5. First-Class Quality at
Affordable Prices
With over 1,000 public and 400 private hospitals
operating in compliance with international
standards and fully-equipped with internationallytrained physicians, Thai medical service provides
excellent health care at highly competitive prices.
Additionally, the prevalence of physicians with
overseas training and the hospitals’ multilingual
staff help bridge communication barriers.
Thai private hospitals work primarily with cuttingedge medical equipment that meets international
standards. For example, the availability of MRI (3
Telsa) has made diagnoses without the injection of
contrast media more accessible.
Thailand’s high quality medical service offerings are
well known throughout the globe: the Thai medical
care industry attracts almost 2 million foreign
medical tourists annually. As a result, many visitors
choose to undergo surgery in the Kingdom as part
of their vacation stay. In addition to top-quality
medical care, Thailand is renowned for its serviceminded culture. On example that demonstrates this
commitment to service includes personal assistants
who walk patients through hospital procedures to
ensure smooth service delivery. As a result, patients
are kept fully informed on policies and insurance
reimbursement.
Thailand’s medical services industry has grown
significantly owing to its exceptional service
quality at affordable prices. The Kingdom’s value
proposition has only become more attractive given
shrinking coverage of foreign health care systems
abroad.

6. The most popular treatments that are enjoyed by foreign patients in
Thailand include general check-ups, dental care, hip replacement,
laser eye surgery, kidney transplants and heart surgeries. Expatriates,
executives of international corporations and embassy staff are frequent
healthcare service customers. The price range of surgery services in
Thailand compared to the US can be up to 90% less expensive.
In addition to its reputation for its excellent medical care services
for patients from around the globe, Thailand has gained increasing
recognition as a research and development center for clinical trials of
advanced medicine and stem cell treatments.
Booming Medical Device
Industry
Life expectancies throughout the Asian region are rising along with
improved standards of living. Many Asian countries are seeing a greying
of their societies and will face rising medical device and service needs.
Thailand is well positioned to take advantage of this growth in future
demand.
Although Thailand has a substantial number of medical device
manufacturers, two-thirds of medical devices in the Kingdom are
imported. Thus, there is an opportunity for new investment in medical
device manufacturing in Thailand. Thailand is an excellent, cost-effective
production location for medical devices.

7. Thailand Market for Medical Equipment and Supplies for
2010-2015
1,400
1,200
1,000
Millions US$
800
795
869
948
1,033
1,122
1,227
600
400
200
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
0
Source: Thai Medical Device Technology Industry Association (THAIMED)
As illustrated in the above chart, the market for medical devices in 2011
was US$869 million, a growth of 9% from previous year. There is great
promise in this industry – the market size of medical devices is predicted
to grow 40% in the next four years to US$1.2 billion in 2015.
Thailand’s Imports and Exports of Major Medical
Devices/Disposable in 2011
Unit: US$
Description
Import
Export
Instruments and appliances used in medical,
surgical, dental or veterinary sciences
449,598,000
464,110,000
Spectacle lenses of other materials
211,222,000
807,721,000
Diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing,
prepared diagnostic or laboratory regents
whether or not on a backing, other than those
of heading 30.02 or 30.06: certified reference
materials
169,346,000
14,086,000
Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers and other
instruments and apparatus for measuring
or checking electrical quantities, excluding
meters of 9028; instruments and apparatus for
measuring or detecting alpha, beta, gamma,
X-ray, cosmic or other ionizing radiations
150,482,000
126,038,000
Apparatus based on the use of X-rays or of alpha,
beta or gamma radiations, whether or not for
medical, surgical, dental or veterinary uses
124,506,000
10,963,000
Source: United Nations Trade Map

8. Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental, or
veterinary sciences have increased 30% year-on-year, the highest
growth rate among imported goods within the industry in 2011.
Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers and other instruments performed
the best, enjoying 32% growth year-on-year. From the pie chart below,
the largest export destinations of the Thai medical device sector in 2011
were Japan (40%) and the US (16%).
Export of Medical Tools and Devices in 2011
Others
31%
Singapore
3%
France
3%
Germany
7%
Japan
40%
USA
16%
Source: Ministry of Commerce
Major international medical device technology manufacturers in
Thailand include: 3M, Bausch & Lomb, Baxter Healthcare, Boston
Scientific, Carl Zeiss, Diethelm, GE Medical Systems, Guidant, Johnson
& Johnson, Medtronic, Philips Electronics (Medical Systems), Roche
Diagnostics, Siemens (Medical Solutions) Surgical Instruments and Tyco
Healthcare.

9. Pharmaceuticals
The market value for pharmaceuticals has also seen significant growth.
The Ministry of Public Health of Thailand has passed a bill which
mandates that pharmaceutical manufacturers in Thailand comply
with the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S),
thus ensuring that pharmaceutical products within the Kingdom meet
international standards.
The government has also issued a strategic plan for the pharmaceutical
industry for 2012-2016, which aims to strengthen the pharmaceutical
industry through research and a modernization of manufacturing
practices. This strategy includes measures for strengthening and
developing the competitiveness of the pharmaceutical industry through
R&D and further development of an environment that is conducive for
indigenous industry growth.
The government has stipulated that all manufacturing companies
update their standards and quality systems to meet Good Manufacturing
Practice (GMP) standards based on the International Pharmaceutical
Inspection Cooperation Scheme (PIC/S).
To increase R&D in the pharmaceutical industry, Thailand’s
pharmaceutical organizations have collaborated with domestic and
foreign research groups. For example, BIOTECH-Novartis International
Pharmaceutical Drug Discovery Partnership is identifying potential use
of microorganisms and natural compounds as sources of innovative
medicines. R&D in particular presents a large opportunity for foreign
investment. While Thailand currently produces 25 active ingredients,
including sodium chloride, camphor, and menthol, local pharmaceutical
companies allocate less than 1% of their total costs to R&D. Most active
ingredients are imported from manufacturers overseas, leaving sizable
room for new pharmaceutical investors.

10. Thailand’s Imports and Exports of Pharmaceuticals,
2006-2011
2,000
1,500
1,071
232
2006
1,545
1,365
1,160
Millions US$
1,000
1,715
1,642
500
247
299
2007
2008
306
351
2009
Import
2010
350
0
2011
Export
Source: Ministry of Commerce
From the chart above, Thailand’s imports have grown steadily over the
past six years while exports have stabilized over the past two years. At
the end of 2011, imports accounted for over US$1.7 billion while exports
were smaller at US$350 million.
Thailand’s Imports of
Pharmaceuticals in 2011
USA
15%
Germany
9%
Others
39%
Thailand’s Exports of
Pharmaceuticals in 2011
Switzerland
8%
Italy
7%
UK
7%
India
7%
France
8%
Myanmar
20%
Others
41%
Vietnam
20%
Malaysia
8%
Cambodia
11%
Source: United Nations Trade Map
As the pie charts above, Thailand imports its pharmaceuticals from
a variety of pharmaceutical leaders. In 2011, the US was the largest
importer of pharmaceuticals to Thailand accounting for 15% of total
imports. Germany, Switzerland and France were the next largest
importers at 9%, 8% and 8%, respectively. More than half of the
kingdom’s pharmaceutical exports were destined for the ASEAN region
including Myanmar (20%), Vietnam (20%), Cambodia (11%) and Malaysia
(8%).

