The ultimate guide to Rhinoplasty in Thailand

Last fact-checked: 9 January 2023

Thousands of satisfied patients have used Medical Departures to book their rhinoplasty in Thailand, typically saving between 60% - 70% compared to rising costs back home. As well as the low costs, you will discover a number of other benefits of traveling all the way to this exotic Southeast Asian country for surgery.

In this Medical Departures guide, we run you through some of the reasons to go, price comparisons, what the procedure entails along with potential risks, and how to book with a reputable clinic or hospital in the Land of Smiles (and new noses!)

What Is the Cost of Rhinoplasty in Thailand vs Other Countries?

Often simply referred to as a ‘nose job’, rhinoplasty in Thailand costs an average of USD $2,200 (AUD $3,300) compared to USD $6,000 in the USA and around AUD $8,000 in Australia.

Similar (or even greater) savings can be made by patients in the UK, USA and Western Europe where prices are not only high, but waiting lists to see a specialist can stretch for months.

Take a look at the table below to see the average standard nose job price in Thailand compared to Australia and the UK (currencies in each country’s respective currency):

What Factors Affect the Nose Job Prices?

As no two noses are the same, neither is the work required in order to achieve each patient’s desired results. Here’s what might determine the overall price:

• Type of rhinoplasty: as we look at in more detail below, the procedure can be performed using the open or closed structure technique.

• Duration of surgery:  the length of the procedure tends not to vary too much–usually between one and two hours.

• Type of nose: for example, the surgical process of reshaping fleshy noses with thicker skin is a little more complicated and sensitive. As it can be tricky to detect ongoing nasal changes, the difficulty level is higher–along with the price.

• Surgeon’s experience:  for instance, how many cases have they undertaken? Have they established leaders in the field?

• Complexity:  Whether the patient has a history of a previous rhinoplasty, septoplasty, prior trauma or injury, as this can affect the degree of complexity.

• Clinic location:  those conveniently located in the more upscale areas of bigger cities will tend to have higher prices across the board compared to the more out-of-town locations.

• Additional costs:  often, charges that should come as standard (like anesthesia, in-patient care and medication) are not, especially at certain private hospitals in the US and UK.

Other Cost Factors to Consider When Visiting Thailand

Prospective patients should take into consideration other travel expenses for treatment, as these will determine whether your nose job in Thailand is financially worthwhile.

• Flight tickets (round trip)

• Location of the clinic in Thailand (eg. Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, etc.)

• Choice of accommodation

• The duration of your stay

• Holiday expenses, if any

• Visa/entry fees

Are There Hidden Costs?

There are no hidden costs or booking fees when using Medical Departures to arrange an appointment abroad. As well as offering a Best Price Guarantee, we won’t ask for your credit card details upfront, and you won’t get charged if you cancel your appointment at any point up to 24 hours beforehand.

The same, however, cannot always be applied to booking treatment in the West, as nose job price quotes often do not include other essentials such as tests, in-patient care, post-surgical garments, medication and doctor’s fees.

Medical Departures’ Pricing and Quotes

Please note that the prices given above are based on average current estimates provided to us by our partner clinics. When getting a price quote for treatment in Thailand via Medical Departures, the doctors we are in touch with do try to be as accurate as possible (and so setting up a virtual consultation can help); figures are normally inclusive of things like anesthesia, medication and in-facility care.

Price quotes are subject to adjustment upon your initial consultation in Thailand; for example, after the doctor has been able to properly examine the nose in person, there may be cases where a slightly different technique is recommended, resulting in a longer or shorter surgery time and adjusted overall costs, which can be lower or higher.

How to Get an Accurate Rhinoplasty Price Quote in Thailand.

Browse our Thailand clinic listings, read doctor profiles, see before-and-after photos and compare prices. Once you have one or several options in mind, connect with our Customer Care Team here, with contact options including phone, email, live chat, WhatsApp Facebook Messenger and LINE Messenger.

Alternatively, hit the orange “Book Appointment” button on any of our listing pages; you’ll be asked for a few contact details, your preferred time, type of treatment and message for the doctor. After submitting, one of our representatives will get back as soon as possible with a price quote and more information.

Why Choose Thailand for Rhinoplasty Surgery?

The chance to save up to 70%, which can add up to thousands, is not the only reason to pick Thailand for your medical holiday.

Below, we look at some of the reasons going to Thailand for your new nose makes sense!

