Health Tourism

Health Tourism

A truly beneficial vacation experience The quintessential picture of the historic Kingdom of Other factors that have attracted the interest of visitors Thailand is typically that of tropical region, white sandy beach, clear blue sea and unique way of life. Moreover, from around the globe are the affordable prices that Thailand is also blessed with all the comforts, conveniences entitle patients to a free holiday in the spectacularly and technologies of 21st century. Like Medicine, one exotic Kingdom. To aid a patient’s recovery, there’s of many areas where Thailand excels. Here is the hub nothing healthier than kicking back, relaxing and of medical tourism and high-end spas in Southeast soaking up the sunshine on an island in the Gulf of Asia. A developing nation, years of professionalism, Thailand or the Andaman Sea before returning home dedicated research, overseas study, and modernisation of the infrastructure has put Thailand on an equal footing again. with the most advanced medical centres in the world. Testifying to the country’s appeal to the elite, the exclusive As a result, this sector of the travel trade has experienced resorts of holistic healing in Phuket and the seaside a healthy surge of interest in recent years. To keep resort of Hua Hin have become so globally renowned pace with the burgeoning number of new arrivals that you may find yourself rubbing shoulders with a and repeat visitors, the Kingdom’s medical facilities movie star or a captain of industry. continue to update their high-tech services and constantly add new programmes, operations and treatments.



Five-Star Hospitals trained, these professionals ensure that patients are in good,caring and experienced hands. The less The country’s biggest hospitals in the cities of Bangkok a patient frets, the faster they will recover. and Chiang Mai, and on the perennially popular island of Phuket, boast state-of-the-art equipment, high-tech To ensure more comfort and ease of communication, labs and efficient, well-trained staff. Whatever your many doctors and nurses speak excellent English. One needs, from brain scans to physiotherapy, invasive need only look around at the polyglot patients from surgery to cosmetic treatments such as liposuction, Europe, North America, the Middle East and other the country’s medical professionals will do their best parts of the Asia Pacific to see that Thai hospitals are to right whatever medical wrongs are ailing you. renowned for being among the best of the best from Even the more difficult operations like replacing the Far East to West. The presence of all these foreign knees and hips are undertaken with the utmost of patients also reveals that in some Asian, African and professionalism under the most hygienic of conditions. Middle Eastern countries the standards of health care As the anti-ageing movement gathers momentum, many are shoddy and can cause more problems than they hospitals offer the gamut of treatments designed to cure. This has also contributed to Thailand’s popularity make you look and feel younger. On the cutting-edge as a nerve centre for international medical tourism. of cosmetic surgery are Botox and laser treatments, lifts and tucks to firm up sagging skin and jowls, or remove Many prospective patients ask the same question, why unsightly cellulite, in addition to hair transplants and fly all the way to Thailand when I have medical care at breast enhancement surgery. Almost any operation or home? For many patients it’s a question of both time treatment is possible at these world-class facilities. and money. The simple fact is that many operations The Kingdom’s largest hospitals are often compared require spending months and months on a long to five-star hotels. That’s because they provide a waiting list. It is sad but true that serious afflictions maximum of comfort and opulence. There are TVs and like cancer or heart problems are not covered by some DVD players, high-speed Internet connections, private health insurance policies and paying for them bathrooms, special menus and 24/7 room service on a in some countries can leave a family bankrupt. If you’re par with the finest luxury hotels. experiencing a medical emergency, time is at Everyone is anxious about undergoing a major a premium, and you can’t afford to wait six months operation. That’s normal. But don’t worry. These caring for a serious medical procedure. With all the doctors and nurses will cure those cases of nerves along hospitals in Thailand at your disposal, treatments with those other injuries and ailments. Internationally can be arranged quickly and conveniently around your busy work schedule, and it’s worth repeating, at a fraction of the cost in many countries.

Popular Procedures Whether in need of an immediate operation to treat a serious illness, after some dental or cosmetic work to beautify your features, or just after a comprehensive routine check-up to reassure your general well-being and health condition, Thailand’s hospital doors are always open and welcome all visitors. Our hospitals have all the latest machines and equipment for diagnostic and laboratory prognosis, and brand new digital processing for MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans and X-Ray data. For those of you suffering pain and long-term discomfort, the best news of all is no waiting lists; you can opt for surgical procedures as soon as convenient for you. Should you want elective medical treatments such as cosmetic surgery, dental work, or eye corrective surgery, which are not usually covered under insurance policies, Thailand is a convenient and great value destination to undergo such work. Most of the Kingdom’s top private hospitals have online appointment facilities, with a growing number of reputable travel agencies also arranging every detail of your trip from airport transfer to post-treatment vacations. Knee or hip replacement surgery is a procedure that can easily be undertaken during your annual two-week vacation. Schedule the operation at the start of the trip, spend the first week recovering in hospital where you can begin the physical therapy, then as your knee or hips strengthen during the second week, amble along soft sandy beaches and gently trek through tropical forests. If a family member is debilitated by a long-term illness such as kidney disease, then a trip to Thailand might be the first opportunity in a long time to escape the confines of home. Feel at ease knowing that essential treatments like dialysis will be administered in the most sterile of conditions with the same care and attention given to regular patients. With no chance of infections, visitors find such procedures so stress-free and relaxing that they wish they could relocate to Thailand and settle here permanently. Gleaming Teeth and Perfect Vision So many tourists have been coming to Thailand, to have their teeth fixed that the Thai Customs and Immigration Department has considered adding “Dentistry” to the list of Reasons for Visit. Whether you’re in need of a root canal or a bridge, having cavities filled or getting fitted for false teeth, the clinics have massive menus of treatments. Boasting the latest equipment and X-ray machines, English- speaking dentists and technicians, these facilities take the bite out of having your teeth fixed. Many patients say they have saved enough on dental work to treat themselves to a free holiday in the Kingdom. Going to the dentist can be an agonizing experience, but you can grin and bear it knowing that you’ve got a tropical vacation to look forward to in the aftermath. The clinics, located across the country, provide a wealth of options, environments and tours. For instance, the bigger urban centres of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket now have “dental spas” and “dental hospitals”. Many of the smaller clinics also have teeth-cleaning and laser-whitening treatments to make your smile more radiant and give your self-confidence a lift.

