By undergoing plastic surgery in Phuket, you can enjoy a great holiday in one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world while taking advantage of outstanding medical care at a fraction of the price you'd normally pay back home.

We have partnered with only the top medical providers on this large Thai island province; you can use Medical Departures to book your desired procedure or treatment safely and securely in the knowledge you won't be compromising on quality. 

Phuket is the largest island and second-smallest province in Thailand. This southern region of the country was renowned for its tin, rubber and fishing industries that contributed much to Phuket's early economy. Today, the majority of income comes from the tourism industry, including the ever-expanding medical tourism market.

Around 70 per cent of Phuket is comprised of mountainous terrain, stretching from north to south across the island. The rest of the province is predominantly plains that make up most of the central and eastern regions. Much of Phuket consists of forest, palm oil and rubber plantations, with the west coast being notable for its sandy beaches and built-up tourist resorts. 

At the southernmost point of the island is Laem Promthep, otherwise known as Brahma's Cape, which attracts visitors from all over the world with its breathtaking sunsets over the Andaman Sea. 

The most popular, and therefore overcrowded tourist area, is Patong Beach. Situated on the central west coast, the majority of Phuket's nightlife and shopping can be found in Patong. To the south of Patong, you will find Kata Noi Beach, Kata Beach and Karon Beach, with Nai Harn Beach and Rawai just around the southern tip of the island. Each with its own unique merits, these are all top places to visit on any trip to Phuket. 

Phuket is a southern island province in Thailand. It is the country’s largest island and is located in the Andaman Sea off the west coast of Thailand. The Island is connected to Phang Nga Province by the Sarasin Bridge to the north, with the province of Krabi lying to the east across the Phang Nga Bay.

It is close to Malaysia and easily reachable if you're coming from Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta or other major cities in the region. 

The Costs:

The price of plastic surgery procedures can be the most prohibitive factor for many who are considering undergoing treatment. However, by choosing to have cosmetic surgery in Phuket you can save up to 70% on the cost of your treatment compared to the price you would be expected to pay in your home country.

Some examples of the savings you can make in Phuket are:

• Breast augmentation in Phuket: approximately AUD $6,650 compared to AUD $16,500 in Australia
• Facelifts in Phuket: approximately AUD $6,120 in Phuket compared to AUD $26,000 in Australia 
• Lip augmentation in Phuket: approximately AUD $865 in Phuket compared AUD $3,800 in Australia

Medical Facilities:

Thailand prides itself on the high standards that their medical facilities deliver, with many hospitals striving to attain international certification and accreditation. They became the first Asian country to gain JCI accreditation in 2002, and now some 60 hospitals throughout Thailand have received this prestigious award.  Many healthcare providers are also ISO certified or have acquired Hospital Accreditation (HA) that is awarded by the Ministry of Public Health.

Doctor Training and Qualifications:

Doctors and surgeons throughout Thailand have earned awards for their expertise and endeavors, with many specialists gaining international qualifications in Western countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States. In fact, there are over five hundred doctors currently practicing in Thailand that are American board-certified.

Tourist Locations for Pre and Post-op Recovery:

Western Phuket, which consists of Surin, Patong, Mai Khao, Laem Sing, Kata, Karon, Kamala, Bang Thao, Nai Thon and Nai Yang, has a worldwide reputation for its beaches, with Patong, in particular, being renowned as one of the party capitals of Asia. For those who prefer something a little quieter, southeastern Phuket offers more laid-back beaches and the largest town, Chalong Bay, acts as a harbour with boats making regular trips to and from the other islands.

Interior Phuket, with the exception of Phuket Town, is largely made up of small Muslim communities, pineapple and rubber plantations, mangrove forests, shrimp farms and fishing villages, although the Gibbon Project and The Phra Taew National Park offer a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the tourist crowds.

You will discover a variety of accommodation options available around Phuket. Air-conditioned rooms by the beach start from around 1,000 baht (AUD $45) per night but can be around half this amount away from the beach. If you want to stay in a resort, rates start from around AUD $130 but can be higher depending upon location and amenities. You can gain a cheaper rate by pre-booking, and during the high season between November and May, it is advisable to make your reservations two or three months in advance.

Significant savings can be made by staying in town rather than near the beach. There is a range of budget hotels and hostels available, and commuting to the beach is pretty straightforward as the local bus networks are regular and reliable.

On the whole, you should not experience any safety risks during your visit to Phuket. There are, however, certain common-sense precautions that you can implement to ensure that your trip remains uneventful. 

For example, be particularly vigilant to guard against bag snatchers and pickpockets. Scams are also commonplace throughout Thailand. Before you go, read this to stay street-smart in Phuket. 

By booking your treatment through Medical Departures you have the confidence of knowing that all of our doctors and clinics have passed our strict quality assurance tests.

We perform background checks to ensure the validity of all qualifications, professional associations and experience, and we carry out site visits to make sure that the facilities are fit for purpose and that hygiene and safety standards are of the highest quality. All of this information is available for you to review free of charge on our website, along with site photographs and real patient reviews.

In Phuket, there are a number of first-class hospitals, such as the JCI-accredited Bangkok Hospital Phuket. These hospitals are internationally renowned for their professional, experienced medical staff and cutting-edge technology that enables them to deliver unrivalled treatments and services to an expanding medical tourism market.

Take a look now at three other top medical facilities that we have partnered with in Phuket offering a range of medical and cosmetic procedures to international patients:

• Phuket Plastic Surgery Institute
• Healthy Skin Clinic
• Apex Medical Center

International patients in Phuket will have no difficulties finding English-speaking surgeons and most specialist clinics and private hospitals also provide translation services in a variety of other languages including Japanese, Arabic, Dutch and Russian.

