New 300 THB entry fee to help cover uninsured foreign tourists who fail to pay medical bills

[SomchaiCNX]

On 1/15/2021 at 4:21 PM, orchis said:

I don't believe the "unpaid bill" story. In 2009 a friend had acute appendicitis and was operated at Bangkok Christian. He couldn't pay and an agent of the hospital accompanied him home to confiscate his passport which was returned only after payment.

Very christian indeed. Most be catholic ????

[SomchaiCNX]

11 hours ago, SiSePuede419 said:

So you're confirming I was right.  This is about broke Farang freeloaders. ✅

No probably a farang that spent all his saving on medical bills already and is not allowed to die in dignity because doctors are not allowed by law to end it. I once found a fellow country man in the ICU that was terminal and could not communicate with the staff.  I told them if they needed help they could call me. I notified my embassy and they were aware of his situation. He was repatriated before but came back to Thailand. The only call I got from the hospital was to ask if I (w)could pay his bill. 

[orchis]

1 hour ago, SomchaiCNX said:

Very christian indeed. Most be catholic ????

No, Church of Christ.

And right they were; he 'was able' to pay within one week. Left Thailand without reimbursing the many people he borrowed from. 
And no, he didn't borrow from me.

Edited January 17, 2021 by orchis

[Cricky]

On 1/15/2021 at 10:27 AM, webfact said:

Thailand has decided on a 300 baht entry fee

I have been living in Thailand for 20 years now.

Been working offshore so I have returned every month from work. 300 baht per month adds up.

 

I have seen many changes over the many years but what stands out is the quality of the foreigners that come to Thailand these days. 

Too many Bloody pathetic human beings, they're coming with no money and no insurance.

 

Back in the day you'd see a few of these low life but more and more just keep coming.

Now I have to pay for these losers.

 

[KateSpade]

Now the UK has implemented PCR tests 72 hours validity and mandatory isolation from Monday for ALL people entering the UK its fairly obvious Europe will follow suit - so no one is going to go through all the hoops to get to Thailand and repeat on return .... The global tourist industry is dead, no matter what Thailand thinks, ZERO tourists is the correct projection until at least 2023 - no matter what these people say... in hindsight 300 Bhat is pittance compared to the cost of PCR to go and to return.

[KateSpade]

37 minutes ago, VYCM said:

I have been living in Thailand for 20 years now.

Been working offshore so I have returned every month from work. 300 baht per month adds up.

 

I have seen many changes over the many years but what stands out is the quality of the foreigners that come to Thailand these days. 

Too many Bloody pathetic human beings, they're coming with no money and no insurance.

 

Back in the day you'd see a few of these low life but more and more just keep coming.

Now I have to pay for these losers.

 

I was of the understanding that medical insurance was mandatory for entry into Thailand now and it's quite difficult to avoid hospital fees?  I worked for a major corporation in Bangkok, so in comparison to your complaining of 300 Bhat its quite irrelevant, as I received NO benefits considering I was paying into the THAI system for MANY years...so shut up and put up, and stop stereo typing and let people be and concern yourself with yourself.

[Cricky]

3 minutes ago, KateSpade said:

so shut up and put up, and stop stereo typing and let people be and concern yourself with yourself.

Your anger and hostility is not welcome here.............BYE

[KateSpade]

22 minutes ago, VYCM said:

Your anger and hostility is not welcome here.............BYE

Its neither anger or hostility - I just don't like hypocrites who seem to think they are above other people because they have lived in Thailand for 20 years or so, which is irrelevant as I stated...

[Dmitry2222]

On 1/15/2021 at 6:04 PM, sanuk711 said:

From Thailand--Thai's you mean, --yes my wife (before covid) often use to go there , great wines, very cheap spirits. The Australians use to get $10 cheaper as they funded the (friendship)  bridge. The amount of traffic crossing can really clog it up, sometimes leaving the tourist to wait in the heat. Hopefully the new rail will ease all that.

Citizens of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as Japan, South Korea, Russia and Switzerland, enjoy visa-free access to Laos. I don't remember that i paid something.

[IvorBiggun2]

I've never had treatment at a private hospital where some member of staff hasn't accompanied me to a cash point to ensure I pay. At government hospitals they won't treat you unless you are registered at that hospital. I think some Thai is dipping their fingers in the honey pot. It's all siht.

Edited January 17, 2021 by IvorBiggun2

[Graham n So]

On 1/15/2021 at 12:48 PM, bwpage3 said:

Reading all these comments, you would forget we are talking about Thailand.

