Private healthcare in the West is notoriously expensive, for some, prohibitively so. Commonplace medical items like dentistry or health check ups are high-priced, while surgery and major operations can completely bankrupt many individuals. Thus, the rapidly-growing practice of traveling across international borders to obtain healthcare.

Many have found their solutions in Thailand, spurring a trend in “health tourism” within the country. Why Thailand? Because the Thai medical profession is one of the most advanced in the region. Thailand’s hospitals and clinics are world class. Investments in equipment and management standards are so high that major hospitals are “internationally accredited”.

The following are some “ball park” cost comparisons. The cost of surgery can be one-tenth of what it is in the United States or Western Europe, and sometimes even less. A heart-valve replacement that would cost $200,000 or more in the US, for example, goes for $10,000 and that includes round-trip airfare and a brief vacation package. Similarly, a metal-free dental bridge worth $5,500 in the US costs around $500. A knee replacement in Thailand with six days of physical therapy costs about one-fifth of what it would in the US. Lasik eye surgery worth $3,700 in the US is available for around $730. In the US cataract surgery for one eye runs around $8,000, but at a prestigious International hospital in Thailand cataract surgery can be performed on both eyes for around $2,500. Cosmetic surgery savings are even greater: A full facelift that would cost $20,000 in the US runs about $1,200. A thorough dental cleaning and checkup runs around $10.00.

Tourists are drawn to Thailand for many reasons – tropical beauty, splendid beaches, and a fascinating culture. Now however, health is yet another reason that lures visitors to the kingdom. Thailand has become the spa capital of Asia. The country abounds in health clubs and spas, and offers an incredible amount of sporting activities, everything from golfing to scuba diving, and from biking to cave exploring.

Thai Airlines features what is known as Royal Orchid Holidays. Medical checkups, has become so important, Royal Orchid Holidays has added medical checkups to its package tours. It’s an unusual theme for a package tour, perhaps, but a very practical one, giving travelers the opportunity to have a comprehensive medical checkup while they are in Thailand for business or pleasure. Quality healthcare combined with a tourism holiday at a low price attracts patients from all over the world.

On the medical side, an Internet search of the International hospitals in Bangkok will provide all the information necessary regarding medical procedures available and the related costs. While the list is long, to start, your search should include the popular Bumrungrad Hospital, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej Hospital, and Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital. They are all internationally accredited hospitals.

On the tourism side, Thailand is known as The Land of Smiles. It is often referred to as the most exotic country in Southeast Asia. In Bangkok a visit to the Grand Palace is a must see. Trips to a floating market or to the Bridge on the River Kwai, or other popular destinations, are easily arranged and inexpensive, even with a personal driver. A short flight or overnight train trip and you can be enjoying the pristine beaches in the Southern Islands or the Northern mountains with its waterfalls, elephants bathing in mountain streams, and Hill Tribe villages.

Consider Health Tourism in Thailand. You will readily see that you can have a medical procedure, and a wonderful holiday, all at less cost that you would have paid for the medical procedure alone in the West.

“Many hotels have already extended their promotions introduced some months after the closing of the two airports in Bangkok late last year,” Thai Hotel Association president Prakit Chinamourphong said yesterday.

Occupancy is heading down to 30 per cent this month (Thailand Holiday Homes is not!)- half of the 60-per-cent rate seen last April, he said.

Instead of hotels private self catering villas in Pattaya enjoying a customers all around the world, with a perfect location, no surcharge, no hotel restrictions and private swimming pools.

Niramon Makornpruttipong, regional manager for administration and member-support services at Best Western International, said the hotel chain was offering 20-40-per-cent discounts at all of its properties in the Kingdom for the rest of the year.

Like other players, Best Western is also throwing in more amenities.

Erawan Group president and CEO Kasama Punyagupta said the impact of the recent riots was like that of the airport blockades last year.

“Hotels have been running 50-60-per-cent full, which is 10-15 percentage points off last year’s level,” he said. “Over the next four weeks, this most recent political unrest will no doubt put pressure on hotels’ occupancy rates in a similar pattern as to what happened after the airport closures.”

The recently opened Le Meridien Chiang Mai is reportedly cutting room rates more than 50 per cent in order to draw tourists.

The Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort is selling a holiday package to locals and expat residents for Bt2,199 net per room per night. (We are still cheaper on average occupancy levels)

The deal includes daily breakfast for two, a 20-per-cent discount on food, 30-per-cent off of spa treatments and 20-per-cent less for airport transfers. This offer also comes with various stimulating recreational activities.

The Ambassador Hotel Bangkok is offering three nights of accommodation for the cost of two until October, while the Zeavola Resort on Krabi’s Koh Phi Phi is offering a complimentary choice of a 60-minute massage for one or two persons per stay until June.(Big deal!)

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) yesterday announced a new campaign called “12 months, 7 Stars, 9 Suns” to boost domestic tourism all year round.

TAT chairman Weerasak Kowsurat said the TAT’s board was reviewing if it would change the advertising agency for foreign markets from McCann, as well as the marketing theme. He said some foreign tour operators had stopped selling packages to Thailand. (That could be good news?)

To allay possible concerns over the recent swine-flu scare in Mexico, 21 TAT offices worldwide have issued a statement on Thailand’s precautionary measures, using this opportunity to buff up the Kingdom’s tourism image.

Today, Tourism Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa will present a tourism rescue package that includes insurance coverage for foreign tourists and preventive measures against the flu.

Following the Songkran riots, 29 countries and territories issued travel alerts for Thailand. Only three – France, Italy and Hong Kong – have downgraded their warnings.