Why Bangkok Is A Medical Tourism Hotspot (2.32)

This week we talk to an expert on medical tourism to get the
inside scoop on what makes Bangkok a key medical tourism
destination. And we share an anecdote that proves even the 2nd
largest city in SE Asia is really just a small town on the
crossroads of life.

What's it like to return to Bangkok 30 years later after
growing up here as an expat kid? And what are the odds that one
obscure blog post on how to get a Chinese visa in
Bangkok would lead to rekindling a friendship while
overlooking the Chao Phraya river? Only in Bangkok. But that's
not what we're talking about today. Instead, we're
trying to answer this question: What, exactly, makes Bangkok such
a hotbed for medical tourism? Neither Evo nor Greg are experts,
so we pulled in Kevin McGaffey from renuval to get to the heart
of the matter. Kevin's technology company helps
people find the best medical services and best medical service
providers here in Thailand. Here are a few of the
questions he answers on this episode of our show:



What's different about the Bangkok medical scene that
makes our medical skills world class? It has to do with
home-grown talent who not only got their training abroad, but
come back and do their job so well they often become medical
trainers themselves. Some end up here in Thailand and some
abroad at the top Western medical schools and
facilities.


How smart marketing, an abundance of talent, and a
commitment to world-class facilities combine with a desirable
tourist destination to make the perfect storm for medical
tourism


What other SE Asian nations are looking to take their own
piece of the medical tourism pie, and where Bangkok needs to
keeps its edge


The types of clientele that come to Bangkok for medical
procedures and what their country of origin likely tells you
about the medical services they are seeking from Thai
providers


The difference in the quality of medical care you might
expect from government vs private hospitals in Bangkok; and
both of those compared to the Western world


How some aspects of "Thainess" make for a pleasantly
surprising (and rather fantastic) experience for expats who
seek out medical services in Bangkok


… and two pieces of excellent advice for expats or
long-term visitors of Bangkok when it comes to medical
insurance and getting discounts on high-cost medical
care

Love, Loathe, or Leave

This week one our Twitter followers (wrongly identified in
the audio by Greg [sorry!] but corrected in the show notes,
Mattiaz!) suggested we talk about the poor excuse
for napkins found in most Bangkok restaurants. Oddly
enough, we both completely flip-flopped on the issue after
discussing it for a few minutes. We're not fickle. We're just
open minded. Listen in to see if the same happens to you.
Want more?

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Podcast!


(Direct download .mp3)