Report Thai Hospitals Brace for Economic Impact Amid Global Challenges

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand’s hospital industry is bracing for the impact of a sluggish economy in the latter half of this year, driven by global uncertainties, according to Bangkok Hospital, part of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services.

 

Economic pressures stem from geopolitical conflicts such as tensions in the Middle East, particularly the Israel-Iran situation, and the effects of US trade policies under President Trump. These factors are expected to further strain Thailand's economy, noted Dr Kriengkrai Hengrussamee, director of Bangkok Hospital.

 

With the Thai economy slowing, consumer spending is becoming more cautious. Dr Kriengkrai anticipates that the hospital sector will begin to feel the effects of the stagnation from July onwards.

 

Moreover, Bangkok Hospital is monitoring the territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, though its 200-bed facility in Phnom Penh, focused on non-complex treatments, has not yet been affected.

 

Despite a new trend in some Middle Eastern countries to encourage domestic healthcare, Bangkok Hospital has not experienced significant repercussions. Instead, the hospital is shifting its focus to attract patients from China, India, and the Nordic nations, seeking to capitalise on these growing markets.

 

Dr Kriengkrai highlighted that the patient ratio at Bangkok Hospital is currently 130 Thai to 50 foreign patients, with Thai patients contributing 55% to the total revenue. The hospital aims to increase its revenue by 10% by 2025, leveraging its specialised cancer and heart treatment services.

 

Recently, the hospital introduced advanced surgical techniques for heart disease, aiming to enhance its service offerings. Last year, Bangkok Hospital reported earnings of 16 billion baht, underscoring its significant role in Thailand's healthcare landscape.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-18

 

 

[dinsdale]

Oh no! The horror. The filthy rich private hospital owners won't be making as much money. Guess they'll have to up their charges.

[Ohyesuare]

Hospitals should not be a for-profit industry.

[John Drake]

2 hours ago, Ohyesuare said:

Hospitals should not be a for-profit industry.

 

Don't you ever see their "you may have cancer" ads on Facebook. I do all the time.

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Guess they'll have to up their charges.

 

And up the number of diagnoses.

[BangkokHank]

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Dr Kriengkrai highlighted that the patient ratio at Bangkok Hospital is currently 130 Thai to 50 foreign patients, with Thai patients contributing 55% to the total revenue

So there are over 2 1/2 times as many Thai patients as there are foreigners, but they only contribute 55% of the revenues. That means that foreigners are paying a lot more per patient than Thais. Why should that be the case at a private hospital?