Year long "Medical Visa" proposed to make Thailand top ten for Medical Tourism

[aqua4]

On 9/27/2019 at 8:38 AM, ezzra said:

suing for compensations in case of misdiagnosis, mistreatment and general malleffences by the medical profession and the hospital will get you very little if any at all

True, you could start a thread on that. 

[Redline]

Been saying this for a decade 

[cheeryble]

On 9/27/2019 at 8:34 AM, Pilotman said:

well they had better sort out the inconsistent and too high costs then, otherwise India will always be the first choice for many looking for high quality, cheaper medical services in Asia. The strong Baht is also not helping.   They may like to check on the qualifications of some of their so called 'consultants; too while they are at it. 

Agree with first two points, but think it is unhelpful to cast unfounded aspersions on consultants working without qualifications unless you have. Evidence of a  significant problem....more than an anecdote

[Pilotman]

26 minutes ago, cheeryble said:

Agree with first two points, but think it is unhelpful to cast unfounded aspersions on consultants working without qualifications unless you have. Evidence of a  significant problem....more than an anecdote

"Most doctors practice a medical specialty, though not all specialties are equally represented in Thailand.  For example, formal training in emergency medicine is still in its infancy and continues to develop into a specialization that Thai medical students can master."

 

This is a quote from a recent medical journal article on Thailand health care.  I don't normally bother to justify my opinions on a forum, they are just that, opinions and forums are just mildly entertaining outlets for information that people can take or leave as they wish. I make an exception here as this is good intelligence.  There are no medical specialism associations in LOS, such as the Royal Colleges in the UK. Doctors may interact informally, but there is no standards setting, checking of post grad qualifications, experience or competence.  Doctors here, even part qualified ones (yes, that is a status here), can specialise by just calling themselves a specialist and then self teach.  Some it is true have gone west to get formal qualifications, in say surgery, or general medicine, but the vast majority do not. I personally would not go to a 'specialist' here with any confidence that they were indeed consultants in a Western sense (that is with FRCS, or FRCP after their name, or comparable US qualifications). 

[SuwadeeS]

Medical dual pricing and rip off hopitals. A new business idea??

[featography]

On ‎9‎/‎27‎/‎2019 at 9:17 AM, BestB said:

Treatment in public hospital in Thailand is just as much if not more than in the West.

 

Yes, care is much better than in the West but it is still just as expansive .

 

Not sure which Arab countries , but know some treatment is paid by the government. 

 

Would one have to provide extensive medical history and treatment plan to get the visa ?

that's a croc

[cheeryble]

"Most doctors practice a medical specialty, though not all specialties are equally represented in Thailand.  For example, formal training in emergency medicine is still in its infancy and continues to develop into a specialization that Thai medical students can master."
 
This is a quote from a recent medical journal article on Thailand health care.  I don't normally bother to justify my opinions on a forum, they are just that, opinions and forums are just mildly entertaining outlets for information that people can take or leave as they wish. I make an exception here as this is good intelligence.  There are no medical specialism associations in LOS, such as the Royal Colleges in the UK. Doctors may interact informally, but there is no standards setting, checking of post grad qualifications, experience or competence.  Doctors here, even part qualified ones (yes, that is a status here), can specialise by just calling themselves a specialist and then self teach.  Some it is true have gone west to get formal qualifications, in say surgery, or general medicine, but the vast majority do not. I personally would not go to a 'specialist' here with any confidence that they were indeed consultants in a Western sense (that is with FRCS, or FRCP after their name, or comparable US qualifications). 

Points well made ...I’ve often wondered about post doctoral education here.


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[cheeryble]

So each medical tourist spent less than 9000 Baht (on average)??

Exactly what I was thinking.
Take off a few expensive procedures and the average must be the price of a massage.



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[Felt 35]

Yes, care is much better than in the West …..no punch intended to the poster but after two decades here that statement I still cant find justifiable. Which Western countries do we talk about and is better based as best on price and more service friendly beautiful nurses? Unfortunately do friendly,service minded and beautiful not cure illness. Btw, If healthcare and medical knowledge/research/ top of the range equipment is better here than in the West why is it so that any Thai with resources go abroad for serious illness/surgery?  

[Thaidream]

On 9/28/2019 at 4:44 AM, Number 6 said:

don't disagree with your sentiments but the amount of money to bring a spouse is far greater than 25k. Isn't it like 2.5x the poverty line or something like that?

Actually it is 125% of the US Federal Poverty rate and for 2019 for a family of 2- it is $21.138  and increases for each child.

 

One can use salary income; cash in the bank; stocks; bonds; as well as property assets (houses, autos).   As part of the requirement- the intended visa recipient can also use cash assets and also a co-sponsor can agree to sponsorhip (responsibility) for all or part of the requirement.

 

If Thailand had something like this- that would mean the Thai spouse could use their land value; money in the bank ; income from work as part or all of the sponsorship. At one time- several years ago- Thai Immigration allowed a Thai wife to count their income - but  then decided they would not allow it.

 

Thailand's whole Immigration scheme needs to be updated to include reciprocity for marriage Visas;  as well as some scheme to allow  under 50's to work remotely in Thailand as long as they have proof of the income and docs from the company paying them/

 

They  may want to consider  allowing payment for the elite Visa either on a monthly or yearly basis/