 

When exactly has Thailand ever imposed a fee that helped tourists or anyone else for that matter?

 

Do you honestly expect for 300 baht you will be insured? Do you really believe that?

 

Try to remember where you are and the types of politicians you are dealing with.

As we left Thailand many years ago (due to too many rule changes and realising that I was never going to be able to live there in peace) we decided to move where the whole family could all live without anyone having to run the gauntlet of repetitious form filling and bureaucracy. We now only visit family every couple of years. We still hold property and some farm land in Thailand so would think that we might be still all able to enter into the Kingdom through the Thai immigration gate thus avoiding some questions and as to why and where.

[Maestro]

On 1/16/2021 at 3:23 AM, jomtienisgood said:

Banged up???? Isn't that another term for being pregnant?? ????

That would be knocked up.

[rodknock]

why not start a program for expats for govt. insurance.

not every xpat is on deaths door.

say 500baht a month, would cover govt. hospitals.

i would glady pay something like that, compared to the useless policy i have been forced to buy.

[onebir]

1 minute ago, rodknock said:

why not start a program for expats for govt. insurance.

...

i would glady pay something like that, compared to the useless policy i have been forced to buy.

Presumably because it would be good value & therefore not easy money for insurers. (Which probably answers the question...)

[ourdon]

I can't help but feel that we all (me included) have rushed past an important point in our hurry to claim government overreach and corruption.

 

WHAT DO THE NON PAYMENTS COST THE THAI MEDICAL SYSTEM AND WHO IS NOT PAYING?

 

We all seem to be blaming non insured tourists.  Should we be?  We haven't had any tourism since march of 2020.  That means that any current significant losses are caused by illegal workers from Myanmar and Cambodia etc. etc. in the camps.  They have already paid to corrupt officials to turn a blind eye to their presence. 

 

BTW  The second wave you are going through is caused by these same workers not being tested because they don't officially exist.  Don't blame the workers - they are victims here also.

 

HOW MUCH ARE THE HOSPITALS OUT OF POCKET RIGHT NOW.??  LET THE CORRUPT ONES PAY IT OUT OF THEIR TEA MONEY??  MAY WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT OF THE HOSPITALS  BOOKS??

 

Just a thought

 

Edited January 19, 2021 by ourdon
Spelling and emphasis

[balo]

So now we are paying for the cheap Russian tourists who can't afford an insurance?  Great. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

On 1/17/2021 at 6:18 PM, VYCM said:

I have been living in Thailand for 20 years now.

Been working offshore so I have returned every month from work. 300 baht per month adds up.

 

I have seen many changes over the many years but what stands out is the quality of the foreigners that come to Thailand these days. 

Too many Bloody pathetic human beings, they're coming with no money and no insurance.

 

Back in the day you'd see a few of these low life but more and more just keep coming.

Now I have to pay for these losers.

 

Eh? 

 

Thailand was the destination for backpackers with no money and no insurance for decades. 

 

As a former offshore worker myself, to be ranking ourselves above other visitors to the LOS is quite frankly absurd, given many of us are losers ourselves; alcoholics, sexual deviants, immoral cowards, unfaithful to wives etc. 

[Huckenfell]

On 1/15/2021 at 2:12 PM, mommysboy said:

It's a great idea that should have been done a long time ago.

 

There's one unintended consequence: some people will assume they are insured so won't bother getting real insurance.  

 

It won't mean that you don't have to pay for treatment.  

Quite right, they should have don it years ago, then there would not have been an excuse to punish O-A visa holders.

[Huckenfell]

On 1/15/2021 at 5:46 PM, djayz said:

True, but at least I can use / enjoy some of the things those taxes fund e.g. infrastructure, medical care, schools, etc. I have a problem with the concept that all tourists now have to chip in, even if it is only THB 300, to pay for what? Supposedly those who don't have medical coverage/insurance and/or abscond without settling their hospital bill. 

You tell me , how can anybody abscond from a Thai hospital without paying the bill, they will keep your passport to begin with. I have been in hospital 4 times  but not a 'snowballs chance in hell' of not paying.

[Huckenfell]

On 1/15/2021 at 6:55 PM, Katipo said:

300 Baht charged to tourists. Deduct 290 baht 'administration fee', and then the remainder will cover all those pesky uninsured tourists who are bankrupting the country.

Dont you mean bankrupting the Generals and govt officials.

[SupermarineS6B]

17 minutes ago, Huckenfell said:

You tell me , how can anybody abscond from a Thai hospital without paying the bill, they will keep your passport to begin with. I have been in hospital 4 times  but not a 'snowballs chance in hell' of not paying.

