Medical Tourism in Thailand

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Ranked #9,501 in Health, #107,993 overall

Thailand is a Leader in the Medical Tourism Industry

With health care being extremely expensive or too long a wait to receive, many foreigners are flocking to Thailand for medical procedures at a fraction of the cost. This lens takes a look at some of the hospitals and procedures offered in Thailand as well as additional medical tourism information.

The photo is taken in the luxurious lobby of Bumrungrad International Hospital, perhaps the most popular hospital for foreign patients.

Why Thailand 

Bangkok is a Health Tourism Hub

Skyline from Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand
Over the last few years Thailand has become a hub for medical tourists from places such as the US, Europe and the more expensive Asian countries such as Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. Thailand has been chosen because the hospital facilities have become world class but low cost and the Thai hospitality is unsurpassed. In 2006 Thailand welcomed more than 1.2 million medical tourists and the medical tourism industry has grown at a 20 - 30% per year rate.

The push for medical tourism in Thailand is part of a long-term government strategy in cooperation with private hospitals to establish the country as the 'health tourism hub of Asia'. Jointly spearheaded by the Ministries of Public Health and Commerce with the internationally accredited hospitals, Thailand's government has invested heavily on first world medical care at developing world prices.

The training and education doctors receive in Thailand is equal to or surpasses that offered elsewhere in the region. Many of these doctors have also been abroad to complete specialist training, particularly to the USA and Europe, and are equally well-qualified as their peers in the West. Private hospitals have invested heavily in state of the art, up-to-date equipment and maintenance standards are quite high.

Tourists come from countries where either medical costs are exorbitant or if they come from countries with nationalized health care, they have very long wait times and in either case, western countries tend to have very low service levels in hospitals. In Thailand, service and hospitality is world renowned. Attentive and helpful medical staff are always on hand to make you feel comfortable in an intimidating, unfamiliar environment.

Once you've decided that coming to Bangkok for medical care is for you, research needs to be done on your part about the procedure you wish to have performed and about the facility you're considering. There is no authoritative information out there yet about holiday surgery and recovery, the quality of treatments both good and bad, in Thai hospitals. However, most private Thai hospitals have ISO safety certification and are members of the respected Private Hospitals Association. The Thai Ministry of Health has introduced its own quality standards, legislation and regulation to build consumer confidence.

However, there is no malpractice protection and sometimes very little post operative support in Thailand. Therefore you need to speak at length with your doctor in your home country about what you want and if you can get follow-up care at a later time. You should also consult the hospital or clinic you wish to go to with your more detailed questions and concerns. All have staff with foreign language skills who can assist you and many have special departments just for foreign patients.

Bottom line is this: Surgery and other medical procedures are quite a serious matter. You need to research thoroughly and ask many questions before making a decision.

Popular Procedures Medical Tourists Undergo in Thailand 

Elective or prohibitively expensive in their home countries

  • Cardiac bypass surgery
  • Gastric bypass
  • Knee replacement
    Hip replacement
  • Liposuction
    Tummy tuck
    Breast augmentation
  • Rhinoplasty (nose job)
    Facelift
    Eyelift
  • Sex reassignment surgery
  • Non invasive cosmetic dermatology such as:
    Botox injections
    Restalin injections
    Photofacials
    Microdermabrasions and Chemical peels
  • LASIK eye surgery
  • Dental implants
    Veneers
    Bridges
    Laser teeth whitening
  • Fertility treatment: IVF

Private Bangkok Hospitals 

International hospitals foreign patients come to for medical care

Bangkok's private hospitals are multilingual and many times offer special packages and rates for certain procedures. What's more, when you step inside, it's not the cold, sterile environment you'd expect, but more like a plush hotel lobby. You receive specialized attention from a friendly and knowledgeable staff of nurses and you feel genuinely cared for, not just a number in the system to work through. Below is the list of the top private Bangkok hospitals and their websites.

 

Bumrungrad International Hospital
Bumrungrad International is an internationally accredited, multi-specialty hospital located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. Founded in 1980, today it is the largest private hospital in Southeast Asia, with 554 beds and over 30 specialty centers. Bumrungrad offers state-of-the-art diagnostic, therapeutic and intensive care facilities in a one-stop medical center.
Samitivej Hospital
Samitivej hospitals are a group of international class hospitals located in Bangkok, Thailand. We provide quality tertiary care, from cosmetic surgery to major operations such as open heart surgery and organ transplantations.
Bangkok International Hospital
Bangkok Hospital Medical Center (BMC) is one of the most technologically sophisticated hospitals in the world today. Located in Bangkok, Thailand, BMC is an expansive state-of-the-art medical campus providing comprehensive medical care through multidisciplinary teams of highly trained specialists. With its four hospitals and broad range of specialized clinics, BMC is equipped with all of the diagnostic and treatment facilities not generally available at local hospitals. The center has received Joint Commission International accreditation and is known throughout the world for delivering world-class, award-winning healthcare.
Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital (BNH Hospital)
BNH Hospital provides the highest quality medical service with specialists and general practitioner doctors completely involved with their patients, from consultation and diagnosis, through to planning and executing treatment, following-up o results, and in surgical cases, post operative card. The concept of 'the Family Doctor' is still highly valued at the BNH Hospital

Dental Hospitals & Clinics 

Foreign patients come to get their teeth fixed

Along with the great reputation Thailand has for doctors and medical procedures, dentists also share this reputation. The country's dentists are considered among the finest in the region, rivaled only by that of Singapore.

