Medical Tourists Flock to Thailand
Visitors to Thailand first reaction is usually, ‘This doesn\'t seem like 3rd world country!\' Thailands new Suvarnabhumi Airport is one of the newest and largest in the world. Everything is shiny, new and first class. Just like their healthcare system.
Travel to Bangkok from the Airport is on one of two brand new multi-lane divided highways. One of the two highways is elevated about 60 ft about the ground for nearly 20 miles.
The skyline of The City of Angels, Bangkok \'s signature name, is spotted with artistically styled buildings designed by renowned architects. It comes as little surprise that there are world class hospitals staffed by some of the top specialists in the world.
The entrance to Bumrungrad International Hospital looks more like a 5-star hotel than a hospital. The front door is framed by massive cement pillars wrapped in chrome. Potted plants line the steps. Starbucks and Au Bon Pain, kind of an upscale Subway restaurant have stores in the lobby. My first reaction was that is is 10 times nicer than any hospital I had ever visited in the US .
The hospital is connected to two hotels by a sky bridge. They are available for international patients and charge rates similar to an upscale local hotel. Room rate run from about $75 per night for a room shared with 3 other patients all the way up to the Royal Suite which has a dining table that seats 8, its own kitchenette and a computer. There are sleeping accommodations for 8. The room with meals runs about $1000 per night.
Bumrungrad is the largest private hospital in South East Asia with 554 beds. They serve over 1 million patients a year, 400,000 of them are international patients. They have 65 different clinics in specialties ranging from plastic surgery to heart care. They even have a dental clinic. Bumrungrad employs over 900 doctors. 200 of them are US Certified.
Bumrungrad was the first hospital in Asia to achieve the Joint Commissions Accreditation. You will find services that equal and in many cases surpass the care you would find in the US at a fraction of the cost. Make sure you check it out in your search for medical care overseas.
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