Thailand & UAE – Strengthening bonds

There is no denying the fact that Thailand thrives on tourism, but this time we are talking about foreigners visiting Thailand not for holiday fun but for getting themselves treated for various ailments. Yes, in recent years Thailand has expanded dramatically as a medical tourism destination for patients from the middle east. Over 60,000 patients a year come to Thailand from the United Arab Emirates alone. Apart from making them hail, healthy and hearty, Thailand gifts the visitors from UAE with a new found interest in Thai food, hospitality and medical care. The UAE is already a major destination for Thai workers, with more than 12,000 Thai workers supporting the building boom in that country.

Taking this relationship between two nations to a higher level, now Thailand and the UAE have signed an agreement to facilitate more trade between the two countries, giving Thais working in the UAE more benefits. This will accelerate the expansion of Thai medical centers into the UAE – Bumrungrad already has a branch center in Dubai and is in talks to take over management of another facility in Abu Dhabi. Bangkok General Hospital is looking to setting up operations in 2008.

Thai medical care is famous in the region and the new trade agreement between the two countries promises to further enhance its presence.