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Posted

image.jpeg

Bumrungrad International Hospital | File photo courtesy of Wikipedia


Thailand is diving into medical and wellness tourism to tackle slow economic growth amid global uncertainties. With a focus on medical tourism, manufacturing, and eldercare, the nation aims to boost its economy, according to Messe Düsseldorf Asia, a global trade organiser.

 

These sectors are set to expand the domestic market by 5.5 to 7% annually, while exports are expected to rise by 6.5 to 7.5% each year. See Lay Eng, from Messe Düsseldorf Asia, emphasises Thailand's strategic position in Southeast Asia for medical innovations, benefiting from government support and international cooperation.

 

ASEAN is emerging as a hotspot for medical and wellness tourism, with Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore at the forefront. These nations attract visitors by offering affordable, high-quality treatments and holistic care.

 

In 2024, Thailand's medical tourism market was valued at over 15.2 billion Thai Baht, projected to grow by 15% annually, potentially reaching 45.6 billion Thai Baht by 2035.

 

The domestic medical device market is expected to grow by 7% yearly, with exports increasing by 7.5%. Thailand stands as a major exporter in ASEAN, especially in consumables and diagnostic equipment.

 

Messe Düsseldorf Asia is gearing up for the 2025 Medical Fair Thailand, starting 10 September at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre. The event will showcase cutting-edge medical technologies and foster business interactions.

 

The National Innovation Agency is boosting medical tech development among local businesses, directing 70% of financial support to startups and 30% to small and medium enterprises, says Krithpaka Boonfueng, the agency's executive director.

 

Despite local advancements, Thailand imports over 2.1 trillion Thai Baht in medical devices annually, notes Termsak Sirikirin from the National Metal and Materials Technology Centre. This dependence stems from limited investment in research and development and support systems.

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-23

 

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Posted

I guess Americans might see life insurance in their own country as useless if they can get cheap healthcare in a third world country.

 

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Posted
29 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Better to look to other countries as it's western prices here now 

 

Yes, looking at prices at international hospitals, 15.2 billion baht doesn't seem that much, but a big chunk probably paid for hotel-like facilities and the large number of staff...

Posted

Health care in Thailand is becoming increasingly expensive for foreigners.

 

For most expats, apart from Americans, health care "back home" (apart from dentists) may be cheaper than in Thailand, especially for the elderly, retirees or those receiving government social security/welfare benefits.

 

For example, as a retiree in Australia, the maximum I would pay for filling a medical prescription would be about Baht 160.

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Posted
4 hours ago, webfact said:

image.jpeg

Bumrungrad International Hospital | File photo courtesy of Wikipedia


Thailand is diving into medical and wellness tourism to tackle slow economic growth amid global uncertainties. With a focus on medical tourism, manufacturing, and eldercare, the nation aims to boost its economy, according to Messe Düsseldorf Asia, a global trade organiser.

 

These sectors are set to expand the domestic market by 5.5 to 7% annually, while exports are expected to rise by 6.5 to 7.5% each year. See Lay Eng, from Messe Düsseldorf Asia, emphasises Thailand's strategic position in Southeast Asia for medical innovations, benefiting from government support and international cooperation.

 

ASEAN is emerging as a hotspot for medical and wellness tourism, with Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore at the forefront. These nations attract visitors by offering affordable, high-quality treatments and holistic care.

 

In 2024, Thailand's medical tourism market was valued at over 15.2 billion Thai Baht, projected to grow by 15% annually, potentially reaching 45.6 billion Thai Baht by 2035.

 

The domestic medical device market is expected to grow by 7% yearly, with exports increasing by 7.5%. Thailand stands as a major exporter in ASEAN, especially in consumables and diagnostic equipment.

 

Messe Düsseldorf Asia is gearing up for the 2025 Medical Fair Thailand, starting 10 September at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre. The event will showcase cutting-edge medical technologies and foster business interactions.

 

The National Innovation Agency is boosting medical tech development among local businesses, directing 70% of financial support to startups and 30% to small and medium enterprises, says Krithpaka Boonfueng, the agency's executive director.

 

Despite local advancements, Thailand imports over 2.1 trillion Thai Baht in medical devices annually, notes Termsak Sirikirin from the National Metal and Materials Technology Centre. This dependence stems from limited investment in research and development and support systems.

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-23

 

image.gif

 

image.png

 

What are they doing different now that they weren't doing years ago? Thailand has promoted medical tourism since forever

 

Bumrumgrad it's practically as expensive as Western hospitals. It might be fine for those living in MENA, but no alternative for Western Nations population.

 

That's not to say that there isn't some value to be had in other hospitals and clinics around Bangkok

 

I find unforgivable is that expatriates living in Thailand presumably can be taxed on the money they bring in for medical care.

Posted

Thailand really isn't any cheaper than even the United States when you factor in the fact that whether the physician or hospital stands behind the work or not it is virtually impossible to sue for malpractice, botched surgery and certainly to receive just compensation.

 

So, 30% off Western procedures (cost of malpractice insurance) comes to about the same price as top tier medical procedures in Thailand

 

There's a way to do this except the the physicians and hospitals and Thai government don't really want to. Therefore, this is just another ridiculous announcement that has been made numerous times before that will go nowhere

Posted
2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

People in Thailand should seriously consider India, 2 hours away, far cheaper, packages available, I would investigate for sure if I needed something serious

 

India is a total hassle for visas. The online site looks totally dodgy as well.

 

They also take a massive amount of money on ATM pulls. Like 2.5% + something else. Further, there is a peg to the US dollar which is not anywhere aligned with reality

 

I trust the top hospitals, but the place is a filthy mess.

 

* I've spent probably the better part of two years in the country and probably two and a half on the subcontinent

Posted
3 hours ago, Jone500 said:

I guess Americans might see life insurance in their own country as useless if they can get cheap healthcare in a third world country.

 

Thailand is not a third world country 

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Posted

Thailand is betting on everything, in the medical tourism race there are many competing, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. Vietnam is one to watch as it is gaining in popularity and as a country they are focused on their goals and well organised.

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Posted

A lot depends on where you have treatment done in Thailand --- I just wanted to check on my PSA last week, took some other tests with it---but the PSA blood test at the Udon Thani  hospital....was 240 baht. 

A few years ago I think I posted on here --I had a Stomach bleed lost quite a bit--wasn't in great shape---and with all my medical knowledge  (Zilch) I convinced myself that I must have needed a  stent, because a friend had one ---so went to the  Queen Sirikit heart Hospital in Khon Kean --which is the best heart hospital in Issan , often has the heart surgeons from BKK doing and observing operations there ---anyway they picked it up immediately and put me in hospital for 4 nights + 3 or 4 bags of  blood -- everything just under 15 K baht.

 

I know some BKK hospitals are quite reasonable-- go to Sheryl to find out where.

 

 

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Posted
42 minutes ago, hanbla said:

Thailand is not a third world country 

 

Where we live it is, looks like a shanty town with broken roads lots of soi dogs and wild monkeys

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