11. Medical Food
Medical food refers to food that is formulated to be consumed or
administered under the supervision of a physician and which is
intended for a specific dietary treatment of a disease or a condition with
distinctive nutritional requirements.
Medical food differs from regular food as it has substantial healthpromoting or disease-preventing benefits beyond the basic delivery
of nutrients. It also differs from nutritional supplements in that it
is not designed for use by healthy persons, but rather as a therapy
for a particular medical condition under the guidance of a medical
practitioner. At minimum, medical food products must be:
Food for oral ingestion or tube feeding (Nasogastric tube);
Labeled for the dietary management of a specific medical disorder,
disease or condition for which there are distinctive nutritional
requirements; and,
Intended to be used under medical supervision.
Thailand’s Import and Export of Medical foods in 2011
Unit: US$
Description
Import
Export
Food preparations of soybean powder - for infants
allergic to milk or for Lactase deficient infants,
put up for retail sale
757,017
1,681,482
Food preparations of others - for infants allergic
to milk or for Lactase deficient infants, put up for
retail sale
851,517
1,132,312
Food preparations of others - for infants allergic
to milk or for Lactase deficient infants, not put up
for retail sale
947,621
1,715,790
Food preparations - for supplements for seriously
patients
2,392,510
333,197
Other food preparations - for Lactase deficient
infants
16,489,466
1,597
Source: Global Trade Atlas

12. The medical food market in Thailand continues to grow every year.
Thailand has the benefit of numerous agricultural raw materials,
standardized quality, advanced technology, and skilled laborers. These
factors attract new investment projects to Thailand. Additionally, the
government of Thailand has issued several policies to encourage
investment in this sector. As a result, Thailand is an excellent base for
investment in medical food processing and production.
Major suppliers of medical food in Thailand include, among others:
Mead Johnson Nutrition, Abbott and Novartis. Located in Chonburi,
Thailand, Mead Johnson Nutrition (Thailand) Ltd. is the largest
manufacturing plant outside of the US for the company and serves as its
hub for Asia Pacific operations.
We have always been able to attract
workers with the appropriate skills to support
our operations in Thailand. As a science-based
business that utilizes cutting-edge technology in
our laboratories and production operations, we
encourage the government to continue building
capabilities in science and engineering. When
providing nourishment for precious infants, you
always have a need for chemists, microbiologists,
nutritional scientists and quality experts.”
“We also see Thailand as an excellent place for
conducting research and development, especially
because of the deep local talent pool. In fact, most
of the scientists at the company’s Bangkok and
Chonburi facilities are Thai. Their breakthrough
discoveries are helping to support the health and
well-being of moms-to-be, moms, infants and
children in Thailand and across Asia.
- Mr. Stephen W. Golsby,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Mead Johnson
Nutrition -

13. Quality and Safety of Services
Thailand’s hospitals are global market leaders and have achieved
international standards for quality and performance. Bumrungrad
International Hospital (BIH), located in Bangkok, Thailand, is the largest
hospital in Southeast Asia and is the first hospital in Asia to be certified
with ISO 9001, and the first one in Asia to be granted membership to
the prestigious Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA),
an international accreditation arm of the US’ Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). These accreditations
show that Thailand’s hospitals have been focus on the quality care.
The following hospitals are also accredited by the JCIA:
Bangkok Hospital
Bangkok Heart
Hospital
Wattanosoth
Hospital
Bangkok Hospital
Pattaya
Bangkok Hospital
Phuket
Bangkok
International Clinic
BNH Hospital
Samitivej Hospital
Srinakarin
Samitivej Hospital
Sukhumvit
Samitivej Hospital
Sriracha
Vejthani Hospital
Bumrungrad
Hospital
Chiangmai Ram
Hospital
Synphaet Hospital
Ramkhamhaeng
Hospital
Praram 9 Hospital
Yanhee Hospital
Nonthavej Hospital

