- Why do people choose medical tourism in Thailand?
- Healthcare in Thailand for tourists
- Medical vacations in Thailand
- Thailand medical tourism hospitals
- Medical tourism in Thailand cost
- Guideline for medical tourism in Thailand
The material shows medical tourism trends and describes the leading expert-opinion-based specialties in the country. This information relies on the Bookimed statistics, patient reviews, analysis of the health tourism characteristics in 28 countries, data compiled from multiple variable sources: IMTJ, the Ministry of Health, NCBI.
The report aims to specify health care peculiarities for international patients in a particular country, patients' preferences and factors that affect their choice. It is not a call to action — use it for informational purposes only.
Medical tourism is traveling abroad to receive treatments. People over the world look for the best offers that combine high-quality healthcare services, doctors’ experience, and the most affordable prices.
Why do people choose medical tourism in Thailand?
There are 6 reasons to visit Thailand for diagnostics and treatment:
Cost
Average savings for each patient is up to 50-75%. It’s cheaper than in European countries, the US, Australia.
Pay attention, that the quality of the procedures in these countries is at the same high level.
What factors do affect the cost of medical treatment in Thailand?
- economic development of Thailand
Thailand is one of the developing countries. The level of economic growth is lower than in the states with the advanced economies. The median wage in Thailand is about $400.
- medical tourism packages
Most of the medical facilities offer packages that include tests and therapy. Sometimes they also contain spa procedures and training (massage, yoga, acupuncture, sunbathes, and others). Medical tour packages cost cheaper than the separate therapies.
Healthcare standards
A lot of Thai medical facilities have the international accreditations, especially the American ones. Most of the centers in Thailand providing medical tourism services follow the US medical standards.
42 medical facilities in Thailand have received JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation for the innovative equipment, specialists qualification, and patients’ safety.
Specialists use state-of-the-art equipment and latest therapeutic methods currently available in the countries with the advanced economy and healthcare system.
Waiting time
Thai medical centers do not have long waiting lists for patients. So the patients have easier and quicker acess to the treatment in Thai hospitals than European, American or Australian clinics. The main reason for this phenomenon is a significant number of medical facilities in Thailand, which increases dramatically.
Excellent hospitality
Almost all clinics in Thailand combine medical facility and 5-star resort. Effective treatment and luxury vacation attract thousands of international patients.
Doctors’ experience
According to the Thai government declaration, the doctors, surgeons, and nurses have to undergo the training in the USA or Australia.
Over 500 Thai doctors are American Board Certified. Specialists in Thailand cooperate with their colleagues from the world’s best medical institutions. A lot of Thai experts contribute to medicine development and conduct research.
Specialized hospital services
There are a lot of healthcare facilities providing specific medical services. Specialized medical centers reduce the cost of medical tourism services in comparison with general hospitals.
The fact of specialized hospitals preference in Thailand is significant to know for those patients whose diagnosis is unknown.
Healthcare in Thailand for tourists
Plastic surgery
In Thailand medical tourism of plastic surgery is the leading specialty by the number of cosmetic surgeries performed. Thai hospitals provide package tours for cosmetic procedures. The tours include the diagnostics, operation, and recovery period on the beach. Thai doctors are the pioneers in carrying out sex change operations.
Most of Thai plastic surgeons have a great experience in performing a wide range of cosmetic operations. 300-500 plastic procedures carry out each surgeon every year due to medical tourism in Thailand statistics.
Dentistry
The 2nd main specialty of medical tourism in Thailand is dental one. The main reason for choosing dental medical tourism in Thailand is the low costs for the procedures. Australians and Europeans usually select Thai dental medical tourism due to the high quality of services and low prices. Dental implantation is the most popular procedure performed in Thai clinics.
Dentistry market in Thailand increases up to 20% annually. This phenomenon makes Thai medical tourism the most available and famous in the world. Over 1,000 dental clinics offer the access to the full range of procedures.
Single tooth implant cost in different countries:
Orthopedics
Orthopedics and traumatology take the 3rd place in the healthcare system in Thailand for medical tourists. This specialty develops dramatically due to the road traffic crashes in Thailand. Thai orthopedists are professional and highly experienced because they carry out therapy for thousands of patients with traumas and injuries every day.
About 2,000 orthopedic surgeons provide an effective treatment of locomotor system disorders. 12 Thai institutions have certification for orthopedic training.
Orthopedic medical tourism in Thailand statistics according to NCBI (The National Center for Biotechnology Information):
HIV and AIDS treatment
Thailand is the leading country in Asia and the Pacific Region with the highest prevalence of HIV infected persons. It is 9% of total HIV population of these regions. Due to this fact, Thai specialists develop new test, counseling, prevention and treatment programmes.
