Medical tourism: Thailand's Covid response seen as key to reestablishing medical hub

 

Picture: RYT 9

 

Thailand's DPM and health minister Anutin Charnvirakul and tourism minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn joined with other health authorities ahead of a 5 day conference to be held at Icon Siam next month that will focus on the country as a hub of medical tourism.

 

Anutin said that Thailand was seen as convenient, safe and clean and offered exceptional service to tourists wanting to avail themselves of the country's medical facilities. 

 

In the wake of the pandemic the authorities are pressing ahead to reestablish the kingdom as a leader in the field. 

 

They hope that Thailand - recognised for its Covid-19 response - will be in a strong position to do just that. 

 

In 2019 before the pandemic struck, there were well over ten million visits associated with medical tourism.

 

They brought in 450 billion baht that represented 15.6% of that year's total tourism revenue. 

 

"Thailand Travel for good health 2020" will be held from 9th to 13th December at Icon Siam, Bangkok. 

 

Source: RYT 9

 

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Does Pipat and Anutins appearance reassure anyone enough to do a medical procedure? 

 

 

 

 

 

I would recommend that they go beyond “medical tourism” and court US retirees that are below the age where they qualify for Medicare.  Not only is the healthcare better here (from my own personal experience...YMMV) but the insurance premiums substantially less than what one would pay in the US.  The lower cost of living is an added bonus.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Medical tourism: Thailand's Covid response seen as key to reestablishing medical hub

'Thailand's Covid response'    Despite not one of the ten people in the photograph wearing a mask.

 

Edited December 1, 20205 yr by bluesofa
grammar

They want to have medical tourism when they can not get a vaccine for it's own people for more than half a year from now and a vaccine that is not as good as moss vaccines.  Those in charge should be ashamed of themselves..  Bet the government leaders will be the first to get the vaccine.

Medical HUB,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Last week it was called "Medical Superpower"

 

Why would anyone bother ??  You would have to do 2 weeks  quarantine in a hotel, ten go for a consultation, then wait for the procedure, then a week in hospital. go home and do 2 more weeks in quarantine. Thats over 5 weeks off work !  Cheaper and safer to do it at home now

 

Personally think they should give up on health care and invest more in old age retirement care homes. According to Yahoo, average care homes in the uk are £27-35,000 a year - pretty sure that would go much further in Thailand.

Better take care of that covid outbreak that came in from Myanmar first. I admit it has me concerned

Edited December 1, 20205 yr by Emdog

22 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Personally think they should give up on health care and invest more in old age retirement care homes. According to Yahoo, average care homes in the uk are £27-35,000 a year - pretty sure that would go much further in Thailand.

There are some being built Hua Hin for example I think one in Patt’s 

2 hours ago, Mango Bob said:

They want to have medical tourism when they can not get a vaccine for it's own people for more than half a year from now and a vaccine that is not as good as moss vaccines.  Those in charge should be ashamed of themselves..  Bet the government leaders will be the first to get the vaccine.

How do you suggest that they get whats not yet available and how do you arrive at six months? Who says its not as good and how do you know that the Government are first?

 

Apart from that, I agree with you. Oh hang on, ........

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

Personally think they should give up on health care and invest more in old age retirement care homes. According to Yahoo, average care homes in the uk are £27-35,000 a year - pretty sure that would go much further in Thailand.

Your last two lines. ????

That would depend on what the main owners/shareholders need to drive.

2 hours ago, Mango Bob said:

They want to have medical tourism when they can not get a vaccine for it's own people for more than half a year from now and a vaccine that is not as good as moss vaccines.  Those in charge should be ashamed of themselves..  Bet the government leaders will be the first to get the vaccine.

How do you know any of the vaccines are any good? Because they tell you so????

They've hardly been tried and tested!!!!????

Unless your medical needs were so Urgent that they could not possibly wait, why choose Thailand for your Hip Replacement Etc.

India has equally as good ( maybe better ) Hospitals, and is much lower in price compared to Thailand.

Unfortunately, India is in the grip of a major Covid Outbreak and Thailand is not, but as I said if not urgent just wait out a while.

