Thailand's healthcare sector is accelerating its transformation into a premier global medical and wellness hub, emphasising advanced technology and specialised treatment centres for Thai and international patients.
The strategy aims to move away from generalised care towards personalised, targeted treatment for complex diseases and preventive medicine.
Dr Somrach Thamtorawat, head of the Siriraj Center of Interventional Radiology (SiCIR), said specialised facilities are key to reducing patient wait times and easing overcrowding at government hospitals.
"Specialised facilities help reduce patient wait times and optimise care, while also easing overcrowding, particularly at government hospitals," he said.
Interventional radiology (IR) is a groundbreaking medical technology that replaces traditional surgery with minimally invasive, image-guided procedures.
Often described as "surgery through a pinhole", IR allows doctors to treat patients with smaller incisions, less pain and faster recovery times.
SiCIR is a premier hub offering minimally invasive procedures that meet international standards, Dr Somrach said.
The centre treats 10-15 patients daily, many of whom previously required major operations.
Building on this success, he announced plans to launch a new specialised IR centre this year on Si Ayutthaya Road in Bangkok's Ratchathewi district, operating under medical school standards.
The centre is expected to serve 10-15 patients per day, focusing on complex diseases and preventive care.
"We are in the process of establishing the IR centre as a specialised facility," said Dr Somrach.
The new facility would be Thailand's second medical school-standard IR centre, strengthening the country's reputation as a leader in advanced healthcare.
By offering minimally invasive treatments, the facility aims to reduce hospital crowding, improve patient outcomes and provide faster recovery times.
He said IR technology represents a significant leap in medical science, enabling doctors to use advanced imaging as precise roadmaps to navigate the body and treat diseases, particularly early-stage cancers, without traditional incisions.
These developments position Thailand as a regional leader and global destination for medical innovation and wellness, combining cutting-edge technology with patient-centred care, said Dr Somrach.
