File photo for reference only

 

Thailand's New Insurance Plan for Tourists

 

Thailand wants to make sure foreign tourists feel safe when they visit. The government has set aside money to help tourists who are hurt or who die in accidents while visiting the country.

 

Why is this important?

 

Thailand gets a lot of money from tourists.  The government wants to protect them so they keep coming back. In the past, there was a special fund to help tourists, but it ended.

 

How much help can tourists get?

 

If a tourist dies in an accident, their family can get up to 1 million baht (around $30,000 USD). For serious injuries, they can get up to 300,000 baht ($9,000 USD). The insurance also covers medical bills up to 500,000 baht ($15,000 USD).

 

Important rules to remember:

 

• This insurance won't help if the accident was the tourist's fault (like if they were breaking the law).
• You have to be in Thailand with a tourist visa to use this plan.

More about the plan:

 

The government was thinking about charging tourists a special fee to help pay for this insurance, but they've decided to wait a while. For now, they will use government money to help tourists in need.

 

The government studied how much money they've paid to help tourists in the past.  They feel confident that they have enough for now.

 

Remember, most tourists buy extra insurance

 

Many tourists already buy their own travel insurance before they come to Thailand. But this plan from the Thai government is an extra layer of protection.

 

-- ASEAN NOW 2024-02-15

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

Thailand allocates 50 million baht for foreign tourist insurance
by Alex Morgan
 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

The Thai Tourism and Sports Ministry has allocated a budget of 50 million baht (US$1.38) for the fiscal year of 2024 to financially aid foreign tourists in the event of accidents or death.

 

The ministry stated that this amount is likely to cover its expected influx of 35 million foreign visitors this year, in accordance with the average annual claims made over the past five years.

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol emphasised the government’s regard for the tourism industry as a key source of revenue. The ministry aims to ensure the safety of foreign tourists. As of February 11, there have been 4.3 million foreign arrivals, putting the country on track to meet its target of 35 million by year-end, said Sudawan.

 

The allocated 50 million baht budget, received from a central fund, is earmarked to compensate foreign tourists for any mishaps that may occur during their travels in Thailand between January 1 and August 31 this year. The coverage includes up to 1 million baht per person in case of death, and 300,000 baht (US$8,296) per person for permanent organ loss, loss of sight, or a permanent disability. Furthermore, a maximum of 500,000 baht (US$13,825) is set aside for medical expenses, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Tourists qualify for coverage if the incidents are not due to their negligence, intention for illegal activity, or risky behaviour. They must be visiting Thailand with a tourist visa or for tourism purposes. The insurance programme fills in the gap left by the expiration of the Foreign Tourists Assistance Fund.

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-15

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

Just going out on the roads on a motorbike should qualify as "risky behaviour." Who decides? 

They were required to cover that anyway by international human rights, what a jokers.

I would presume that riding a motorcycle without a proper license or not wearing a helmet will constitute "negligence or risky behavior".

About darn time - long overdue.

A bit unbalanced. If a Thai gets injured in, say, Europe they have free medical. 

Thailand survives on tourism so mending a few stupid idiots who arrive with no insurance is a drop in the bucket as to costs v spending. 

Up to one million baht per flying farang. 

Asian tourists just stay a few days n go home whereas western tourist stay in for months. The western tourists should buy local insurance 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

You have to be in Thailand with a tourist visa to use this plan

 

Most tourists enter without a visa, don't they?

19 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

They were required to cover that anyway by international human rights, what a jokers.

You're saying that "international human rights" dictates that tourists killed or injured, anywhere in the world, have medical costs covered (up to a certain amount) and compensation mandated by international law?    Could you be more specific with that claim and, perhaps, show something to back it up?

“The government was thinking about charging tourists a special fee to help pay for this insurance, but they've decided to wait a while. For now, they will usegovernment money to help tourists in need.”

Wow, so people who pay tax in Thailand are to foot the medical bills for random tourists who hurt themselves. Knowing this hospitals are free to charge what they want for the misadventures of a few who should have taken out travel insurance. Amazing Thailand indeed!

The only thing that will happen with fees is that the police and politicians will fill their pockets.

 

5 minutes ago, Ebumbu said:

Up to one million baht per flying farang. 

