Medical Services Due to the government project to promote the country as the Medical Hub of Asia in 2003, Thailand is now one of Asia’s prestigious destinations for tourists with medical purposes, following great efforts made by both the public and private sectors to develop their expertise and seeking for the latest technologies to offer the best medical services to patients. Now, most international hospitals in Thailand have achieved international standards and their medical services are ranked among the best in the world. And many Thai hospitals have been approved for Hospital Accreditation by organizations such as ISO 9002, ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14000 and ISO 18000. International hospitals in Thailand are ready to welcome foreign visitors whether they come for a regular routine check-up or immediate surgery to treat a serious illness. Under an annual two- week vacation patients can arrange for a knee or hip replacement operation at the start and spend the first week recovering in hospital, and during the second week they can enjoy the beautiful scenery or walk along the soft sandy beaches. Apart from comprehensive malady treatments, private hospitals in Thailand have also earned a great reputation for eye corrective surgery, dentistry, and cosmetic surgery to enhance people’s beauty. Normally these treatments are not covered under medical insurance policies in most countries; so, Thailand is the best place for undergoing the treatments with great value for money. Thailand’s private hospitals have modern laboratory prognoses, equipment and all latest medical technologies such as Gamma Knife Brain Surgery or CABG and Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI scans to serve the needs. Also there is an emergency 24-hour service, which is providing ambulances or helicopters to transport patients if necessary. For your utmost convenience, most top private international hospitals offer online appointments and communication service. Language is no longer a barrier for our patients; most hospitals provide English-speaking nurses and interpreters for various languages to assure that patients understand all procedures. Why Thailand? Aside from well-trained physicians and excellent treatments, Thai hospitality with friendly and compassionate manners never fails to impress any newcomers. Together with international standards for treatments, patients will surely obtain a first-class service during their stay. A medical trip to Thailand can turn your stressful medical treatment into the most impressive vacation you have ever had. Many people may realize about Thailand’s incentive low medical expenses comparing with countries in Europe and America (though costs of treatment should not be prioritized when determining your health care). In fact, international hospitals in Thailand offer advanced medical services at reasonable prices. People who suffer from serious illnesses around the world no longer wait in a long waiting list to have an operation or be frightened with exorbitant costs of treatment in their homelands. Here in Thailand’s international hospitals, the costs of treatment are usually 4 to 5 times lower than in Europe or America, you do not only save thousands of dollars, but can also combine your treatment with an attractive vacation in our charming landscape. Facilities in private hospitals in Thailand are of international standards. It will make you feel more like staying in a five-star hotel with a relaxing environment instead of hospital, typically cable TV, private bathroom, fridge, and telephone are provided for your convenience. International hospitals in Thailand are not only located in Bangkok, but scattered in all tourist cities such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Ko Samui, and Phuket to bring patients closer to our various natural resources and tourist facilities. While staying in hospital, you stay only a short distance away from the fascinating tourist attractions where your post-procedure discomfort will instantly be eliminated. According to the data of the Office of Export Services, Department of Export Promotion, from its survey of 40 private hospitals having high potential to serve foreign patients in Thailand, the numbers of foreign patients receiving medical treatments in these private hospitals have increased in recent years. For example, in 2007, it rose to 1.37 million, an increase of 3.14% over 2006. The percentages of foreign patients in Thailand classified by nationality are as follows: Japanese 17%, Americans 10%, Southeast Asians 6%, British 8%, Emeratis 7%, and other Asians 8%. Today, Thailand is the destination not only for vacationers, but also for those who want to have cost effective medical services. With world-class medical facilities and specialists, and warm hospitality of hospital staffs, patients from all around the world come to Thailand's leading private hospitals to get medical treatments which cover health checks, optical services, dental services, rejuvenation and skin care, knee or hip replacement, face lifting, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation or reduction, ear and digital hearing aid, etc. __________________________________________________________