Bangkok Airways spreads its wings into health sector

One of the centres will be located on the grounds of a golf course next to the entrance of Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The airline recently bought the golf course for Bt500 million.

It is also negotiating to buy a plot of land on the banks of the Bang Pakong River in Chachoengsao province for the second wellness and rejuvenation centre, while the third will be built next to Samitivej Hospital on Srinakarin Road in Bangkok.

Thavatvong Thanasumitra, executive vice president for finance, said the three projects were part of the company's diversification programme into the rapidly growing rejuvenation and wellness businesses.

"These areas will complement our core businesses in aviation and healthcare," he said, adding that negotiations were under way with foreign investors wishing to participate in the development of the Bangkok and Chachoengsao centres.

The 40-year-old Bangkok Airways group also owns the Bangkok, BNH and Samitivej hospital brands.

President and CEO Prasert Prasarttong-osoth said he hoped diversification into the wellness centres would help attract more foreign visitors to Thailand for medical and other services.

The centres will provide services like surgery, anti-ageing medicine and holistic approaches to healthcare and well-being.

The company is also planning similar centres in China and India.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Airways, which also operates Koh Samui Airport, is turning the popular resort island into a new tourism aviation hub, with direct links to Hong Kong and Singapore. Later, Bali, Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur will be added to the direct service to Koh Samui.