Thailand's health tourism keeps growing

BANGKOK, June 17 (TNA) - The Board of Trade of Thailand reports that the country's health tourism has kept growing, predicting that the Thai health care business should grow by 15-20 per cent this year. The Board of Trade of Thailand said on Wednesday that the country's health tourism has steadily generated national income, amounting to 140 billion baht in 2014 alone, a 18 per cent year-on-year growth, comprising of 70 billion baht from private hospitals, 20 billion baht from health promotion business and 50 billion baht from health-related vacation. The Board of Trade of Thailand projected that the Thai health care industry should further expand by 15-20 per cent this year and nearly 2 million foreigners should arrive for medical treatment annually. The Board of Trade pointed out despite domestic political problems, Thailand earned overall tourism-related revenues at 1.44 trillion baht last year, accounting for 11 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). The Board of Trade of Thailand noted that the Kingdom's revenues from foreign visitors now stand at the 9th biggest in the world. (TNA)