Thailand, a Southeast Asian country known for its stunning beaches and rich cultural history, is also a reputable center for medical tourism. The market for medical tourism in Thailand is expected to grow steadily between 2022 and 2032 due to its rapidly expanding health facilities and highly skilled doctors. With 64 JCI-accredited facilities and hundreds of other private hospitals, clinics, and dental clinics, Thailand is the new regional powerhouse.
The Thai Medical and Wellness Tourism Association (TMWTA) has a main objective of increasing trade opportunities for medical tourism in Thailand. With world-class facilities, highly skilled doctors, and affordable prices, more people are choosing to travel to Thailand. Thailand’s top medical tourism hospitals offer high-quality, affordable healthcare, a patient-centered approach, and a therapeutic yet enjoyable destination full of recovery pleasure.
The Thai government has opened the door for investors and operators interested in opportunities in medical tourism in Thailand. Advantages of medical tourism include world-class safety standards and medical expertise, as well as the availability of a one-year medical visa for patients needing long-term treatments. Thailand’s medical-tourism market is expected to expand from 310 billion baht last year to 760 billion baht in 2027.
Bumrungrad is the unofficial leader of medical tourism in Thailand, becoming the most popular destination for medical travelers worldwide. Since 2000, Thailand has seen rapid growth in the number of visitors, and it is now entirely open for medical tourism. Thailand attributes its growth in medical tourism to its high standard medical care, affordability and accessibility, and customized medical packages.
📹 Flying to Thailand for a Routine Checkup – Our Medical Tourism Experience
In today’s episode we talk about the glorious wonder that is google voice, how to handle proof of onward travel, and our very …
Do I need a visa for medical tourism Thailand?
Upon arrival, MT visa holders can stay in Thailand for a maximum of 60 days. To extend their stay or change their visa type, they must apply for permission at the Office of Immigration Bureau. The immigration officer has the discretion to extend or change visa types.
Where can I go for medical tourism in Thailand?
Bangkok is a popular medical tourism destination in Thailand, known for its international hospitals and affordable healthcare sector. Over 2 million medical tourists visit the country annually, choosing cities based on their requirements, budget, and procedures. Some cities have JCI or ISO-accredited hospitals, while others offer budget-friendly treatments and peaceful recovery environments. Phuket and Pattaya are renowned for their affordable medical treatment and peaceful recovery environments. This blog will explore the top three cities in Thailand, discussing their unique features and competition. Patients can fill out a form or call for a free consultation.
What is the medical tourism policy in Thailand?
Thailand offers medical tourism to visitors, allowing them to apply for a non-immigrant Visa for 90 days, provided they are receiving treatment from a licensed medical facility. The country began promoting medical tourism in 2004 with a detailed website showcasing popular treatments and reputable hospitals. The national bank, Krungthai Bank, provides a debit card called the Miracle Thailand Card, offering medical and life insurance coverage in case of an accident.
Western accreditation is crucial for confidence in foreign medical treatments, with Bangkok’s Bumrungrad and Samitivej hospitals receiving the Joint Commission International (JCI) certification. Bangkok now has eight JCI-accredited hospitals, while Singapore has 13 JCI-accredited hospitals.
What is medical tourism in Thailand 2024?
Thailand’s medical tourism industry is thriving in 2024, with hospitals and clinics in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket renowned for their expertise in cosmetic surgery, dental care, and advanced treatments like fertility procedures and cardiac surgery. The country has also become a hub for wellness tourism, with an increasing number of visitors seeking comprehensive health check-ups, detox programs, and traditional Thai medicine. The Thai government is actively promoting medical tourism through strategic partnerships and marketing initiatives, aiming to attract over 4 million medical tourists by the end of 2024.
In 2021, Thailand’s medical tourism industry ranked 5th globally, generating approximately 11. 9 billion baht in revenue from foreign patients. The country’s robust healthcare infrastructure, including over 60 accredited hospitals, and highly trained medical professionals, make it attractive to patients from countries with expensive healthcare systems or long waiting times for certain procedures.
Is Thailand safe for medical tourism?
