Thailand?
Thailand combines internationally accredited private hospitals, experienced specialists, and resort-style places to recover after your procedure.
Accredited hospitals
More than 60 JCI-accredited hospitals and specialist centres nationwide.
Significant savings
Typical savings of around 60–75% compared with US/UK self-pay prices for many elective procedures.
Medical hubs & recovery
Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai combine specialist care with beach, city, or mountain recovery options.
International patient support
Hospitals used to treating overseas patients with English-speaking teams and help with logistics.
Last updated: October 2024
Visa & Medical Visa Requirements
Most short-stay medical tourists can use Thailand's visa-exemption or standard tourist visa options, but longer or staged treatment plans may benefit from a dedicated medical visa.
Tourist & short-stay visits›
Nationals from many countries including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can usually enter Thailand visa-exempt for a short stay or apply for a 60-day tourist visa in advance. Tourist visas are often extendable by 30 days at a local immigration office, which is usually sufficient for consultations plus recovery from most elective procedures. Exact rules and permitted stay lengths vary by passport and current Thai immigration policy.
Medical visa options›
For longer or more complex treatment journeys, Thai embassies offer medical-treatment visas (such as the Tourist Visa – Medical Treatment “MT” category for short medical stays) and long-stay Non-Immigrant medical visas (for example the Non-Immigrant “O-A” long-stay visa). These options typically require a letter from a Thai hospital confirming your planned treatment and can allow an initial stay of around 90 days, with the possibility of extending up to one year subject to immigration approval.
Extensions for recovery›
Visa extensions for medical reasons are handled by local immigration offices in Thailand. You will usually need an updated letter from your treating hospital or clinic explaining why additional recovery time is medically necessary. Processing times and the length of extensions granted vary by case, location, and visa type.
Typical documents from hospitals & patients›
Expect to provide a valid passport (often with at least 6 months of remaining validity and unused pages), completed application form, recent photographs, proof of funds, return or onward travel plans, confirmed accommodation, and a medical certificate or appointment letter from a Thai hospital. Some embassies also require proof of health insurance that covers your time in Thailand.
Visa rules change frequently and can differ by nationality. Always confirm the latest requirements, allowed stay lengths, and fees with your local Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate and the official Thai immigration website before you travel.
Planning Your Visit
Thailand has a tropical climate with year-round warm temperatures. Major hubs like Bangkok and Phuket are typically around 24–34°C (75–93°F) with high humidity.
Best for recovery: For most patients, the most comfortable time for surgery and recovery is the cooler, drier season from roughly November to February, when temperatures and humidity are a little lower and rainfall is less frequent.
March to May is generally the hottest period and can feel intense if you are sensitive to heat after surgery. The main rainy or monsoon months are roughly May to October; showers are often short and heavy rather than all-day rain, but occasional storms can disrupt local travel.
Air quality is usually acceptable in coastal areas and southern islands, but Bangkok can experience moderate pollution on some days. Northern cities such as Chiang Mai can see seasonal smoke and haze from agricultural burning between roughly February and April, which may be uncomfortable for patients with asthma or lung conditions.
Language & communication
- Most private hospitals in Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai have English-speaking doctors, nurses, and international patient coordinators.
- Medical reports, discharge summaries, and billing information are commonly available in English on request.
- Many large hospitals offer in-house interpreter services or can arrange translators for other languages, such as Arabic, Mandarin, or Japanese.
- Outside major tourist and hospital areas, English is less widely spoken, so translation apps or support from your hotel or clinic can be useful for day-to-day recovery tasks.
Getting there
Thailand is easy to reach via several major international airports. Bangkok acts as the primary gateway with long-haul and regional flights from North America, Europe, the Middle East, and across Asia, and it is straightforward to connect onward to Phuket, Chiang Mai, and other medical hubs.
Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok) (BKK)
Thailand's largest and busiest airport, located about 25 km east of central Bangkok, serving most full-service international airlines and long-haul routes.
Don Mueang International Airport (Bangkok) (DMK)
A major low-cost carrier hub north of central Bangkok, used heavily for regional and domestic flights, including connections to many secondary Thai cities.
Phuket International Airport (HKT)
Main airport for Phuket and nearby islands, with direct flights from several Asian and Middle Eastern hubs and frequent connections from Bangkok, ideal for beach-based recovery.
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
Compact airport a short drive from central Chiang Mai, with domestic flights from Bangkok and selected regional international routes into northern Thailand.
Popular Procedures
Dental Implants
Typical cost: $1,200 - $2,500 per implant
Recovery: 3-6 months
Top cities: Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya
Thailand is renowned for cosmetic dentistry with digital smile design and same-day procedures.
Cosmetic Surgery
Typical cost: $2,000 - $8,000
Recovery: 1-4 weeks
Top cities: Bangkok, Phuket
Board-certified plastic surgeons with international training and luxury recovery suites.
IVF Treatment
Typical cost: $3,500 - $5,500 per cycle
Recovery: 2-3 weeks
Top cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai
Cardiac Surgery
Typical cost: $10,000 - $25,000
Recovery: 4-8 weeks
Top cities: Bangkok
Top Medical Cities
Bangkok
Direct international flights from Dublin, London, and most major Asian hubs daily.
Thailand's bustling capital known for world-class hospitals and vibrant cultural experiences.
Phuket
Accessible via direct flights from Bangkok (1h 30m) and major Asian cities.
A tropical paradise ideal for post-surgery recovery with beachside wellness resorts.
Chiang Mai
Connected through Bangkok with frequent domestic flights (1h 15m).
Northern cultural hub offering serene mountain recovery and boutique medical centers.
Accredited Medical Facilities
Thailand has over 60 Joint Commission International (JCI)-accredited medical organizations, including many of the best-known private hospitals in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. JCI accreditation indicates that a hospital meets rigorous international standards for patient safety, quality management, and clinical care.
Samitivej Hospital
Bangkok, Thailand
Renowned private hospital group with multiple campuses, strong pediatrics, and extensive experience treating international patients.
Bangpakok 9 International Hospital
Bangkok, Thailand
Modern private hospital ranked among Thailands top facilities, with multiple international accreditations and comprehensive services.
Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, Thailand
JCI-accredited hospital in northern Thailand, providing full-service care with modern diagnostics and close links to the Bangkok Hospital network.
Kamol Cosmetic Hospital
Bangkok, Thailand
Specialist cosmetic and gender-affirming surgery hospital led by Dr. Kamol, with thousands of gender confirmation procedures performed.
Showing 7–10 of 10 accredited hospitals in Thailand