Bangkok (Thailand) – December 28, 2019 (travelindex.com) – While bright blue seas, glittering golden temples, and delicious cuisine continue to draw tourists to the exotic, culturally rich paradise of Thailand, the country has also become a global hub for beauty and medical tourism in recent years. Bangkok, in particular, the world-famous shopping and nightlife destination, is known for its JCI-certified hospitals and affordable clinics offering state-of-the-art cosmetic treatments performed by internationally trained physicians. A report by the Global Wellness Institute states that in 2017, Thailand recorded the second-highest number of international wellness travelers in the Asia-Pacific region and ranked 13th among the top 20 wellness tourism markets worldwide.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the country recorded approximately 3.42 million visitors in 2018 who traveled for health and wellness purposes, generating an estimated revenue of US$4.6 billion. The main source countries were Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Australia, and New Zealand. The average length of stay was 10 to 14 days. “Despite strong competition in health and wellness tourism, Thailand remains a popular destination due to the high quality of our products, services, and facilities, as well as other factors such as good value for money, personalized service, and attractive holiday options for the whole family,” stated Srisuda Wanapinyosak, Deputy Governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, in August 2019.

According to figures published in 2017 in "The Nation" magazine, Thailand attracts over half a million medical tourists annually from Southeast Asia alone. Some experts believe that even with declining international demand, the affluent population of neighboring countries with less advanced medical technology, such as Myanmar, will continue to seek health and beauty treatments in Thailand. Since luxury travelers value individuality and personalized service, large clinics like Bumrungrad International Hospital are no longer the only preferred providers for medical tourists, particularly in the field of aesthetic medicine. What does this mean for smaller, privately owned clinics and boutique hospitals? Opportunities.

Specialized clinics with easily accessible locations, such as Dr.TATTOF, a practice specializing in dermatological laser treatments, are experiencing a significant increase in patients from the Middle East and Asia, including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV). These patients primarily book SculpSure, a non-surgical liposuction procedure that removes up to 24% of stubborn fat deposits in a single area of ​​the body after just one treatment. Tourists visiting Thailand for several months are also interested in the clinic's scar and tattoo removal treatments using PicoWay Resolve and PicoWay, for which the Dr.TATTOF brand is well-known in Thailand. To reach more international patients, the clinic collaborates with select travel agencies and has organized intercultural training for its staff to ensure they can provide optimal care for these patients.

“Transparency, honesty, and a service-oriented approach are among the most important values ​​in aesthetic medicine,” says Pongsaya Trachunit, CEO of the clinic chain. “These qualities, combined with strong English skills and an understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds, make our clinics internationally competitive. Because we aim to address each patient’s individual concerns, boost their confidence, and enhance their well-being, maintaining the highest quality standards in every one of our clinics is essential. By using only FDA-approved equipment, employing experienced dermatologists, and providing intensive training for all staff, we ensure that our patients receive the same first-class service at every clinic.”

Regarding current trends in aesthetic medicine in Thailand, plastic surgery, particularly rhinoplasty, is very popular among teenagers and young adults of all genders and backgrounds. Health consciousness is growing, and urbanized Thais are seeking various ways to improve not only their well-being but also their physique. Working women often worry about excess fat and sagging skin, especially after childbirth. Tummy tucks, mesotherapy, cryolipolysis, and laser treatments with no downtime, such as SculpSure and Gentle-YAG Pro-U, can effectively address these issues, which often cannot be resolved through healthy eating and exercise alone. Surprisingly, the latter method is a popular choice among already active individuals, such as bodybuilders, as well as less extreme, regular gym-goers. Appearance plays a significant role, and Thais seem to be well aware of this.

To succeed in a saturated market like Bangkok, strong branding and innovation are crucial. After taking over his father's clinic, one of the oldest and most prestigious dermatology clinics in Chonburi, Dr. Nattapong Jirurawong identified a gap in the Thai market: the demand for safe and effective tattoo removal. He founded the Dr.TATTOF brand and became the first medical provider in Thailand to treat patients with the US-imported, FDA-approved PicoWay laser. Now, with five clinics open, the dermatological laser specialist offers a new and improved treatment option for people with scars and stretch marks. MyCELL by Dr.TATTOF is the first treatment in Southeast Asia to utilize autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in combination with the PicoWay Resolve laser to completely heal scars and stretch marks almost twice as fast as traditional methods.

For more information about this new treatment method, please visit our website or call us at +66-99-614-2424.