By Robert Common, Managing Partner, The Beekeeper
A growing number of New Zealanders are traveling to Thailand to seek treatments for mental health issues and addiction. They choose Thailand because it offers affordable care compared to New Zealand. Many treatment centers in Thailand provide high-quality programs that are internationally recognized, which attracts patients from around the world.
Some also believe that being far from home helps them recover better. They feel it gives them a chance to step away from familiar stress and focus on healing. Thailand’s vibrant culture and warm climate also make it appealing to visitors who need to regain balance in life.
Overall, this trend shows how important it is for people to have access to both affordable and effective treatment options when dealing with mental health challenges and addiction.
Over the past several years more people from New Zealand have started traveling overseas to Thailand, to get help with mental health and addiction problems. This shift stems from rising unmet needs back home and appealing treatment opportunities available in other countries. Between 2016/17 and 2021-23, the number of adults in New Zealand who said they experienced recent anxiety or depression grew from around one in four to close to one in three. While more people are trying to access support, many still cannot get the assistance they require. Long waiting times and high expenses in New Zealand have pushed more Kiwis to explore places like Thailand to find affordable, more accessible, and whole-person care options.
Growing Demand Paired With Tight Access in New Zealand
New Zealand’s mental health services have faced challenges in handling growing demand. A 2018 national investigation found these services stretched thin and designed to treat severe cases. This left many with moderate but still serious problems without proper care. The Ministry of Health’s survey from 2021 to 2023 highlights rising rates of anxiety, depression, and dangerous substance use in young adults. What stands out is the growing number of people who believed they needed therapy but could not access it.
There are some major reasons driving New Zealanders to look for mental health care abroad:
- Wait Times: Getting into rehab or counseling through the public health system can take months. A well-known Auckland center often has people waiting 12 to 16 weeks. Private clinics sometimes have delays too, and not everyone can pay for them.
- Cost of Private Care: Staying in a residential treatment program for months can cost tens of thousands in New Zealand. In Thailand similar high-quality programs are much cheaper. Some three-month options there cost about NZ$11,000, compared to the NZ$30,000–$60,000 price tag back home.
- Overloaded Services: Outpatient services are already struggling, and COVID-19 made things harder. Waiting for help or relying on basic support does not work for many people in serious need.
- Privacy and Escape: Getting treatment away from home offers privacy and an opportunity to start fresh. Leaving familiar surroundings helps some people break habits and concentrate on getting better.
Why Thailand Draws People In
Thailand serves as a go-to place for recovery not just for people from New Zealand but also from Australia, Europe, and other parts of the world. Its mix of top-notch treatment, quick access to help, and peaceful settings makes it stand out.
Care in Thailand costs much less than in New Zealand. Yet, English-speaking professionals, trained to follow Western practices, handle the treatments. Many centers allow people to start their recovery journey right away. The country’s stunning landscapes and tropical weather help create a relaxing vibe. Treatment facilities are often set in quiet spots like Chiang Mai’s hills or near the coastline adding to the healing experience.
Thai centers follow a holistic approach to treatment. They mix proven Western therapies like CBT and DBT with Eastern wellness techniques like yoga, mindfulness, Thai massage, and meditation. This mix focuses on healing the body, mind, and emotions.
Being away from home gives another advantage. Clients can receive treatment in a private setting that values discretion. Many international visitors find the spiritual vibe and welcoming nature of Thai culture helpful for recovery. Expat recovery groups in places like Chiang Mai and Phuket offer community support. They provide access to 12-step meetings and other sober living resources.
The Beekeeper House: A Special Way to Heal
The Beekeeper House provides a special way to care for mental health and treat addiction. We invite people from New Zealand and across the globe to join us in our peaceful retreat located in the hills of Chiang Mai. Our small and cozy resort is built on a lush 2-hectare botanical property and has 16 private rooms. The space is made to help people heal and feel calm. With views of the forest and beautiful gardens, we include spaces to practice yoga, meditate, exercise, or unwind.
Our approach blends proven psychological methods with traditional Eastern wellness traditions. The team features professionals trained in Western methods, including an Australian-registered psychologist serving as our Clinical Director, whose certification matches New Zealand standards. Alongside them skilled Thai medical staff provide care.Every member of the team—whether therapist, psychiatrist, or nurse—holds full qualifications and official licenses.
We build tailored treatment programs that bring together individual therapy, group work, psychiatric care, and wellness activities. Options include meditation sessions, creative art therapy, TRE exercises, fitness training, and massage therapy. Central to our program are techniques such as CBT, DBT, trauma-focused approaches, neurofeedback, and cutting-edge tools like VR exposure therapy.
We keep our caseloads small on purpose to provide personal and ethical care. This way, every client gets full attention. We also create detailed aftercare plans and offer support working with partners to make returning home feel easier and less stressful. Our location stands out too. We’re situated above Chiang Mai close to a quiet Buddhist temple and walking trails in nature. The surroundings help create a calm space to recover. Sometimes, we arrange cultural trips like temple visits or hikes to waterfalls giving clients a chance to reconnect with happiness and life in a simple healing way.
We use English as our main way to communicate with everyone and handle specific dietary needs. We also help international clients manage travel plans like picking them up from the airport and working with their insurers or financial providers. Many of our New Zealand
clients are able to use private savings or even release their KiwiSaver to access treatment here, depending on their situation. At The Beekeeper House, we focus on more than just top-notch clinical care. We aim to create a warm and encouraging space where true recovery starts to take root.
Building on a Growing and Reliable Trend
More New Zealanders are choosing Thailand to address mental health and addiction issues. They turn to options like this for clear advantages: shorter waiting times, lower expenses, calm environments, and access to holistic and quality-focused care. The Beekeeper House is a great example of a facility offering just that. It provides care that is professional, compassionate, and designed to support meaningful recovery.
No treatment center can guarantee a quick fix. However, starting the recovery process in a place like The Beekeeper House can create the right environment to begin making real progress. As New Zealand continues to adjust its approach to mental health care more people may decide to search to meet their needs. Often, the path to lasting change begins in the most unexpected places.