14. It is common among Thailand’s private hospitals to have established
partnerships with top international medical schools and healthcare
institutions worldwide. A number of private Thai hospitals have also
achieved international standards of Hospital Accreditation (HACC) such
as ISO 9002: 2000, ISO 14001, ISO 18000 and JCIA.
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is in charge of:
Pre-marketing control
Post-marketing Control
Surveillance Programs for Consumer Safety
Consumer Education
Technical Support and Cooperation with other Agencies.
The FDA oversees medical device imports of three classifications, which
can be found at the organization’s website.
Intellectual Property Rights
Thailand’s 7 laws pertaining to intellectual property all meet
international standards:
1. Copyrights Act of 1994
2. Patent Act of 1979, as amended by the Patent Act (No. 3) of 1999
3. Traditional Medicine and Practice Act of 1999
4. Trademark Act of 1991, as amended by the Trademark Act (No. 2) of
2000
5. Act for the Protection of Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits 2000
6. Trade Secret Act of 2002
7. Protection of Geographical Indication Act of 2003
Excellent Infrastructure
There are many institutions and research centers where medical
technological breakthroughs and development are adequately
supported:
Thailand’s Science Park, established as a one-stop service center to
assist companies engaged in scientific and technological research
The National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
(BIOTEC)
National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)
Food and Drug Administration
Ministry of Public Health (MoPH)
Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)
National Innovation Agency
Health Systems Research Institute
Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS)

15. Wonderful Investment
Opportunity and Environment
Thailand has one of the fastest-growing and foreign friendly economies
in Asia. Recently, the World Bank ranked the Kingdom 16th globally and
2nd in Southeast Asia in the ease of doing business index. This ranking
demonstrates the favorable climate for foreign investment in healthcare,
medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. Coupled with a growing economy
and growing medical device manufacturing needs, the Kingdom of
Thailand has numerous investment opportunities for foreign investors.
BOI Investment Incentives
Thailand Board of Investment offers a wide range of fiscal and nontax incentives for investments based on location. Tax-based incentives
include exemption or reduction of import duties on machinery and raw
materials, and corporate income tax exemptions and reductions. Nontax incentives include permission to bring in foreign workers, own land
and take or remit foreign currency abroad.
As part of its efforts to promote Thailand as a Medical Hub,
Several activities, including manufacture of medical food, manufacture
of medical equipment and manufacture of parts for medical
electronics, have been classified as high-technology businesses
activities under the BOI’s policy for Sustainable Development.
As such, projects in these categories that apply for BOI promotion
prior to the end of 2012 receive an eight-year corporate income tax
exemption without being subject to the corporate income tax exemption
cap and a fifty percent reduction of corporate income tax on the net
profit generated from the investment for not more than five years from
the end of the incentive period under Section 13, Paragraph 1 or 2 as
the case may be or from the date of the first income derivation from
the promoted activity in case the promoted person does not receive
corporate income tax exemption.

16. In addition, these projects are exempt from import duties on machinery,
double deduction for transportation, electricity and water costs for 10
years from the date of first income derivation from promoted activity,
and a deduction for infrastructure installation or construction costs from
net profit, in addition to normal depreciation of not more than 25% of the
investment in promoted project. Such deduction can be made from the
net profit in one or several years during the period of 10 years from the
date of the first income derivation from promoted project. In addition,
projects are eligible to receive other relevant location-based incentives.
Projects involved in the manufacture of medicine and/or active
ingredients in medicine who meet certain conditions are eligible for
exemption of import duty on machinery, regardless of zone, and a
corporate income tax holiday based on location (5 years if located in Zone
1. 6 years if located in Zone 2, 7 years if located in an industrial estate
or industrial zone in Zone 2, or 8 years if located in Zone 3). In addition,
projects are eligible to receive other relevant location-based incentives.
The BOI also promoted retirement homes and care centers as well
as dedicated health centers, which are facilities that can provide the
processes of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment through the use
of advanced technological devices and facilities. These dedicated health
centers will serve only the patients who need further treatment to
rehabilitate, so it helps them prevent injury and disease, recover function
and strength, reduce pain and ultimately helps them return to a more
independent and productive lifestyle.
Projects in retirement homes and care centers, as well as dedicated
health centers are eligible for exemption or reduction of import duty on
machinery, based on project location, provided they achieve standards set
by relevant government agencies.
For further information:
The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI):
http://www.boi.go.th
The Food and Drug Administration:
http://www.fda.moph.go.th/eng/index.stm
Thai Medical Device Technology Industry Association (THAIMED):
http://www.thaimed.co.th/eng

