@culture - we are headed to Chiang Mai, Thailand next month to have our 4th baby (we've had one in the US, and two born in China). It is not difficult at all to go to Thailand and have a baby. I would suggest first seeing if you have any connections in either Bangkok or Chiang Mai (two most common places for expats to go to have a baby). If you know people living there, they can help check out possible birth options. You can also look online for the larger hospitals and check out their facilities. Figure out what type of birth you're looking for (more natural, water birth, etc.) and see which hospitals support those types of birth. Check with your insurance to see what would be covered.

As for traveling there, flying will probably be a lot easier on you/your spouse. You can get really decent-priced flights from Kunming to either Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Check with the specific airline on their restrictions for pregnant women and how late in the pregnancy they can travel. The two airlines that fly direct from Kunming to Chiang Mai (China Eastern and Thai Airways) require a medical note for the woman to travel.

Depending on which country you're from, you'll need to check into the requirements for receiving your baby's passport, and then the subsequent Chinese visa before you can come back to Yunnan. We are planning for 4-6 weeks after birth to complete all of this information. If you do fly to Thailand, maybe just buy a one-way ticket so you can ensure you'll have enough time to get all the paperwork done.

You'll also need to factor in living expenses while you're there. Where you'll stay, how you'll get around, etc. That's where knowing someone living there can be very helpful. If you go to Chiang Mai there is a Christian retreat center called Juniper Tree that offers reasonable prices for long-term stays (many families stay there to have a baby). Air bnb would be another place to look for longer stays (2+ months).
Hope that helps a little bit...

Some good friends of ours are moving to Chiang Mai next month, and so I am helping them look into moving their household and personal items from Kunming to Chiang Mai. Does anyone have recent experience with this? If so, what company did you use (or research) and what were the costs? I am assuming the actual shipping fees aren't all that much, but not sure about the import/customs fees...

@Alien, if you don't have time to wait for the subway train going direct the South Station (rather than university town south), you can get a DiDi car at Chun Rong station that will take you to the South Station in less than 10 minutes and costs 15rmb max.

Just wanted to refresh this question, has anyone driven to Thailand recently and knows what the requirements are?

This is probably a long shot, but does anyone know if there is somewhere in Kunming to get elderberry Syrup? Or even just plain elderberries? It is 接骨木 in Chinese.