Thailand is a popular destination for medical tourism due to its affordable prices, world-class healthcare facilities, and fast-track services. Treatment prices in Thailand are almost 30% cheaper than in Europe and 70% cheaper than in the United States. Thailand’s healthcare facilities are known for their stringent hygiene standards and support for medical research institutions.
Fresh-track services are the backbone of Thai healthcare, allowing foreigners to enjoy walk-in appointments and access to hospital booking systems and online healthcare services. International hospitals, located in major tourist cities with multilingual staff, provide cutting-edge treatments in cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, dentistry, and cosmetic surgery.
Hospital bundles offer numerous deals, ranging from cosmetic surgery packages to cardiac care packages, covering bypass surgeries, angioplasties, and other procedures. Many medical tourists combine procedures with leisure activities, such as a Chao Phraya River cruise in Bangkok or visiting Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai.
Reputable hospitals in Thailand offer medical tourism packages and programs that cover basic health exams and long-term treatment plans. Some popular packages include preoperative and post-operative care, follow-ups, and rehabilitation.
How long does it take to get a Thailand medical visa?
The process time for Chittagong and Sylhet is 7 and 9 working days, respectively, including the submission date.
How much does a doctor visit cost in Thailand?
The cost of consulting a physician in Thailand varies depending on the type of medical facility chosen. Private hospitals and clinics can cost between 700 to 3, 000 THB, or approximately 22 to 94 USD, while public hospitals can cost between 200 to 500 THB, or 6 to 16 USD. General practitioner consultations (GP consultations) are a comprehensive assessment of a patient’s health, often the first point of contact for medical treatment.
They diagnose underlying conditions, provide appropriate treatment, and make referrals to specialists if necessary. GP clinics and hospitals often diagnose and treat patients entirely in-house, only referring them to specialists when necessary. This makes them convenient for patients struggling with health issues.
Which country has the most medical tourism?
Canada, Singapore, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, Dubai, Costa Rica, and Israel are among the top countries for medical tourism due to their robust medical tourism industry. With the increasing number of people seeking advanced medical treatments, medical tourism has become a necessity. The attractiveness of a country for medical travel depends on factors such as the country’s economy, healthcare costs, public image, and quality of healthcare.
Millions of people travel across international borders each year to seek treatment, making it a vital destination for those seeking medical care. The attractiveness of a country for medical travel is constantly interplayed with other factors.
What is the best country to get medical treatment?
Singapore ranks first in healthcare, followed by Japan and South Korea. The top 10 international health insurance companies offer comprehensive medical coverage to expats and their families worldwide, with other countries following suit.
What is the new medical visa in Thailand?
The Thai Cabinet has been developing the Medical Treatment Visa since 2021 to enhance its medical service and attract more foreign visitors. The Subcommittee on Developing Thailand into a Medical Service Hub, authorized by the Ministry of Public Health, held a meeting on September 8, 2023, to discuss key aspects of the visa. The visa allows foreign patients to stay in Thailand for up to one year while receiving medical treatment.
Eligible applicants can apply for a non-renewable one-year visa with multiple re-entry permits for medical treatment. Immediate family members can accompany foreign patients with a maximum of three persons. Patients must report to immigration officers every 90 days, with each stay not exceeding 90 days unless the doctor’s plan provides for a longer period of treatment or the applicant’s health condition prevents them from returning to their home country.
Financial capacity is required for both foreign patients and immediate families, with a minimum bank statement of THB 800, 000 per person. Insurance coverage, including accidents, emergency medical assistance, and COVID-19 coverage, is required. The re-entry permit fee is THB 5, 000, with an additional THB 1, 900 fee for each 90-day stay extension. Qualifying medical treatments must exceed 90 days and be accompanied by a doctor’s treatment plan.
Which country has the best medical tourism in the world?
Canada ranked first in the 2020-2021 global medical tourism ranking, with an index score of 76. 47. This ranking is based on ratings of the destination environment, medical tourism industry, and quality of facilities and services. The ranking presents the top 20 countries worldwide in 2020. To access premium statistics, a paid Statista Account is required.
