Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for UAE Patients: 2 ATA Protocols in Chiang Mai

A growing number of UAE residents are seeking access to clinical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) delivered at 2 ATA (atmospheres absolute) in a hard shell chamber. Whilst the UAE has invested heavily in world-class healthcare infrastructure, access to HBOT for wellness, longevity, and elective rehabilitation purposes remains limited and costly. Hospital-based hyperbaric units in Dubai and Abu Dhabi primarily serve wound care and diving medicine indications, and private alternatives for therapeutic-pressure HBOT are scarce.

Chiang Mai, Thailand, approximately six hours from Dubai, offers UAE patients direct access to Thai FDA-approved, clinical-grade HBOT at 2 ATA in a purpose-built hard shell chamber, with Arabic-speaking patient support throughout. This article explains why pressure matters, what our chamber delivers, and how to plan your treatment from the UAE.

HBOT Availability in the UAE

The UAE’s hyperbaric medicine infrastructure is centred on a small number of hospital-based units, primarily within major medical centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These units provide clinical services for approved indications including chronic non-healing wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, and decompression illness.

However, access to HBOT for broader applications is constrained by several factors:

Limited approved indications. Hospital-based HBOT in the UAE is typically reserved for conditions recognised under established wound care and diving medicine guidelines. Patients seeking HBOT for sports recovery, longevity optimisation, neurological rehabilitation, or systemic inflammation reduction may find that referral pathways are not readily available.

Few private options. The private hyperbaric market in the UAE is small. Some wellness centres in Dubai offer mild hyperbaric sessions using soft shell chambers at 1.3 ATA, but these devices operate at pressures well below the clinical threshold and do not deliver pure oxygen through a built-in breathing system (BIBS). The physiological effects at 1.3 ATA are fundamentally different from those achieved at 2 ATA.

High cost. Where private HBOT is available in the UAE, session costs tend to be high, reflecting the Emirates’ overall cost of healthcare delivery. For patients requiring a course of 20 to 40 sessions, the cumulative expense can be prohibitive.

Wound care focus. The clinical culture around HBOT in the UAE is strongly oriented towards wound healing and acute care. Patients interested in HBOT for longevity, performance, or chronic condition management may find limited clinical enthusiasm or expertise for these applications within the domestic market.

These factors have led an increasing number of UAE patients to explore HBOT options abroad, with Thailand emerging as a particularly accessible and cost-effective destination.

Why 2 ATA Clinical-Grade Pressure Matters

The clinical effectiveness of HBOT is directly proportional to the pressure at which treatment is delivered. This relationship is governed by Henry’s Law: the amount of gas dissolved in a liquid is proportional to the pressure of that gas above the liquid. Higher pressure means more oxygen dissolves into the blood plasma.

At 2 ATA, breathing 100% oxygen results in an arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) of approximately 1,400 mmHg, compared to roughly 100 mmHg under normal breathing conditions. This represents a more than tenfold increase in plasma-dissolved oxygen, a level that triggers significant physiological responses:

Tissue oxygenation. Oxygen dissolved in plasma reaches tissues independently of haemoglobin, penetrating areas with compromised blood supply that red blood cells cannot access efficiently.

Angiogenesis. The alternating cycle of hyperoxia during treatment and relative normoxia between sessions stimulates the formation of new blood vessels, improving long-term tissue perfusion.

Stem cell mobilisation. Research published in the American Journal of Physiology has demonstrated that HBOT at therapeutic pressures can increase circulating stem and progenitor cells, supporting the body’s natural repair mechanisms.

Anti-inflammatory signalling. HBOT at 2 ATA modulates inflammatory pathways by influencing cytokine expression and reducing oxidative stress markers, effects that are not observed at lower pressures.

By contrast, soft shell chambers operating at 1.3 ATA achieve only modest increases in dissolved oxygen and do not produce the same magnitude of physiological response. The clinical evidence supporting therapeutic outcomes is based on protocols using hard shell chambers at 1.5 to 2.4 ATA, not on mild hyperbaric exposure. For a comprehensive review of the pressure science, see our detailed article on HBOT at 2 ATA: why pressure matters.

Our Chamber: Thai FDA-Approved Clinical-Grade HBOT

At Longevity Thailand in Chiang Mai, HBOT is delivered in a hard shell hyperbaric chamber that meets the clinical standard for therapeutic oxygen therapy. Key specifications include:

2 ATA operating pressure. The chamber is rated to deliver treatment at 2 atmospheres absolute, the pressure level supported by the majority of clinical HBOT research.

Built-in breathing system (BIBS). Patients breathe near-pure oxygen through a dedicated BIBS mask or hood, ensuring oxygen purity of 90% or greater throughout the session. This is a critical distinction from soft shell chambers, which use ambient air or low-concentration oxygen.

Hard shell construction. The chamber is a rigid, medical-grade device engineered to maintain precise pressure control. Unlike inflatable soft shell units, it provides consistent, regulated pressurisation with full safety instrumentation.

Dual-occupancy capacity. The chamber accommodates two users simultaneously, allowing patients to share a session with a companion if preferred. This also enables efficient treatment scheduling for patients on intensive protocols.

Thai FDA approval. The chamber and all HBOT protocols operate under full Thai Food and Drug Administration regulatory compliance. All sessions are supervised by trained hyperbaric technicians with physician oversight.

