Hospitality/VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center

Bumrungrad transforms its wellness center into a longevity hub

Editorial staff

VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center at Bumrungrad International Hospital enhances Thailand as a leading global destination for medical and wellness services by transforming its wellness center to a longevity hub.

“VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center at Bumrungrad International Hospital” elevates the hospital’s services to a full longevity hub, leveraging advanced science and innovation to design longer and healthier lives. Responding to global megatrends, the center reinforces its position as a regional leader and supports the rising number of tourists and foreign residents in Thailand—especially high-net-worth Chinese investors.

The center highlights the significant growth potential of Thailand’s wellness market, valued at over 1.4 trillion baht, within a global industry projected to reach 9 trillion USD by 2028. With its strong potential, Thailand is poised to become a global destination for longevity and wellness, strengthening its position as a leading medical and wellness hub.

Napas Paorohitya, chief marketing officer of Bumrungrad International Hospital

Napas Paorohitya, chief marketing officer of Bumrungrad International Hospital, said that in 2023 the global wellness economy was valued at more than 6.3 trillion USD and is expected to expand to 9 trillion USD by 2028. This growth is driven by increasing global focus on longevity and maintaining good health. Preventive healthcare and longevity or Healthspan defined as living a long, high-quality life with strong physical and mental well-being, not merely aging—have therefore become major global megatrends that are reshaping lifestyles, work patterns, and business directions worldwide.

In Thailand, the wellness economy is valued at more than 1.4 trillion baht and continues to show strong, sustained growth. Between 2020 and 2023, the sector recorded an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 8.62%, with projections indicating continued expansion of 7–10% per year. This momentum is driven by rising health consciousness following the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid growth of wellness tourism, where Thailand ranks among the world’s top destinations.

It is estimated that by 2025, wellness-related tourism businesses will generate total revenues of around 670 billion baht.

Thailand is increasingly in the spotlight as a key destination for high-net-worth Chinese individuals (HNWI), who are not only seeking business opportunities or leisure but also pursuing the highest possible quality of life—particularly in terms of health.

This presents a substantial opportunity for Thailand’s medical and wellness industries, as the country’s wellness sector has strong growth potential and aligns with the government’s strategic ambition to position Thailand as a global medical and wellness hub.

Mr Napas added that several key indicators support Thailand’s emergence as a central destination for high-net-worth Chinese individuals (HNWI).

Thailand is experiencing a significant rise in Chinese nationals investing and settling in the country—an economically powerful segment. Chinese buyers are now the largest group of foreign property purchasers in Thailand. In 2024 alone, they acquired 5,670 condominium units, worth more than 26.6 billion baht, accounting for 39% of all foreign transfers. Over the past five years, direct investment from Chinese corporations has totaled nearly 500 billion baht and continues to grow.

Thailand is also home to the world’s second-largest overseas Chinese community, estimated at 7–10 million people. This long-standing cultural familiarity and trust contribute to strong Thai–Chinese relations. Notably, more than 80% of Thailand’s top 40 wealthiest individuals have Chinese heritage.

“Therefore, Chinese nationals coming to Thailand are not merely tourists—they represent one of the world’s highest purchasing-power groups seeking long-term relocation and investment opportunities while looking for a second home that fully supports a high-quality lifestyle.

Moreover, they spend approximately 25% of their monthly income on health and wellness. More than 500,000 Chinese travelers go abroad each year for medical tourism, generating over 10 billion USD in annual expenditures.

“Chinese HNWI are not just seeking treatment when ill—they view health as an investment to enhance quality of life. They are willing to pay for the best experiences, with good health serving as a tangible marker of success,” he said.

In addition, the ultimate objective has shifted from simply extending lifespan to maximizing healthspan—the period of life spent in good health. This shift is driving rapid growth in the longevity medicine market.

China’s longevity market is emerging as a powerful new growth frontier for Thailand’s economy, supported by national strategies and significant public and private investment in longevity science. This preventive approach to medicine focuses on promoting long-term health at the cellular level, beginning as early as age 30, to extend healthspan.

“The most prominent emerging trend among HNWI is longevity—not just living longer in good health, but using advanced science and innovation to design a longer, higher-quality life. Thailand, and Bumrungrad International Hospital’s VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center, are exceptionally well-positioned to lead in this market,” he said.

Assistant Professor Polakit Teekakirikul, MD, chief executive officer of VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center

Assistant Professor Polakit Teekakirikul, MD, chief executive officer of VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center, said that with preventive healthcare and longevity becoming global megatrends, Bumrungrad International Hospital’s VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center has elevated its services to a full longevity hub. This strategic enhancement is designed to meet the growing demand from tourists and foreign residents in Thailand, particularly the rapidly expanding high-net-worth Chinese (HNWI) community.

Its wellness center, therefore, has customized health services delivered by expert medical teams to address the unique needs of each individual. It offers solutions to prevent four major diseases—cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders—through the principles of Hallmarks of Aging, providing cellular-level interventions to prevent illness before it occurs.

Over the next 3–5 years, there will be a significant shift from reactive healthcare—treating illness—to proactive health creation. This includes genetic testing, in-depth health analytics, data-driven disease prevention, and personalized care planning, reflecting the global move toward prevention and longevity.

“Collaboration among the government, private sector, and academic institutions is key to establishing Thailand as the regional health economy hub of ASEAN. We believe that by combining efforts based on data, science, and innovation, Thailand has the full potential to become a global destination for longevity and wellness,” he said.