Thailand wants to oblige tourists to take out insurance before entering the country
The reason lies in the rising costs for state hospitals.
Photo: Puttapon / Getty Images
Thailand is discussing mandatory medical insurance or accident insurance coverage for foreign tourists. The reason is the rising costs for state hospitals: many tourists end up there after accidents, especially on bikes and scooters, and then cannot pay for treatment, writes Bild.
Most such cases, according to local media, are recorded in tourist areas – Phuket, Samui, and Chiang Mai. According to authorities' estimates, unpaid bills from foreigners cost the healthcare system at least 100 million baht per year (about 2.5 million euros). Therefore, the government considers insurance a more reasonable measure than the long-discussed tourist tax.
However, a final decision has not yet been made. Authorities insist on the rapid launch of new rules, but for now, these are only plans.