Do you know Thailand is one of the leading destinations for medical tourism in Asia? Every year around 1 million people travel to Thailand for treatment. Thailand’s medical tourism is on pace to grow 14% annually, and it is the favorite destination for medical tourists because it provides world-class medical facilities, friendly locals, and affordable treatments.
Medical tourism in Thailand is responsible for more than 9 percent of the national GDP.
Why Choose Thailand for Medical Treatments?
Traveling to Thailand for medical treatment is a growing trend because of several factors. The following reasons will help you to understand why Thailand can be your best choice in medical tourism:
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Top-Notch Facilities: Thailand is known for its massive hospitals that look more like hotels at first glance. In Thailand, staying in hospitals is more like staying in a resort with all the luxuries. The decor is as fancy as top-end hotels, and some hospitals also provide rooms with balcony views across the city. These hospitals are designed in such a way for a comfortable stay and a better experience. The most popular of these hospitals are Buddhachinaraj Phitsanulok Hospital, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Bumrungrad International Hospital. These hospitals welcome a large number of medical tourists every year. All the hospitals in Thailand meet international standards in terms of quality of care and facility.
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Highly Trained Doctors with International Experience: With such a high rate of medical tourism, Thailand offers the latest and safe treatments performed by highly skilled and trained doctors. These doctors have vast experience working in one of the top international hospitals. Most of them are qualified by medical associations of the US. Their combined medical experience and skills ensure to provide high-quality services.
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Cost: Medical tourism in Thailand is approximately 40 percent cheaper than European states and 70 percent cheaper than the United States.
Here is the comparison of different procedures on the basis of cost in the US and Thailand:
| Treatment | US | Thailand |
| Heart Bypass | $123,000 | $15,000 |
| Spinal Fusion Surgery | $110,000 | $16,800 |
| Breast Implants | $6,400 | $3,500 |
| Knee Replacement | $35,000 | $14,000 |
As you can see, there is a huge difference in the costs of the treatments that draw a massive number of medical tourists to Thailand. The lower costs for treatments in Thailand are the major factor that keeps it so popular.
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Short Medical Queue: The short medical waiting queue is another excellent reason that defines Thailand as the most preferred choice for medical tourists. The best thing is even the most complex and multi-stage surgeries have no waiting queues and can be done in as little as 3 days. Patients don’t have to wait for hours for their turn because of the large number of available physicians in different medical fields.
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Medical Treatment Packages: Some major hospitals in Thailand provide medical treatment packages, which means combining two or more treatments in one visit to save money. All medical treatments are offered with great discounts and carried out under expert medical specialists with well-equipped facilities. That’s why Thailand is the major medical tourism hub.
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Easy Entrance in the Country: Thailand offers its medical tourists to stay with Visa exemption, which means anyone can stay up to 30 days without a visa if they have a valid passport for six months. If you are a medical traveler, you can also apply for a Visa on your arrival.
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Culture: Thailand is popular due to its vibrant culture, welcoming nature, and amazing lifestyle. It is known as being the Land of Smiles! Fashions and trends come and go, but one thing Thai people always seem to be wearing is a smile. From homestays to food markets, Thai hospitality is hard to beat. They’ll do everything to make you comfortable.
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Amazing Tourist Destination: Thailand has multiple tourist attractions that draw tourists worldwide. Some of the most visited places in Thailand are Pattaya Floating Market, Sanctuary of Truth, Madame Tussauds, Bangkok, and many more. It also has exotic islands and sun-kissed beaches that are always a great attraction for tourists from Europe, US, and Australia.
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Variety of Cuisines: You will get a variety of cuisines in the country to satisfy your tastebuds. Fresh, Fragrant & Flavorful! That is what Thai food is all about. Everything makes you fall in love with Thailand. There is nothing better than dining at authentic Thai restaurants in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Phuket.
Different Medical Tourism Treatments in Thailand
There is a wide range of treatments available for medical tourists in Thailand. Most of the major surgeries are performed in Bangkok’s hospitals, while minor ones are performed in Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya hospitals.
Some of the treatments are:
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Heart Surgery
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Cancer Treatment
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Addiction & Rehabilitation Treatment
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Cosmetic, Reconstructive & Plastic Surgery
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Dental Surgery and many other treatments are available.
How to Choose the Best Hospital for Medical Tourism in Thailand?
