BANGKOK — 19 June 2026, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Plc (BDMS) has launched WellEra Bangkok, a 29-billion-baht wellness-focused development in Bangkok’s Lumpini district, saying the project is intended to integrate healthcare into everyday living rather than function as a traditional real estate venture.
Scheduled to open fully in 2030, the development is being built under the concept “The DNA of World Well-Living”, combining preventive healthcare, residential living, hospitality and lifestyle facilities within a single ecosystem.
Extending healthcare beyond the hospital
BDMS President Dr. Poramaporn Prasarttong-Osoth said the project stemmed from the company’s efforts to extend healthcare beyond hospitals and clinics.
“We do not want people to see BDMS as moving into the property business,” she said. “Our objective is to find ways to help people stay healthy. We realised that if we want to improve health outcomes more effectively, we need to become part of people’s daily lives and lifestyles.”
Dr. Tanupol Virunhagarun, Chief Executive Officer of BDMS Wellness Group, echoed that sentiment, saying WellEra should be seen as a platform for improving quality of life rather than a conventional property project.
“We do not see ourselves as property developers,” he said. “We want to create a place that supports physical health, mental wellbeing and healthy longevity.”
According to the company, the 29-billion-baht investment covers land lease costs, construction of residential and hospitality facilities, a wellness clinic, a retreat centre and medical equipment. Foundation work has already begun.
Thailand’s moment as a global wellness destination
Dr. Tanupol said Thailand was well positioned to strengthen its role as a global wellness destination, citing the country’s established strengths in healthcare, tourism, food and hospitality.
“Opportunities like this do not come often,” he said. “Thailand already has strong foundations in food, tourism, healthcare and hospitality. The next step is to build on those strengths and connect them through a wellness ecosystem.”
BDMS said the global wellness economy is currently valued at more than US$6.8 trillion and is projected to reach US$9.8 trillion by 2029. Thailand’s wellness economy is estimated at around 1.4 trillion baht, driven in part by wellness tourism, which has grown by 36.4%, and wellness-focused residential development, which has expanded by 22.9%. BDMS alone serves approximately 12.8 million patients and wellness clients annually, representing more than 150 nationalities.
Dr. Tanupol said people worldwide live for an average of 71.4 years but spend only 61.9 years in good health, while Thais have an average lifespan of 75.3 years and a healthspan of 65.8 years. The figures suggest that many people spend more than a decade living with illness, highlighting the need for environments and lifestyles that support long-term health.
He said demand for services related to meditation, yoga, mental wellbeing and spiritual tourism was increasing worldwide, creating further opportunities for Thailand to expand its presence in the sector.
In 2025, BDMS reported total revenue of 113.272 billion baht, with wellness-related businesses accounting for approximately 12% of total group revenue, or around 13.6 billion baht, reflecting the growing importance of wellness within the organisation.
A human-centred design approach
The development will cover more than 200,000 square metres adjacent to Lumpini Park and will comprise four main components: a preventive healthcare clinic, branded residences under the Capella Residences Bangkok at WellEra brand comprising 262 units across 45 floors, an urban wellness retreat with 168 rooms across 20 floors, and lifestyle retail facilities.
Roland Fasel, President of Capella Hotel Group, said the partnership aims to combine hospitality and wellness expertise to support long-term wellbeing. He described Bangkok as a strategic location for the project and said the collaboration reflected both companies’ commitment to wellness-oriented living.
“There is no better city than Bangkok and no better partner than BDMS to shape the future of luxury living,” he said. “WellEra brings health and wellbeing to the heart of residential design, creating an environment that supports balanced living across body, mind and community.”
Thitiporn Nookong, Assistant Vice President for Property Development at BDMS, said the project’s design philosophy differed from that of conventional property developments because it began with an assessment of human needs and behaviours.
“We started by asking how people can live comfortably, sleep well, maintain good health and spend more time with the people they love,” she said. “Factors such as air quality, water quality, lighting, sound and temperature have been considered from the earliest stages of design.”
The development has been designed to meet international sustainability and wellness standards, including WELL Platinum, Fitwel 3-Star and LEED Gold certifications. It was also developed in collaboration with Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), the New York-based architectural firm behind projects including Hudson Yards in New York and Lotte World Tower in Seoul.
BDMS said it also plans to establish a health centre within Lumpini Park to support the wellbeing of local residents and park visitors in the future.
Reporting by Tanawan Jitsopa
