Medical Elective in Thailand - Chiang Mai

Interns need to be a current student or recent graduate of a medical studies program to be accepted in the Thailand Medical Internship/Elective. This includes pre-med, medical school, nursing, public health, pre-nursing students. All participants must be above 18 years of age.

Yes, students should consult their doctor or travel clinic for recommended vaccinations before travel.

In Chiang Mai, interns are provided accommodation in an Intern/volunteer house.

Located in a convenient area in the middle of Chiang Mai city, our intern/volunteer houses are only minutes apart from each other and can accommodate up to 35 people in air-conditioned bedrooms. Both the houses have wireless internet, fully equipped kitchens as well as washing machines for the convenience of the participants.

Breakfast is self-made and participants are provided with all the resources to cook their own breakfast. Lunch is usually at the project site and for dinner, you can go out with other participants and enjoy the Thai cuisine in one of the many restaurants in the city. 

For those participants joining group programs, accommodation is provided in a hotel with all meals provided as per the itinerary.

Yes –  please do ensure that you inform the local team about your food preference and they can help you to try the best food available. Also, please do mention your specific food preference in the application form as well.

Due to local regulations and ethical standards, students will not perform hands-on procedures. However, they will observe, learn, and gain insight into patient care, local health systems, and medical practices.

Some major benefits include:

• Meeting other interns and participants from all around the world
• Get international exposure by observing and shadowing in major hospitals of Thailand
• Being able to work with patients of different cultures and understand cultural dynamics of a new city or country
• Being able to travel during weekends and in the evenings to explore your destination

Placements are primarily observation-based but tailored to student level (pre-med, nursing, or medical). Students shadow professionals in departments such as surgery, pediatrics, emergency, physiotherapy, OBGYN, and more.

Interns in the Medical Internship placement are responsible for their daily commute to and from the Intern House and their hospital. Participants should expect to pay anywhere between $1.50 – $5.00 per day for transportation. 

Transportation by Song Thaews (Thai-style mini-buses) is normally 20 THB (roughly $0.70 USD) per ride. Therefore, most volunteers spend around $1.50 USD a day on transportation to and from work. Participants also prefer to use taxis booked through Grab as it is convenient to book and use. On the first day of your project, the coordinator will escort you to your hospital placement and introduce you to the administration at the hospital. 

For the participants in Group Medical Experience, all daily transportation to and from the hospital is included.

Although all major carriers fly to Thailand, we recommend the following: 

Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Tigerair flights, Dragonair flights, Bangkok Airways, AirAsia, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Air China flights, Thai AirAsia, SilkAir.   

All interns and groups need to arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). Chiang Mai has direct flight connections from major international destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Seoul, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Taipei, Hongkong , Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

Visa requirements depend on your nationality and destination. We provide guidance during the pre-departure process.

Interns are provided with the airport pick up from the Chiang Mai International Airport by the coordinator or representative. Interns who are already in Chiang Mai will be met by the staff at a designated meeting point decided beforehand.Please note that interns are provided with the airport pickup from the airport between 8 AM and 8 PM only. 

For Thailand Group Medical Experience, bothways airport transfers shall be provided to the group members.

Chiang Mai is considered one of the safest cities in Thailand and is a very popular destination for international students, families, and travelers. The city has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere with a strong cultural heritage and a well-established tourism infrastructure.

You’ll have 24/7 in-country support from our local team in Chiang Mai. In case of any emergencies or problems, the staff will be there to support you and assist you always. 

We partner with modern hospitals where English-speaking staff are available. All students are required to have travel insurance that covers medical care abroad.