Bangkok Hospital Medical Centre is now offering full-service apartments for the families of medical tourist who travel to Thailand for medical help.
In the latest move to up the ante in the increasingly competitive market of international medical care, the hospital says the apartments -- complete with cooking facilities -- will make it easier for families to travel to Bangkok for treatment. Rates start at $77 (US) a night for a studio. The apartments are located within the hospital complex, making visitations easier.
Bangkok Hospital serves almost half the 1.2 million medical tourists who visit Thailand each year. It also offers complimentary visa extensions, should a patient's hospital stay extend longer than expected.
Meanwhile, Bangkok's other major international hospital, Bumrungrad, has posted a notice on its website in the wake or recent political turmoil there asking and answering the question, "Is it safe to travel to Bumrungrad now?" Their answer:
We believe it is. The recent political demonstrations are taking place in another section of the city and have not impacted our hospital’s operations nor access to our hospital from the airport or from nearby hotels. We agree with advisories issued by some embassies recommending that visitors to Bangkok avoid the areas where demonstrations are taking place. However, we know of none of our international patients who have been impacted by these demonstrations.
The fact that they felt the need to address the issue, however, shows one of the risks of medical tourism: it can involve travel to less-stable countries for care.
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