Depends what started the "flying".

Hmmm, is this govt "scheme/plan" going to alter the incentive to provide your own accident insurance, maybe? Only time will tell if the plan goes awry/bust.

47 minutes ago, Enzian said:

Just going out on the roads on a motorbike should qualify as "risky behaviour." Who decides? 

Government does naturally lol

2 minutes ago, Dibbler said:

Wow, so people who pay tax in Thailand are to foot the medical bills for random tourists who hurt themselves. Knowing this hospitals are free to charge what they want for the misadventures of a few who should have taken out travel insurance. Amazing Thailand indeed!

Taxpayers elsewhere do exactly the same.

What is their definition of "tourist visa" and what is the length of time of coverage? 

24 minutes ago, Callmeishmael said:

I would presume that riding a motorcycle without a proper license or not wearing a helmet will constitute "negligence or risky behavior".

Wouldn't be covered as it's an illegal act

50 million baht budget for one year is a very small budget.  Many insurance companies in Thailand offering health coveragen lost billions during covid some going bankrupt. I know this is for tourist visa holders but go fund me requests for help in Thailand are usually for massive hospital bills following accidents.  

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai Tourism and Sports Ministry has allocated a budget of 50 million baht (US$1.38) for the fiscal year of 2024 to financially aid foreign tourists in the event of accidents or death.

The might have to clean up the marine industry... they could clean out that fund in a single month

26 minutes ago, Callmeishmael said:

I would presume that riding a motorcycle without a proper license or not wearing a helmet will constitute "negligence or risky behavior".

 

As well as blatant stupidity or having a death wish

50 Million Baht equivalent $1.4M total budget to compensate Tourists for mishaps occuring that are not their fault.

Considering the generous amount of money being put forward, one can confidently assume that not all too many tourists involved in 'mishaps' are deemed not at fault.😉

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, traveller101 said:

50 Million Baht equivalent $1.4M total budget to compensate Tourists for mishaps occuring that are not their fault.

Considering the generous amount of money being put forward, one can confidently assume that not all too many tourists involved in 'mishaps' are deemed not at fault.😉

 

 

 

 

11 minutes ago, proton said:

 

As well as blatant stupidity or having a death wish

perhaps the Gov't could have this Insurance available for purchase by "tourist!  this could be an extra layer of protection.

A small budget of 50million for one year is a very small budget. The amount indicates very strict small print to refuse claims. There is also a danger of tourists who would buy insurance not doing so because they believe the tourist visa insurance coverage will cover them. 

'You have to be in Thailand with a tourist visa to use this plan.' 

 

So if I enter Visa Exempt and I am a Tourist on holiday, am I covered? 

I am too old to get travel insurance now so this would enable me to keep visiting

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand wants to make sure foreign tourists feel safe when they visit. The government has set aside money to help tourists who are hurt or who die in accidents while visiting the country.

 

Feel safe? When Thais cause most injuries and deaths then Thailand should pay, why should anybody else have to pay medical bills?, its their problem, stupid lazy RTP, driving test, DUI laws/fines are pathetic, boating accidents, trip hazards everywhere, pub security guards, taxi drivers, low signs, hanging wires, the list is endless.. you need nerves of steel just to drive somewhere. The whole country is an accident waiting to happen. 

So those of us who live here are not covered, and if a Thai injurers me who has no insurance I'm supposed to stump up my money for the hospital. Disgraceful IMO. 

I don't really understand tourists reluctance to have travel insurance. This scheme goes some way to covering this. But what about riding a motorcycle with no driving license or not wearing a helmet....is that excluded, as are visa exempt tourists excluded? I took out travel insurance yesterday for a 3 week trip to the US (where healthcare is madly expensive.....total cost less than $100). Why on earth don't these creeps buy it or stay away? 

Instead of the government having to pay, why not insist those on tourist visas have accident and health insurance. So many people believe 'It wont happen to me', and don't bother with insurance.

Farang is always in fault, no discussion, never a Thai driver.

1 hour ago, Callmeishmael said:

I would presume that riding a motorcycle without a proper license or not wearing a helmet will constitute "negligence or risky behavior".

Irrelevant.

Important rules to remember:

This insurance won't help if the accident was the tourist's fault (like if they were breaking the law).