Medical tourism now has been a growing segment of Thailand's tourismand the health care sector is relying on a policy from government totake the country into a medical hub in the region.

The Thaigovernment has recently worked out a strategy, to be implemented untilyear 2016, for the development of Thailand into a medical focalpoint. The strategy involves four major areas: medical treatment, healthpromotion, traditional Thai medicine and alternative medicine, andhealth products, especially Thai herbs.

TheMinistry of Public Health was assigned to work in an integrated mannerwith various relevant agencies, included the Tourism Authority ofThailand (TAT), in implementing this policy. The main objective is toencourage health establishments in Thailand to raise the standardsof their services at all levels.

Another objective is to enhance thecompetitiveness of Thailand , as the country has several strengths interms of experienced health personnel, modern facilities and equipment,hospitality, excellent services, and reasonable prices.

There are 28 hospitals in Thailand accredited the Joint CommissionInternational Accreditation, the highest number of this prestigiousinternational standard in Asia . The country is also widely recognisedby various international institutes as the spa capital of Asia .

Statistics of Thailand ’s Ministry of Public Health show that, in2012, foreign visitors sought medical services here on more than twomillion trips. Popular health services include medical check-ups,cosmetic surgery, transsexual surgery, dental care, orthopedic surgery,and heart surgery.

Medical tourism generated 65 billion THBin 2010 (over 2 billion USD). The earnings rose to 97.8 billion THB in2011 and 121.6 billion THB in 2012.

The Thai health andwellness tourism sector is expected to be worth 2 trillion THB by 2014,combining both domestic and international revenues.-VNA