Bangkok is a modern and bustling city of 7 million inhabitants and Thailand’s capital of government, commerce and the Monarchy. Bangkok is also the global capital of medical tourism with over 1 million medical tourists per annum.
Thailand is located in the center of the Southeast Asian region. The average daily temperature in Bangkok ranges from 78 degrees (23C) to 86 degrees (28C) with the winter months being cooler and dryer. The cost of living is favorable: food is reasonably priced, hotels are generally priced at about 50% to 75% of comparable US levels and it is very inexpensive to travel by taxi. Thai is the official language, although English is widely spoken in all major hotels, restaurants and shops frequented by overseas visitors.
Thailand underwent rapid economic development beginning in the 1980s. From 1985 to 1995, Thailand enjoyed the world’s highest economic growth rate averaging 9% per year. Thailand’s 2005 Gross Domestic Product of $560 billion ranks 21st in the world. Some of the largest industries include electronics and computer manufacturing, automobile production and tourism. Thailand has a low unemployment rate of 1.8%.
Thailand’s healthcare infrastructure has been in place since prior to World War II. Thailand’s private healthcare sector began a period of rapid development in the 1980’s. There are currently over 100 private hospitals and medical centers in Thailand. Thailand is one of the leading global providers of medical care for overseas patients with over 1 million medical tourists per year.
The Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun, as seen from the Chao
Phraya River in Bangkok at night.
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and its surrounding area is the major urban area of Thailand with a population of over 7 million. Bangkok is a culturally diverse city that developed along the Chao Phraya River and is dotted with modern skyscrapers and historic Buddhist temples. The city itself is the headquarters to most of Thailand’s financial and corporate institutions as well as the seat of government and the Thai Monarchy. In addition to local inhabitants, there are approximately 100,000 foreign expatriates that live and work in the greater Bangkok area. Bangkok is generally thought of as one of the world’s leading cities.
One of Thailand’s top private medical centers located in Bangkok participates in Medical Tourism International’s Network. Bangkok Hospital Medical Center is located approximately 5 miles (8 km) from the city center. A detailed description of this medical center is contained in the next section.
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