Thailand’s political crisis has been ongoing for almost two months. Some hospitals and medical tourism agencies are making the point that trouble is occurring in only a few places. Some are claiming that Bangkok is safe.
Many countries are now advising their citizens not to travel to Bangkok. Some are advising against all but essential travel to anywhere in Thailand. Some are advising against any travel to Thailand. Some have even flown their citizens, some of whom are medical tourists home.
How damaging the political troubles are to medical tourism is something local hospitals and clinics may not know for months or even years to come. Persuading insurers or employers that it is safe to send people to Thailand is not going to be easy.
Overseas governments are updating advice on a daily basis and at the time of writing-
• The State Department alerts U.S. citizens traveling to Thailand of ongoing demonstrations in Bangkok.” Due to escalating violence in central Bangkok, all U.S. citizens should avoid nonessential travel to Bangkok. Those traveling outside of Bangkok in Thailand should be aware of the possibility of disturbances elsewhere and should exercise caution and good judgment.”
• The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth office warns there is a high threat from terrorism throughout Thailand; “ Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. You should exercise caution at all times. We advise against all but essential travel to the whole of Thailand.”
• The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warns, " We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Thailand due to the recent deterioration in the security environment caused by widening political unrest and civil disorder occurring in Bangkok and other parts of the country. There is a high threat of terrorist attack in Thailand. We continue to receive reports that terrorists may be planning attacks against a range of targets, including tourist areas and other places frequented by foreigners. "
• Over 30 other governments have issued warnings against travel to Bangkok, some warning against all travel to Thailand.
• The State Department alerts U.S. citizens traveling to Thailand of ongoing demonstrations in Bangkok.” Due to escalating violence in central Bangkok, all U.S. citizens should avoid nonessential travel to Bangkok. Those traveling outside of Bangkok in Thailand should be aware of the possibility of disturbances elsewhere and should exercise caution and good judgment.”
• The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth office warns there is a high threat from terrorism throughout Thailand; “ Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. You should exercise caution at all times. We advise against all but essential travel to the whole of Thailand.”
• The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warns, " We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Thailand due to the recent deterioration in the security environment caused by widening political unrest and civil disorder occurring in Bangkok and other parts of the country. There is a high threat of terrorist attack in Thailand. We continue to receive reports that terrorists may be planning attacks against a range of targets, including tourist areas and other places frequented by foreigners. "
• Over 30 other governments have issued warnings against travel to Bangkok, some warning against all travel to Thailand.
The increasing violence has taken its toll on tourism, Thailand's main foreign exchange earner. Tourism accounts for 6 percent of the country's economy and has steeply declined since the protests started. Cancellations are pouring in from tourists and medical travelers. The situation is serious, and it really depends now how events will turn. The longer protests go on, the more aware will be travellers around the world about Bangkok’s situation. It will then become harder to convince them to come back. Thailand has faced many crises in the last few years and Bangkok and Thailand have always bounced back more rapidly than expected.
With concerns growing around the world, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) encourages visitors not to cancel travel plans, and merely warns travelers to be vigilant. TAT encourages passengers to travel to Thailand and has been seeking support from trade partners to discourage cancellations and encourage people to travel to Thailand, amending itineraries to avoid the city of Bangkok.
Even by the middle of April, Medical Tourism had begun to feel the pinch of prolonged political strife. Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BGH), the country's largest private hospital operator, said foreign patient visits decreased by 20% compared with the same period of 2009. Phyathai Hospital saw a 7-10% decline of international patients arriving compared with last April.
The most severe impact has been from Europe and the Middle East as some appointments were cancelled and others postponed.
"..Some countries from the Middle East instructed their citizens not to go to Thailand or even hosted charter flights to take them back home..."
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