Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID
Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Health ... r_id%25%25
Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID
Couples seek in vitro fertilization defying high costs and stringent quarantine
More than 300 Chinese travelers eagerly await a visit to Thailand for the kingdom's "medical and wellness program". (Source photos by Reuters and Akira Kodaka)
JASON TAN, Contributing writerJuly 22, 2020 18:02 JST
BANGKOK -- More than 300 Chinese travelers eagerly await a visit to Thailand for the kingdom's "medical and wellness program," despite facing three coronavirus tests, two weeks of quarantine and 500,000 baht ($15,800) in costs just to enter the country.
A woman from the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen has already paid a Bangkok hospital part of the fee for in vitro fertilization, a process in which eggs are fertilized outside of the body.
"Our plan to have a baby has been put on hold due to the pandemic," said the woman, who gave her name as Mo. "My mother-in-law urged me to go to Bangkok as soon as possible before the Thai government reverses its policy. I am not putting any bet on Thailand to fully open its tourism to foreigners any time soon."
Thailand began loosening border restrictions this month, allowing in such medical tourists, foreign spouses of Thais and work permit holders. The Southeast Asian country hopes to boost its economy while avoiding imports of new COVID-19 cases. Leisure tourists remain barred from entering.
Around 1,200 people of 34 nationalities have applied to enter Thailand under the medical program which is expected to restart this month, with 1,500 accompanying family members.
"People like to come here to conduct plastic surgeries on the eyes and nose, for instance. And our dental treatments are relatively cheaper, too," said Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for Thailand's coronavirus task force.
Patients include those from Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. But Chinese visitors, including couples seeking IVF, stand out in number and remain Thailand's most important customers in this field.
Chinese couples spend $8 billion yearly on IVF, per some industry estimates. Of that, more than $1 billion is spent overseas, according to figures cited in China's state-linked media.
Thailand is a main destination for Chinese who seek IVF abroad because of the country's more affordable services. The cost here ranges from 400,000 to 800,000 baht. Of the upper total, around 500,000 baht involves charges for the treatment, with the rest spent on wellness and other tourism-related services.
Demand for IVF services in China far outstrips the country's capacity, as only 460 mainland hospitals are licensed for the treatment. Chinese couples also prefer to handle the procedure in Thailand to choose the gender of their babies.
Thais largely oppose opening the border to foreigners too soon, fearing a second wave of infections. Because of that, applicants must undergo a strict process with quarantine in place before landing in the kingdom.
Applicants first need an invitation letter from a hospital where they seek treatment, using the letter to apply for a visa at their country's Thai embassy. They must show the embassy insurance policies containing COVID-19 coverage topping $100,000 and provide medical evidence that they lack the virus before boarding the plane.
Upon arrival in Thailand, they stay at the hospital for two weeks while undergoing treatment, after which they may roam the country freely within the 60-day visa period. The visa could be extended for another 30 days. Taweesilp assured the public that the hospital quarantine of 14 days will ensure patients are virus-free when they are discharged.
As of July 9, Thailand has 85 private hospitals and clinics signing up to accept foreign tourists under the medical program.
The first batch of Chinese medical tourists is expected to arrive in August, a source at privately run Phyathai 3 Hospital told the Nikkei Asian Review. The hospital charges Chinese patients at least 700,000 baht under this medical program. The package offers the option of a four-star hotel stay of 28 days and visas for three accompanying family members. Flights are not included.
Other private hospitals have detailed plans to welcome Chinese tourists for the post-pandemic era.
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, Thailand's largest private hospital chain, in late June partnered with China's Ping An Insurance Group to provide wealthy Chinese clients with high-end care. Policies will offer services including teleconsulting, visa processing, language interpreting, ground transportation and VIP care in a private room.
Bangkok Dusit, which expects 4,000 Chinese medical tourists into Thailand over the next few years, anticipates the partnership with Ping An will contribute up to 2 billion baht in revenue this year, provided that international travel is allowed in the fourth quarter.
Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID
Couples seek in vitro fertilization defying high costs and stringent quarantine
More than 300 Chinese travelers eagerly await a visit to Thailand for the kingdom's "medical and wellness program". (Source photos by Reuters and Akira Kodaka)
JASON TAN, Contributing writerJuly 22, 2020 18:02 JST
BANGKOK -- More than 300 Chinese travelers eagerly await a visit to Thailand for the kingdom's "medical and wellness program," despite facing three coronavirus tests, two weeks of quarantine and 500,000 baht ($15,800) in costs just to enter the country.
A woman from the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen has already paid a Bangkok hospital part of the fee for in vitro fertilization, a process in which eggs are fertilized outside of the body.
"Our plan to have a baby has been put on hold due to the pandemic," said the woman, who gave her name as Mo. "My mother-in-law urged me to go to Bangkok as soon as possible before the Thai government reverses its policy. I am not putting any bet on Thailand to fully open its tourism to foreigners any time soon."
Thailand began loosening border restrictions this month, allowing in such medical tourists, foreign spouses of Thais and work permit holders. The Southeast Asian country hopes to boost its economy while avoiding imports of new COVID-19 cases. Leisure tourists remain barred from entering.
Around 1,200 people of 34 nationalities have applied to enter Thailand under the medical program which is expected to restart this month, with 1,500 accompanying family members.
"People like to come here to conduct plastic surgeries on the eyes and nose, for instance. And our dental treatments are relatively cheaper, too," said Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for Thailand's coronavirus task force.
Patients include those from Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. But Chinese visitors, including couples seeking IVF, stand out in number and remain Thailand's most important customers in this field.
Chinese couples spend $8 billion yearly on IVF, per some industry estimates. Of that, more than $1 billion is spent overseas, according to figures cited in China's state-linked media.
Thailand is a main destination for Chinese who seek IVF abroad because of the country's more affordable services. The cost here ranges from 400,000 to 800,000 baht. Of the upper total, around 500,000 baht involves charges for the treatment, with the rest spent on wellness and other tourism-related services.
Demand for IVF services in China far outstrips the country's capacity, as only 460 mainland hospitals are licensed for the treatment. Chinese couples also prefer to handle the procedure in Thailand to choose the gender of their babies.
Thais largely oppose opening the border to foreigners too soon, fearing a second wave of infections. Because of that, applicants must undergo a strict process with quarantine in place before landing in the kingdom.
Applicants first need an invitation letter from a hospital where they seek treatment, using the letter to apply for a visa at their country's Thai embassy. They must show the embassy insurance policies containing COVID-19 coverage topping $100,000 and provide medical evidence that they lack the virus before boarding the plane.
Upon arrival in Thailand, they stay at the hospital for two weeks while undergoing treatment, after which they may roam the country freely within the 60-day visa period. The visa could be extended for another 30 days. Taweesilp assured the public that the hospital quarantine of 14 days will ensure patients are virus-free when they are discharged.
As of July 9, Thailand has 85 private hospitals and clinics signing up to accept foreign tourists under the medical program.
The first batch of Chinese medical tourists is expected to arrive in August, a source at privately run Phyathai 3 Hospital told the Nikkei Asian Review. The hospital charges Chinese patients at least 700,000 baht under this medical program. The package offers the option of a four-star hotel stay of 28 days and visas for three accompanying family members. Flights are not included.
Other private hospitals have detailed plans to welcome Chinese tourists for the post-pandemic era.
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, Thailand's largest private hospital chain, in late June partnered with China's Ping An Insurance Group to provide wealthy Chinese clients with high-end care. Policies will offer services including teleconsulting, visa processing, language interpreting, ground transportation and VIP care in a private room.
Bangkok Dusit, which expects 4,000 Chinese medical tourists into Thailand over the next few years, anticipates the partnership with Ping An will contribute up to 2 billion baht in revenue this year, provided that international travel is allowed in the fourth quarter.
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hanno
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Re: Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID
After 99 days, Vietnam just has had two new cases in Da Nang. Apparently the source are Chinese who paid a lot of money to cross into Vietnam illegally. Da Nang has now shut down and I managed to get on one of the last flights out and expect to be put into quarantine from today.
Greed wins every time.
Greed wins every time.
