Medical Tourism In Thailand

Medical Tourism In Thailand

When most people think of a holiday in Thailand, the first thing that comes to mind is likely the world class beaches, the weather, or the legendary hospitality of the local people. The advertisements in the travel brochures will showcase the country's ancient Buddhist temples, tropical sandy beaches and luxury beach resorts, however there is a growing number of tourists that are coming to Thailand for a very different reason. People are coming from all over the world to visit the country's hospitals for various surgical procedures that cost much less in Thailand than they do abroad. 

more international patients than any other hospital in the world

Medical tourism has been growing in popularity in Thailand over the past decade, as more medical tourists have been arriving each year. The quality of health care facilities and the low cost of surgical procedures draws a large number of foreigners into Thailand. Tourists come to Thailand for various cosmetic surgical procedures such as breast augmentation, facelifts and even gender reassignment surgery. With modern hospitals, state of the art equipment and doctors educated in the U.K. and North America, Thailand's affordable health care is attractive to people from all over the world. 

Leading the way is Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok, treating more international patients than any other hospital in the world. In 2008 alone the hospital treated almost a half million foreign patients from over 190 countries. The staff at Bumrungrad International include more than 200 doctors that are educated overseas and board certified in the U.S., and many hospital staff are fluent in English language. Another major player in the medical tourism industry is the Bangkok International Hospital Group, with 15 hospitals spread around the country. The Bangkok International Hospital in the Thai capital of Bangkok boasts a medical center catering to Japanese patients, complete with Japanese speaking doctors and nurses. 

Many people may choose to travel to Thailand for surgical procedures simply because it might be more affordable than having the same procedure done in their home country, however Thailand is known for pioneering certain surgical procedures such as gender reassignment surgery. Thailand leads the world in sex change operations and Dr. Preecha Tiewtranon is the country's leading gender reassignment surgeon, preforming more than 3500 sex change operations over the past 30 years. Contrary to popular belief, over 80% of patients receiving male to female gender reassignment never lose the ability to experience climax during sexual intercourse according to Dr. Preecha. 

Aside from the surgical procedures available and the affordable cost of health care in Thailand, the same things that attract traditional tourist to Thailand also appeal to medical tourists. The tropical climate, affordable cost of food and accommodation along with the legendary Thai hospitality allow people to enjoy their stay in Thailand while recovering from surgery or medical treatment. Medical tourists traveling to Thailand are more than likely to return in the future as traditional tourists, coming to enjoy the beaches, the weather and the nightlife much like the rest of Thailand's annual visitors.