Thai specialists have contributed to development PMTCT (preventing mother to child transmission) program. Thailand is the 1st country in Asia and Pacific Region to decrease mother to child transmission.
95% is the success rate of PMTCT
Delivery services
Almost all hospitals in Thailand offer childbirth packages that cover the delivery services procedures. But if a woman faces some complications before or after the delivery, the price for the procedure may increase.
Future mothers choose Thai hospitals because of the high-quality services, doctors’ experience, and climate of the country. Healthcare services in Thailand combine with the luxury resort. The mild weather, exotic food, and comfortable wards turn the staying in a clinic into the vacation.
Some clinics may join you to some package without your consent. So after the arrival to the medical facility, ask doctors about packages in their hospital.
Except for the delivery procedure, the medical tour package in Thailand usually includes extra nursing care for mom and baby, emergency care for a child, and some drugs
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Bumrungrad Hospital
Medical vacations in Thailand
Thailand is a country of the mild climate and exotic nature that make staying in the country particularly enjoyable. Taking into account these advantages, the Thais have developed the new type of medical tourism.
Medical tourism in Thailand is not only a high-quality treatment but also a rest at the first-class resorts. Thai medical facilities look like 5-star hotels with beautiful beaches, unique Thai cuisine, and relaxing services. Massage, yoga, acupuncture, spa procedures are available at any hospital.
Medical vacations in Thailand help patients not only to relax after the treatment but also to shorten the recovery period.
Thailand medical tourism hospitals
Bumrungrad International Hospital
Bumrungrad Hospital consists of 30 specialty centers. The Medical Center has JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation that proves the high-quality standards of healthcare services and patients’ safety. Bumrungrad Hospital is the 1st Asian medical facility to receive JCI certification.
Bumrungrad specialists offer the advanced medical services at reasonable prices. The treatment is 50-70% lower in comparison with US hospitals.
Over 1.1 million patients undergo treatment in the Hospital. 520,000 of all patients are the medical tourists from 190 different countries.
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Bumrungrad International Hospital is a global medical facility in Bangkok, Thailand that specializes in oncology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, neurosciences, heart surgery, check-ups, etc. Over 1 million patients choose Bumrungrad annually. 50% of them are international ones from over 190 countries.
The hospital is one of the largest private centers in Southeast Asia and one of the most significant world’s outpatient clinics. Bumrungrad International is recognized as TOP-10 best hospitals and TOP-30 most technologically advanced clinics in the world.
| Liposuction | $5476.45 |
| Breast cancer surgery | $9700 - $15700 |
| Bone marrow transplantation | $137000 - $170000 |
| Septoplasty | $6370 - $7300 |
| Heart Valve Replacement | $33800 - $40000 |
Bangkok International Dental Center (BIDS)
BIDS specializes in the dental care services. It is one of the largest dental clinics in Thailand. Over 20,000 international patients undergo dental procedures in the Hospital annually.
The Center has accreditation of JCI (Joint Commission International) that controls the quality of medical services and doctors’ experience.
70 certified dentists provide treatment for patients from 43 countries.
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Bangkok International Dental Center (BIDC) is one of the largest and most reputable dental clinic in Thailand, treating over 20,000 worldwide patients per year according to the international standards and approved by JCI and ISO 9001:2008 UKAS. The list of provided treatment includes all possible dental care services from cosmetic dentistry to dental surgeries and dental implant replacements.
| All-on-4 Dental Implants | $8700.6 - $9860.68 |
| Composite Veneer | $145.01 - $174.01 |
| All-on-6 Dental Implants | $10730.74 - $13340.92 |
| Porcelain Veneer | $348.02 - $435.03 |
Medical tourism in Thailand cost
Procedure | the USA | Thailand | India |
Heart valve replacement | $160,000 | $11,000 | $10,000 |
Breast implants | $10,000 | $3,500 | $4,500 |
Hip replacement | $50,000 | $8,000 | $14,000 |
Tummy tuck | $8,500 | $3,600 |
The procedures costs given in the table are approximate. You may consult Bookimed medical doctor to find out exact price for the procedure you’re interested in.
Guideline for medical tourism in Thailand
Choose a right hospital
Bookimed medical doctors will give you additional information about the Thai hospitals and help you to choose the best one. To get the Bookimed consultation, you should submit a request.
Send medical records to Bookimed medical doctor
Only after learning your records, a medical doctor will consult you about the best hospital, doctor, and treatment option in your case.
Medical visa
You have to get the medical visa to undergo treatment in Thailand. There are 3 types of visas:
- 30 days tourist visa
- 3-month tourist visa
- 9-month tourist visa
The longevity of your stay in the country depends on your reasons for visiting.
Treatment
Bookimed medical doctor will consult and support you during the treatment process and after your arrival at home.