17. Head Offices
Contact Us
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF INVESTMENT
555 Vibhavadi-Rangsit Rd., Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Tel: +66 (0) 2553-8111
Fax: +66 (0) 2553-8222
Website: www.boi.go.th
Email: head@boi.go.th
ONE STOP SERVICE CENTER FOR VISAS AND WORK PERMITS
18th Floor, Chamchuri Square Building,
319 Phayathai Rd., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: +66 (0) 2209-1100
Fax: +66 (0) 2209-1194
Email: visawork@boi.go.th
ONE START ONE STOP INVESTMENT CENTER (OSOS)
18th Floor, Chamchuri Square Building,
319 Phayathai Rd., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: +66 (0) 2209-1100
Fax: +66 (0) 2209-1199
Website: osos.boi.go.th
Email: osos@boi.go.th
INVESTOR CLUB ASSOCIATION (ICA)
12th and 16th Floor, TP&T Building, 1 Soi Vibhavadi-Rangsit
19, Vibhavadi-Rangsit Rd., Lad Yao, Chatuchak,
Bangkok 10900
Tel: +66 (0) 2936-1429
Fax: +66 (0) 2936-1441-2
Website: www.ic.or.th
Email: is-investor@ic.or.th
Regional Offices
CHIANG MAI
Regional Investment and Economic Center 1
Airport Business Park 108-110, 90 Mahidol Rd., Muang,
Chiang Mai 50100
Tel: +66 (0) 5320-3397-400
Fax: +66 (0) 5320-3404
Email: chmai@boi.go.th
SONGKHLA
Regional Investment and Economic Center 5
7-15 Chaiyong Building, Juti Uthit 1 Rd., Hadd Yai,
Songkhla 90110
Tel: +66 (0) 7434-7161-5
Fax: +66 (0) 7434-7160
Email: songkhla@boi.go.th
NAKHON RATCHASIMA
Regional Investment and Economic Center 2
2112/22 Mitraphap Rd., Muang, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000
Tel: +66 (0) 4421-3184-6
Fax: +66 (0) 4421-3182
Email: korat@boi.go.th
SURAT THANI
Regional Investment and Economic Center 6
49/21-22 Sriwichai Rd., Makhamtia, Muang,
Surat Thani 84000
Tel: +66 (0) 7728-4637, +66 (0) 7728-4435
Fax: +66 (0) 7728-4638
Email: surat@boi.go.th
KHONKAEN
Regional Investment and Economic Center 3
177/54 Moo 17, Mitraphap Rd., Muang, Khonkaen 40000
Tel: +66 (0) 4327-1300-2
Fax: +66 (0) 4327-1303
Email: khonkaen@boi.go.th
CHONBURI
Regional Investment and Economic Center 4
46 Moo 5, Laem Chabang Industrial Estate,
Sukhumvit Rd., Toongsukhla, Sriracha, Chonburi 20230
Tel: +66 (0) 3840-4900
Fax: +66 (0) 3840-4999, +66 (0) 3840-4997
Email: chonburi@boi.go.th
PHITSANULOK
Regional Investment and Economic Center 7
3rd Floor, Thai Sivarat Building, 59/15 Boromtrilokkanat 2 Rd.,
Naimuang, Muang, Phitsanulok 65000
Tel: +66 (0) 5524-8111
Fax: +66 (0) 5524-8777
Email: phitsanulok@boi.go.th
Overseas Offices
BEIJING
Thailand Board of Investment, Beijing Office
Royal Thai Embassy, No.40 Guang Hua Rd., Beijing 100600 P.R.C.
Tel: +86-10-6532-4510
Fax: +86-10-6532-1620
Email: beijing@boi.go.th
FRANKFURT
Thailand Board of Investment, Frankfurt Office
Royal Thai Embassy, Bethmann Str. 58, 5.OG 60311
