Modern Thailand, new tourists
Links: medical
treatment
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Of all of the places to visit in South-east Asia, the Kingdom
of Thailand is easily the most popular with Western travellers.
Attracted initially by the flavors of old Siam, the stunning
natural beauty of the islands, beaches and mountains of the
North and the warmth of the Thai people, many visitors never
leave or come back time and again.
What tends to anchor travellers and secure repeat trippers are
the convenience of easy access to most Western 'necessities'. In
many parts of Thailand access to fast-food chains, bookshops,
video stores or English language TV is easily available.
At the same time the throbbing Tuk-tuks, the street hawkers
selling chocolate coated grasshoppers and the long-tail boats
jetting down pungent canals never let anyone forget where they
are. Even the French-fries will be served with a sachet of
chilli sauce.
Western amenities are not the only home-comforts for the tourist
in Thailand; western standards are also becoming the norm too.
The standards of many of the international hospitals in Bangkok
(and elsewhere) are truly world class and often the hospitality
they offer really sets them apart.
Traditionally visitors to Thailand have included the budget
travellers, the sex tourists, the beachcombers, the middle-aged
world tourists and the businessmen but these days more and more
people are coming here specifically for the medical facilities.
The rationale is why not combine a relaxing beach holiday with
dental work, cosmetic surgery or even elective surgery?
Especially when the standards of medical
treatment can rival any in the world and the low prices mean
that those relaxing weeks on the beach are effectively an
idyllic free recuperation.
Thailand is so ready to receive Western tourist these days that
many of the old frustrations have been completely eliminated.
Also the ability of most Thais to be able to offer basic
assistance in English helps things run smoothly.
However, as with visiting any foreign country, some care should
be taken in communicating with people to minimize those awkward
misunderstandings. In Asia particularly it is important not to
show anger or impatience as it will only count against you.
Also, choose your words carefully to be easy to understand.
Listening to irate 'Farangs' shouting 'Department of Consular
Affairs' at a wide-eyed motorcycle taxi driver in Bangkok can be
extremely tiring for all concerned and unlikely to be successful
for the tourist.
Now that Bangkok has state-of-the-art mass transit in its unique
sky train and ultra-modern underground rail system it is a lot
less draining to move around this sprawling metropolis. The
systems don't cover every part of the city yet but you can
travel in comfort to the area you want first, so to eliminate
those interminable cross-town taxi or bus rides.
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