I scratch my head when I read some of the rose coloured dribble on here.  I like and used both Thai Private and Government hospitals. My findings were that private hospitals were just very expensive clinics who sent all their problems/complex procedures to the government hospitals. I found the government hospitals to be far better and have the cream of the medical profession there. However, to compare them to my own country is just bizarre and not even in the same league. Insurance in thailand is very expensive and not a guarantee they will pay. A friend had his hospital bill refused saying the hospital was to expensive and he should have went to a cheaper hospital (he went to the nearest hospital where he had an asthma attack). I had it sorted by going to the companies HQ in London. Then dont even get started on the government sanctioned price gouging of westerners and non thai, what is it 3, 4 or 5 pricing structure depending on colour or creed, in any other country it's called racism.  I'll stick to the British Free NHS where I get my free medicine every month at the end of a phone call. 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Anutin said that Thailand was seen as convenient, safe and clean and offered exceptional service to tourists wanting to avail themselves of the country's medical facilities.

It just goes around in never ending circles, bubble tourism, wealthy individuals, island retreats, low Covid cities, medical tourism.... then back around again.

4 hours ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Does Pipat and Anutins appearance reassure anyone enough to do a medical procedure? 

 

 

 

 

 

Possibly a pedicure. on "Fido"

Donate a kidney, pay a huge deposit on a condo, leave a substantial amount of money in a bank for 5 years you may qualify for a work permit.

I found a paper  https://www.cmaj.ca/content/186/1/E1

2014

 

"The Ministry of Public Health claimed Thailand received 2.5 million medical tourists last year, but medical tourism directories, like Novasans.com, consider the true number to be fewer than 700 000 patients."

 

and now 10 millions ?

 

"In 2019 before the pandemic struck, there were well over ten million visits associated with medical tourism. "

I thought Thailand was already a world famous medical hub..

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Anutin said that Thailand was seen as convenient, safe and clean and offered exceptional service to tourists wanting to avail themselves of the country's medical facilities. 

long time the "wise" one didn't make a silly comment, here it is now.... did he not see the latest news, he's a deadbeat

 

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5 hours ago, webfact said:

Anutin said that Thailand was seen as convenient, safe and clean and offered exceptional service to tourists

on another post.... they really have their act together 555

 

The Minister said that Thailand’s plans to re-open the country to tourism would now have to be revised due to these recent cases.

2 hours ago, Emdog said:

Better take care of that covid outbreak that came in from Myanmar first. I admit it has me concerned

If it can't be contained successfully, then watch out. Esp. now as people get more relaxed.

That's great news. Really great!

Now, how do they get in????? Answers on a postcard please.

This is a <deleted> shoot, the MFA, rejected me though I qualified and was one step away ... wait for it... I was coming from the USA and this was in Aug. They only took people from " certain" countries. Even though I was CV-19 free and was going to de 2 weeks quarantine in the hospital.

they better revise their re-opening strategies.... better safe then sorry, it's starts too look to familiar

 

 

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4 hours ago, bluesofa said:

'Thailand's Covid response'    Despite not one of the ten people in the photograph wearing a mask.

 

masks would have hided their beautiful smiles 555

4 hours ago, bluesofa said:

'Thailand's Covid response'    Despite not one of the ten people in the photograph wearing a mask.

 

or social distancing

Apparently some of your may not be aware but you can spend your quarantine at a Certified Covid-19 Hospital for very reasonable prices AND they can start your medical checkup while you’re in quarantine.  If you were unaware of this, hence lies the problem with the government‘s marketing strategy.  They seem to be leaving it up to other to do their own marketing when they’re the face of the country.  There’s an old saying... If you want to keep a secret, don’t tell anyone.  It will remain a secret.  It seems that the lack of information brought forward by the government is this issue to attracting tourists.  They’re just not equipped to handle this by themselves.  “Build it and they will come” only happen’s in the movies.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

focus on the country as a hub of medical tourism.

The land of smiles welcomes you. 

First get your Covid Test

Second Get your Certificate of Entry
Third Get Visa if Applicable

Fourth pay exorbitant flight charges due to limited passengers

Fifth land in Thailand and get Covid Test
Sixth take shuttle to hotel/hospital for quarantine for 14 days

Seventh then go to hospital/doctor for treatment.

Seems like people around the world will be standing in line to get such welcoming treatment.