Frankfurt am Main Federal Republic of Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 69-9291-230
Fax: +49 (0) 69-9291-2320
Email: fra@boi.go.th
GUANGZHOU
Thailand Board of Investment, Guangzhou Office
Investment Promotion Section, Royal Thai Consulate-General,
Room 1216-1218, Garden Tower, 368 Huanshi Dong Rd.,
Guangzhou 510064 P.R.C
Tel: +86-20-8333-8999 ext. 1216-8, 8387-7770
Fax: +86-20-8387-2700
Email: guangzhou@boi.go.th
LOS ANGELES
Thailand Board of Investment, Los Angeles Office
Royal Thai Consulate-General, 611 North Larchmont Boulevard,
3rd Floor, Los Angeles CA 90004, U.S.A.
Tel: +1-323-960-1199
Fax: +1-323-960-1190
Email: boila@boi.go.th
SEOUL
Thailand Board of Investment, Seoul Office
#1804, 18th Floor, Coryo Daeyungak Tower,
25-5, Chungmuro 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, 100-706, Korea
Tel: +82-2-319-9998
Fax: +82-2-319-9997
Email: seoul@boi.go.th
SHANGHAI
Thailand Board of Investment, Shanghai Office
Royal Thai Consulate-General, 15th Floor, Crystal Century Tower,
567 Weihai Rd., Shanghai 200041, P.R.C
Tel: +86-21-6288-9728-9
Fax: +86-21-6288-9730
Email: shanghai@boi.go.th
STOCKHOLM
Thailand Board of Investment, Stockholm Office
Stureplan 4C 4th Floor, 114 35 Stockholm, Sweden
Tel: +46 (0) 8463 1158, +46 (0) 8463 1174-75
Fax: +46 (0) 8463 1160
Email: stockholm@boi.go.th
SYDNEY
Thailand Board of Investment, Sydney Office
Suite 101, Level 1, 234 George Street, Sydney,
New South Wales 2000, Australia
Tel: +61-2-9252-4884
Fax: +61-2-9252-2883
Email: sydney@boi.go.th
NEW YORK
Thailand Board of Investment, New York Office
61 Broadway Avenue, Suite 2810, New York, N.Y. 10006, U.S.A.
Tel: +1-212-422-9009
Fax: +1-212-422-9119
Email: nyc@boi.go.th
TAIPEI
Thailand Board of Investment, Taipei Office
Taipei World Trade Center, 3rd Floor, Room 3E 39-40
No.5 Xin-Yi Rd., Sec. 5 Taipei 110, Taiwan R.O.C.
Tel: +886-2-2345-6663
Fax: +886-2-2345-9223
Email: taipei@boi.go.th
OSAKA
Thailand Board of Investment, Osaka Office
Royal Thai Consulate-General, Bangkok Bank Building, 5th
Floor, 1-9-16 Kyutaro-Machi, Chuo-Ku, Osaka 541-0056 Japan
Tel: +81 (0) 6-6271-1395
Fax: +81 (0) 6-6271-1394
Email: osaka@boi.go.th
TOKYO
Thailand Board of Investment, Tokyo Office
Royal Thai Embassy, 8th Fl., Fukuda Building West,
2-11-3, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 Japan
Tel: +81 (0) 3-3582-1806
Fax: +81 (0) 3-3589-5176
Email: tyo@boi.go.th
PARIS
Thailand Board of Investment, Paris Office
Ambassade Royale de Thailande, 8, Rue Greuze,
75116 Paris, France
Tel: +33 (0) 1-5690-2600-1
Fax: +33 (0) 1-5690-2602
Email: par@boi.go.th

18. www.boi.go.th
555 Vibhavadi-Rangsit Rd.,
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900,
Thailand
Tel: +66 2553 8111
Fax: +66 2553 8222
E-mail: head@boi.go.th
BOI 2012