REPORT - BALI - PATA TRAVEL MART: Every year, more and more international tourists and business people are flocking to Thailand every year to avail of preventive and curative treatment at some of the world’s best hospital and wellness centres according to Thailand`s Tourism Authority.

Taking full advantage of their high standards and relatively low costs, Thai spas, hospitals, medical clinics and wellness centres are marketing themselves worldwide as perfect places to handle everything from a straight medical checkup to major heart surgery.

Most of the hospitals are staffed with overseas-trained doctors and a specialist who can ensure that communication is no barrier.

Demand from various target markets has also led many hospitals and wellness centres to hire personnel who are fluent in at least a second language other than Thai. The national airline Thai Airways International (THAI) also packages medical check-ups as part of its Royal Orchid Holidays programme.

Foreign expatriates, executives of international corporations and embassy staff will all attest to the excellence of hospital treatment here and to its comparatively low cost.

Other hospitals are forging links with local tour operators to develop and market new products and services that will allow patients and their families to take a holiday in Thailand after treatment is complete.
One hospital has a department especially for foreigners, staffed with multi-lingual interpreters, highly trained nurses and doctors. Currently, more than 100 nationalities benefit from the excellent international medical standards and the personal service that the hospital offers.

The wide ranging facilities include:

• Assistance in International and Thai health insurance;


• Liaison service for embassies, international institutions and organizations;


• Assistance on preferential room rates at local hotels;


• Catering of special diets;


• International and local evacuation;


• Repatriation services, led by our team of international qualified Aviation Specialists;


• Free consultation and medical advice through the Internet.

The quality of in-patient accommodation is also being upgraded with a complete range of accommodation facilities to meet the needs and budgets of all patients, from standard rooms to royal suites.

Rooms are equipped with cable television with a wide range of channels, and guest sofa-beds for the convenience of friends and family who would like to stay along with the patient (this is categorically not allowed in Western hospitals)

Rooms also have their own microwave oven, fridge, personal safe and Internet access. Another hospital has also made arrangements to take care of visa extensions in case an over-stay is necessary.

At present, the cost of getting a medical check-up in Thailand is a fraction of what it costs in more developed countries. At Thailand `s more than 400 private hospitals, standards are high and costs are extremely competitive.

Little surprise then that large numbers of visitors decide to undergo surgery in the Kingdom as part of their stay.

Thailand also excels in the quality and diversity of its spa offerings. Thai spas really do have it all variety and value framed in a perfect blend of Western leisure concepts and traditional Asian well-being therapies. Value for money is an added plus. A harmonious blend of cultural heritage and destination diversity makes Thailand an infinitely attractive spa destination.