CHIANG MAI, Thailand – A Swiss man established a unique care facility in Chiang Mai for his dementia-afflicted mother, which now serves guests from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The monthly costs are a fraction of what nursing homes in the German-speaking countries (DACH region) charge.
Vom Familienunglück zur Idee
Martin Woodtli founded the Baan Kamlangchay facility in the village of Faham on the outskirts of Chiang Mai in 2003. What began as a personal experiment has evolved into a model that is now attracting attention in research.
When Woodtli’s mother fell ill with Alzheimer’s, his father initially took over her care. The burden became too great, leading him to take his own life in 2002. Woodtli was left alone to find suitable care and was dissatisfied with the options available in Switzerland. Having worked for Doctors Without Borders in Chiang Mai for four years in the 1990s, he was familiar with the Thai culture of respecting elders. In 2003, he traveled to Thailand with his mother, hired three caregivers through local hospitals, and invested his father’s inheritance into establishing the facility.
Ein Dorf statt einer Klinik
Baan Kamlangchay comprises nine residential houses spread throughout a Thai village. Up to 14 guests with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia live there with their caregivers. A communal dining area, a pool, and a small village shop facilitate daily interaction with the local Thai community.
Woodtli manages the facility with his Thai wife, Areewan. There is no on-site medical staff; instead, guests utilize private clinics in Chiang Mai, located a few kilometers away, when needed.
3.800 Franken im Monat statt 90.000 im Jahr
The monthly fee at Baan Kamlangchay is 3,800 Swiss francs, covering accommodation, meals, and 24-hour care. In Switzerland, the annual cost for nursing home care for a dementia patient is around 89,756 Swiss francs, according to Alzheimer Switzerland. A 2024 survey indicated an average of 112,420 US dollars annually in the United States.
In Germany and Austria, out-of-pocket expenses for long-term care often exceed 2,500 to 3,000 euros per month. Long-term care insurance in the DACH region does not cover stays in Thailand, meaning families must bear the full cost themselves.
Forscher beobachten wachsenden Trend
Caleb Johnston, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography at Newcastle University, has been studying the relocation of dementia care to Thailand for years. A study he published in 2022 highlights how low costs, a large supply of caregivers, and a growing private market are attracting international families.
However, Johnston also points to the disadvantages: the distance from old friends and social networks back home can be a burden for both patients and relatives. Furthermore, the private care sector draws skilled professionals away from Thailand’s healthcare system.
Eine Tochter aus Deutschland zieht Bilanz
Anke Blomberg brought her mother, Gerda, to Baan Kamlangchay eight years ago. She had experienced only impersonal care in German facilities and made the decision after a one-month trial stay in Chiang Mai. Blomberg has visited her mother twice a year since then.
Woodtli’s own mother lived at Baan Kamlangchay until her death in 2006. Most guests stay for years and spend their final days there. According to their own figures, the facility has cared for approximately 70 guests since its inception.