Pediatrics in Chiang Mai

Pediatrics is the field of medicine that focuses on the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents from birth up to the age of 21. Medical doctors who specialize in this field are called pediatricians. Not only do they provide medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill, but they also provide preventative health services for healthy children. They manage the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the children under their care through all stages of growth and development. They are involved in the prevention, early detection, and management problems, including:

• Developmental delays and disorders
• Functional disabilities
• Behavioral problems
• Social stresses
• Mental disorders, including depression and anxiety disorders.

When children get hurt or sick, they treat a range of injuries and diseases, such as infections, cancers, organ diseases, and dysfunctions, as well as genetic and congenital conditions. Some pediatricians are primary care physicians (meaning they are your first stop for general medical care and wellness visits for your children), while others specialize. There are more than 30 pediatric specialties, including pediatric oncology (the treatment of cancers in children), pediatric neurology (the treatment of brain and nervous system disorders in children), and pediatric cardiology (the treatment of heart conditions in children).

In general, pediatricians perform the following procedures to take care of your child:

• Physical exams
• Diagnose and treat illnesses, injuries, infections, and other health problems
• Evaluate your child’s physical, emotional, and social development
• Give you information about your child’s health, fitness, safety, and nutrition needs
• Prescribe medications and antibiotics
• Give vaccinations
• Refer you to a specialist if they think your child needs expert care. 

How Long Should I Stay in Chiang Mai?

In most cases, you and your child can leave the hospital or clinic right away after a pediatric procedure. Depending on the type of diagnostic test or medical treatment your child receives, you should plan to stay in Chiang Mai for around 2 to 7 days. During your stay, your child may need to attend several follow-up checkups where the pediatrician checks if the treatment is working for them.  

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

The recovery times can be different from one child to another, depending on the overall health of your child, the specific condition they have, and the treatment they receive. For diagnostic tests, such as a physical exam, there is typically no recovery time needed. After vaccination, some children may develop a fever for 1 to 2 days. The pediatrician will let you know when your child can resume their normal activity level and go back to school after treatment.

What Aftercare is Required?

During your child’s recovery period, it is important that you monitor them closely. Make sure that they drink plenty of liquid, eat a healthy diet (as recommended by the pediatrician), and get plenty of rest. A regular visit to the pediatrician is important, every two to three months for children aged 1-month-old to 2 years old, every six months for 2 to 3 years old, and then once a year after the age of 4 up to 21. 

What's the Success Rate?

As the field of pediatrics continues to advance, the safety and success rate of pediatrics procedures continues to increase as well. With new technology, more knowledge, and a deeper understanding of pediatrics, the death rate of infants and children has been decreasing significantly in the last century. Of course, all procedures carry some type of risks and side effects. For instance, vaccinations have some side effects such as low-grade fever, soreness, temporary headache, or a severe allergic reaction. 

Are there Alternatives?

There are no alternatives to seeing a pediatrician that manages the health, growth, and development of your child. Should your pediatrician found something that needs specialized care, they will refer you to the relevant specialist.

Pediatrics 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