Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID

Couples seek in vitro fertilization defying high costs and stringent quarantine

JASON TAN, Contributing writer

 

More than 300 Chinese travelers eagerly await a visit to Thailand for the kingdom's "medical and wellness program". (Source photos by Reuters and Akira Kodaka)

 

BANGKOK -- More than 300 Chinese travelers eagerly await a visit to Thailand for the kingdom's "medical and wellness program," despite facing three coronavirus tests, two weeks of quarantine and 500,000 baht ($15,800) in costs just to enter the country.

 

A woman from the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen has already paid a Bangkok hospital part of the fee for in vitro fertilization, a process in which eggs are fertilized outside of the body.

 

"Our plan to have a baby has been put on hold due to the pandemic," said the woman, who gave her name as Mo. "My mother-in-law urged me to go to Bangkok as soon as possible before the Thai government reverses its policy. I am not putting any bet on Thailand to fully open its tourism to foreigners any time soon."

 

Full story: https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Health-Care/Thailand-attracts-hordes-of-Chinese-patients-despite-COVID

 

-- © Copyright Nikkei Asian Review 2020-07-23

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

"My mother-in-law urged me to go to Bangkok as soon as possible before the Thai government reverses its policy"

 

Bloody hell never realised your bog standard Chinese person person was au fait with the Thai Govt penchant for flip flopping and complete lack of any forethought....

 

Money number one!!

Never mind your covid lets just feel your wad????

Hordes...normally associated with 100 of thousands or more but in Thailand 300 qualify for the title!

3 minutes ago, Grumpy John said:

Hordes...normally associated with 100 of thousands or more but in Thailand 300 qualify for the title!

 

Times sure are tough

22 minutes ago, Grumpy John said:

Hordes...normally associated with 100 of thousands or more but in Thailand 300 qualify for the title!

Maybe they meant "hordes" of cash?...

Edited July 22, 20206 yr by ezzra

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

and 500,000 baht ($15,800) in costs just to enter the country.

 

If you need $15K to get in I'll leave returning for a while

1 hour ago, webfact said:

More than 300 Chinese travelers eagerly await a visit to Thailand for the kingdom's "medical and wellness program," despite facing three coronavirus tests, two weeks of quarantine and 500,000 baht ($15,800) in costs just to enter the country.

I would say that is a clear indication regarding the quality of chinese medical practice.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID

Headline should read 'because of COVID'

The Chinese will do almost anything to escape China at the moment.

There are lots of Chinese in Chiang Mai desperate not to have to go back.

Our new quality tourists. Good job, TAT!

It will be interesting how TAT will interpret and promote this. (300% increase in medical tourism despite covid?)

How many of them are Chinese spies? Their filthy tentacles are spreading everywhere!

2 hours ago, Grumpy John said:

Hordes...normally associated with 100 of thousands or more but in Thailand 300 qualify for the title!

I agree. These types of inaccurate and sensational headlines for many stories are grasps for readership, ultimately resulting in a further loss of media credibility.

9 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

How many of them are Chinese spies? Their filthy tentacles are spreading everywhere!

Does Thailand have anything to spy on?

44 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Does Thailand have anything to spy on?

 

44 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Does Thailand have anything to spy on?

For me it does,usually speeding down the highway at a blinding 30 kilometer per hour pony tail waving,on a Honda wave or scoopy.

Edited July 23, 20206 yr by Silent Number

47 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Does Thailand have anything to spy on?

The Elusive Mama Cup Recipe...and can pay off the cops if they get caught doing it...also Snail White cream

"The Golden Horde 2.0", tho hordes just ain't what they used to be

8 minutes ago, Emdog said:

"The Golden Horde 2.0", tho hordes just ain't what they used to be

Nor is that Ole Grey Mare....what she used to be...that is....I concur

Sums up the Hypocrisy!  Medical tourism is ok because of money! Anyone need to return for family reasons have all sorts of bureaucracy !

300 - hordes.

 

50 - a surge.

 

Such is journalistic licence.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients

next line: 300 people

 

looooooooooooooooool

 

there is no IVF in china ?

 

 

infertility ... nobody interested how come it became a problem ?

 

mostly insulin resistance -> PCOS for women -> ...  naaaahhhhhh

 

in my home country, it is FREE for lesbian & other couples, tax payer sponsored... no need to check for overweight, diabetes, etc...

Edited July 23, 20206 yr by Bender Rodriguez

6 hours ago, Matzzon said:

I would say that is a clear indication regarding the quality of chinese medical practice.

Yes indeed and I am not surprised:-

 

8 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Headline should read 'because of COVID'

The Chinese will do almost anything to escape China at the moment.

There are lots of Chinese in Chiang Mai desperate not to have to go back.

I m curious as why you think people would like to escape China at the moment. China is pretty safe, same as Thailand. And as I know lot of chinese people living outside of China, it s the opposite, they can not wait to go back especially the ones in the US now.

Chinese chinese or HK refugees fleeing the CCP?

3 hours ago, Bender Rodriguez said:

next line: 300 people

 

looooooooooooooooool

 

there is no IVF in china ?

 

 

infertility ... nobody interested how come it became a problem ?

 

mostly insulin resistance -> PCOS for women -> ...  naaaahhhhhh

 

in my home country, it is FREE for lesbian & other couples, tax payer sponsored... no need to check for overweight, diabetes, etc...

IVF in China cost 3 times the price as in Thailand.

Edited July 23, 20206 yr by thaichina
typo

spitoons will be pleased at their return

Doesn't matter. It won't save Prayut. Only his army will keep him in power.

Geez who thought this scam up...what a circus!...and a rip off...on top of that...more babies to an already over crowded country

 

300 is hordes ???

 

Why does it cost 500,000 baht for the Chinese to enter Thailand. Is that to purchase the Elite Visa?

 

Allowing people who purchased the Elite Thai visa to enter before people with retirement visa may be Thailands attempt to get “quality” tourist with money.