Exactly, even when i was sparked out last time in Bumrungrad they'd been through my pockets and found the visa card in my wallet....Checked the date and Bingo !   300 quid for fifteen stitches, and the worst part i could of done a better job blindfolded.......  

[tgw]

On 1/15/2021 at 10:27 AM, webfact said:

New 300 THB entry fee to help cover uninsured foreign tourists who fail to pay medical bills

 

FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

Last January, Japan introduced the so called "Sayonara Tax" to improve the country's tourism infrastructure for the subsequently cancelled Olympics. 

 

 

 

can we please exempt tourists showing proper travel insurance from this ugly socialist tax?

[tgw]

23 minutes ago, Huckenfell said:

You tell me , how can anybody abscond from a Thai hospital without paying the bill, they will keep your passport to begin with. I have been in hospital 4 times  but not a 'snowballs chance in hell' of not paying.

 

when they keep your passport, call the police to retrieve it.

[Huckenfell]

On 1/16/2021 at 2:53 AM, Nout said:

I'm sure there used to be an exit tax when I first came here

Yes i think it was Bht500, but it seems a long time ago now.

 

[djayz]

2 hours ago, Huckenfell said:

You tell me , how can anybody abscond from a Thai hospital without paying the bill, they will keep your passport to begin with. I have been in hospital 4 times  but not a 'snowballs chance in hell' of not paying.

Strange, they only check mine at check-in and hand it back a minute or two later. 

[SupermarineS6B]

On 1/20/2021 at 12:15 AM, Mr Meeseeks said:

Eh? 

 

Thailand was the destination for backpackers with no money and no insurance for decades. 

 

As a former offshore worker myself, to be ranking ourselves above other visitors to the LOS is quite frankly absurd, given many of us are losers ourselves; alcoholics, sexual deviants, immoral cowards, unfaithful to wives etc. 

Dead right, i've met some of the worst specimens of humanity offshore and i've worked for some pretty high profile outfits........ Judging backpackers and travellers as harshly as that is very sad indeed....... When i first came to Thailand it was the hippies and the backpackers that opened the place up......  Thailand was a very poor country back then........ Sadly lots of people have forgotten this or were not there to see it.....  

[Cricky]

17 hours ago, SupermarineS6B said:

On 1/20/2021 at 7:15 AM, Mr Meeseeks said:

Eh? 

 

Thailand was the destination for backpackers with no money and no insurance for decades. 

 

As a former offshore worker myself, to be ranking ourselves above other visitors to the LOS is quite frankly absurd, given many of us are losers ourselves; alcoholics, sexual deviants, immoral cowards, unfaithful to wives etc. 

Dead right, i've met some of the worst specimens of humanity offshore and i've worked for some pretty high profile outfits........ Judging backpackers and travellers as harshly as that is very sad indeed....... When i first came to Thailand it was the hippies and the backpackers that opened the place up......  Thailand was a very poor country back then........ Sadly lots of people have forgotten this or were not there to see it..... 

What are you guys smoking?

 

I made no reference to Backpackers.
Just the quality of people that come, these people travel without Insurance. because they have NO money. These people shouldn't travel.
Thai people dont need these tourists without money.
This is why we must  pay for their medical expenses.. 

 

Also, I spoke about offshore work because every month I'm in an airport and I said 300 baht would add up.

 

If you are not native English speakers I can translate for you.
 

[quake]

On 1/20/2021 at 7:15 AM, Mr Meeseeks said:

Eh? 

 

Thailand was the destination for backpackers with no money and no insurance for decades. 

 

As a former offshore worker myself, to be ranking ourselves above other visitors to the LOS is quite frankly absurd, given many of us are losers ourselves; alcoholics, sexual deviants, immoral cowards, unfaithful to wives etc. 

I resemble that remark, sexual deviant

[Captain Monday]

23 hours ago, tgw said:

 

can we please exempt tourists showing proper travel insurance from this ugly socialist tax?

So they can show a fake paper they bought off internet? No thanks 

It should be 100 baht, PER DAY. If they cant afford 3000 baht tourist fee for visa exempt  in Thailand stay home under flourescent tubes at a MacDonalds.

[elliss]

On 1/15/2021 at 9:00 PM, Mr Meeseeks said:

Are the foreigners skipping out on government hospitals? 

 

Surely private hospitals aren't getting bailed out by the government too?

 

   FYI .

  Private hospitals , want to know your method of payment,  Cash /Visa .

           before they even weigh you in ...