Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) in Chiang Mai

Ear, nose, and throat, ENT for short or Otolaryngology, is a medical specialty that focuses on the care and treatment of the ears, nose, and throat. Physicians who specialized in ENT are called otolaryngologists or ENT doctors and are qualified and trained in both the medical and surgical management of the following conditions:

• Conditions of the ear – ENT doctors can help with ear disorders or other issues, such as ear infections, hearing impairment, ear noise (tinnitus), balance disorders, nerve pain, as well as facial and cranial nerve disorders. They can also manage congenital disorders (disorders that are present since birth) of the inner and outer ear. 
• Conditions of the nose – one of the primary skills of ENT doctors in the care of the nose, nasal cavity, and sinuses. They can diagnose, treat, and manage allergies, deviated septum, smell disorders, sinusitis, polyps, and nasal obstruction because of a deviated septum. They can also perform rhinoplasty surgery to correct the appearance of the nose.
• Conditions of the throat – disorders, and conditions that affect the throat, larynx (voice box), and the esophagus or upper aero-digestive tract can be diagnosed and treated by ENT doctors, including voice and swallowing disorders. 
• ENT-related conditions of the head and neck – ENT doctors are trained to treat infectious diseases, tumors, trauma, and deformities of the head, face, and neck. They can also manage problems with the nerves in these areas that control smelling, sight, hearing, and facial movements. In addition, they can perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery to the head and neck area.

The procedures that ENT doctors perform include, but are not limited to:

• Tympanostomy
• Myringoplasty
• Tympanoplasty
• Stapedectomy
• Tympanomastoidectomy
• Laryngoplasty
• Esophagoscopy
• Laryngoscopy
• Microlaryngoscopy
• Septoplasty
• Nasal valve reconstruction
• Nasal fracture reduction
• Rhinoplasty
• Functional endoscopic sinus surgery
• Parotidectomy
• Neck mass biopsy
• Submandibular gland removal
• Airway reconstruction
• Tonsillectomy
• Adenoidectomy
• Thyroidectomy
• Parathyroidectomy.

How Long Should I Stay in Chiang Mai?

Your length of stay depends on your condition and the type of treatment you underwent. For surgical procedures, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days or you can leave the hospital immediately. However, it is advisable that you stay in Chiang Mai for at least 2 weeks or until your ENT doctor says it is safe to travel home. This is because the change in the aircraft’s cabin pressure can cause problems with the surgical site. During your stay, you also need to attend a follow-up appointment where your doctor will remove the stitches (if necessary) and monitor your healing progress.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Your ENT doctor will give you a specific recovery timeline, including when you can resume your normal activity and return to work. In general, you need to avoid all activities that may increase blood pressure in your head area for at least 3 weeks. You also need to avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your ENT doctor will give you instructions on how to protect the health of your ear, nose, and throat, as well as how to prevent your disease from reoccurring or complications. Make sure to follow all the instructions closely. Depending on your specific condition, you may be required to attend regular checkups. In most cases, you have the choice to have regular checkups with your local doctor at home or with your ENT doctor in Chiang Mai.

What's the Success Rate?

The continuous advancement of ENT has increased the success rate of ENT procedures. While there are no general statistics for all ENT procedures, most procedures are proven to be safe and highly successful. For example, the success rate of tympanoplasty is around 90%. Risks and side effects of ENT procedures depend on the specific procedure and the health status of the patient. All surgical procedures generally carry the risk of bleeding, infection, and an adverse reaction to the anesthetic.

Are there Alternatives?

In most cases, there is no alternative to ENT when you have problems with your ear, nose, and throat. However, depending on your condition, your ENT doctor may work with or refer you to a relevant specialist.

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) in and around Chiang Mai

About Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the fourth largest city in Thailand and is situated in the Northern part of the country. Chiang Mai is a land of misty mountains, hillside tribal villages and lush green landscape. Chiang Mai is not only an amazing holiday location but is also one of the most reliable and affordable destinations for medical tourism. Surprisingly, medical costs are cheaper here than in Bangkok and the facilities are up to date and for 3000 baht (approximately $100), you can have a complete health check-up.

Each year, thousands of medical tourists from all over the globe flock to Chiang Mai. The city's superior hospitals that are top-rated globally, boast dedicated International departments specifically put in place to meet the varying needs of these medical visitors. Impeccable hospitality services are a hallmark of these facilities, coupled with hospital personnel and medical professionals who are proficient in English.

These hospitals are equipped to provide wide-ranging treatments such as cardiac surgery, amongst others, and cosmetic procedures including but not limited to breast augmentations, liposuction, and cool sculpting. There are also quite attractive medical packages available that conveniently bundle treatment and accommodation.

The Chiang Mai Ram International, bearing a notable reputation for their remarkable services, stands out as the most frequented hospital in the city. Moreover, Chiang Mai is rich with numerous restorative amenities including spas, resorts as well as massage and healing centers. These outlets have cemented the city’s status as a perfect haven for post-treatment rejuvenation.

Popular areas in Chiang Mai

The metropolitan area of Chiang Mai is home to over 1 million residents. Listed below are the popular areas of this amazing city. Each area has its own charm and offers something to the visitors.

