Panel Agrees to Promote Thailand as International Medical Hub

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - A government panel has approved five goals to promote Thailand as a global medical tourism destination.

 

According to Dr Sophon Mekthon, assistant to the public health minister, five health and medical objectives were agreed upon during a recent meeting of the panel overseeing the nation’s development as an international medical hub. Dr Sophon, who also presided over the meeting, said the first goal is to create an Andaman wellness corridor in four southern provinces to provide exceptional medical services and hot springs. Marketing, medical and research components will be organized by the Department of Health Services Support and other divisions.

 

The panel’s second objective is to launch a wellness industry under a green medicine and creative economy model, using cannabis and traditional herbs to provide medical services and treatments. Authorities will also offer courses on medical history and culture to local communities in order to attract domestic and foreign visitors.

 

Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe

 

The third goal is to enable people to access cannabis businesses using virtual reality technology, while the fourth goal is to provide world-class medical centers by submitting a list of high-potential hospitals to the Cabinet for consideration. Memoranda of understanding (MOUs) will also be established between international universities and local hospitals.

 

The panel’s fifth and final goal is to transform the country into an educational center that offers an internationally recognized curriculum in medical, traditional, and alternative medicine.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-13

 

- Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[Bluespunk]

9 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The panel’s fifth and final goal is to transform the country into an educational center that offers an internationally recognized curriculum in medical, traditional, and alternative medicine.

Perhaps sort out the educational system provided for Thailand's children first eh...

[Bluespunk]

12 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The panel’s second objective is to launch a wellness industry under a green medicine and creative economy model, using cannabis and traditional herbs to provide medical services and treatments. Authorities will also offer courses on medical history and culture to local communities in order to attract domestic and foreign visitors.

“I try to deny myself any illusions or delusions, and I think that this perhaps entitles me to try and deny the same to others, at least as long as they refuse to keep their fantasies to themselves.”

― Christopher Hitchens, Hitch 22: A Memoir

[ezzra]

Medical and wellness hub, where did i heard that before?.. these guys have run out of idea so they're re hashing old ones...

[billd766]

And where will they get the skilled and experienced doctors, nurses, ancillary staff and hospitals from? 

 

The only way would be to take them from existing hospitals, which will in turn  degrade the existing public health system.

 

It is a great idea but a long term one and if it is started now will work very well, in 5 or 6 years time.

[internationalism]

those 2.5mln medical tourists, who were coming yearly before covid, are gone somewhere else. 

Most probably already had treatments at their own countries. 

You can't wait for a hospital treatment more than a few months.

I would be difficult to get them back now, unless the government throws in some monetary incentives, like lowering taxes on private hospitals, so they would be competitive to the other countries. 

 

[alyx]

That is a very clever strategy

As a matter of fact this well thought masterplan was there all along, Greeting foreigners, for more than a year,  with a wonderful medical plan translating in a nice quarantine at "competitive" prices.

Mind you, if one is (was ?)  lucky enough to test positive, one is /was entitled to an even more attractive package,

Of course let's not forget how trouble free it is to be granted the well coveted pass: not only it will be a great hub but also restricted to a handpicked clientele 

[Soikhaonoiken]

Oh No, yet another hub,

Oh I get it now, the Tourist arrive, given a false positive Covid test, then whisked of to hospital,  so Thailand can call it a medical hub... silly me

[daveAustin]

The ole hubahubs has done the medical hub thing to death hasn’t it; time to move on to something else? How about hub of rules & regs? Oh wait!

[jacko45k]

2 hours ago, daveAustin said:

The ole hubahubs has done the medical hub thing to death hasn’t it; time to move on to something else? How about hub of rules & regs? Oh wait!

In the intervening years I have to wonder if Thailand is really the better option. I don't know that the standard is especially high, but for sure, the Thai better medical facilities, have become rather expensive and specialize in price gouging. 

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The panel’s fifth and final goal is to transform the country into an educational center that offers an internationally recognized curriculum in medical, traditional, and alternative medicine.

That's a big ask.... considering the basic education system now doesn't seem to be able to teach basic English beyond "I am fine and you"

[which would be needed for an international medical hub] 

[Pique Dard]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The panel’s second objective is to launch a wellness industry under a green medicine and creative economy model, using cannabis and traditional herbs to provide medical services and treatments

the pane's second objective will bring more clients or patients, if you prefer, and more money. i'm just guessing

[brianthainess]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The panel’s fifth and final goal is to transform the country into an educational center that offers an internationally recognized curriculum in medical, traditional, and alternative medicine.

I think India would be a far better choice.  Think movie 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.' 

[mikebell]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the nation’s development as an international medical hub.

Rule 1 - allow wild dogs to roam: spreading diseases (including rabies); causing accidents to fill the new hospitals; spreading refuse and faeces; biting children.