No visa pain for medical tourists

BANGKOK, 8 February 2013: Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health says medical visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, accompanied by up to four people, will be eligible for a visa-free stay of 90 days, up from the present 30 days.

The visa-free stay will cover the six GCC countries — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Public Health Minister, Pradit Sintavanarong, said the Thai government will officially announce the new rule, 22 February, in an effort to build the country as a medical hub.

“Medical patients from the six Gulf States who seek medical treatment in Thailand will be exempt from visa requirements and allowed to stay in the kingdom for up to a maximum of 90 days.”

The new regulation will be applicable to the patient’s family members and escorts, but limited to four persons.

Medical tourists  must produce an appointment letter issued by a Thai hospital, a financial statement and other relevant documents to gain the visa-free extended stay.

“Initially, it will apply to GCC , but we hope to expand it to medical tourists from Scandinavia, Russia, Japan, China and ASEAN.”

According to the ministry, in 2012  over 2 million medical tourists visited Thailand — 60% were on pre-arranged medical trips — and they generated Bt121,658 million in revenue.

Health checks were the most popular medical service representing 18% of all visits, following by cosmetic surgery (14%), dental (11%), orthopedics (10%), and cardiac surgery (7%).

Currently, Thailand has 24 hospitals recognised by accreditation boards in the United States and 11 have been approved for specialised treatment of heart disease, breast cancer, strokes and kidney disease.

Sourced: TTRweekly