- A dermatologist is a doctor with specialist training in skin, hair and nail disease; an aesthetic clinic may be run by doctors without that training.
- Botox and fillers are medical treatments that must be performed by licensed doctors in legally approved facilities.
- Since 3 July 2026, doctors advertising cosmetic services must show their full name and medical licence number.
- You can check a doctor on the Medical Council's lookup and a clinic on the Department of Health Service Support's licence system.
Two different kinds of service
In Thailand, as elsewhere, 'skin clinic' covers a wide range. At one end are hospital dermatology departments and clinics led by dermatologists — doctors who have completed specialist training in diseases of the skin, hair and nails. At the other are aesthetic or beauty clinics focused on cosmetic procedures such as injectables, lasers and skin treatments, which may be run by doctors without specialist dermatology training.
Both can be legitimate, and many dermatologists also offer cosmetic treatments. The distinction matters most when the problem may be medical: a changing mole, a persistent rash, hair loss, severe acne or a reaction to a previous treatment. A dermatologist can diagnose these, take a biopsy, arrange tests and refer you on. A clinic built around cosmetic procedures may not have that scope.
What 'dermatologist' means in Thailand
A dermatologist in Thailand is first a registered medical doctor and then completes a specialist residency in dermatology. Ramathibodi Hospital's dermatology division, for example, describes its residency training as leading to eligibility for the Thai board of dermatology examination conducted under the Medical Council of Thailand, alongside subspecialty fellowships such as dermatological surgery. Siriraj Hospital's dermatology department lists a dermatology residency and fellowships in dermatosurgery and in hair disease and transplantation.
On a hospital or clinic profile, look for wording such as 'Diploma of the Thai Board of Dermatology' or a board certification in dermatology. Short courses in lasers or injectables are useful extra training but are not the same as a specialist dermatology qualification. If the profile does not say, ask the clinic directly what specialist training the doctor holds.
Rules that apply to aesthetic treatments
Thai authorities treat many cosmetic procedures as medicine. In July 2026 the government stated that procedures such as Botox and fillers are medical treatments that must be performed by licensed doctors at legally approved medical facilities.
A Medical Council announcement that took effect on 3 July 2026 requires doctors promoting cosmetic services to show their full name and medical licence number. If a doctor uses a nickname in advertising, it must appear alongside the real name in the same format, size and colour. The Office of the Consumer Protection Board was asked to step up monitoring with the Medical Council, the Department of Health Service Support and the police.
That gives you a practical test: if a clinic's advertising or social media shows only a nickname, or no doctor at all, ask for the treating doctor's full name and licence number before booking, and check them yourself.
How to check the doctor
The Medical Council of Thailand runs a public lookup at tmc.or.th/check_md, available around the clock. You search by the doctor's first name and surname in Thai or English. According to Thai PBS, results show the doctor's licence status, year of graduation and any specialty status. If no record is found, check the spelling and any name change; a person with no record is not licensed to practise medicine in Thailand.
Use the full name exactly as it appears on the clinic's licence display or the doctor's profile. If the specialty shown is not dermatology, the doctor may still be qualified for the treatment you want, but you will know you are not seeing a dermatologist.
How to check the clinic
Clinics are licensed as healthcare facilities. The Department of Health Service Support runs an online system at hosp.hss.moph.go.th where you can search by licence number or facility name. Results show the clinic's name, address, licence type, operator, medical personnel and licence status. If nothing appears, or the licence is expired or revoked, the facility may not be authorised to operate.
The Medical Council has also advised that clinics should clearly display their name, licence number and the attending doctor. Suspicious or unlisted clinics can be reported to the Department of Health Service Support on 1426, and harm from beauty services to the Office of the Consumer Protection Board on 1166.
Choosing the right setting
For a skin problem you are worried about — a mole that has changed, a rash that will not settle, unexplained hair loss — a dermatologist, often in a hospital dermatology department, is the usual starting point because it can investigate and refer. For a purely cosmetic treatment, a doctor-led aesthetic clinic may be appropriate, provided the doctor and facility are licensed and the doctor explains risks and aftercare.
Whatever the setting, ask who will carry out the procedure, what product or device will be used, what the full cost is including follow-up, and what happens if there is a complication. This guide is general information; ask a doctor which treatment, if any, is right for you.
Before any skin or aesthetic treatment
- What is the treating doctor's full name and medical licence number?
- Does the Medical Council lookup show their licence and a dermatology specialty?
- Is the clinic listed as a licensed facility on the Department of Health Service Support system?
- Who performs the procedure itself — the doctor or another staff member?
- Which product or device will be used, and what does aftercare include?
- What happens, and who pays, if there is a complication?
Frequently asked questions
Is every skin clinic doctor a dermatologist?
No. Many aesthetic clinics are run by licensed doctors without specialist dermatology training. Check the doctor's specialty on the Medical Council lookup or ask the clinic directly.
Who is allowed to give Botox or fillers in Thailand?
Thai authorities state that Botox and fillers are medical treatments that must be performed by licensed doctors at legally approved medical facilities.
How do I check a doctor's licence in Thailand?
Search the Medical Council of Thailand's lookup at tmc.or.th/check_md using the doctor's full name in Thai or English. Results show licence status and any specialty.
How do I check whether a clinic is licensed?
Use the Department of Health Service Support's system at hosp.hss.moph.go.th, searching by facility name or licence number. Report suspicious clinics on 1426.
Should I see a dermatologist for acne or a mole?
For a medical skin concern such as a changing mole or persistent acne, a dermatologist can diagnose, test and refer. Ask a doctor if you are unsure which service you need.
Sources
- Ramathibodi Hospital, Division of Dermatology — Training
- Siriraj Hospital — Department of Dermatology
- Pattaya Mail — Beauty clinic doctors must show real names and licences (July 2026)
- Thai PBS — Medical Council advises checking a doctor's registration (check_md lookup)
- Pattaya Mail — Public urged to check clinic licences on the Department of Health Service Support system