High Investment, State-of-the-Art Facilities

Thailand is one of the centers of medical excellence on the planet, particularly when it comes to health tourism. Although medical tourism has been in existence for centuries (people have always traveled across borders to neighboring countries for better or cheaper medical care), Thailand can probably be credited with starting the current trend of traveling much further overseas for medical care.

And that was no fluke. The government has invested heavily in modern hospitals and clinics that have been built specifically for medical tourism, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and operated by staff who are highly skilled and with the appropriate qualifications.

You will discover many centers of excellence around the country, including Joint Commission International-accredited facilities, one of the ultimate indicators of high standards in quality and patient care.

World-Class Surgeons

Medical training in Thailand is demanding and entrance standards are high to complete medical school. It takes some 14 years of training and successful completion of exams before a Thai doctor can become a board-certificated plastic surgeon.

Our site also notes the many different professional organizations that Thai surgeons are members of or affiliated with. These include domestic boards, like the Thai Medical Association and the Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Thailand (ThPRS), as well as prestigious international boards such as the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS) and American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS).

A Memorable Medical Holiday

Thailand has everything for the discerning traveler. This diverse country of nearly 70 million boasts spectacular natural beauty, from lush, green forests, to idyllic white, sandy beaches and world-class diving. The climate is welcoming for those craving some sun, the people are extremely friendly and accommodating and Bangkok’s huge international airport now connects the country with hundreds of destinations across Asia, Europe, Australia and North America.

Thailand’s medical tourism industry has piggy-backed the country’s traditional tourism facilities and high-regarded healthcare infrastructure, with most of the top facilities found in the capital of Bangkok, as well as holiday destinations like Phuket and Pattaya where services and amenities are plentiful.

And it’s not just cosmetic surgery that's popular here with medical travelers; so too are health, wellness, spa and beauty treatments–ideal activities for your post-surgery recovery period.

Note: If you’re planning to combine your procedure with a holiday, it is best to do so prior to treatment, to allow maximum recovery time. Your doctor will want you to remain nearby post-procedure for check-ups and in the rare event of a complication.

Finding the Best Clinic and Surgeon for Rhinoplasty in Thailand

Although standards are generally high, it always pays to research your procedure, as well as the surgeons or clinics you have in mind. It is your body, and you should look after it as far as you can, which means finding a trustworthy doctor.

Medical Departures pre-screens doctors, a process that involves checking criminal and legal records, verifying qualifications, professional memberships and experience and putting together virtual tours, high-definition clinic photos and authenticated patient reviews.

Our team makes sure that the equipment used is modern, the staff is knowledgeable and accommodating and English is spoken (thus you need not suffer language barriers). These factors go a long way toward ensuring that you have no difficulties when you book through our site, while also making it easy for you to make a decision with confidence.

Recommended Clinics for Rhinoplasty in Thailand

For more exact figures, as well as clinic and hospital photos and profiles, check out three of our most popular partner facilities in Thailand for rhinoplasty:

• Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital (Bangkok)

• Bangkok Plastic Surgery (Bangkok)

• Phuket Plastic Surgery Institute (Phuket)

• Origene Clinic (Pattaya)

• DIAA Aesthetic Clinic (Chiang Mai)

Already know where you want to go in Thailand for rhinoplasty? Then check out our full lists of verified providers in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai below:

> Full list of rhinoplasty clinics and hospitals in Bangkok

> Full list of rhinoplasty clinics and hospitals in Phuket

> Full list of rhinoplasty clinics and hospitals in Chonburi (Pattaya)

> Full list of rhinoplasty clinics and hospitals in Chiang Mai

About Rhinoplasty (Nose Job) Surgery

Rhinoplasty is the medical term for nose surgery–informally a "nose job." There are many reasons why you may want to consider nose surgery: if you are unhappy with any aspect of its size, shape or angle; or corrective surgery if you have damaged your nose or if you have breathing problems.

You should consider before you have this elective surgery that the procedure is irreversible once completed. Also, the surgery could radically alter the way you look, and it may take some time to adjust to your new look.

Pre-Surgery

After arriving in Thailand, the process starts with an in-person consultation with your surgeon; they will take a full medical history and carry out an evaluation to ensure you are sufficiently healthy for your procedure. The surgeon will talk with you about your expectations and desired results.

