NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - November 5, 2009) - Back in 2004, the Royal Thai Government established a strategy for Thailand to become Asia's medical hub. Today in 2009, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Department of Export Promotion (DEP) estimate about two million tourists are expected to take advantage of Thailand's health care services this year, an annual growth rate of 14% for the sector, ahead of the country's GDP.

According to a report by "Research and Markets," Thailand cared for the highest number of international tourists compared to any other country in Asia. Thailand provides world-class standards, where you can "enjoy prompt attention, immaculate comfort, the services of highly professional staff, and friendly faces" (Tourism Authority of Thailand). Health care costs in Thailand are about 1/5 of what you would pay in the United States or Europe, making it even more impressive that in 2008, foreign patients generated an estimated $6 billion USD for Thailand. An international medical journal claims the Royal Thai Government has prepared a plan that aims to double this revenue by 2014.

A major international accounting and consulting firm estimated that 1.5 million Americans traveled abroad for medical treatment in 2008 and forecasted an annual market expansion of 20% globally going forward to 2012. Thailand is ready to meet this growing demand, offering a full range of top quality medical services at affordable prices.

People are visiting Thailand for procedures ranging from general check-ups or more routine maintenance, like dental, to cosmetic surgery and angioplasty. Medical tourists can undergo and recover from many of these non-invasive procedures during a normal two-week holiday in Thailand. In Josef Woodman's (CEO of Healthy Travel Media) new guidebook that was released on Monday, "Patients Beyond Borders: Thailand Edition," it features an in-depth overview of Thailand's international hospitals, selected health travel agents, nearby recovery and guest accommodations, spas, and area travel information so visitors know where to go in Thailand to get their world-class medical treatments.

Thailand's exponential growth into becoming the medical hub in Asia is also creating considerable opportunities in related fields. With advancements in the medical device sector -- in order to meet the demands of health care facilities needing new and upgraded medical machinery and devices -- and investments in research and clinical trials of advanced medicine and stem cell treatments, Thailand's health care industry is continuing to grow in leaps and bounds.

About the Tourism Authority of Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) was established in 1960 by the Royal Thai Government to be specifically responsible for tourism promotion. In 1965, TAT opened its first overseas office in New York. Since then, TAT has established 21 offices in different parts of the world including the Los Angeles office. TAT aims to provide the best Thailand traveling information to the public and media members as well as work closely with our travel partners to develop new deals and packages.