English, at least to some degree, is spoken throughout the more touristy areas of the island. 

The currency in Phuket is the Thai Baht. Cash is accepted everywhere, including clinics and hospitals, and traveller's cheques are also widely accepted although there may be a small fee.

Many establishments have facilities for taking credit and debit card payments, although it is advisable to limit the use of your cards to major retailers and hotels to minimize the risk of fraud. You may find that there is a charge applied to electronic transactions, and also to cash withdrawals from ATM machines, so you should check with your bank before you travel to avoid any unexpected bank fees.

You can book your treatment at any time of the year, but many patients make arrangements to visit based on the local weather conditions in Phuket. The province has a tropical monsoon climate due to its close proximity to the equator, and visitors should expect an average annual temperature that ranges from 25°C (77°F) to 32°C (90°F).

The dry season runs between December and March when the weather is cooler and drier, and this tends to be the high season for tourists. The wet season covers the rest of the year, although, like many tropical cities, there can be some rainfall even during the dry season. Generally speaking, you should expect conditions to be warm and intermittently rainy, depending upon the time of year that you travel.

Modern hotels and resorts are generally well equipped for the needs of wheelchair users, and there are a lot of taxis that are wheelchair-friendly and can assist you in getting around the province. 

Unfortunately, you may find that some of the pavements and sidewalks are not wheelchair-friendly, with a lack of drop-curbs, cracked surfaces and obstructions making navigation difficult for wheelchair users. Access to some buildings can also be challenging with steps and narrow doorways making entry difficult. However, on the plus side, the Thai people are very accommodating and are quick to offer assistance as and when required. Shuttle services provided by many clinics and hospitals can also be a big help.

Tourists should be wary of strong currents when swimming in the sea along many of the beaches in Phuket, especially during the summer monsoon season. You should also be vigilant when out and about at night as there are pickpockets that will target the unwary. It is also advisable to only use only metered taxis and, where possible, ask the hotel to call on your behalf.

If you do have any issues, there is a Tourist Police Hotline that can be contacted. They do speak English, unlike some of the local Thai police, so always insist on involving this special Tourist Police branch if you are unfortunate to encounter any disputes.

Phuket is world-renowned for its beaches and watersport activities. You can experience anything from parasailing, jet-skiing, yachting, diving, snorkelling and swimming, to more adventurous pursuits such as wakeboarding, free diving, kite surfing, windsurfing or deep-sea fishing. For those looking to party, Paradise Beach is recognized as the go-to resort for in-the-know locals and hip tourists, with international DJ gigs being held throughout the year.

You can book daily tours, or charter a boat, to explore some of the smaller, breathtaking islands off the shore of Phuket such as Coral Island, Phang-nga Bay, Racha Island, Khai Island and Phi-Phi Island. Or maybe you’d prefer to take advantage of the spa and wellness scene that caters for anything from an AUD $15 massage to a full two-week stay at an exclusive spa resort.

You will discover numerous local sites of historical interest, such as the Chalong Temple or the white Marble Buddha statue, located on the top of Naka Kerd Mountain, which provides stunning views across the east coast of Phuket. You may also want to visit the half-buried golden Buddha statue at Wat Phra Thong. But, be warned, the statue is considered by locals to be "untouchable" and legend has it that anybody attempting to dig the statue out has been cursed! 

Phuket International Airport is located in the north of the island and is second only to Bangkok in terms of traffic and range of flights. There are frequent services to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok, as well as direct charters to many international locations such as Australia, Hong Kong, the Philippines and the United Kingdom.

The Thao Thepkasattri Bridge provides a direct connection between the mainland and Phuket, so it is actually possible to drive into the province, passing through a police checkpoint in Tha Chat Chai. There are also regular bus routes available to get you onto the island, as well as ferry services in and out of Rassada Pier in Phuket Town.

You will not require a visa to visit Phuket as long as your stay will be under 30 days, providing you are in possession of a confirmed international flight ticket that shows that you will be leaving Thailand within 30 days of your arrival. This process is called a "visa on arrival" which does involve filling out a short (and free) form at the airport after you land. 

Extendable tourist visas can be obtained before you go, allowing stays of up to 90 days.

Distances and flying times from other countries:

• Auckland: 5802 miles, 12 hours
• Sydney: 4495 miles, 9.5 hours
• London: 6159 miles, 13 hours
• New York: 9052 miles, 18.75 hours
• Los Angeles: 8685 miles, 18 hours
• Montreal: 8723 miles: 18 hours

Check out our full, background-checked clinic listings and find your surgeon or doctor in Phuket here.

Want to know more about plastic surgery in Phuket? Speak to our Customer Care Team and lock in the best prices online for your treatment. Or if you are ready to book your appointment, you can do so right here any time of the day or night, at no charge to you

Sources:

The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. Website accessed: 27 August 2020. https://www.abplasticsurgery.org/

Joint Commission International. Website accessed: 27 August 2020. https://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/

5 Best Known Scams in Phuket. Hotels.com. 2020. https://th.hotels.com/go/thailand/phuket-best-known-scams

Emergency Contact Numbers. Phuket Consulate. Website accessed: 25 February 2020. http://www.phuketconsult.com/emergency-contact-numbers/

Types of Thai Visa. ThaiEmbassy.com. 2019. https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/thailand-visa-types.php

Phuket. Hotels.com. Website accessed: 25 February 2020. http://www.phuket.com/

Why is Thailand so popular for medical tourists? The Thaiger. 19 February 2019. https://thethaiger.com/thai-life/why-is-thailand-so-popular-for-medical-tourists

Phuket Weather Forecast. WeatherForecast.com. 2019. https://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Phuket/forecasts/latest