The cabinet on Tuesday approved a budget of 6.43 billion baht for the Andaman International Health and Wellness Center as proposed by Prince of Songkla University (PSU), with an aim to upgrade healthcare services in Phuket and neighbouring Andaman provinces.
Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Periswiwatthana said the four-year project would span the fiscal years of 2027 to 2030. The goal is to address shortages of medical and public health personnel, reduce the need to transfer patients with complex conditions to other regions, and strengthen healthcare services for residents and tourists in one of Thailand’s key strategic hubs.
The project, first proposed by the university in 2020, consists of five main components:
Andaman Health College
PSU Traditional Thai Medicine Hospital Phuket
PSU Medical Technology Service Center Phuket
PSU Digital Dental Center Phuket
PSU Phuket Hospital.
PSU Phuket Hospital, expected to open in 2030, will serve as a tertiary-level specialised hospital, supporting treatment for complex diseases, precision medicine, telemedicine and training for health science personnel.
Construction of the hospital alone is budgeted at 4.84 billion baht, comprising 2.9 billion in state funding and 1.94 billion from non-budgetary sources, along with the procurement of medical equipment.
Ms Lalida expressed confidence that the initiative would help position Phuket and the Andaman provinces as a regional healthcare hub. It will improve access to quality medical services closer to local residents, reduce healthcare inequality and boost confidence among residents, investors and tourists.
‘This is not merely the construction of a hospital, but the foundation of a comprehensive health system for the entire Andaman region – with skilled personnel, technology, research and internationally recognised medical services,’ she said.
Members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, after visiting the project site at the PSU Phuket campus, also voiced their support for developing the international medical hub.
Assoc Prof Dr Phan Thongchumnum, vice-president of PSU Phuket campus, said the university aims to develop the centre into a world-class healthcare destination, set to serve over 170,000 patients annually. The university also plans to produce healthcare professionals with skills tailored to regional demand.
PSU has additionally launched a medical degree programme integrating medicine with language skills and quantum technology, in preparation for Phuket and the Andaman region’s ambition to become a global ‘health city’ under Thailand’s national strategy.