While the plan is still pending approval from the ministries of Public Health and Tourism and Sports, Phuket has approved a three-billion-baht (around £7.4 million) investment to improve medical access for international patients visiting the region. It is believed that this scheme will help minimise the economic impact that Covid-19 has had on the country, while also establishing Thailand as a prominent country for quality medical care.

Bangkok Post has reported that the project is to be completed in two stages: firstly, the erection of four medical facilities, an international health plaza, two separate long-term care facilities – one for the elderly and another for terminally ill patients; and a rehabilitation centre, all on 140 hectares (half a square mile) of land near Mai Khao beach, north of Phuket International Airport. It has been reported that this phase should be completed by September 2021. Phase two will focus on the future prevention of the virus and other pandemics.

“The project would project the image of Phuket as a place for affordable medical services and world-class tourism,” said Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Chalermpong Sukontapol.

Although the plan is largely tailored to attract medical tourists, Thailand has long been a popular spot for leisure travellers, and those in need of medical assistance during their trip will no doubt benefit from the new facilities once they open – by which point, international travel will very likely have picked back up too. And while it’s no secret that Thailand has been aiming to reinvent itself as a luxury tourism destination, wealthy travellers enjoy medical security and peace of mind as much as the next guy, so having the new medical hub in such a prime location will also likely help ensure a steady stream of such tourists to the area.