• Old City: Is the cultural and religious epicenter of Chiang Mai. The old town has moats and fortress walls from ancient times. Pae gate, which lies in the Old Town, is the most famous traditional landmark of the city.
• Nimmanhemin road: You can experience a bustling and vibrant nightlife here. Located close to the famous Chiang Mai University, this place is quite popular with the young and dynamic student population and you can find several affordable hostels and guesthouses on the Nimmanhemin road, varied housing options are available for long-term expats.
• Chiang Mai Night Bazaar: Considered as the ‘downtown’ of Chiang Mai, it is a paradise for shopping sprees. You will find a lot of street food shops which offer authentic Thai delicacies at affordable prices. Handicrafts, antiques, textiles and other traditional Thai products also come with affordable price tags. After 6 pm, this area comes alive and you can expect to see the streets very busy with enthusiastic tourists and locals.
• Riverside: The Riverside Chiang Mai has all of the old world charms that the city is renowned for with affordable eateries and live-music venues combined with the fresh river breeze and the relaxed atmosphere all helps to make it the best place to chill out during evening time.
• Santitham: The Santitham area of the city is mainly populated by Thai locals and this spot is less touristy and a bit more laid back. You can find supermarkets, public parks, and many residential buildings within this neighborhood.

Weather and climate in Chiang Mai

Located at an elevation of 316 meters, Chiang Mai enjoys a cooler and pleasant climate. As it experiences a typical tropical climate, winter, and spring seasons are not applicable. Instead, Hot, Cool and Rainy seasons are distinct in Chiang Mai.

• Cool: Early December to February. Day time temperature rises up to 30°C, yet, you may require sweatshirts to keep yourself warm as dusk approaches. It is the best weather to pay a visit to Chiang Mai. January is the coolest month of the season with temperatures dropping to as low as 10°C.
• Hot: Mid-February to mid-June. March is the hottest month in Chiang Mai with the temperatures rising to 40°C. You can escape the blistering heat waves and embrace the chilly breeze by visiting the nearby mountains.
• Rainy: Early June to late October. The average temperature drops down to 32°C during the rainy season. It rains almost every single day without fail. Even though the rainfall is heavy and the storms are intense, they won’t last for long. August is the wettest month of the year.

Getting around in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai International Airport proclaims its status as the fourth busiest air hub in the country. It skillfully and efficiently manages a substantial volume of domestic and international flights. These flights provide vital connections between Chiang Mai and an array of prominent cities across the globe such as Bangkok, Beijing, Doha, and Ho Chi Minh, to mention a few.

While Chiang Mai, the bustling metropolis, boasts a sizeable expanse and a cosmopolitan vibe, its public transportation system falls somewhat short of organized. However, this minor shortcoming does not pose a barrier to exploration of this magnificent city. A plethora of other transportation mediums step in to bridge this gap, facilitating comfortable and convenient travel around the city. These constitute both traditional and modern modes of transport that cater to different tastes and preferences, all aimed at ensuring visitors and locals alike can fully experience and appreciate the city's remarkable offerings.

• Songthaew: The Songthaew or red truck is the most common and the desirable mode of transportation. For 30 Bahts, you can travel anywhere within the city, as long as you have no issues sharing your ride with other passengers. You can book private songthaew using the mobile app, GRAB.
• Tuk-tuks: Are the second most common mode of transportation next to songthaew. However, they are pricey as the rates start at 60 Bahts. It could be inexpensive too if you have exceptional bargaining skills.
• Taxis: Are quite expensive, costing somewhere between 100 and 200 Bahts per ride in the city.

Tourist visas in Chiang Mai

Thailand is a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. Citizens of many countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Germany, and Singapore, do not need a visa to enter Thailand and can stay for up to 30 days without a visa.

Citizens of India and China who intend to stay in Thailand for up to 15 days can apply for a visa on arrival. However, if they want to stay for longer than 15 days, they will need to apply for a different type of visa, such as a transit visa or a non-immigrant visa.

Here is a summary of the visa requirements for Indian and Chinese passport holders:

• Visa on arrival: Indian and Chinese passport holders can apply for a visa on arrival if they intend to stay in Thailand for up to 15 days. The visa fee is 2,000 Thai baht.
• Transit visa: Indian and Chinese passport holders who are only passing through Thailand on their way to another country will need to apply for a transit visa. The transit visa allows them to stay in Thailand for up to 48 hours.
• Non-immigrant visa: Indian and Chinese passport holders who want to stay in Thailand for longer than 15 days will need to apply for a non-immigrant visa. There are different types of non-immigrant visas available, depending on the purpose of the visit.

To apply for a visa on arrival or a non-immigrant visa, Indian and Chinese passport holders will need to have a valid passport, a return flight ticket, and proof of funds. They may also need to provide additional documents, such as a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from a Thai resident.

Additional Information

1. Thai Baht is the currency of Thailand. 1 USD is around 34.5559 THB as of 2023. 
2. ATMs and exchange bureau are present at most of the tourist locations, making the withdrawal of local currency easy. You can pay by credit card in big restaurants, shopping malls, and hospitals.
3. Thai is the official language of Thailand and is widely spoken in Chiang Mai. However, most of the locals in Chiang Mai do understand and speak good English. The street signs are also translated into English making it is easier for the tourists to get around.
4. 90% of the total population of Thailand practice Buddhism, followed by Islam. Thai nationals exhibit deep love and admiration for their royal family.
5. Notable public holidays:

• January 1 – New Year's Eve
• February 19 – Makha Bucha day
• April 12-16 – Songkran Festival
• May 5 – Coronation day
• December 10 – Constitution day