1 December 2002

Thousands of medical tourists flock to Thailand’s hospitals

The number of visitors to Thailand was still expanding, but many were now coming for a reason other than sight-seeing—namely, high-quality healthcare at a fraction of the cost at home.

Medical treatment, with the added bonus of tropical beaches nearby, was proving an enormous draw for the already growing tourism industry.

Many top private hospitals employed foreign-trained doctors using modern equipment, offering visitors a cheap alternative to long lines or haggles with insurance firms at home. Thailand was now attracting patients from the US, Middle East and Europe as the cost of a consultation in Thailand was generally less than $10.

1 December 2002

Thousands of medical tourists flock to Thailand’s hospitals

The number of visitors to Thailand was still expanding, but many were now coming for a reason other than sight-seeing—namely, high-quality healthcare at a fraction of the cost at home.

Medical treatment, with the added bonus of tropical beaches nearby, was proving an enormous draw for the already growing tourism industry.

Many top private hospitals employed foreign-trained doctors using modern equipment, offering visitors a cheap alternative to long lines or haggles with insurance firms at home. Thailand was now attracting patients from the US, Middle East and Europe as the cost of a consultation in Thailand was generally less than $10.