Health & Wellness / Tourism

Wellness/Tourism
Report: Chatrudee Theparat

Thailand medical hub: 5 billion baht spent on construction of Phuket Andaman International Health Centre

The government has given a greenlight to set up Phuket’s Andaman International Health Center in a bid to strengthen Thailand as a regional medical hub.

Deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul

Deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said yesterday the cabinet approved 5.11 billion-baht budget for its construction, proposed by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to build Andaman International Health Center.

The construction of Andaman International Health Center will be carried on between the fiscal year between 2023 and 2027. It will be the centre to produce skilled human resource in medical fields such as doctors, nurses, dentists, alternative medicine and pharmacists. It will also house international hospitals and international health and science colleges, research center on health, tertiary care, tele medicine and physical activities for aging people. Thai traditional herb and medicine products will be under its focus.

“The project is aimed to create more confidence with public and visitors in Andaman provinces in enhancing Thailand as a medical hub in the region and also follows the path of the country’s 20 years national strategy plan.”

The project hopes to earn at least 1.6 billion baht a year from foreigner’s treatment and additional tourism income 62 billion baht a year, up 10% from currently.

Thailand was ranked 18th on the Global Medicine Tourism Index (MTIX) on medical tourism index 2016-2017, thanks largely to its supporting factors like the country’s medical environment and strong wellness tourism. In addition, International Healthcare Research Center (IHRC) reported medical tourism is likely to grow by 14% annually which is in line with the forecast of 12% increase of foreign arrivals per year.

The ministry reported to the cabinet that a big success in handing Covid-19 pandemic reflected the potential of Thai public health system, which gave more credit to the country in the medical field.

In addition, six provinces along Andaman are prime location for Thai tourism industry. They include Krabi, Phuket, Phangnga, Trang, Ranong and Satun. On November 17, 2021, the cabinet approved in principle an economic and social development plan for six southern provinces along the Andaman Sea. The development plan covers 32 projects worth 9 billion baht. The project is part of the development plan among six provinces.

The cabinet had been authorized the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) to supervise the study on Phuket’s Andaman International Health Center plan, which is carried out by Prince of Songkhla University.