The world-class facilities of the Piyavate Hospital in Bangkok have been attracting a growing number of patients looking for affordable top-quality medical treatment.

With costs six times lower than in Japan and three times lower than in Singapore, medical care for foreigners has become a key component of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s economic growth program. With its strategic location, excellent equipment, highly skilled staff and Western-trained doctors, Thailand is increasingly becoming Asia’s medical hub.

In the capital, Bangkok Hospital and Bumrungad Hospital enjoy the most international prestige. But, a new hospital, backed by a veteran in medical care, has been increasing its profile in this burgeoning field of medical tourism.

The Rajthanee Group, which owns more than 20 hospitals in the country, launched the 400-bed Piyavate Hospital as its flagship facility geared toward international patients. Of all its patients, 50 percent are foreigners or expatriates, the majority of whom are from Europe and the Middle East.

When it takes six months for a Briton to secure an appointment for an MRI ( Magnetic Resonance Imaging), highquality care and prompt medical attention elsewhere becomes the preferred option. This is one need that Piyavate Hospital fulfills. Then, there are patients from the United States and China, where costs can be as much as 10 times higher because of the absence of universal medical care.

Piyavate Hospital Chairman Dr. Boon Vanasin

‘‘When international patients come to Piyavete, they are very impressed at how they are treated. Naturally, they miss their homes, so we try to make them feel comfortable by personalizing their treatment and environment, all at a cost much lower than what they are used to. In terms of value for money, Bangkok really is the best,’’ points out Dr. Boon Vanasin, chairman of Piyavete Hospital.

Despite its lower costs, Piyavate has not compromised on the quality of its care and treatment. It has tied up with many prestigious hospitals in the U.S. (including the University of Massachusetts, The Mayo Clinic, The University of Chicago, and Stanford University) wherein they send doctors to Piyavate several times a year to hold consultations, conduct operations and teach. And, half of its staff have earned Ph.D.s. or internships in the U.S.

Like in most industries, reputation and connections differentiate the winners from the losers. And in this new sector, The Rajthanee Group does not cease to impress.

‘‘The Sheik of Kuwait, who is the chairman of OPEC, just received treatment here. We focus on high-profile people because, through these patients, we secure more future international patients.

Connections, after all, are very important in this field and in this part of the world,’’ says Vanasin.

Although primarily a hospital, Piyavate intends to become a medical research center in ASEAN, just like The Mayo Clinic in the U.S. To achieve this goal, according to Vanasin, Piyavate’s doctors should be trained by foreign specialists on state of the art procedures in complex fields such as cancer care. As proof of its dedication to research, Piyavate Hospital was recently selected to stockpile the bird flu vaccine in Thailand.

Despite its strong commitment to advanced medicine, Piyavate has not dismissed its belief in alternative medicine. The group is building a 20,000-sq.-meter medical spa (the largest in Bangkok),

which will offer Chi Gong, meditation, natural anti-ageing and chiropractic services that, Vanasin believes, will attract many Japanese patients

‘‘Our hospital does not have translation and food services that Japanese patients are looking for. We know, however, that the Japanese appreciate alternative medicine. Our medical spa will be completed in a year’s time. By the end of it all, it will be one of the largest and most wellequipped medical spas in the world,’’ he says.

www.piyavate.com