Medical Tourism in Thailand

A well established forerunner in heath care, Thailand is one of Asia’s hotspots for medical tourists seeking affordable treatment in a pleasant environment. With a reputation for hospitality, Thailand caters well to patients with state-of-the-art, internationally accredited hospitals that have interpreters on hand to ensure foreign patients are comfortable.

Bangkok is Thailand’s main hub for medical tourism with Bangkok General and Bumrungrad hospitals receiving the most international patients per year at 150,000 and 400,000 patients respectively. Bangkok General Hospital offers an extensive list of treatments and packages, with individual centers for kidney, liver and heart care onsite. Bumrungrad also has specialty clinics in a number of fields including dialysis, breast care, diabetes and neurology.

Outside of the capital, Bangkok Phuket Hospital in Phuket is conveniently located within reach of many top tourist attractions and beaches and offers wellness programs as well as comprehensive check ups and blood testing. The northern capital, Chiang Mai, attracts fewer medical tourists yet it has some well-appointed hospitals that can tackle heart surgeries among other complex operations.

These leading hospitals serve patients from over 160 nations and offer assistance in every aspect of a patient’s stay including advice on local hotels. Medical packages are sometimes available depending on the treatment required and whether the patient fits the hospital’s criteria.

Increasingly visitors are combining a culturally enriching vacation to Thailand with low-cost medical treatment, making great savings on procedures that would cost much more in their home country. The tourist infrastructure in Thailand is excellent and there are numerous competent health care providers. Doctors in Thailand are well qualified and proficient in English, meaning there are no language barriers. Thailand also excels in post-operative care with hospitals often within reach of upmarket resorts and health spas.