Medical tourism surges as 60% of Bangladeshi travellers to Thailand seek treatment: Envoy

Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh Thitiporn Chirasawadi has underscored the growing importance of medical tourism from Bangladesh to Thailand, noting that a significant number of Bangladeshi patients have chosen Thailand as a trusted destination for healthcare over the years.

"The embassy processes approximately 9,000 visa applications per month, of which around 60% are for medical purposes. Based on this estimate, nearly 65,000 Bangladeshis travel to Thailand annually for medical treatment," the envoy shared the recent data at a press conference today (11 April) at a Dhaka hotel, organised by MedPark Hospital in Bangkok.

Describing the figure as substantial, the ambassador reaffirmed the embassy's commitment to supporting Thailand's healthcare sector, while clarifying that its role is not commercial but facilitative.

She said the continued flow of patients reflects strong trust and confidence in Thailand's healthcare system, built on consistent quality, professionalism and positive patient outcomes.

The ambassador added that medical tourism plays an important role in strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries, and Thailand remains committed to further enhancing this cooperation.

She stated that overall visa applications have grown significantly, with around 800 to 1,000 applications being processed daily during peak seasons.

She said Thailand transitioned from a manual visa system to an e-visa system in early 2025, which initially caused delays due to system adjustments and high application volumes. However, the process has now become more efficient, she stated.

According to the ambassador, the standard processing time for a medical visa is up to two weeks, which she described as reasonable given demand, and travellers were advised to apply at least two weeks before departure.

She noted that urgent medical cases are handled on priority, with the embassy maintaining close coordination with hospitals in Thailand to ensure patients requiring immediate treatment receive swift assistance beyond standard timelines.

MedPark Hospital alone receives thousands of Bangladeshi patients annually.

The 550-bed multidisciplinary MedPark Hospital is ranked among the world's leading healthcare institutions in Newsweek's "World's Best Hospitals" list, recognised for clinical outcomes, patient experience and medical innovation.

With a LEED Gold-certified facility and globally renowned specialists, the hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) and is widely known for managing complex and high-acuity medical conditions.

Kazi Sharhan Saif, manager, international marketing (Bangladesh and South Asia), MedPark Hospital, said the hospital alone receives thousands of Bangladeshi patients annually, while many more seek treatment across Thailand, adding that the Bangladeshi patient segment has grown by nearly 300% year on year.

He also said hospitals in Thailand regularly introduce tailored treatment packages to make healthcare more accessible for international patients. MedPark Hospital is currently offering a 25% discount on health check-ups for Bangladeshi patients as part of a promotional initiative.

Speakers at the event included Dr Virat Pinyopornpanit, an internal medicine specialist, Dr Yongyut Kongthanarat, a radiation oncologist, and Dr Waiwit Sanguanwongwan, an orthopaedic surgeon.

MedPark Hospital operates a dedicated help desk for Bangladeshi patients with more than 10 Bangla-speaking coordinators and also maintains referral offices in Dhaka and Chattogram to support medical coordination, travel arrangements and continuity of care.