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WORANUJ MANEERUNGSEE
Hospitals serving foreign patients have seen a few cancellations from abroad due to the closure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports.
However, the impact on the country's medical tourism industry so far is considered minor when compared with the damage to the hospitality industry overall.
Losses of 140 billion baht so far have been estimated in the tourism industry.
Curtis Schroeder, Bumrungrad Hospital's chief executive, said BH had received a few cancellations and some patients had rescheduled their visits. However, he said that the losses would not be significant for the hospital obtained 60% of its business from Thais, 20% from expats and the other 20% from foreigners.
''It is too early to tell the impact as [the airport closures] started only last week,''said Mr Schroeder.
He said that if the closure was prolonged, it would have a negative effect and people would think twice about coming to Thailand, including for leisure.
For patients and their families who could not leave Thailand as scheduled, he said the hospital had provided lower-cost accommodation at its Bumrungrad Residence. It will also arrange transport to U-Tapao airport in Chon Buri for those who need to leave. Special notifications have been posted for relatives at www.bumrungrad.com.
Generally, the last quarter of the year is less busy for hospitals treating foreigners than the third quarter, analysts say. Many patients from Middle East normally coming to Thailand for medical treatment in the third quarter before Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month.
While medical service in Thailand was excellent and much cheaper than in Middle Eastern citizens' home countries, political uncertainty might drive them to rival countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and India, an analyst said.
The analyst said there could also be some impact on SET-listed Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BGH), the country's largest hospital operator, as it obtains 35% of its patients from abroad.
BGH shares closed yesterday at 15 baht, down 4.5%, in trade worth 23.62 million baht. BH shares fell 3.2% to 18.20 in trade worth 36.98 million baht.
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