Safety

How to choose a clinic and surgeon in Thailand

You can check a clinic's licence and a doctor's registration yourself, online and for free, in a few minutes. Here's how, plus the questions to ask and the warning signs to look out for.

By the ThailandHealthFinder editorial team · Last updated

Thailand has many excellent, highly trained surgeons and modern hospitals. It also has unlicensed clinics and people performing procedures they aren’t qualified for. The checks below take a few minutes and are the most useful thing you can do before paying a deposit.

Step 1: Check the clinic’s licence

Every private clinic and hospital in Thailand must hold a licence under the Medical Facilities Act.

  1. Go to the Department of Health Service Support’s register at hosp.hss.moph.go.th.
  2. Search by the clinic’s name (Thai or English) or its licence number. Clinics should display their licence on the premises, and many show the number on their website.
  3. Check that the licence is current, and that the name and address match the clinic you’re dealing with.

If you can’t find the clinic, or the licence has expired, don’t book. You can report suspected unlicensed clinics on hotline 1426.

Step 2: Check your doctor’s registration

  1. Find out the full name of the doctor who will actually treat you. Get this in writing.
  2. Search for them on the Medical Council of Thailand’s register at checkmd.tmc.or.th.
  3. Only doctors with a current licence to practise appear. If your doctor isn’t listed, ask the clinic why before going any further.

Step 3: Check their specialist training

A medical licence alone doesn’t mean a doctor is a trained surgeon. For cosmetic surgery, look for:

  • Specialist training in plastic surgery. The Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Thailand is the country’s professional body for plastic surgeons.
  • Experience with your procedure. Ask how many they do a year.
  • For injectables, a doctor trained in aesthetic medicine or dermatology who knows facial anatomy.

Be cautious about titles such as “cosmetic surgeon” or “aesthetic doctor” with no details of specialist training.

Step 4: Check the hospital’s standards

For surgery under general anaesthetic, ask where it will take place and who gives the anaesthetic. A hospital with an anaesthetist, and the equipment and staff to handle emergencies, is safer than a small clinic. Some Thai hospitals are accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI). You can confirm this on JCI’s website.

Questions to ask at your consultation

  • Who will perform my procedure, and who will give the anaesthetic?
  • How many of these procedures do you do a year?
  • What exactly is included in the price, and what isn’t?
  • What are the most common complications you see, and how would you handle them?
  • What happens if I need a revision? Who pays?
  • How long should I stay in Thailand before I fly home?
  • What follow-up will I get, and how do I reach you once I’m home?
  • Which implants or products will you use? Will I get the product details and my operation notes?

A good surgeon will be happy to answer all of these. They should also talk you through the risks, and may tell you a procedure isn’t right for you.

Red flags

Walk away if you notice any of these:

  • You can’t find the clinic’s licence or the doctor’s registration
  • You won’t meet the surgeon before the day of surgery
  • High-pressure sales, “today only” discounts or pressure to pay a big deposit quickly
  • Promises of guaranteed results, or no discussion of risks
  • Much cheaper prices than everywhere else, especially for injectables
  • Procedures carried out somewhere other than a licensed clinic or hospital, such as a hotel room
  • Unclear answers about which products or implants will be used

Planning your trip

  • Time: allow enough time for the consultation, surgery and follow-up before you fly. For most cosmetic surgery, that’s 10–14 days. Check each treatment guide for details.
  • Insurance: standard travel insurance usually doesn’t cover planned treatment or its complications. Specialist complications insurance for treatment abroad is available.
  • Records: bring home your operation notes, implant or product details and a list of your medicines. Your doctor at home will need them if anything goes wrong.
  • Costs: see our cosmetic surgery cost guide for typical prices and what a quote should include.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a clinic in Thailand is licensed?

Search for the clinic by name or licence number on the Department of Health Service Support's register at hosp.hss.moph.go.th. It shows the licence type, the operator and whether the licence is current. You can report unlicensed clinics on hotline 1426.

How do I check a doctor in Thailand?

Search the doctor's name or licence number on the Medical Council of Thailand's register at checkmd.tmc.or.th. Only doctors with a current licence to practise are listed.

Should my surgeon be a plastic surgeon?

For cosmetic surgery, ideally yes. Look for a surgeon who has completed specialist training in plastic surgery, or in facial plastic surgery for nose operations, and who does your procedure regularly.

Is a JCI-accredited hospital safer?

JCI accreditation means a hospital has met international standards for quality and patient safety. It's a good sign, but it applies to the hospital, not to an individual surgeon, and many good clinics aren't JCI-accredited.