Thailand paints a serene picture in the minds of many as one visualises the Buddhist temples and their incense filled atmosphere, the gentle and soothing aura of the saffron-robed monks.  However, Thailand is as colourful as the rainbow, with a wonderfully entrenched culture, the breathtaking beaches and the relaxing and pampering spas, attracting people from all around the world all round the year.  You can also catch some excitement as you go backpacking or take a thrilling roar upriver in a long-tail boat and take a white-knuckle ride on a bamboo raft.  River rides also include stay in jungle tree houses of hilltribe villagers, or for the more adventurous on rafthouses floating on a river.  For years now, Thailand has been upheld as the health tourism hub of Asia, thanks to world renowned hospitals such as the Bumrungrad.  Cosmetic dental tourism is an offshoot which has caught a rage in many countries and we now have visitors flocking into Thailand for affordable and quality treatment in its top dental facilities.

Dental Qualification and Accreditation profiles of dental practices in Thailand

Education
Dental education in Thailand comprises of a six year course in one of Thailand's 8 governmental dental universities or 1 private university.  Following graduation, dentists are required to spend 3 years in the public dental system before they can practice independently.

Specialisation
Thailand offers specialisation in 10 areas of dentistry.

Governing Bodies and Professional Associations

Thai Dental Council – All dentists are registered with the council which is responsible for governing the education standards and monitoring the practices in Thailand

Dental Association of Thailand – A professional association for dentists in Thailand to protect their interests and practices.

Professional associations based on specialisations – These offer continuing education courses and information for upgrading the practices of their respective specialists.  These include

• Thai Association of Orthodontists
• Thai Prosthodontics Association
• The Thai Operative Dental Society
• The Thai Prosthodontics Association 
• The Thai Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

International memberships – Dentists can also have international memberships such as with the American Operative Dentistry Society

Accreditation
Most dental clinics have ISO 9001:2000 Certification, United Kingdom Accreditation UKAS, the Swiss Accreditation SAS, which is proof of the high standard of medical service and strict sterilisation processes followed in Thailand.

What are the popular cosmetic dentistry treatments offered in Thailand?
Some of the most popular procedures offered by the cosmetic dental clinics in Thailand include

• Dental inlays
• Dental onlays
• Dental crowns
• Dental veneers
• Dental Laser surgery
• Laser Tooth Whitening

 

What are the popular locations in Thailand to seek cosmetic dental treatment?

Cosmetic dental clinics are located in and around the capital of Bangkok.

Travelling and accommodation in Thailand

Getting There by Air
There are three main international airports in Thailand connecting it with prime international destinations  

• Bangkok International – which is 30km east of the city supported by airport express bus routes to the city and regular public bus routes to the city and to the provinces, in addition to the taxi services
• Chiang Mai International Airport - which is 4km southwest of the city supported by taxi services to the city centre
• Phuket International Airport - which is 32km northwest of Phuket supported by taxi and limousine services to the city centre

The national airline is the Thai Airways.

Getting There by Water
There are some international cruiselines operating to the main port Bangkok and very few passenger crossings by boat except for those between Thailand and Laos at several points along the Mekong River.

Getting There by Rail
Thailand has a well established rail network with regular services operated by the State Railways of Thailand to Malaysia, Singapore and the borders with Cambodia and Laos. Direct services to Singapore are offered by the opulent Eastern and Oriental Express but are expensive.

Getting There by Road
You can also reach Thailand by driving from Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos. There are long distance air-conditioned buses to border crossing towns that can be arranged at the bus stations or through travel companies.

Getting Around
Getting Around by Air
There are domestic flight services connecting the major cities in Thailand, such as

• Thai Airways International -offers domestic flights to all major towns through its 12 domestic airports located throughout the country, which includes Phuket and Chiang Mai.
• Bangkok Airways - Flies several additional routes including Ko Samui.
• PB Air and Nok Air

Getting Around by Water
With up to 1,600km of navigable inland waterway, there are ferry and long-tailed motorboat services available

• Along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok between Rajburana and Nonthaburi operated by the Chao Phraya Express Boat
• Between the mainland and several islands including Surat Thani to Ko Samui, Phuket to Phi Phi and Trat to Ko Chang

Due to heavy competition, fares are low and tickets can be booked in person at the dock. The services are limited during the monsoon season from May through to October along the east coast and Andaman coast, and from November until January on the Gulf coast.

Getting Around by Rail
This is the best way to get round the country owing to the excellent railway network run by the State Railways of Thailand.  It has several daily services that link all major towns with the exception of Phuket. Comfortable and leisurely journeys are offered with most trains having air-conditioned, sleeping and restaurant cars
Direct Routes

• Four main routes to the northern, eastern, southern and north-eastern regions
• A line serving Thon Buri, River Kwai Bridge and Nam Tok

Indirect routes
To reach the islands off the east coast, you can board the Southern Line Express which stops at Surat Thani from where you can take a bus or ferry to the islands.

Rail Passes – For discounts and unlimited travel for a limited period you can avail of the Thailand Rail Pass, which offers 20 days travel in second or third class.

Getting Around by Road
Thailand is well connected to all the regions through out the country by its well maintained and integrated roadways.  You can get around using the road by availing

• Bus and coach services – efficient and extensive network connecting all areas.  Fares are cheap in the conventional bus services while premium fares are charged for air conditioned and express buses.  You can also book seats in privately owned air-conditioned buses or coaches which have moderate fares.  Bus services in Bangkok are run by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority. In addition to this there are also private mini bus operations in various cities.
• Skytrain (BTS) – an elevated mass transit system in Bangkok that runs from 0600-2400 from Hualamphong to Bang Sue.
• Car hire – You can avail of car hire services by booking through their representative offices in the major towns and cities. Documentation required is national license or an International Driving Permit.
• Metered Taxis – Are inexpensive and available in all the main towns such as Bangkok.  There are also the three wheeled taxis without meters known as the Samlors or tuk-tuks, which are cheaper than taxis but only suitable for short distances.

Accommodation in Thailand

Hotels – Thailand offers a wide choice of hotel accommodations suiting every budget.  It is home to some of the finest hotels in Asia, most of them belonging to international chains, while others are at par with the best in the world in services and luxury. 
Though cheap accommodation is available throughout Bangkok there is no place more ideal then Banglamphu.  You can book hotels on arrival at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport and also at some provincial airports.

Guest Houses – These include cheap guest houses with shared bathrooms and no air conditioning, bungalows with cafes, and beach bungalows/huts found on many of the beaches and islands around Thailand.

Self Catering – You can also rent holiday villas and flats, which is particularly ideal if you plan to have a long stay in Thailand.

Camping/Caravanning – Though not as popular as other accommodations, you can still find camping sites in the area of the national parks where tents can be rented, some private tourist resorts and on all of the islands and beaches.

Backpacker Hostels - YMCA and YWCA hostels located in Bangkok and Chiang Mai offering cheap and comfortable stay.