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Which city is better for expats with elderly family members: Chiang Mai or the suburbs of Bangkok?

Oct 24, 2025
a day ago
Dogma *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Moving to Thailand next year, but I cannot decide on where to call home. My elderly father is coming with me, so we want to be near great hospitals. Cannot decide between Changmai (burning season worries me) and the burbs of BKK. Any input?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the dilemma of choosing between Chiang Mai and the suburbs of Bangkok for relocation in Thailand, particularly considering healthcare for an elderly father. Comments suggest Hua Hin as a favorable location for retirees because of its healthcare facilities and better living conditions compared to Chiang Mai, which has concerns around the burning season and flooding. Some respondents, however, advocate for Chiang Mai due to its affordable and efficient medical support. Other alternatives mentioned include Muangthong Thani near Bangkok, citing its good hospitals and English-speaking doctors.
Eddie ****
Muangthong Thani of Nonthaburi, there has good hospitals, English speaking doctors. It is near Bangkok, half hour away by bus to Victory Monument. Rent is cheap there and also near Cheangwatana immigration office.
Dogma *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eddie ***
we had considered Nonthaburi
Jason **********
Hua Hin
Elías ********
Hua Hin
Eric **********
Hua Hin.. you will regret choosing Chiang Mai.

It’s either burning season or flooding.. I lived there for two years, couldn’t take it anymore.

It’s nice for November, December and January.

Not the rest of the year.
Giorgio ******
@Eric *********
if you din't like C.M. LIVE IT . BYEBYE.
Eric **********
@Giorgio *****
perfectly happy where i am at.

Enjoy the burning and flooding
Hannah ******************
HUA HIN 100%
Greg *********
I started out in BKK and traveled around Thailand for a year until I settled on Krabi.
Alison ********
Hua Hin
David *********
Hua Hin definitely
Stephen *********
@David ********
good choice
David *********
@Stephen ********
3 years and hopefully that's my home depending on visas
Paul *******
I am 78 years old and have lived in Chiang Mai for over ten years. I chose Chiang Mai because I have a number of serious medical conditions and because the medical (GP, specialists and hospitals) support here is excellent and, in my view, affordable. As an example I can usually obtain walk in appointmets to my heart and diabetes specialists in excellent private hospitals about 1,000 thb, which is cheaper than seeing a GP in my country. The smokey season has not been a problem for my family. Last year was a good year with not much problem and the Thai Government has promised to fix the smoke pollution problem. We do however, have an air filter machine for each of our bedrooms and another for the lounge/living area.
Galenus ******
Huahin. Avoid Chiang Mai. One of the most unhealthy areas in Thailand
Galenus ******
@Paul ******
and you got a lot of more health issues because of pollution and smog and smoke. Congrats🙏
Richard **********
@Paul ******
thanks for sharing. I too suffer from several major ailments and worry about moving next year. Do you self insure or have a policy? If so, as ashamed an apologetic as I can be, I’m American. Pre-existing conditions are protected here. I’m guessing it may make insurance hard. Same for medications. I take 9 prescriptions, a few that may not be legal or available in Thailand. How do you navigate all this if you’d be so kind as to share. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you very much and as I said before, my apologies on being an American. At least I live in California!
Dogma *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
thank you. Dad wheelchair bound. He is not mobile at all. But he has many health issues. This is good info.
Gemneye ******
Hua Hin is probably best for retirees. Avoid Chiang Mai – especially if there are any respiratory issues (but also just too crowded now, anyway).
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