Next, the surgeon will examine your nose and perhaps take x-rays. You may be asked to undergo olfactory function testing, the technical term for testing your sense of smell. Once those physical tests have been completed, "before" photos will be taken of your nose.

There may be a 24-hour waiting period prior to surgery.

Rhinoplasty Surgery Techniques

Rhinoplasty patients choose from a variety of nose job techniques, and each, of course, uses different methods. Prior to treatment, your surgeon will gather your input and suggest the best choice for you.

Rhinoplasty is generally performed using one of two procedures:

• The closed procedure, where incisions are hidden inside the nose.

• The open procedure, where an incision is made in the part of your nose that separates the nostrils. After the nose has been reshaped, incisions will be closed to complete the procedure.

Regarding surgery, also note that:

• Rhinoplasty surgery may be performed under general or local anesthesia depending on the extent of the procedure and the patient’s preference.

• Surgery can be carried out in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center/clinic.

• Nose jobs can take between one and three hours, depending on the work required.

Post-Surgery and Recovery Considerations

• You should be able to go back to your hotel (ideally close to your chosen clinic in Thailand) later the same day,

• Complex, longer procedures carried out under general anesthesia may require an overnight stay at the hospital.

• You will experience bruising on your nose and even around your eyes, and you will be uncomfortable for three to five days.

• Once the packing is removed, you should begin to feel better.

• The splint will be removed after a week; however, swelling and bruising may take several weeks to clear up.

• Your new nose can take six months to a year to settle.

Complications and Risks

While rhinoplasty is generally safe, it is important to understand the risks of complications: scarring, nerve damage, less stable nose structure, or the possibility of follow-up surgeries. Your nose is such a prominent part of your face, and a nose job can't be undone. Also, keep in mind digital imaging may show possible outcomes, but not guaranteed results.

For a more in-depth look at getting a nose job abroad, take a look at our Ultimate Guide to Rhinoplasty here.

Rhinoplasty in Thailand: Preparation Tips

1. Stop smoking 2-4 weeks before the surgery, as nicotine hinders the body’s natural healing ability.

2. Get your prescriptions a few days ahead of the surgery if possible. Consult a doctor as to which medications should be paused before surgery, if any.

3. Stock up on lip balm and cool beverages because your mouth will get dry as you use it more for breathing while your nose recovers from surgery.

4. Make sure you and your surgeon are on the same page with regard to the results you desire. To help, Medical Departures can assist in setting up an online consultation before you fly, giving you the chance to ask any questions and for the surgeon to explain what the procedure involves.

5. Ask someone to accompany you to Thailand for moral and a bit of physical support.

6. Pack comfortable clothes to wear in the hospital or clinic, for example, front-buttoning shirts are better than ones that need to be pulled over your head.

Traveling to Thailand for Medical Care

Thailand welcomes more than 30 million visitors every year, and it does not take long to realize why. Blue waters and gorgeous beaches, a distinctive culture, delicious local fare served at humble street stalls, or haute cuisine at romantic rooftop restaurants, luxury shopping malls, 5-star hotels for half the price, surprisingly well-serviced apartments, matchless tourist activities, gleaming temples, floating markets.

Thailand has many great locations for a medical holiday that offer not only first-class hotels, resorts and other amenities but also some of the finest medical clinics in Southeast Asia.

If you are looking for a modern city location for your holiday (and perhaps not that fussed about hitting the beach), we would of course suggest Bangkok, where the majority of our verified partner clinics are located. Another top option for those looking to base themselves somewhere close to the Thai capital would be Pattaya, a popular coastal resort that’s around 1.5 hours from the main airport in Bangkok.

However, if you are seeking a sundrenched tropical island holiday location for your medical trip, the island of Phuket has a range of 5-star clinics with specialists in rhinoplasty and other cosmetic surgeries for the face. Phuket is close to the southern tip of the country, with the hop from Bangkok taking just over an hour by air.

Other options include Koh Samui, a stunning island just off the coast in the Gulf of Thailand, as well as Chiang Mai, the culture-packed capital of the north.

More Information:

For more information about traveling here for medical treatment, check out our Ultimate Guide to Doctors in Thailand.

How Do I Book?

Get started by discovering our list of fantastic clinics and surgeons all background-checked by Medical Departures.

Book your appointment for rhinoplasty by following the links below, or do get in touch with our Customer Care Team if you've any questions. If you are ready to book your appointment, you can do so right here, any time of the day or night, at no charge to you.