Thai government targets Phuket to become international medical tourism hotspot

[webfact]

 

By Panithan Onthaworn

 

Thailand will develop Phuket into a world-class medical tourism centre, after the success of the Phuket Sandbox programme in light of new travel trends during the Covid-19 era, the government said on Thursday.

 

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the Phuket Sandbox, the country’s pilot plan to welcome foreign visitors, has paved the way for the resort island to become a medical tourism hub in the future.

 

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“Phuket Sandbox is an excellent example of tourism working successfully alongside public health precautions,” said Thanakorn, adding that the programme has generated tourism income over 50 billion baht so far. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/39080/thai-government-targets-phuket-to-become-international-medical-tourism-hotspot/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-31

 

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[Sharp]

Yep guessing the Tuk Tuk drivers will assist with hospital admissions ????s

[Pedrogaz]

I think the mad desire to rip off tourists and not provide value for money will cause this to fail.

 

I wasn't aware that the sandbox was such a huge success that one would want to copy it.

[Guderian]

What is this strange technical term I see, "hotspot"? Why isn't Phuket set to become an international medical tourism hub, surely that's the gold standard in Thailand?

[hughrection]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thailand will develop Phuket into a world-class medical tourism centre

Wait! What! ........ no Hub?!!!!!!

[Paul Henry]

To have an International Medical hub requires Medical Specialists and huge infrastructure as well as numerous well trained support staff. Who and why would these people want to migrate to Phuket when they can earn BIG money in a major city like Bangkok. What the sandbox joke has to do with it is beyond me. Sounds like another rush of blood to the head. Maybe they are the ones who need medical treatment.

[Millcx]

555555555555 More like Top spot for Medical Rip-off … Thailand has Fallen

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand will develop Phuket into a world-class medical tourism centre, after the success of the Phuket Sandbox programme in light of new travel trends during the Covid-19 era, the government said on Thursday

That's subjective.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, hughrection said:

Wait! What! ........ no Hub?!!!!!!

Yet to materialise.

[Cake Monster]

52 minutes ago, Paul Henry said:

To have an International Medical hub requires Medical Specialists and huge infrastructure as well as numerous well trained support staff. Who and why would these people want to migrate to Phuket when they can earn BIG money in a major city like Bangkok. What the sandbox joke has to do with it is beyond me. Sounds like another rush of blood to the head. Maybe they are the ones who need medical treatment.

And add to this the fact that Thailand is not competitive any longer for Medical Tourists.

India is way better and much cheaper than Thailand now for example.

 

[MrJ2U]

The madness continues.

[shackleton]

Would have thought Bangkok was already known as a world class international Hub for Medical tourism especially from the Middle East 

Bumrungrad being a prime example

[digger70]

Dream on 5555

[StevieAus]

1 hour ago, Cake Monster said:

And add to this the fact that Thailand is not competitive any longer for Medical Tourists.

India is way better and much cheaper than Thailand now for example.

 

How is India better?

Have been dealing with Chiang Mai Ram for about eleven years and cannot imagine how you could get a better standard of treatment anywhere.

[mran66]

Keep the double arrival tests with departure test skipped sure helps with this Hotspot hub target. Forced Hospitel business 10k baht a night for the unaware! 

[TheScience]

My first thought is... because they're aren't enough scams already on Phuket. My second thought was yet another hub? My third was...so...they expect the best physicians in Bangkok to uproot their business for some pie in the sky government hub scheme that involves the non existent tourism sector replete with all sorts of covid hassles.

 

My final thought was this is old news and had been previously announced which means it went nowhere initially.

 

Pathetic

[Peterphuket]

Does the government have nothing better to do than invent these kinds of things, day after day, month after month, year a....never mind, I already know the answer.

[wwest5829]

Yes. It would be an uphill political battle with the vested medical interests in the USA, but I encourage the Kingdom of Thailand to press full court on the international level medical care in Thailand. A golden opportunity? Making a healthcare treaty with the USA (and others) to be recognized to utilize their national healthcare programs to treat retired citizens in Thailand. Cite the cost savings, and again the international standards of care. In the case of the USA, Thailand care is recognized for treating US military retirees … promote the equal medical treatment coverage for US retirees on Medicare (retirees). And equally promote other nationalities to be treated here in a Thailand covered by their national healthcare programs.

[itsari]

I am sure after two years of the COVID pandemic here in Thailand there is a need of a shot in the arm for the medical business.

[Purdey]

This is an excellent idea. If you want to avoid somewhere “like the plague” it is good to know where the plague resides.

[John Bird]

International Hub of Scams would be much more appropriate. 

[NorthernRyland]

How was the sandbox successful? Didn't I read recently that government officials predicated 70% of Thais already contracted COVID?

[Lucky Bones]

This wishful thinking story could have had a modicum of credibility to the untrained eye.

But then 50 million baht of revenue is mentioned, without mentioning who benefitted.

More self back slapping propoganda drivel and an opportunity to get your name/photo out there.

[Scouse123]

8 hours ago, hughrection said:

Wait! What! ........ no Hub?!!!!!!

They are "mulling" it over!

[Scouse123]

8 hours ago, Paul Henry said:

To have an International Medical hub requires Medical Specialists and huge infrastructure as well as numerous well trained support staff. Who and why would these people want to migrate to Phuket when they can earn BIG money in a major city like Bangkok. What the sandbox joke has to do with it is beyond me. Sounds like another rush of blood to the head. Maybe they are the ones who need medical treatment.

+1

 

Totally agree!

[Scouse123]

One thing that amazes me about the government, TAT, CCSA, Ministry of health. etc

 

If these guys aren't trying to obtain monies by cheating or hair brained ill thought out schemes,, the rest of their working day is taken up by talking about money. That is all they do, they are obsessed by talking about money.

 

They also then try to boast about sums of money earned through their sandbox schemes and test and go schemes when they have just been complete abject failures.

 

Nobody takes them to task! .........Not even a red face!

[wombat]

OK then...own up.

Who in Govt has been watching Snake Pliskin movies and decided Phuket could be sealed off?

[wombat]

8 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

They are "mulling" it over!

Isn't that what people do with weed?

[David T Pike]

Being that any spine surgeons worth his weight are in Bangkok. I think I'd pass....

[Felt 35]

Again????