The most serious procedure I personally had done was having my two lower wisdom teeth pulled. I went to a local dental clinic and the cost was just over 4,000 baht, or just over $100US at that time, and it was more 'expensive' because my teeth were fully grown in and the dentist really had to work at it to get them out.
For Americans, this is a huge savings compared to getting it done in the US and for far more serious procedures, such as getting dental implants, the savings can be substantial.

If you need dental implants, veneers, bridges, crowns, tooth whitening oral surgery or other cosmetic dentistry performed, the dental hospitals listed below have international standards and clients from all over the globe.

 

Bangkok International Dental Center
Bangkok International Dental Center (BIDC) and Bangkok Dental Group (BDG) takes pride in offering exceptional dental care centered around the comfort and specific needs of our patients. Our dental clinic adheres by the code of professionalism and individualizing each of our patients' treatments. We believe in taking the time to educate patients about their options and helping them to set realistic goals.

To date, our dental clinics have seen over 10,000 overseas foreign patients. Bangkok International Dental Center (BIDC) is ISO 9001:2008 certified. Its clinics specializes in dental implants, cosmetic dentistry and orthodontic treatments.
Thanakit International Dental Center
Our dental services and treatments include dental implants with 3-D Dental CT Scan, laser, plasma, and Zoom! tooth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, dental or smile makeover, porcelain & ceramic veneers, crowns & bridges, root canal treatment, gum treatment, oral & maxillofacial surgery, wisdom tooth extraction, orthodontics, braces, Invisalign, digital X-rays and imaging system, and dental check-up and consultation.
Bangkok Dental Spa
Bangkok Dental Spa is the internationally recognized leader in the dental industry in Asia, especially in the field of dental cosmetic and implant surgery. We have earned a world-wide reputation for our skilled patient care through an integration of state-of-the-art dentistry with calming therapies of a luxury spa.

Eye Hospitals in Bangkok 

LASIK eye surgery is a popular procedure for foreign patients

If you need a check-up or have other eye-related health issues such as glaucoma, the ophthalmologists at Bumrungrad and Bangkok International Hospitals have good reputations. But the consensus for best eye hospital from expats is Rutnin Eye Hospital. It has certified surgeons in every subspecialty including the cornea, excimer laser surgery, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, pediatric ophthalmology and vitreo-retina surgery.

Lasik eye surgery is another procedure many foreign patients want to have. Wearing a pair of glasses that always slips down your nose from the constant perspiration is not comfortable. For something as vital as your sight, you want to go to only the best and don't scrimp for elective eye surgery. You will be getting a good deal compared to your home country as it is. Patients, both expat and medical tourists, who have had Lasik done have recommended with both Rutnin-Gimbel Lasik Centre and TRSC International Lasik Center.

 

Rutnin Eye Hospital
Rutnin Eye Hospital is Thailand's only hospital specializing solely in Ophthalmology. At present the hospital comprises 29 Board Certified surgeons in every sub-specialty of the eye including the cornea, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, vitreo-retina, oculoplastics, pediatric ophthalmology and excimer laser refractive surgery.
Rutnin Gimbel Lasik Centre
(Very Slow Connection)
Rutnin Eye Hospital, a well-known eye institute founded in 1964, is among the first private hospitals in Thailand to perform eye refractive surgery with the Excimer laser in 1992. Gimbel Eye Centre, Calgary, Canada, is world renowned. Also founded in 1964, it started performing laser refractive surgery in 1990. Rutnin-Gimbel LASIK Centre is a joint venture of these two institutes, each with over 40 years of experience in the practice of Ophthalmology and years of expertise in laser refractive surgery.
TRSC International Lasik Center
Founded in 1997, TRSC is the largest stand-alone LASIK facility in Asia specializing in the surgical correction of vision problems (nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism) using LASIK as well as PRK, ICL, PRL, and cataract surgery.

Recent headlines about medical tourism 

Infrastructure Developments to Drive Medical Tourism in Malaysia
... Thailand, Singapore and the USA. Besides, we have identified other key areas, which will serve as benchmark for the growth of medical tourism industry. ...
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They've offered trips tailored to medical tourism and religious excursions, and leveraged the international success of Danny Boyle's Oscar-winning film with ...
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"We are offering the world excellent medical treatment at Third World costs." Other medical tourism destinations in Southeast Asia and South America are ...
[Editorial] Attracting Rich Foreign Tourists
To overcome the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Thailand invested in medical tourism. The country in 2007 drew 1.54 million medical tourists and 1.6 trillion ...
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Websites About Medical Tourism within Thailand 

To Aid in Your Research

Medical Tourism in Thailand | Medical Tourism Guide
Thailand isn't the number one destintation for medical tourism just because of its beaches and tropical climate (though that doesn't hurt); it also is home to world class medical facilities and highly skilled doctors and surgeons.
Affordable Cosmetic Surgery and Plastic Surgery Abroad
Affordable cosmetic surgery like breast implants, tummy tuck, liposuction, face lift, and rhinoplasty are available by qualified plastic surgeons in Thailand. The first medical tourism company focusing on quality plastic surgery abroad was Metamorphosis Medical Retreats.
Medical Tourism Thailand
Medical Tourism Thailand is your source of information for all your wellness needs. We represent Hospitals, Dental clinics, Eye-Lasik Centers, Medical Spa and Spa Resorts in Thailand, in the following locations; Bangkok, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Phuket.

Flights to Bangkok 

Cheap flights are one of the big draws to medical tourist destinations

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by Amyji

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