Mr. Narutat Chareonsedtasin, Chairman of Marine Scape (Thailand) and the executive behind Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium – famously known as the “Ocean on a mountain,” the only one of its kind in the world – also serves as the Chairman of the Administrative Subcommittee at the Pinkanakorn Development Agency (Public Organization), co-managing the Chiang Mai Night Safari. He shared with us that he first noticed unusual hair thinning after returning from an overseas trip. It became more apparent when attending meetings and seeing himself in photos – thinner strands, especially at the crown, with only a few hairs remaining in the front.
As soon as he noticed the issue, Mr. Narutat consulted a younger doctor acquaintance, who recommended he meet Dr. Nin Namthongton, a hair transplant specialist at Namnin Clinic. What Mr. Narutat was looking for was a doctor with both technique and skill in hair transplantation – and Dr. Nin, along with the NEAT technique, checked every box. He then decided to fly from Chiang Mai to undergo the transplant at Namnin Clinic.
Even though almost a year has passed, Mr. Narutat vividly remembers the experience. On the procedure day, Dr. Nin redesigned his hairline to suit his personality and enhance his facial structure, correcting the M-shape he had since his university days in Australia. The technique used involved extracting hair from the back of the head, graft by graft, in a stepwise fashion, without shaving the head. The heart of it was the NEAT technique, which involves inserting individual grafts into thinning areas with meticulous attention to direction and density. The process was time-consuming, to the point where Mr. Narutat almost gave up – but Dr. Nin didn’t. She remained focused and committed until the end.
“The first time I came, I thought it’d take maybe 2-3 hours. I still remember – I arrived at 10 a.m. and finished at 3 a.m. When I saw the doctor doing everything herself, I truly felt it was worth every baht. I even remember telling her at 1 a.m., ‘I give up. I can’t do this anymore.’ But she never gave up.”
“At that moment, I realized, wow, she was more committed than I was. Why couldn’t I endure a bit more? She stayed the whole time – never left my side.”
With his high-level responsibilities, Mr. Narutat said choosing the NEAT technique was the right decision because it didn’t disrupt his daily life at all – he could continue working as usual.
“I thought it’d hurt a lot, but it didn’t. The doctor had a gentle touch and used techniques that minimized pain, even during the anesthesia injections. During the first week, I didn’t feel any pain on my scalp.”
What impressed him most was, “It was less than five days after the transplant, and my photos already looked good.”
Dr. Nin continued to follow up with him closely after the procedure, offering guidance on hair care. Although Mr. Narutat hasn't quit smoking entirely, he’s reduced the frequency and amount, as advised.
“It made me think – every time I smoke, I worry if my hair will fall out, so I smoke less. It’s improved my daily habits.”
Dr. Nin explained that hair transplants require increased blood flow to promote hair growth and healing. Nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessels to constrict, which can damage hair follicles. Ideally, patients should quit smoking. If that’s not possible, alternative treatments such as medication, suitable hair products, and monthly PHB program nourishing injections are provided. Mr. Narutat followed her advice diligently and receives monthly treatments without fail.
So, what did he gain beyond new hair?
“It boosted my image and confidence – 100%. And secondly, it gave me more discipline, which is important. I used to not care much about showering or grooming. I’d just towel my hair dry and get dressed. Now, I blow-dry, check the mirror – I take better care of myself.”
“By the third or fourth month, I already felt confident. That confidence has helped me succeed in many areas. When I go to meetings, I feel I look good. Dressing well makes me feel good, too. I feel more decisive, more open to meeting people, and more disciplined.”
Mr. Narutat continues to fly from Chiang Mai for monthly follow-ups with Dr. Nin, sticking to a careful routine – avoiding hot water, using cool air to dry his hair, and exclusively using Namnin Clinic hair care products. When asked whether his daily life has become more complicated, he said, “It’s actually easier – because I’m more disciplined now.”
The success of a hair transplant doesn’t depend on age, but on self-discipline and long-term cooperation with the doctor. New hair growth also opens up new perspectives in life – something Mr. Narutat has experienced firsthand.
“At the very least, when you see yourself as younger, you gain more energy. Confidence improves, and I truly believe that those who undergo hair transplants will gain more discipline – and that’s an important point. It benefits you in many ways. For me, it changed my life in a meaningful way.”
Now, one year post-transplant, the NEAT technique has transformed Mr. Narutat’s previous fear into a positive experience – exceeding his expectations. Most importantly, it led him to take better care of himself, feel inspired to live happily, and do things he once thought he couldn’t due to age. He feels more empowered.
His final message:
“As men, we often overlook self-care and appearance. But I want to say – if you have the means and you believe you can maintain it, you should go for it. Don’t hesitate about the cost. Over 20 years, it amounts to just a few baht a day. Think about it – when we lose a fingernail, we get it fixed. So why not fix your hair? And it’s your real hair. Why wait? The confidence you get back is immense. The most important thing is, you’ll start loving and taking care of yourself more.”