Suuai

Monthly magazine for Chiang Mai and surrounding areas of Thailand

Wow, what a time to be in Thailand. Events, fashion, and color everywhere you look. Chiang Mai lit up again for Loy Krathong, and the CAD mass lantern launch was a holy broccoli moment or in translation such a beautiful moment to see. More than two hundred thousand flying lanterns filling the sky. You just stand there and think, this is why we live here.

The annual parade did not disappoint either. World class fashion, cultural magic, and jaw dropping beauty the whole way through. The rain tried to challenge us, it tested everyone, go or not go, but judging by the crowds, the answer was simple. Who cares. People came anyway.

And in other news, who would have thought getting a smooth road could feel so exciting, but here we are. The moat road got a fresh layer of asphalt, clean lines, added crosswalks, the whole thing. It kinda makes one giggle smile and smirk.  

Next up, Christmas is coming fast and then the new year right behind it. I hope everyone enjoys the holiday season with friends and family. Northern Thailand is alive, and this has been one of the most colorful months we have had in a long time.

Something interesting is happening in Thailand, and I noticed it clearly at the Aleenta Hotel. Hospitals are now coming directly to hotels to test the employees, check their health, and make sure everything is running safely for both staff and guests. At first it sounds like something simple, just routine testing, but when you look closer, you begin to see that this is actually the start of something much bigger for medical tourism.

At Aleenta the hospital team arrived quietly, set up their equipment, and began testing the staff with the same care and professionalism you would expect inside a clinic. The hotel employees did not have to take time off or travel across town. Everything came to them. It was efficient, respectful, and surprisingly modern. It made me think that this is the beginning of a new direction for how Thailand handles both hospitality and health.

Then another thought came to me. If hospitals can come to hotels to test the staff, why not offer services to the guests as well. It turns out this idea is already taking shape. Guests are beginning to choose hotels where medical testing is available on site. Imagine staying at Aleenta, enjoying the pool and the beach, and then simply walking downstairs to have a blood test or a wellness check done without ever leaving the property. It blends health with comfort in a way that only Thailand seems to do so naturally.

This creates a whole new pathway in medical tourism. People who come to Thailand for a holiday can also take advantage of the chance to check their health. It becomes a trip that is fun and relaxing, but also useful. A guest can get a medical test while having breakfast, go for a swim after, and continue on with the day without any disruption. It is the easiest version of health care that you can imagine.

For the hotels this is a fresh selling point. Instead of only offering spa treatments or fitness classes, they can now offer real medical testing as part of the experience. For hospitals this is a direct connection to international guests who may return later for larger procedures or full checkups. And for Thailand as a country, it becomes another reason why travelers come here.

What began as hospitals testing hotel employees has now grown into a quiet transformation inside the tourism industry. It is convenient, it is smart, and it makes perfect sense. Aleenta is one of the early examples, and I would not be surprised if many other hotels begin doing the same thing.

This simple idea may end up creating a brand new chapter in medical tourism, one where hotels become the bridge between travel and health, and where guests can take care of themselves without ever leaving the comfort of their stay.

There are people in Thailand who do amazing work and never ask for recognition. One of them is Will Robinson. Most people know Will for his music videos, the ones that show the beauty, the culture, and the spirit of Thailand in a way that makes people want to visit this country. He has spent years creating videos ( https://youtu.be/PCiUFk6SWRE?si=rPdLj_BLm8oCXkje) bring tourists here, and he has done more for Thai tourism than most marketing campaigns ever could.

But behind the scenes, something far more personal has been happening. Will has been quietly taking care of a close friend, a man named Tony, who once served as a horse jockey for the late Queen Elizabeth of England. Tony had a bright career, a respected name, and a life many would admire. But through no fault of his own, a series of unfortunate events caused him to lose almost everything he had. Life can turn quickly, and sometimes even the strongest people can fall into hard times.

Will saw this happening and stepped in without hesitation. He did not do it for attention and he did not do it for praise. He did it because he has a good heart. He became a brother figure, making sure Tony had what he needed, including health care, a safe place to live, food, and the comfort of dignity. In a world where many people walk away from difficult problems, Will stayed.

The past year has been particularly brutal. Tony was struck with sepsis and has been fighting for his life again and again. He has faced cancer, multiple infections, and a long list of medical complications that would break most people. There have been countless hospital visits, endless medication changes, and repeated consultations with Thai doctors all over the region. And to top it all off having 3 fingers amputated to avoid the spread of infection.  

These emergencies cost money, more than most people can imagine. But Will has continued to hold everything together. He searches for funds wherever he can. He talks to people who might help. He makes sure Tony receives treatment, both the routine care and the urgent care. He does everything possible to keep Tony alive and comfortable. And he does it quietly.

It is easy to say that we will take care of ourselves. Most of us believe we will never need help. But sometimes life takes a sharp turn. Illness strikes. Accidents happen. Savings disappear. And in those moments, we learn very quickly who truly stands with us.

Tony is still here today because Will Robinson did not turn away. He chose compassion. He chose loyalty. He chose to give a good man a chance to have dignity and a future. That is the kind of act that rarely gets written about, even though it should be.

Will still works on music and still promotes Thailand every day, but he carries the weight of Tony’s care on his shoulders as well. He has shown what real friendship looks like, and what real goodness can accomplish.

If there were awards for this kind of thing, Will Robinson would deserve them all. But he does not do it for awards. He does it because it is the right thing to do.

Thailand is lucky to have his creativity. Tony is lucky to have his friendship. And all of us can be reminded that kindness like this still exists in the world.  https://gofund.me/b79120e28

Chiang mai RAM hospital is getting ready to open their new location in town namely RAM 2.  Planned for mid Summer 2026. The hospital is said to specialize mainly in Pediatrics however they will have an ER department, but my understanding is still that for the serious type accidents and medical issues patients would be transferred to the main RAM location in town.