How good are the hospitals in Chiang Rai?

[simon43]

I have been living on the island of Phangan for a while, after being unable to return to my teaching job in Myanmar, (the junta chaps don't like the British government right now!).  Phangan is very nice, but I am aware that I am not getting any younger and more likely to have some medical issues as I get older. As I am fairly fit, exercise and have a vegan (ish) diet, the likelyhood of some sudden medical emergency is still low.

 

About 5 weeks ago I was stung by a box jellyfish which normally results in a rapid death.  I was extremely lucky to survive, but the experience was very scary and the local hospital could do nothing except watch me to see if I lived or died! They had no kind of medication, even though box jellyfish are common.  The locals rubbed vinegar all over me while waiting for the ambulance!

 

I don't expect to find box jellyfish in Chiang Rai of course, but I am thinking to move from Phangan to a rural location which does have a reasonable private hospital, such as Bangkok Chiang Rai hospital.

 

I'd appreciate any comments or experiences of hospital care in Chiang Rai.

[1FinickyOne]

It mostly comes down to the individual doctors, some good, some bad, some indifferent.... 

 

Personally, I have lost faith in most doctors. Medicine and money is not always a healthy mix... 

 

glad you survived the jellyfish, but how often do people get stung by these things? 

 

 

[simon43]

20 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

...

glad you survived the jellyfish, but how often do people get stung by these things? 

 

Not often.  The last was an Israeli boy a few years ago.  He died ????

[nigelforbes]

Historically, run of the mill medical care has been adequate in recent years but anything that requires specialist support means a trip to Chiang Mai. Not that many doctors will view a practice in Chiang Rai as career enhancing, many will be returning locals or newly qualified. Tbh, finding experts in some fields in Chiang Mai can be hard at times, which is why I'm now in Bangkok for that very reason, the Rai must be seriously difficult I imagine.

[paddypower]

Just had a friend (mid 70's) who needed a hip replacement. He spoke highly of the operation which he had, in CM. Apparenty he connected with a surgeon who specializes in low-invasive surgery (not sure what that is, other than you're on the op. table for less time than it used to be). That is a critical factor for older folks. 

[CM Dad]

Hospitals are filled with diseased people.  It is best to avoid them if at all possible.

[marin]

19 minutes ago, CM Dad said:

Hospitals are filled with diseased people.  It is best to avoid them if at all possible.

Some attitude for a dad. Plus you did not address the question. 

[TheFishman1]

If I were you instead of moving to Chiang right, I would move somewhere outside of Chiang Mai Dave Menne, good hospitals are you check my Ram hospital’s and they have a specialist in almost every area and a lot of them have been trained in America TIT

[statman78]

I have experience with a couple of hospitals in Chiang Rai.  Sriburin is good.  There is also a new Bangkok Hospital which I have not been to but 2 of my friends have been and speak highly of it.  On the other hand for anything major I would go to Chiang Mai or Bangkok.  

[1sickpuppy]

Go to Mai Fah luang hospital Chiang rai is same as the huge one in Bangkok nickname Chua because the specialist doctors have to go there to teach the students,simple, chiang mai is a ripp off or any private hospital, same same, i had 4 surgeries at mae fah luang 110.000baht cheap 4 plastic surgeries, best place you will find

[VocalNeal]

^ That is where the cardiologist I see teaches. He has an evening private clinic.

[orchis]

When I lived there it was luck of the draw.
-The downtown public hospital (Chiangrai Hospital) helped me a few times, long wait but satisfied, they had my medicine which I couldn't find in the other hospitals, can't beat the rates they charge.
-Sriburin: precancerous lesion got misdiagnosed as allergies by a very pompous dermatologist.
-Overbrook mostly ok, but not level of Chiangmai hospitals; when I needed a scan they sent me to the provincial public hospital.
I think the suggestion of MFL, and generally checking individual doctors, is good.

[BananaStrong]

3 hours ago, CM Dad said:

Hospitals are filled with diseased people.  It is best to avoid them if at all possible.

AGREE!!!!  

 

Just watch a few YouTube videos and DIY.   I did my own heart transplant this way, plus two eye surgeries and a bone marrow transplant!!!!!

 

If sick, go to a place where there will be NO sick people!!!!  d'uh

[nigelforbes]

54 minutes ago, 1sickpuppy said:

Go to Mai Fah luang hospital Chiang rai is same as the huge one in Bangkok nickname Chua because the specialist doctors have to go there to teach the students,simple, chiang mai is a ripp off or any private hospital, same same, i had 4 surgeries at mae fah luang 110.000baht cheap 4 plastic surgeries, best place you will find

Nonsense 

[motdaeng]

i would be more concerned about the poor air quality (in the north) than the hospital quality ...

 

[FarangRimPing]

15 hours ago, 1sickpuppy said:

Go to Mai Fah luang hospital Chiang rai is same as the huge one in Bangkok nickname Chua because the specialist doctors have to go there to teach the students,simple, chiang mai is a ripp off or any private hospital, same same, i had 4 surgeries at mae fah luang 110.000baht cheap 4 plastic surgeries, best place you will find

We use MFU for all of our needs but we haven't had anything major yet. Some really great seasoned doctors there as it is a teaching hospital. The hospital has all of the newest technology. A Brit MD friend of mine teaches there and he is really enthusiastic about the quality of equipment and care. It's inexpensive and not crowded, too.

[herfiehandbag]

I was in Chiang Rai Provincial Hospital (Prachanukroh Hospital) two years ago.

 

Medical and Surgical care very good. Cost reasonable. Food terrible.