Medical tourism is a growing segment of Thailand's tourism and health-care sectors. In 2005, one Bangkok hospital took in 150,000 treatment seekers from abroad. In 2006, medical tourism was projected to earn the country 36.4 billion baht.
Thailand offers everything from cardiac surgery to organ transplants at a price much lower than the US or Europe. Thai medicine also features a higher, more personalized level of nursing care than westerners are accustomed to receiving in hospitals at home. One patient who received a coronar artery bypass surgery at Bumrungrad International hospital in Bangkok said the operation cost him US$12,000 (8,200 euros), as opposed to the $100,000 (68,000 euros) he estimated the operation would have cost him at home.
Hospitals in Thailand are a popular destination for other Asians. Another hospital that caters to medical tourists, Bangkok Hospital, has a Japanese wing and Phyathai Hospitals Group has interpreters for over 22 languages, besides the English-speaking medical staff. When Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala needed medical care in 2006, he went to Bangkok.
Today many Thai physicians hold US or UK professional certification. Several Thai hospitals have relationships with educational facilities in the US and UK (for example, Sheffield Hallam University has links with Bangkok. One Thai hospital, Bumrungrad International, states that many of its doctors and staff are trained in the UK, Europe and the US. Bumrungrad International was accredited most recently in 2005 by an American group in order to ensure an international standard of medical services.
The US consular information sheet gives the Thai health care system high marks for quality, particularly facilities in Bangkok, although the World Health Organization ranks the Thai healthcare system at number 47, which is below the USA's ranking at 37 and the United Kingdom's ranking at 18. The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office web site states "There are excellent international hospitals in Bangkok but they can be expensive".
Staying fit and healthy while on the road can be a challenge. Granted, if you're on vacation you might be forgiven for giving the gym a miss. However, if you're on the road for business, you may want to find places to work off those business meals and airport junk food.
Bangkok Fitness Centers
There are a couple of international chains with a presence in Bangkok. Whether or not you can use these local branches may depend on the type of membership you have at home. Be sure to bring your member card and any other documentation you may need.
California Wow :
The American-styled mega chain has a huge presence in Bangkok, with several branches that are easily accessible to visitors. Look for fitness centers on Silom Road, Siam Paragon and Sukhumvit Road.
Fitness First :
The UK-based fitness chain has several branches in Bangkok. The center most accessible to Bangkok visitors is the branch in Landmark Plaza of the Landmark Hotel.
Bangkok Health Care Facilities
Those of you who aren't traveling with your personal trainer can get some one-on-one help through Revolution Fitness. You choose the location of your workout. They are centrally located in Bangkok, Thailand and can meet you at a nearby park, fitness center or even your own home.
Hospital in Bangkok
Here's a short list of hospitals that specialize in treating foreigners. They all have staff who speak English, as well as many other languages. All of the institutions below are based in Bangkok, although some have branches in other parts of the country.
1. Bumrungrad International Hospital:
Perhaps the most advanced and internationalized of Thailand's private hospital. Coming here can seem like a visit to a five star hotel and the United Nations all in one. Although comparatively expensive for Thais, the hospital gets many foreign visitors in search of high quality health care at reasonable cost. The web site provides an overview of the hospital's services, and the ability to make appointments online.
2.Bangkok General Hospital:
A good general medicine hospital. The web site is available in many languages. The main services for foreign visitors are cosmetic surgery. The hospital can arrange for a variety of treatments as part of your holiday.
3. Samitivej Hospital:
Samitivej is one of Bangkok's most respected hospitals. Its main claim to fame is the "baby friendly" natal facilities. It's probably unlikely that you would want to travel to Thailand to have your baby, but the hospital has several other services to offer as well, including extensive children's healthcare departments.
4. St. Carlos Hospital:
This small hospital has combined traditional medicine with a full fledged spa to provide a complete range of health and beauty treatments, from cosmetic surgery to detoxifying body treatments.
Medical Tourism Resources
At Thailand 's more than 400 private hospitals, standards are high and costs are extremely competitive. Little surprise then that large numbers of visitors decide to undergo surgery in the Kingdom as part of their stay.
Whether you are after plastic surgery, lasik eye treatment or major heart surgery, you can rely on round the-clock, quality service in Bangkok and the min provincial cities and tourist centers, Seeking care on holiday is a trouble-free experience.
Doctors and specialists can swiftly obtain patient records by satellite. Hospitals employ staff fluent in English and who have overseas training. Demand for their services from he middle East has also led to the hiring of Arabic-speaking personnel.
Indeed, the whole business of linkage between the hospitals and the travel industry took a step forward when Thai Airways International ( THAI ) began packaging medical check-ups as part of its Royal Orchid Holidays programme
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