📹 Medical Tourism in Thailand (for Beginners)
Medical Tourism in Thailand is a booming industry, and this video is your complete guide to health care in Thailand, with costs of …
I got really ill in Uzbekistan a dozen or more years ago. Although I never learned the cause of the excruciating abdominal pain, it was likely my gallbladder reacting to some of the fatty meats I was eating (not my norm). Through a tour guide, we secured a room in a hotel and a doctor and her nurse arrived. They suggested I see a surgeon. The guide nixed that idea because of the remote area we were in. To ease my pain, I was giving an injection that translated as an antispasmodic. I fell asleep almost immediately and was on the road again in 90 minutes. It was weeks before I felt back to normal; however, I was grateful for the “home” visit and there was no charge.
What a pleasant surprise on topic choice for this week’s podcast. Love it though! Usually see medical tourism articles from “older” YT’ers. Both my husband and I have had wellness checkups done in Thailand and Malaysia. We both feel the one in Thailand is much more enjoyable and “high class”(one I would even labeled as “white glove” service). The one in Malaysia seems more haphazard. There’s no escorting from different test sites (though, still in the same building but we did get a little lost a couple of times), less fancy equipments and less detailed in the results reviewed by a general doctor instead of specialists like in Thailand. My quest to seek overseas wellness checkup came about when I was denied an MRI in the US even though we have a good health insurance, or so we thought, and after having gone through months (due to appointment (in)availability) of seeing different specialists, was told by insurance to need to go through more websites before it can get approved, such as exercises and physical therapies which can take a few more months and even then it may or may not be approved. And even if it does, I suspect the coinsurance cost would be fairly steep as well. Well, while having the wellness checkup done in Thailand, I was able to add on an MRI scan on the same day and get the results back, reviewed by a specialist that very same afternoon, all for $500. It was a very impressive experience to say the least. Too bad we couldn’t say the same about the Malaysian wellness checkup experience.
Great job getting a checkup, Josh! As a fellow American, I always get my “checkups”/health screenings abroad – so efficient and you know exactly how much it costs. I’ve found the prices for Malaysia medical checkups are MUCH cheaper than Thailand. Plus everyone speaks English. There are top hospitals but #3 is Sunway Medical Centre – Velocity. I got mine there, for 1/3 the cost of Thailand. The best value I’ve found is “Beacon Hospital” in Petaling Jaya (near Kuala Lumpur). Buy the screening package upfront online for a discount.
One of those fake flights websites absolutely saved my ass last year. Travelling to New Zealand from Japan towards the end of a 14 month trip. Slipped my mind that NZ needs an onward flight. Also turned up very late to check in due to a late transfer. Guy was literally turning us away that minute and saying we were to late and I booked the first fake flight on the dodgiest looking websites ive ever seen (like mid 90s website design) and it actually worked. Could not believe it but I’m never doing it again haha
How about booking a flight to your next destination with a free cancellation or credit to rebook another date or another place. On the cell phone situation I use T-mobile and they have international coverage for $75 a month which is $25more than I normally pay plus since I have an iPhone 12 I can also get a sims card from the country I am in since my phone has dual sims. I know it might be a little pricey but it’s convenient and less hassle to the point all I have to do is switch sims anytime I need either sim, T-Mobile which would be my ESim and the country of choice would be an internal sims card
For first-timers to both countries, and having 2 weeks, would you recommend doing 1 week in Japan and 1 week in South Korea or do 2 weeks in 1 country and do a future trip for the other country? Which is your favorite of the 2 countries and why? What would be your ideal itinerary for 2 weeks? Thank you!
We are starting to travel abroad, from US. This year Canada (Banff and Jasper backpacking!), Guatemala, and Columbia. How do you all solve for the following “fun” things upon arrival in a new country? I hope there are mostly universal challenges. Get local currency, understand local Uber laws on how to use it and not use it, local smaller flights when you don’t speak the language yet changes are needed when a flight is late or missed since you were late due to another airline being late, finding a gym to workout especially when local weather is iffy for outdoors walking or hiking, and last but not least how do you actually really use Google Translate in a variety of real world situations. A lot of questions but you both hoping you both have some ideas on these and can maybe address in a future episode.
Been following you all for the past few years and my fiancé and I are planning to do a year long honeymoon like you all traveling the world next year! 🌎 How did you decide on Bangkok Hospital for where to do your medical appointment? Medical tourism has been super intimidating for me to figure out what is a good facility vs a bad one.