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Published on November 15, 2007

Bangkok Helicopter Services will provide the first helicopter emergency service in Thailand and the region.

Managing director Puttipong Prasartthong-osoth said the company had invested Bt250 million in helicopter and medical equipment. The helicopter alone cost Bt240 million.

He said the company aimed to serve mostly local patients and expats under insurance coverage. It is also targeting VIP persons, medical assistance, and tourist and emergency evacuation.

Average service rate is Bt120,000 an hour, which is higher then other operators due to its special medical services.

"We expect to operate 700 hours in the first year and hope for revenue of Bt72 million," said Puttipong.

He said a new EC145 helicopter by Eurocopter was ordered from Europe and the engine was made by Turbo-mecca in Ger-many. This helicopter is highly efficient, with a maximum speed of 268 kilometres per hour and maximum range of 680 kilometres without the need to refuel.

The large cabin and high

ceiling are appropriate for medical equipment including patient stabilisation, treatment and advanced life-support.

Bangkok Hospital Medical Centre CEO Chatree Duangnet said two helicopter landing points, at Bangkok Hospital and Bangkok International Hospital, would provide point-to-point patient transfer and all the suitable medical equipment needed in order to stabilise and give medical treatment to patients in time.

The faster patients are transferred to a hospital, the better chance they have to recover, Chatree said.

The medical team is comprised of certified and experienced aviation physicians and registered nurses with experience of critical care and emergency nursing. All crew members are trained in trauma, cardiac, neonatal, obstetrics, paediatrics, burns care and laboratory skills.

The service includes on-site patient stabilisation and treatment, air ambulance providing point-to-point patient transfer and all suitable medical equipment. The helicopter will be

able to cover all provinces in Thailand and neighbouring countries in Indochina along with maritime areas.

The Bangkok Hospital Medical Centre comprises four hospitals: Bangkok Hospital, Bangkok Heart Hospital, Wattanosoth Hospital and Bangkok International Hospital.

Suchat Sritama

 The Nation