Published on May 13, 2005

Thailand is looking to attract two million foreign patients for medical services over the next five years.

That figure was revealed yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who said the good reputation of Thai doctors would help the country achieve its ambition to become a regional medical service centre within that period.

Speaking at a seminar at Ramathibodi Hospital, Somkid said there was plenty of potential to achieve the goal because Thai doctors were respected around the world. Foreign patients regularly come to Thailand to receive medical care, he said.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has already identified the medical sector as one to be promoted internationally to boost foreign earnings.

Somkid said the government would allocate a budget to fund research and development to upgrade medical services in Thailand. However, with other countries in the region, particularly Singapore and India, also seeking to become hubs for medical care, Somkid said Thailand would have to ensure it provided the very best services possible.

He suggested that Mahidol University lead research efforts to ensure the country keeps pace with the latest developments in technology and treatments from around the world. – The Nation

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