The AEC will boost this rising industry by increasing economic growth, trade and travel in Southeast Asia. As the CLMV region becomes integrated into regional supply chains, a large share of the population will enjoy higher living standards, increasing demand for quality medical services. The existing healthcare infrastructure in these countries is unlikely to be able to cope with the rise in demand, and Thai providers can fill the gap. As they do so, Thailand's healthcare system as a whole ought to benefit, because growth of high-end hospitals should help raise local standards and strengthen the cultivation of medical expertise here.