Thailand has reinforced its position as a leading global destination for medical travel, with new data showing an 8% year-on-year increase in medical-related search queries.

According to the Medical Tourism Overseas Q4 2025 report by Yango Ads, the country now ranks among the world’s top three destinations for international patients seeking treatment abroad. Russian-speaking travellers are a key driver of this growth, increasingly selecting Thailand for elective procedures and preventative care.

Wellness services remain the biggest draw. Searches for destination spa treatments rose by 45% compared with the previous year, accounting for 67% of all medical tourism searches from Russian-speaking users.

Beyond wellness, demand for clinical services is also rising. Health diagnostics and dental treatments rank among the most sought-after medical categories, reflecting a broader trend in which travellers combine leisure holidays with preventative health check-ups.

Thailand continues to perform strongly in the wider travel market as well. It remains the most searched destination in Southeast Asia for Russian speakers, outperforming competitors such as Vietnam and Japan. Overall travel search volumes rose by 10% in Q4 2025, following a 49% surge in the previous quarter.

While Phuket and Pattaya remain popular, emerging destinations are gaining attention. Searches for Chiang Mai increased by 24%, supported by its cooler climate and seasonal events, while Krabi recorded a 16% rise, benefiting from its proximity to Phuket and growing demand for nature-focused retreats.

Accommodation trends also show shifting traveller behaviour. Villas accounted for 69% of all non-hotel accommodation searches, while 95% of travel searches were made for last-minute trips.

“Thailand continues to demonstrate exceptional appeal,” said Neha Dawar, Business Development Manager at Yango Ads Thailand. “As competition intensifies, data-driven strategies are becoming essential.”

International Hospitals & Healthcare recently looked at the myths and realities behind the post-pandemic boom in medical tourism.