Service industries : Private Hospitals

Overview
- State hospitals and nursing stations have been insufficient to meet demand, resulting in inconvenience for those with middle to high incomes. Private hospitals have thus arisen for persons with the ability to pay higher prices than those charged at state hospitals, and also for growing number of patients from abroad.
- The private hospital industry has grown along with the growth of the national economy. With greater purchasing power and the need for more convenient and faster service, people seek medical care at private hospitals where there is more up-to-date equipment as well as higher levels of service.
- Over the past decade, hospitals in Thailand have made strategic movements including merger & acquisition and integration in order to fortify their business in preparing for more intense competition. In the future, small private hospitals may find it more difficult in business operation without integration.
- According to data of the Department of Health Service Support, Ministry of Public Health, as of September 20, 2011, there were 321 private hospitals with a total of 32,828 beds. Ninety-eight of those hospitals were in Bangkok, with 13,337 beds. There were 223 hospitals in the provinces with 19,491 beds.
- State activities affecting private hospitals include the following:
The Regional Medical Hub: The Thai government implemented a plan of promoting Thailand as the Centre of Excellent Health Care of Asia, in the areas of medicine, spas, massage, and herbal treatments, in particular promoting Thailand as the Medical Hub of Asia.
The Universal Health Coverage Plan intended to give equal access to high-quality health care to all, a government policy that is hoped to provide efficient, quality and high-standard medical treatment for the general public, including children, the elderly, the poor, the disadvantaged and the disabled, free of charge.
The Social Security Program for those with personal insurance through employment. This program eases the burden in times of illness or injury. There have been 84 private hospitals joining the government's Social Security Program.