As you walk the streets
in certain areas of Bangkok,
you may get the feeling that
you are somewhere in the Middle East.
Ever since the events of September 11th,
it has been more difficult Middle Easterns
to obtain visas in Western Countries
where they would have normally traveled to,
for medical treatment.
Because of Bangkok being an
international medical hub
the numbers of Middle Eastern patients
have rose from 5,000 in the year 2000
to 71,000 in the year 2005.
The numbers have been increasing by 38%, six years in a row.
And with current contracts being established
between hospitals and governments such as,
Arab Emirates and Oman that,
have been outsourcing some of
their medical services for their governmental staff,
it is expected that the numbers may rise by 200%.
With these kind of numbers,
Thailand has been quick in catering to them
by providing services such as;
a center to assist with visa issues,
creating an entire floor at Bangkok Hospital
decorated in Arabic style
with Halal food and prayer rooms.
There are still cultural challenges needed to be ironed out
such as, Thai nurses and doctors needing to wait
and knock on the door before entering
so that the women have time to put on
their headscarves or veils so that,
they do no see the women’s hair, which is taboo.
With Thais being subtle people,
it also takes them a bit of getting used to,
the vociferous way that Arabs talk,
leaving the impression on the Thais
that they are angry.
Those Thais who speak Arabic,
also have great opportunities to
work as translators with a satisfying pay package.
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on Jul 28, 2006
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