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"If the hospital doesn't take action against the crisis, its revenue from now until the middle of next year will drop at least 10 per cent," Kritawit Lertusahakun, head of administration, said yesterday.

The hospital revised its business plan to shore up its patient base both domestically and internationally after the world economic crisis broke out, sending tourism spending and industrial investment down by 30 per cent.

The group operates the Bangkok Pattaya, Bangkok Rayong, Bangkok Chanthaburi and Bangkok Trat hospitals.

The group this year has cut operating expenses and medical equipment procurement in order to secure quality instruments at affordable prices. That let the group reduce medical service fees and room charges by 15 per cent and 40 per cent respectively from a year ago.

Unnecessary investment as well as medical personnel exchanges have also been suspended until the first quarter of next year. That saved the group 8-10 per cent in operating expenses for the first 10 months of this year.

After medical service fees were lowered early this year, the number of outpatients in the first half increased by 18 per cent year on year, while inpatients rose by 15 per cent. Although revenue per patient has fallen by 15 per cent, overall revenue has picked up by 18 per cent from the increase in patient numbers.

"Although the group's profit has declined from last year, the number of patients has increased. It is our marketing policy to change the group's image on pricing," Kritawit said.

The group will continue its medical tour packages in order to penetrate foreign markets, particularly some of the Middle East and Western countries that have been immune to the global economic crisis.

The group has set next year to become the private hospital hub of the eastern region. The group will increase its efficiency in specialties such as cerebropathy, surgery and physical therapy. Besides, it will set up a patient transit centre to serve nearby hospitals.

The group's expansion from the central hospital to the Eastern Seaboard will slow down from early next year until mid-year due to the economic situation, Kritawit added.