Samitivej Hospital Group has rolled out what it touts as Asean's first virtual medical service application, aiming to attract younger and middle-class patients.
The around-the-clock online medical service will allow patients 15-minute consultations for 500 baht per visit.
The hospital expects to attract 30-40 users per day initially.
Chairat Panthuraamphorn, managing director and chief executive of Samitivej Hospitals and BNH Hospital, said the challenge for the hospital industry is beyond digital disruption, innovation and the development of new services.
"The virtual hospital service will only be used for the Samitivej Hospital Group in the first phase, expanding to BNH Hospital in the future," he said.
The hospitals teamed up with six leading companies to launch the virtual hospital services: Advanced Info Service, Line Thailand, Muang Thai Life Assurance, Siam Commercial Bank, Sansiri and SCG Cement-Building Materials.
Dr Chairat said the hospitals serve high-end patients, both foreigners and Thais.
The pilot project is expected to help the hospital expand its middle-class customer base.
Samitivej Hospital Group has a total capacity of 1,500 beds at eight hospitals: Samitivej Sukhumvit, Samitivej Srinakarin, Samitivej Sriracha, Samitivej Chonburi, Samitivej Thonburi, Samitivej Chinatown, Samitivej Children Hospital and BNH Hospital.
Samitivej Hospitals and BNH Hospital are part of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, the largest medical group in Thailand, operating six major hospital groups: Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej Hospitals, BNH Hospital, Phyathai Hospitals, Paolo Hospital and The Royal Hospital.
Dr Chairat said the hospitals will launch new buildings for Japanese patients, an investment of 1 billion baht, to serve Japanese expats.
"The new building is located opposite Samitivej Sukhumvit and scheduled to open in June with the capacity of 40 beds," he said.
"The hospitals are very keen on Japanese patients, who make up one of the largest group of foreigners in Thailand."
Dr Chairat said the hospitals will expand medical services for Japanese expats to Samitivej Sriracha and Samitivej Chonburi in the Eastern Economic Corridor.
He did not divulge the investment amount for the two facilities.
"Many Japanese people have clustered in these locations, equalling their numbers in Bangkok," said Dr Chairat.
Samitivej Sriracha and Samitivej Chonburi have a combined capacity of 300 beds.
The two hospitals plan to have 500 beds in the near future.
