Thursday, February 15, 2024
The Thai government has initiated a campaign to offer medical insurance to foreign tourists, covering up to 500,000 baht (S$18,650) for accidents and up to 1 million baht for fatalities. This initiative, announced on February 14 by Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, is a collaborative effort by the Tourism and Sports and Public Health ministries.
The minister expressed that the campaign aims to reassure international visitors of their safety and well-being while in Thailand, thereby enhancing the country’s reputation as a prime global holiday spot.
To fund this insurance scheme, the ministry has allocated 50 million baht from its emergency expenses budget. This fund will be available to compensate foreign tourists for incidents occurring from January 1 to August 31, 2024, on a case-by-case basis. Coverage includes up to 1 million baht for death, 300,000 baht for permanent organ damage, loss of sight, or permanent disability, and medical expenses reimbursed based on actual costs, capped at 500,000 baht.
However, coverage will not extend to incidents resulting from the tourists’ negligence, involvement in illegal activities, or engaging in risky behaviour.
Foreign tourists holding a tourist visa can apply for this insurance at provincial tourism and sports offices or at tourist assistance centres located in Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, with options to apply via post and email as well.
Minister Sudawan is optimistic that this campaign will significantly contribute to boosting tourism revenue, highlighting that as of February 11, foreign arrivals reached 4.3 million, indicating progress towards the goal of 35 million international tourists in 2024. The ministry has set an ambitious revenue target from tourism for 2024 at 3.5 trillion baht.
This insurance programme bridges the gap left by the dissolution of the Foreign Tourists Assistance Fund and precedes a new tourism fee scheme, which has been postponed indefinitely. Despite the delay in implementing the proposed 300-baht landing fee for air arrivals (and 150 baht for sea and land arrivals), the ministry is committed to enhancing tourist numbers and spending before considering the fee’s introduction.
The ministry plans to utilise the Thailand Traveller Safety (TTS) platform to streamline the insurance disbursement process for foreign tourists, offering online registration and aiding in the swift handling of insurance claims through data sharing with relevant authorities.
This comprehensive insurance coverage is expected to have a positive impact on tourism in Thailand by bolstering visitor confidence in their safety and care during their stay, potentially leading to increased tourist arrivals and expenditure, thereby supporting the nation’s economic recovery and growth in the tourism sector.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
