Swedish patients tired of waiting may head to Thailand

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2005

STOCKHOLM (AFP) — Swedes facing long waits at home for state-funded medical treatment and operations will soon have the option of going to Thailand for private care, a travel organizer told AFP.

"In Sweden, the waiting period for an operation or treatment can be anywhere from two to 80 weeks. That's a long time to wait if you're in pain ... We think this offer will appeal to many Swedes," Leif Erre, the head of the Swedish company RelaxU which is organizing the trips, said Tuesday.

Thailand is a top tourist destination for Scandinavians. Many are familiar with the country and its services, especially after thousands of Swedes were caught up in the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. A total of 543 Swedes were killed.

In cooperation with the Bangkok Phuket...