Selecting a particular hospital for the right treatment in an unknown country can be difficult for a medical tourist. That’s why there are some tips mentioned below which help to select the best hospitals in Thailand:
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Check the Hospital’s Accreditation: The first and most important thing you should check before selecting any hospital in Thailand is their international accreditation and certifications. You might want to look for Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. The hospital should also have certifications like ISO 9000 or affiliation with other prestigious medical institutes.
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Check the Facility Standards: Before selecting any hospital, ensure that the facilities are up to your standards. Ask what kind of rooms are available and what other facilities they will provide in the room. You can also ask them if they provide airport transfer facilities or not. If you are looking for some special facilities, make sure to ask ahead of time.
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Check Doctor’s Credentials: Apart from the hospital’s accreditation, it is necessary to check that the doctors are board-certified. You can check it with the help of the hospital’s website because most hospitals put their doctor’s profiles on their website. If you want to get the best treatment, look for their qualification, years of experience, specialties, and certifications.
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Medical Equipment & Technology: Hospitals with international accreditation always have advanced medical equipment and technology, but it is the responsibility of the medical tourists to do their research. Find out if any new equipment and methods are available for the treatment you seek. If yes, ask the hospital if it’s available there or not.
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Take Help from a Medical Tourism Company: Searching for the best hospital and treatment in a foreign country is a daunting task. Many people get frustrated doing so. That’s where a medical tourism company comes into the frame. You can take help from them, and they will arrange everything for you, from finding the best hospitals to setting appointments, transportation, and booking your hotel.
After deciding the best hospital in Thailand, you must select an insurance policy that covers you in the hospital.
1. Buddhachinaraj Phitsanulok Hospital, Thailand: Buddhachinaraj Phitsanulok Hospital is the main hospital of Phitsanulok Province, Thailand, and is classified under the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) as a regional hospital.
2. Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, Bangkok: Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital is a JCI accredited hospital and has been a recipient of many awards, namely, Hospital of the Year by the Thailand Healthcare Asia Awards 2020, The Model Private Hospital Award 2020 for being the top private hospital for academic activity in Thailand, and Best Corporate Hospital Award 2019.
3. Bangpakok 9 International Hospital, Bangkok: It is a multispecialty and of the leading private hospitals in Bangkok. It is accredited by the JCI and Hospital Accreditation issued by the Institute of Hospital Quality Improvement & Accreditation of the Ministry of Health (HAI).
4. Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok: It is a multispecialty hospital with extensive medical and surgical departments and is accredited by the Board of Medical Accreditation Consortium of Thai Medical Schools in compliance with the WFME Global Standards for Quality Improvement.
5. Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok: The hospital introduced various multi specialties and is the largest hospital in Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health system with 70 years of serving both local and foreign nationals.
Top Doctors in Thailand
1. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abhasnee Sobhonslidsuk - She is a leading Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist with 32 years of experience.
2. Dr. Apichai Vasuratna - A well-known Obstetrician & Gynaecologist with 34 years of experience specializing in Gynaecological Oncology.
3. Dr. Ake Hansasuta - He is a reputed Neurosurgeon with 29 years of experience who specializes in Spine Surgery
4. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narin Voravud - He has gained proficient skills and knowledge as an Oncologist with 40 years of rich experience.
5. Dr. Amnuay Jirasirikul - A renowned Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon with 43 years of experience treating clubfoot, hip, and spine.
You Must Carry These Documents Before Entering Thailand
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Passport
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Thai Visa (if required)
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Certificate of Vaccination
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Insurance with minimum coverage of USD 100,000
Tips For a Successful Medical Tourism in Thailand
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Research for different hospitals and their facilities
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Find medical tourist packages
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Contact hospitals directly for quotes
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Have your travel insurance prepared
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Plan your trip to Thailand
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After the medical procedure, give extra time in the country for follow-ups
Preparing to Travel to Thailand
Before entering Thailand for medical treatment, you must be prepared. It is vital to keep an eye on the latest travel updates or travel warnings provided by the Thai embassy. In terms of accommodation, there is a wide range of options available, from luxurious hotels to budget hostels. You must arrange your accommodation beforehand to avoid any issues.
Collect necessary information about the specific treatment for which you are flying to Thailand and get an estimate of the total cost. It will help you to be prepared for everything.
Final Words
Hopefully, this guide will give you a better understanding of medical tourism in Thailand and why millions of foreigners travel to Thailand every year to get medical and surgical procedures.
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