A Swiss man who moved to Thailand to care for his mother with Alzheimer’s disease has gone on to establish a dementia care facility in Chiang Mai, offering long-term support for international residents at a fraction of the cost of comparable care in Europe and North America.

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Martin Woodtli, 65, relocated his mother from Switzerland to Chiang Mai in 2003 after years of caring for her following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. After his father, who had been her primary caregiver, developed depression and later died by suicide, Woodtli became solely responsible for her care and began searching for alternatives.

Dissatisfied with the institutional atmosphere and high costs of Swiss care facilities, Woodtli chose to return to Chiang Mai, where he had previously worked with Doctors Without Borders during the 1990s. He believed Thailand’s culture of respect for older people and a more personal care environment could improve his mother’s quality of life.

Woodtli moved into a house with his mother and employed three caregivers recruited through local hospitals to provide round-the-clock support. He said the new environment helped his mother become more comfortable and socially engaged, developing her own style of communication despite the progression of her illness.

Within a year, Woodtli used money inherited from his father to establish Baan Kamlangchay, a dementia care home located in a residential neighbourhood outside Chiang Mai city centre. Interest in the facility grew after a Swiss documentary filmmaker recorded the story of Woodtli and his mother in 2003, leading families from Switzerland and Germany to make enquiries.

Today, Woodtli and his Thai wife operate the facility, which cares for around 10 residents living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Residents, whom Woodtli refers to as guests, live across eight separate houses integrated into a local Thai community rather than in a single institutional building.

According to Thai civil registration data, Chiang Mai recorded 160,958 foreign residents in 2025, representing around 9% of the province’s approximately 1.8 million residents. The city’s international airport, lower living costs and long-stay visa options have contributed to its popularity among retirees and overseas residents.

Baan Kamlangchay operates as a registered company in Thailand and provides accommodation, daily assistance and supportive care through trained caregivers. Residents access medical services through local healthcare providers when required, as there are no on-site medical staff.

The cost of care starts at approximately US$2,900 per month, including accommodation, meals and 24-hour support. By comparison, nursing home care in the United States averaged about US$112,420 annually, on 2024 data, while dementia care in Swiss nursing homes was estimated at 89,756 Swiss francs per year.

Caleb Johnston, an associate professor of human geography at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, described the movement of people to Thailand for care and palliative support as a small but growing trend. He said lower costs, a large caregiving workforce and an expanding private care sector were attracting international clients, though families must also consider the impact of distance from established social networks and long-term friendships.

At Baan Kamlangchay, each guest is supported by a dedicated team of three caregivers working rotating shifts, with one caregiver sleeping in the same room at night. The facility also includes shared dining areas, an activity centre with a swimming pool and a small convenience store that allows residents to interact with local villagers and maintain a sense of independence.

Anke Blomberg, whose mother Gerda has lived at Baan Kamlangchay for eight years, said she chose the facility after finding care homes in Germany impersonal. After visiting Chiang Mai with her mother for a month, she decided the environment and level of care were suitable and now visits twice each year.

Woodtli said many residents remain at the facility for years and stay until the end of their lives. His own mother lived at Baan Kamlangchay until her death in 2006.

Picture courtesy of Businessinsider

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Businessinsider 28 June 2026

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What an incredible story of turning personal tragedy into something beautiful. Taking care of a parent with Alzheimer's is one of the hardest things a person can do, but Martin found a way to give his mother—and now others—real dignity. The Thai culture of respect for the elderly really shines through in projects like this. Absolute respect to him and his wife. 🙏❤️

It would be good to open centers like this in economically depressed parts of the country so one could become like a feudal lord with locals doing his bidding. Those geezers bring cash. A village could be turned into a company store so only the immigration fees left the lord's control. Take out a long term lease on a distressed property on a plot of land and those geezers could be put to work in the fields instead of luxuriating in the shade or bobbing around in the swimming pool.

Excellent initiative...

The prices indicate the demented rich or emptying all savings and inheritance.

We never want to let our parents go. But, frankly, this is why I believe in euthanasia and would want it for myself.

Three grand a month...in Thailand! More than hospital rates!

6 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

The prices indicate the demented rich or emptying all savings and inheritance.

We never want to let our parents go. But, frankly, this is why I believe in euthanasia and would want it for myself.

Three grand a month...in Thailand! More than hospital rates!

Agree about the euthanasia, self administered of course.

'Around ten' guests live in eight houses, with their carers I hope. The photo looks like they all eat at the same place.

14 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

The prices indicate the demented rich or emptying all savings and inheritance.

We never want to let our parents go. But, frankly, this is why I believe in euthanasia and would want it for myself.

Three grand a month...in Thailand! More than hospital rates!

Thailandtravel guides

Yes, if I had dementia I would want to be put out of my misery.

The costs are exorbitant, even in Thailand, quality of life is crap, and it's better to leave more money behind to those who still have a good quality of life.

Not to mention children seeing their parents with dementia is devastating.

This is a noble project on this man's part, but it's debatable whether we should try to extend our lives at all costs when quality of life is so poor.

2 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Yes, if I had dementia I would want to be put out of my misery.

The costs are exorbitant, even in Thailand, quality of life is crap, and it's better to leave more money behind to those who still have a good quality of life.

Not to mention children seeing their parents with dementia is devastating.

This is a noble project on this man's part, but it's debatable whether we should try to extend our lives at all costs when quality of life is so poor.

I would not think that someone with such a horrible disease would be particularly bothered about 5 star accomodation, food etc. Just to be eased along to the inevitable end.

In my case, I have already given my 'fortune' to my two sons, with the proviso that they will give back if needed.

