Page 29 - TICA'S MICE GUIDE TO THAILAND 2018-2019

World-Class Healthcare

One of the fastest growing sectors is medical
Healthcare tourism, with more than half the visitors in
Thailand arriving for medical purposes in 2018.
Thanks to a host of factors including Most of these international patients come
internationally-certified doctors and medical from the UAE, Europe and United States for
staff as well as modern facilities and equipment, cancer treatments, hip replacements, kidney
Thailand has a globally recognised reputation transplants, dentistry, heart surgeries, cosmetic
for world-class healthcare. surgeries and sex change operations.

The country’s top private hospitals are It could be argued that one of the areas of
esteemed for offering high-quality medical improvement in Thailand’s healthcare system
services accompanied by five-star hotel-style is the response time for emergency services.
facilities. Currently, the country has over 64 Due to traffic congestion issues, particularly in
organisations, including hospitals, specialised bigger cities like Bangkok, ambulance response
clinics and medical centres, all of which are times can be slower than desired.
accredited by Joint Commission International
(JCI). More than 50 percent of these hospitals On the positive side, thanks to the implemen-
can be found in Bangkok, followed by other tation of Thailand 4.0., the country’s healthcare
major tourist cities like Pattaya, Phuket and system is set for some major changes, which
Chiang Mai. should improve the service for patients expo-
nentially. One area of focus is the innovation of
medical devices, which are expected to drive
the growth of the medical industry in the years
to come, and further cement Thailand’s position
as a medical hub of Asia.

TICA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY 2018 - 2019 27