In recent years, laser eye surgery has seen a boom in Unsightly body hair can cause embarrassment when both popularity and credibility. For those hampered wearing beachwear, so why not remove the fur that has with poor sight, and feeling encumbered by glasses caused you insecurity over the years – your confidence or contact lenses, laser surgery is a quick and painless will be restored in an instant. Hair can be painlessly and way to sharpen your vision. Once again, the Kingdom’s permanently removed from any part of your body with clinics are first rate and well equipped, specializing in a few sessions from a Fluorescent intense Pulsed Light everything from basic eye examinations to cutting-edge (FPL) machine. treatments. Frequently, these services are also provided for by the larger hospital and integrative Warm Wellness Wishes wellness centres that are one-stop shops for healing and wellbeing. In the more globalised world of today, no longer are citizens bound by the limitations of their country’s Dermatology health-care systems, or the restrictive fine print of insurance companies. Ever greater numbers of people Micro-Crystal Peeling, or Micro-dermabrasion, uses tiny are being empowered and relieved by the possibilities crystals to remove damaged skin from over-exposure of medical tourism, and nowhere more so than the to sunlight, while also stimulating new skin cell beautiful Kingdom of Thailand. growth. Or for the removal of more stubborn acne and blemishes, then opt for the ultrasound technique of No matter how much advertising Thailand’s hospitals Phonophoresis. For even more of a boost to your youth devote to attracting overseas visitors, there is no stronger and vitality, simple procedures like Botox and Collagen validation to the strength and ability of our health care injections literally smooth away wrinkles, while Sclero than the positive comments from the hundreds of Therapy injections rid you of unsightly varicose veins thousands of satisfied customers that our hospitals have in less than a week. cared for. The combination of traditional Eastern and modern Western health practice has been greatly effective in In addition, Thailand can offer the fantastic diversity the treatment of numerous skin conditions. For a more of exotic holiday destinations and wonderfully unique holistic approach to healing the body’s uncomfortable culture. So whether you’re planning a first treatment in irritations, the millennia-old therapies of Acupuncture, Thailand or returning for more; come and explore the Acupressure, and Aromatherapy, have been proven myriad of exciting sights and attractions that our warm, to restore the body’s natural balance, healing rashes, hospitable Kingdom has to offer. You won’t be able to allergies, freckles, herpes, as well as lessening hair loss, resist the magnificent allure that has become and even helping in weight loss. synonymous with our mystical land. For the first time in your life you’ll think of health care as being an enjoyable experience!

Hospital Directory Bangkok Bangkok Hospital* www.bangkokhospital.com Bangkok Hospital Medical Center** www.bangkokhospital.com Bumrungrad International Hospital*** (Award of Excellence, Thailand Tourism Award 2008) www.bumrungrad.com BNH Hospital* www.bnhhospital.com Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol Hospital med.mahidol.ac.th Kasemrad Hospital Prachachuen www.kasemrad.co.th King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital www.chulalongkornhospital.go.th Paolo Hospital www.paolohospital.com Phyathai Hospital www.phyathai.com Piyavate Hospital www.piyavate.com Praram 9 Hospital* www.praram9.com Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital*** www.samitivejhospitals.com Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital** www.samitivejhospitals.com Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital* www.siphhospital.com Siriraj Hospital www.si.mahidol.ac.th Vejthani Hospital* www.vejthani.com Yanhee International Hospital* th.yanhee.net Pattaya Aikchol Hospital www.aikchol.com Bangkok Hospital Pattaya* www.bangkokpattayahospital.com Chiang Mai Central Chiangmai Memorial Hospital www.centralchiangmaihospital.com Chiangmai Ram Hospital* www.chiangmairam.com Lanna Hospital www.lanna-hospital.com Faculty of Medicine Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai University www.suandok.med.cmu.ac.th Nakorn Ping Hospital www.nkp-hospital.go.th Ko Samui Bangkok Hospital Samui www.bangkokhospitalsamui.com Koh Samui Hospital www.samuihospital.go.th Samui International Hospital www.sih.co.th Thai International Hospital Koh Samui www.thaiinterhospital.com Phuket Bangkok Hospital Phuket* (Award of Excellence,ThailandTourism Award 2010) www.phukethospital.com Mission Hospital Phuket www.missionhospitalphuket.com Patong Hospital www. patonghospital.com Phuket International Hospital* www.phuketinternationalhospital.com Thalang Hospital (Phuket) www.thalanghospital.go.th * Joint Commission International (JCI)- Accredited ** Clinical Care Program Certification (CCPC)- Accredited *** JCI and CCPC - Accredited www.jointcommissioninternational.org

Health Tourism Printed in Thailand by Promotional Material Production Division, Marketing Services Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand for free distribution. www.tourismthailand.org E/JAN 2020 The contents of this publication are subject to change without notice.