If and when I get in that situation, a bottle of Single Malt and a few diazepan/tramadol would do the job.....I hope.

This is the average cost by state in the US.

https://health.usnews.com/best-senior-living/memory-care/articles/how-much-does-memory-care-cost

43 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Agree about the euthanasia, self administered of course.

Personally prefer a walk out in the jungle and mix it up with some wild elephants.

in thailand, there are many nursing homes for people with dementia. some are exceptionally well run, while others have a less favorable reputation ...

what sets many facilities in thailand apart from those in the west is that one-on-one care is available around the clock and is still affordable. many also avoid relying on strong medication to keep residents sedated, allowing them to live with greater dignity, more personal attention, and a better quality of life ...

I will keep this place in mind if I ever forget that I am in Chiang Mai.

15 minutes ago, motdaeng said:

in thailand, there are many nursing homes for people with dementia. some are exceptionally well run, while others have a less favorable reputation ...

what sets many facilities in thailand apart from those in the west is that one-on-one care is available around the clock and is still affordable. many also avoid relying on strong medication to keep residents sedated, allowing them to live with greater dignity, more personal attention, and a better quality of life ...

Less reliance on a chemical straitjacket.

That's good.

Best thing you can do is pull the plug at the first signs of dementia, better for everyone

5 hours ago, wil iam not said:

I would not think that someone with such a horrible disease would be particularly bothered about 5 star accomodation, food etc. Just to be eased along to the inevitable end.

In my case, I have already given my 'fortune' to my two sons, with the proviso that they will give back if needed.

If and when I get in that situation, a bottle of Single Malt and a few diazepan/tramadol would do the job.....I hope.

Not enough. Better read The Peaceful Pill Handbook. At least the single malt will let you go happy! The problem is if you're too far gone to end it.

4 hours ago, novacova said:

Personally prefer a walk out in the jungle and mix it up with some wild elephants.

As a Canadian, I always thought adrift on an ice floe would be romantic, as do Inuit elders.

a few plastic bags, strong elastic bands and strong zip ties so you don't change your mind at the very last moment, and you can do it yourself, on yourself only, write a letter explaining the why you did it... no need for expensive anything

and there are always the high hotels with low balconies

I admire this couple for proposing such a service, and I wish them the best of luck. I do worry that the Thai government might jump on them soon for running such a facility…. We’ll see.

The major issue that I don’t see addressed here however is the medical care. People in that condition have a high probability of needing serious medical care sooner or later, and I’m guessing that it will be very difficult to get them reasonable health insurance. Very tough for anyone over 70. And if they have to pay that medical support for any long period, this could cost a fortune. In their home country, they possibly have that coverage, but it might be very difficult for them to return depending upon their condition.

Off topic post removed @SiSePuede419

We had a neighbor with Alzheimer’s disease here in Thailand. She would only look at me but would always ask my wife; "Who are you and what are you doing here?", it would happen even if they talked to each other five minutes ago. Horrible disease.

20 hours ago, wil iam not said:

I would not think that someone with such a horrible disease would be particularly bothered about 5 star accomodation, food etc. Just to be eased along to the inevitable end.

In my case, I have already given my 'fortune' to my two sons, with the proviso that they will give back if needed.

If and when I get in that situation, a bottle of Single Malt and a few diazepan/tramadol would do the job.....I hope.

I hope ... the reason I support but with legal, medical supervision as a worse case, for me would be a failed ending and being left a breathing body in a coma.

In Thailand terms this is expensive albeit cheaper than in western countries. I'm 85 and so far so good. If and when I start to deteriorate I will rather die than attend such a place.

This might be an insensitive question, for which I apologize in advance, but what visa would you have to get to live permanently in Thailand with dementia?

Someone already living here might develop the disease, but can you actually move here after it’s developed?

I think there is a medical visa, but I thought that was for relatively short term treatment.

On 6/28/2026 at 2:47 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

Not enough. Better read The Peaceful Pill Handbook. At least the single malt will let you go happy! The problem is if you're too far gone to end it.

I told my sister years ago that if I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I would keep a stash of pills in my bedroom with a note.

Her answer, I hope you can find them !

I think Switzerland and Belgium do medical euthanasia.

I wonder what it costs ? Maybe Thailand would be better.

On 6/29/2026 at 6:29 PM, wensiensheng said:

This might be an insensitive question, for which I apologize in advance, but what visa would you have to get to live permanently in Thailand with dementia?

Someone already living here might develop the disease, but can you actually move here after it’s developed?

I think there is a medical visa, but I thought that was for relatively short term treatment.

No, a medical visa lasts as long as you need medical care. Immigration staff visa you once a year. No 90-day reports, just forget them!

1 hour ago, geisha said:

I think Switzerland and Belgium do medical euthanasia.

I wonder what it costs ? Maybe Thailand would be better.

No such option in Buddhist Thailand. Life is suffering.

You have to bring your own stash or buy a tank of nitrogen or helium gas here. Death with dignity.

8 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

No, a medical visa lasts as long as you need medical care. Immigration staff visa you once a year. No 90-day reports, just forget them!

Interesting. Thanks for that info.

12 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

No, a medical visa lasts as long as you need medical care. Immigration staff visa you once a year. No 90-day reports, just forget them!

makes it even more attractive! My mom had 'Old timers disease', as my students called it.

Maybe I should put in application now while I can.

I'm trying to work the delicate balance of mental and physical shutdown at the same time.

I that doesn't work, a trip to Switzerland might be in order. BUT can someone deep into dementia be given euthanasia 'solution'?