Re: Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID
Do you think they will trace you as having left Da Nang? When you say quarantine, do you mean home isolation or the real thing?hanno wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:12 am After 99 days, Vietnam just has had two new cases in Da Nang. Apparently the source are Chinese who paid a lot of money to cross into Vietnam illegally. Da Nang has now shut down and I managed to get on one of the last flights out and expect to be put into quarantine from today.
Greed wins every time.
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hanno
- Expatriate
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Re: Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID
They have traced me already and informed me that they would come and see me today and let me know my fate. One thing Vietnam does very well is tracing people. They do better at that than keeping the Chinese out. This morning, another van with Chinese cwas stopped near here after they crossed illegally.Doc67 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:20 amDo you think they will trace you as having left Da Nang? When you say quarantine, do you mean home isolation or the real thing?hanno wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:12 am After 99 days, Vietnam just has had two new cases in Da Nang. Apparently the source are Chinese who paid a lot of money to cross into Vietnam illegally. Da Nang has now shut down and I managed to get on one of the last flights out and expect to be put into quarantine from today.
Greed wins every time.
Re: Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID
Well, good luck with it, hopefully you escape the worst.hanno wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 1:38 pmThey have traced me already and informed me that they would come and see me today and let me know my fate. One thing Vietnam does very well is tracing people. They do better at that than keeping the Chinese out. This morning, another van with Chinese cwas stopped near here after they crossed illegally.Doc67 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:20 amDo you think they will trace you as having left Da Nang? When you say quarantine, do you mean home isolation or the real thing?hanno wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:12 am After 99 days, Vietnam just has had two new cases in Da Nang. Apparently the source are Chinese who paid a lot of money to cross into Vietnam illegally. Da Nang has now shut down and I managed to get on one of the last flights out and expect to be put into quarantine from today.
Greed wins every time.
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hanno
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- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 12:37 pm
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Re: Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID
All good, I am allowed to stay at home.Doc67 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 2:25 pmWell, good luck with it, hopefully you escape the worst.hanno wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 1:38 pmThey have traced me already and informed me that they would come and see me today and let me know my fate. One thing Vietnam does very well is tracing people. They do better at that than keeping the Chinese out. This morning, another van with Chinese cwas stopped near here after they crossed illegally.Doc67 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:20 amDo you think they will trace you as having left Da Nang? When you say quarantine, do you mean home isolation or the real thing?hanno wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:12 am After 99 days, Vietnam just has had two new cases in Da Nang. Apparently the source are Chinese who paid a lot of money to cross into Vietnam illegally. Da Nang has now shut down and I managed to get on one of the last flights out and expect to be put into quarantine from today.
Greed wins every time.
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Cowshed Cowboy
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Re: Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID
So far as I can gauge the main beneficiaries of the Thai govt's reopening are :
1) 5 Star shopping malls
2) 5 Star Hotels
3) Private hospitals
4) Insurance companies
5) Thai elite visa
6) Red Bull heir
Truly a government of the people, just the wrong people.
1) 5 Star shopping malls
2) 5 Star Hotels
3) Private hospitals
4) Insurance companies
5) Thai elite visa
6) Red Bull heir
Truly a government of the people, just the wrong people.
Yes sir, I can boogie, I can boogie, boogie, boogie all night long.
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techietraveller84
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Re: Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID
Back to the Chinese medical tourists, why would they want to get pregnant during a pandemic?
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Dunderhead
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Re: Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID
Because they can do basic division and figure out that the odds of anyone dying of covid is 8 in 100000. What do you think the odds of a baby dying of it are?
Last year 1.5 million died of tuberculosis a much more contagious, more dangerous virus. There was no mention of a tuberculosis pandemic.
Last year 1.5 million died of tuberculosis a much more contagious, more dangerous virus. There was no mention of a tuberculosis pandemic.
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hanno
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Re: Thailand attracts hordes of Chinese patients despite COVID
So, you are saying just do nothing and let people die?Dunderhead wrote: ↑Tue Jul 28, 2020 6:11 pm Because they can do basic division and figure out that the odds of anyone dying of covid is 8 in 100000. What do you think the odds of a baby dying of it are?
Last year 1.5 million died of tuberculosis a much more contagious, more dangerous virus. There was no mention of a tuberculosis pandemic.
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