The Public Health Ministry on Monday will seek government approval to build a hospital in Koh Tao, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Surat Thani province.
The island in Koh Pha Ngan district has only a tambon health promotion office which cannot not cope with rising patients, most of them foreigners.
The health office serviced 6,000 patients in the first 10 months of this year, a sharp increase from 3,000 in 2007, according to the ministry.
Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said on Saturday that a 10-bed hospital is needed to provide healthcare service to 2,000 local residents and foreign visitors.
The cabinet will make the decision on the plan in a meeting on Monday, he added.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday visited the site of the project ahead of the cabinet meeting to be held on Koh Samui.
The construction cost for the hostipal estimated at 50 million baht and the project will take about two years.
About 500,000 tourists visit Koh Tai each year for scuba diving.