Bangkok: Thailand has long been a favorite destination for travelers from all over the world, thanks to its beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, vibrant cultural heritage and always-on-the-go cities. But there is another facet of Thailand that now attracts many visitors to the Southeast Asian country every year: cutting-edge healthcare.
A growing number of visitors are drawn to Bangkok, not only because of the ancient temples and bustling markets of the Thai capital, but because of the promise of world-class medical treatment.
Thailand has emerged as a global hub for healthcare seekers, offering a unique blend of traditional hospitality and modern medical expertise – and the pursuit of health is intertwined with the rich fabric of Thai culture.
Rajeev Rajan, chief business development officer at Bumrungrad International Hospital, told Arab News that quality of care and earning patients’ trust are key concerns for staff.
“A patient who wants to travel to Bumrungrad can (simply) send us an email with a medical report. We take that report and provide them with an expert opinion with the cost of everything upfront.” “Once the patient receives the appointment confirmation, they provide us with their flight details. When The patient lands, is met at the aircraft gate, and escorted through our express immigration counter. We also have a free shuttle service every 15 minutes from the airport to the hospital or to a nearby guest house.
The patient is usually admitted to the hospital the next day, where Rajan said there is a support team of more than 170 people who speak Arabic. A team member will accompany the patient throughout his treatment. Many doctors also speak Arabic.
The hospital also provides prayer spaces and halal food options for Muslim guests. Rajan explained that the hospital also maintains close contact with relevant embassies, offers visa extension services, and provides dedicated desks for medical liaison from diplomatic missions.
Of the 1.2 million patients Bumrungrad receives each year, Rajan estimates that 50% are from abroad, and about a quarter are from the Gulf region.
Rajan said that the hospital will soon open a coordination office in Riyadh, and noted that the ministries of health in both Thailand and Saudi Arabia are holding discussions about technical cooperation opportunities.
Rajan said that Thailand received 50,000 visitors from Saudi Arabia in the last four months of 2022, and he expected the total number for 2023 to reach about 250,000 to 300,000.
“If you look anywhere in Europe (or anywhere else in the West), it is expensive,” Rajan said. “Thailand is very close. The flights are affordable, and the destination itself is very affordable. This may be one of the only destinations where it is 100% safe, has halal food, mosques, beaches… so it's a culturally relevant ecosystem.”
In Bumrungrad, Arab News also interviewed Khalaf Al-Otaibi, a 55-year-old from Riyadh, who came to the hospital for treatment.
“Once I got here, it took less than 10 minutes to see my doctor. Their services are great. They respect their patients. They explain everything in detail, and the doctors (really listen) to what you say,” Al-Otaibi said.
Jiroth Sriratanapan, associate dean for planning and development at Chulalongkorn University College of Medicine, told Arab News that his university is the oldest medical school in Thailand.
“We are working closely with King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, affiliated with the Thai Red Cross Society,” he said, adding that the hospital is the only site in Thailand that provides proton therapy for cancer patients.
Tanupol Virunhajaron, CEO of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, which operates 58 hospitals across Thailand and Cambodia, said health and wellness was an increasingly important factor in people's travel plans.
“Our patients usually come twice a year to check their body fat and blood levels. Those from Arab countries are mostly interested in advice on longevity, anti-aging, weight loss and sexual health,” he said.
“In our clinic, we pay attention to physical, mental and even spiritual health, because we believe that to have a healthy body, you must have a healthy mind. This is how our clinic differs from the hospital; we do a lot of preventive medicine here,” he added. “We want people to check in.” their health before they get sick.”
