There has been one consistent bright note among all the hardships endured by Bangkok in recent times — the anti-government “Red Shirt” uprising, the economic crisis, the swine flu fears — and that is the continual rise of medical tourism that has brought forth visitors from near and far.
While the reasons for the steady increase in medical tourism are manifold, there are four major factors at play — cost, waiting lists back home, taking time off and discretion. Long waiting times for surgery means that patients are increasingly looking overseas for a cheaper alternative to private treatment in their own countries. In addition, the very thought of announcing to colleagues that you are having time off to have a facelift, is too cringing for many — it’s far easier to simply mention that you’re going on vacation, where, neatly, you can factor in recovery time.
Steven Lash CEO of Satori World Medical ( www.satoriworldmedical.com), a U.S.-based medical travel company that regularly sends patients to Bangkok, says, “The hospitals in Bangkok are some of the highest quality in the world, meeting or exceeding U.S. standards. We are proud to have three of the highest-quality hospitals in Thailand in our network. All of the patients we have sent to these hospitals have given us excellent feedback on their procedures and their experiences at the facilities.”
Whether patients are travelling for dentistry, plastic or orthopaedic surgeries, it may seem surprising that they are willing to journey to a far-flung country, away from the security of friends and family and the comforts of home. Yet, to undergo surgery at one of the luxury hospitals in Bangkok, such as the BNH Hospital ( www.bnhhospital.com), is to receive five-star treatment at significantly lower costs. With a long list of credible testimonials from fellow countrymen (and women), patients feel safe in the knowledge that excellent English is spoken, good service is given and a long track record of success has been proven.
BNH Hospital is located between Silom Road and Sathorn Road in the centre of the city. Care has been taken to ensure that the landscape is cool and peaceful — lush green trees and foliage separates the hospital from the frenetic city beyond its gates. However, as with everywhere in Bangkok, contrasts are close at hand and the hospital is only a short distance from the infamous Patpong red-light district — where every night is party night and tawdriness rules supreme.
Assuming that travellers who visit Bangkok for medical reasons are unlikely to be in search of go-go dancers, the best locality to get some R&R is Convent Road (or Soi Convent, as it is known), which is where the BNH Hospital is based. This road is a comparatively quiet street where those who are recuperating can wander in the evenings to absorb the rich atmosphere and scents of spicy Thai soups and incense. To take a seat at one of the local restaurants here, and to watch life go by, is an experience that is irredeemably Bangkok.
Post-treatment, or in order to settle any nerves, a visit to nearby Ruen Nuad is recommended. In this tiny massage studio set in a wooden house, friendly ladies treat customers to traditional Thai foot massages, aromatherapy remedies and homemade fruit juices. Popular with locals and tourists, there is a spa-like atmosphere without the high prices. Farther along, past the tiny shop fronts that jostle for space, is the Wine Connection store ( www.wineconnection.co.th), where Bangkok’s best selection of international wines can be bought.
Only a short distance away, is DC One Bangkok ( www.dc-one.com), which from the street looks more like a chic café or a spa than a dental clinic. It is run by the elegant Dr. Yupares, named by British newspaper The Telegraph as one of the “top 10 therapists in the world”. Many Canadians, Europeans and Americans enter the consulting rooms here eager to leave with better smiles or to fix problems that they could not afford to put right at home.
For a homely place to stay that is relatively close to DC One, Baan Pranond Bed & Breakfast ( www.baanpranond.com) is recommended. This luxury guesthouse is an old colonial mansion with heaps of charm, making it a perfect stay for those who wish to immerse themselves in Thai culture. For a more classic hotel experience try staying at the fabulous Metropolitan ( www.metropolitan.bangkok.como.bz). Here, you can re-energize at the Glow restaurant, which offers “Shambhala wellness cuisine” — rich in enzymes, vitamins and minerals — perfect for those who are feeling a bit bruised and tender.
To commit to airfares, accommodation, medical bills and time off is a big decision to make. Yet it seems for many, the benefits and savings out-weigh the risks and cost. There is something to be said for recuperating in a city where surgery is less taboo, and where you can gently drift around a royal temple or two in the warm sunshine. Pair this with the thought of convalescing at an exotic Thai spa, or with the opportunity to flash your new smile in one of the city’s super-sleek bars, and it is no wonder that medical tourism is big business in Bangkok.