I'nesian medical tourists targeted

Porntip Makornpan, director of TAT's Singapore office, which also oversees the Indonesian market, said the agency had invited two Indonesian actresses, Febby Febiola and Terry Putri, to promote Thai medical tourism in their country via television ads.

"The TAT expects to have 256,000 Indonesian tourists by the end of this year, an 8-per-cent increase from last year," said Pontip. It also plans to set up an office in Jakarta in 2010 in order to draw more visitors from Indonesia.

Porntip said the agency, with top hospitals such as Bumrungrad International, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej and Rama 9 Hospital, as well as spa operators, is planning overseas roadshows.

Surapong Ambhanwong, chief medical and international business officer of Phyathai Hospital, said Thai hospital operators were now becoming more popular among foreigners.