In the medical travel world, Thailand has made a name for itself as a premier location for cosmetic/plastic surgery, fertility treatments, dental care and dermatological procedures. Its hospitals are world-class and many have received Clinical Care Program Certification (CCPC) which indicates excellence in the treatment of major illnesses like heart failure, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes; its doctors were trained in some of the finest medical institutions all over the world; it was the first Asian country to achieve prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation; and it is growing as a medical tourism destination.
But let’s focus on its medical specialties: why is a visit to a cosmetic plastic surgeon so popular in the Land of Smiles? Well, Occam’s Razor – or perhaps scalpel – applies quite well here: the simplest explanation for something is usually best. In a nutshell, cosmetic surgery is so popular because Thais like to look good. Appearance matters there and at times, in some circles, it can verge on obsessive. A country’s beliefs, values, and sensibilities influence whether it becomes a prime location for certain things, and this idea applies to healthcare and medicine.
Like cosmetic surgery, another area of treatment where Thailand thrives is sex change operations. Affordable sex reassignment surgery, male-to-female (MTF SRS) or female-to-male (FTM SRS), is easily accessible here, and it can be credited to Thailand’s nonchalant attitude towards sex in general, but particularly to its liberal view of the LGBT community and mainstream acceptance of transsexuals. And because of this relaxed take on the matter, the country has emerged as somewhat of an epicenter for gender reassignment. A Bangkok-based comprehensive medical tourism portal site like Thai Medical Advisor is a great resource for information pertaining to male-to-female SRS.
It highlights who will make an ideal candidate, the length of time required for the procedure, how to prepare for it, the risks, pricing and just about anything else you may want to know about this life-changing event. It also features various providers who are at the head of the class in SRS, like PAI, the Preecha Aesthetic Institute, whose website announces the clinic as “The Pioneer for Sex Reassignment Surgery in Thailand” and whose namesake doctor, Dr. Preecha Tiewtranon, is generally regarded as the most reputable and accomplished sex change surgeon in Thailand, if not Asia. Another renowned surgeon with his own facility, Dr. Saran Wannachamras was trained by Dr. Preecha and specializes in SRS. His clinic advertises on its homepage an SRS MTF package that includes free online consultation, hotel booking and transfers, the surgery, and recovery.
The average cost is $8,000 USD, and the website dedicates a neatly outlined and detailed page to the services included (this package involves the penile inversion technique), facts about SRS, preparation, FAQs, and a photo gallery. The page concludes with the expected 13-day itinerary for medical travelers considering the procedure. And what about the costs?
Beyond the fact that Thailand specializes in sex reassignment surgery why should you go there for it? A general estimate for male-to-female SRS is $8,000- $20,000 USD in Thailand, but three to four times as much in America. So you are talking about big time savings, and treatment in possibly the world’s foremost location for the procedure. 