Safety systems. The chamber includes emergency depressurisation capability, continuous pressure monitoring, communication systems between patient and operator, and fire suppression measures consistent with international hyperbaric safety standards.

Travel from the UAE to Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is readily accessible from the UAE, with well-established flight routes and straightforward entry requirements for UAE nationals.

Flight routes and time. The most common route from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai involves a connection through Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Total travel time is approximately six hours, including a short domestic connection to Chiang Mai. Several airlines operate daily services on the Gulf to Bangkok route, with frequent onward connections.

Visa requirements. UAE passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Thailand for stays of up to 15 days. For treatment programmes requiring a longer stay, an e-visa or tourist visa can be obtained in advance through the Thai embassy or consulate in the UAE, typically granting 60 days of entry.

Airport transfers. Chiang Mai International Airport is compact and well-organised. Private transfers to accommodation and the clinic can be arranged through our patient coordination team, with typical transfer times of 15 to 30 minutes.

Time zone. Thailand is three hours ahead of UAE time (GMT+7 versus GMT+4), resulting in minimal disruption to your daily routine upon arrival.

Cultural considerations. Chiang Mai has a well-established Muslim community and offers halal-certified dining options throughout the city. Our patient coordination team provides a curated list of halal restaurants near the clinic and recommended accommodation areas.

Planning Your HBOT Treatment Programme

HBOT protocols are not single-session treatments. Clinical evidence and established practice support courses of multiple sessions to achieve cumulative therapeutic benefit.

Course length. Depending on the clinical indication, treatment courses typically range from 10 to 40 sessions. Each session lasts 60 to 90 minutes at pressure, with additional time for pressurisation and depressurisation.

Session frequency. Most protocols involve one to two sessions per day, five to six days per week. A 20-session course can typically be completed within two to three weeks.

Treatment planning. Before you travel, our medical team reviews your health history, existing investigations, and treatment goals to recommend an appropriate course length. This pre-arrival assessment ensures that your time in Chiang Mai is used efficiently.

Arabic-speaking coordination. Our international patient team includes Arabic-speaking coordinators who manage your entire journey, from initial enquiry and pre-arrival medical review through to treatment scheduling, accommodation recommendations, and post-treatment follow-up.

The Chiang Mai recovery environment. Beyond the clinical setting, Chiang Mai offers a recovery environment that supports healing. The city’s relaxed pace of life, clean mountain air, access to nutritious food, and range of wellness amenities complement the physiological benefits of HBOT. Many UAE patients find that combining treatment with a period of rest in Chiang Mai enhances their overall experience and recovery.

Accommodation. Chiang Mai offers a wide range of accommodation at a fraction of Dubai or Abu Dhabi prices, from luxury resorts and serviced apartments to boutique hotels near the clinic. Our coordination team provides personalised recommendations, including options with halal dining facilities.

Combining HBOT with Other Treatments

HBOT at 2 ATA can serve as a standalone treatment, but emerging evidence suggests that its benefits may be enhanced when combined with complementary regenerative therapies. At Longevity Thailand, many patients integrate HBOT into a broader treatment protocol:

Stem cell therapy. Research indicates that HBOT creates an oxygen-rich tissue environment that supports stem cell survival and engraftment following injection. Pre-conditioning with HBOT may improve outcomes from cell-based therapies.

Exosome therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen may enhance tissue receptivity to exosome-mediated signalling, potentially amplifying the regenerative effects of exosome protocols.

NAD+ infusions. Combining HBOT with NAD+ therapy addresses multiple hallmarks of ageing simultaneously, targeting both tissue oxygenation and cellular energy metabolism.

Peptide protocols. Specific peptides, including BPC-157 and thymosin beta-4, may complement HBOT through their effects on tissue repair and anti-inflammatory signalling.

Your physician will assess whether a combination approach is appropriate for your clinical situation and design an integrated protocol tailored to your goals.

Cost Comparison and Value

HBOT in Chiang Mai offers significant cost advantages compared to equivalent treatment in the UAE, where clinical-grade sessions are available. The cost differential is substantial, and remains meaningful even when factoring in flights, accommodation, and associated travel expenses from Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

For patients requiring a course of 20 to 40 sessions, the cumulative saving can be considerable. Combined with Chiang Mai’s low cost of living, luxury accommodation at a fraction of UAE prices, and the ability to integrate HBOT with other regenerative therapies during the same trip, the overall value proposition is compelling.

A transparent, detailed quotation is provided following your pre-arrival assessment. There are no hidden fees, and all costs are communicated clearly before you commit to travelling.

What UAE Patients Should Know Before Travelling

Medical records. Compile your relevant medical history, including any imaging, blood work, specialist reports, and medication lists. These can be submitted digitally to our medical team before your arrival for pre-assessment.

Medications. Continue your regular medications unless specifically advised otherwise by our medical team. Certain medications may require adjustment during HBOT, and your physician will discuss this during your pre-arrival consultation.

Ear, sinus, and respiratory health. HBOT involves pressurisation similar to air travel. Patients with active upper respiratory infections, severe sinus congestion, or certain ear conditions may need to delay treatment until these resolve. Our medical team screens for these contraindications before commencing treatment.

Insurance. HBOT for wellness and longevity applications is generally not covered by UAE health insurance plans. Patients should budget for treatment as an out-of-pocket expense. Travel insurance covering medical treatment abroad is recommended.