We arrived in CM today, and my husband and I are sick. He has had a cough for over 2 weeks now that won't go away, and I had what I thought was a head cold, but I now cannot hear out of either of my ears. We have decided that, instead of just trying to struggle through and risk ruining the rest of our honeymoon, we should see a doctor tomorrow morning.

Gloria - I remember reading that your friend Ann had gotten sick and you had taken her to a doctor in Chiang Mai? Do you by any chance remember where you took her? I remember you saying it was a favorable experience. I could definitely use any guidance.

You are at the Four Seasons I think? I'm sure they can refer you to someone right away. A doctor will likely be able to come right to you, possibly right now.

We went to the clinic at Chiang Rai Ram Hospital. It is supposedly the best hospital in CM and all the doctors and staff speak English and most have been trained in America or England. This is not an emergency room (they have that also but it is separate) but a clinic with several doctors for walk in patients. The care Ann got there was superb and I would highly recommend going there. I would go there rather than to a hotel doctor to be honest since in my experience they tend not to be the best in town. Also this place has all the modern equipment needed for a diagnosis as well as a wonderful pharmacy so you can get all the tests, the exam and the medicine needed in one place and quickly. It was excellent. You need to register as a foreigner (takes only a few minutes) but you will need your passport. You can pay with a credit card (dirt cheap).

Just to clarify. Just go to the hospital and go to the clinic. You don't need an appointment. I'd go first thing in the AM -- the whole process will take less than an hour including the exam, paying, having medicines explained etc. You'll see a lot of ex pats there.

Go to the hospital as glorialf has said, it's much quicker, no appointment, open 24 hrs, go straight to the hospital, it's the way it's done here, they have all the facilities.
Good luck.

What did you end up doing?

When we were at 4S in CM, my grandaughter came down with very, very bad chicken pox, plus ear infection. The 4S called MD who came right away and thoroughly examined her. He found the ear infection. Put her on proper meds and came back to check her that evening and the next day (and maybe again?). The 4s very helpful with her. Brought toys, games, video, food and all staff kept saying"Poor girl" Plus the MD said"I do not see much chicken pox because we imunize our children" ...so much for the Brits who don't.

SJLBK, how are you????

Thanks for the concern! We ended up going to Chiang Mai Ram, on Gloria's suggestion. We spent a few hours there, where we received thurough examinations, including x-rays of our sinuses, and were both diagnosed with pretty bad sinus infections, and an ear infection for me. We were put on antibiotics, and are both feeling better after 4 days.

For the two of us, the entire bill came to $130, but $85 of that was for the perscriptions!

All in all, it was a great experience and top notch healthcare.

Glad you're better and that your experience at Chiang Rai Ram was so positive. We were really enormously impressed with the place. It does make one wonder anew at the cost of our health care!

I've been thinking of spending several months a year in chiang mai when I retire and knowing that they have quality healthcare makes a big difference.

I had significant abdominal pain when I arrived in CM. Went to the hospital, and after a cursory exam, I was told I had 'dyspepsia' (Disturbed digestion; indigestion). Came home, had my gallbladder out. :-<