Thailand's hospitals have been overwhelmed by growing numbers of medical tourists since the government introduced smart visas, enabling people from Myanmar, China, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam to stay for 90 days rather than 30. Dr Phusit Prakongsai, a senior adviser to the Thai government's health ministry, predicted international medical tourists will reach around 40 million in 2019, compared with 1.4 million in 2012. Prakongsai called on officials to control costs in both the public and private health sectors to ensure quality of service.
Thailand's hospitals have been overwhelmed by growing numbers of medical tourists since the government introduced smart visas, enabling people from Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam to stay for 90 days rather than 30. Dr Phusit Prakongsai, a senior adviser to the Thai government's health ministry, predicted international medical tourists will reach around 40 million in 2019, compared with 1.4 million in 2012. Prakongsai called on officials to control costs in both the public and private health sectors to ensure quality of service.