Anyone needing to stay 90 days or longer for medical care has extension of stay option available to them. Hospitals may even take care of it. There is no real problem for visitors from Europe or America to obtain required stay for medical reasons and most will arrive with 30 or 60 days. But the fact is Thai hospitals have a huge medical travel in place now for visitors from the middle east and the normal VOA is only 15 days for them so it really seems logical to provide a longer stay if there travel is for medical reasons.

I don't buy that. If the worry is abuse, those named nationals could abuse it too.

Obviously it is a crude (and imperfect) system but if this is the way to get the policy up and running (with more sophisticated and objective rules to follow) then it is better than nothing.

Although they are unlikely to say so, they are obviously keen to avoid making it any easier for low-life sex tourists from abroad to come and doss around in the kingdom's beer-bars, and lets face it most of these guys are white Europeans or Americans, not Arabs.

I wonder if the same people who are so against this policy would be so vocal if the Thai government announced more stringent border controls specifically for Arabs entering the country to check they are not terrorists.

I don't buy that. If the worry is abuse, those named nationals could abuse it too.

Obviously it is a crude (and imperfect) system but if this is the way to get the policy up and running (with more sophisticated and objective rules to follow) then it is better than nothing.

Although they are unlikely to say so, they are obviously keen to avoid making it any easier for low-life sex tourists from abroad to come and doss around in the kingdom's beer-bars, and lets face it most of these guys are white Europeans or Americans, not Arabs.

I wonder if the same people who are so against this policy would be so vocal if the Thai government announced more stringent border controls specifically for Arabs entering the country to check they are not terrorists.

...or launched the policy with North American, EU and Aust/NZ nationals as the 'test cases'.

Geez, the sense of entitlement on this thread is amazing. Racist I hear...well only when it doesn't benefit you!

Most people here with western passports can travel pretty freely to most parts of the world - is that racist?

Many here get priveledged access to each others countries via the European Union, North American Free Trade Agreement, The Australian- New Zealand Common Economic Relations agreement.

But when a bunch of Arabs (and lets be frank, that is what is giving people the shIts here) get 90 days and you blokes only get 30, well, it is RACIST.

I have to shake my head sometimes.

About racist definition:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism

Racism and racial discrimination are often used to describe discrimination on an ethnic or cultural basis, independent of whether these differences are described as racial. According to the United Nations convention, there is no distinction between the terms racial discrimination and ethnic discrimination, and superiority based on racial differentiation is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous, and that there is no justification for racial discrimination, in theory or in practice, anywhere.^[7]

^{In this instance, it would appear to me that the Thai government is merely developing policies and regulations that would benefit their country FINANCIALLY. Which sounds fair to me.}

Yes, NOT racist. Again, I never said and never thought this visa policy was racist, no matter what Mr. Samran thinks.

Geez, the sense of entitlement on this thread is amazing. Racist I hear...well only when it doesn't benefit you!

Most people here with western passports can travel pretty freely to most parts of the world - is that racist?

Many here get priveledged access to each others countries via the European Union, North American Free Trade Agreement, The Australian- New Zealand Common Economic Relations agreement.

But when a bunch of Arabs (and lets be frank, that is what is giving people the shIts here) get 90 days and you blokes only get 30, well, it is RACIST.

I have to shake my head sometimes.

About racist definition:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism

Racism and racial discrimination are often used to describe discrimination on an ethnic or cultural basis, independent of whether these differences are described as racial. According to the United Nations convention, there is no distinction between the terms racial discrimination and ethnic discrimination, and superiority based on racial differentiation is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous, and that there is no justification for racial discrimination, in theory or in practice, anywhere.^[7]

^{In this instance, it would appear to me that the Thai government is merely developing policies and regulations that would benefit their country FINANCIALLY. Which sounds fair to me.}

Agreed,

I don't see it as Racist, which always has negativity aligned with it. It is only a way to try to increase income into the country.

I cannot think of anything to say against it, and I stand by my post that Thai Embassies/Consultes in other countries will be quite willing to assist in the case of applications for extended visits to Thailand for medical treatment, as will the hospitals involved.

I don't buy that. If the worry is abuse, those named nationals could abuse it too.

Obviously it is a crude (and imperfect) system but if this is the way to get the policy up and running (with more sophisticated and objective rules to follow) then it is better than nothing.

Although they are unlikely to say so, they are obviously keen to avoid making it any easier for low-life sex tourists from abroad to come and doss around in the kingdom's beer-bars, and lets face it most of these guys are white Europeans or Americans, not Arabs.

I wonder if the same people who are so against this policy would be so vocal if the Thai government announced more stringent border controls specifically for Arabs entering the country to check they are not terrorists.

not a bad idea

The advantage of the middle easterners is that the typically the patioents' governments will pay for the medical treatment. It is much easier for Thai hospitals to deal with one central payer that has the means to pay. The problem with individual patients is that there is more difficulty in collecting and managing the collection. With the current middle eastern treatment agreements, there is a pre-approved fee basis. The middle eastern market is a proven profit source. Is it any different than US or Eu visas granted on a preferred or expedited basis to "business class" investors?

Quite a few years back, I suffered a broken neck while on a tourist visa. I had surgery in Bangkok and while in the hospital, my medical extension was handled by the hospital. I remained in the country for a very long time on the advice of the surgeon. No problem with getting some sort of medical extension based on the certificate from the surgeon.

We have also had pregnant teachers who have had all the immigration stops pulled out for them. They have a doctor's certificate and no need to get the non-immigrant B visa, etc. It is not until after they have delivered the baby that the procedure starts.

As for immigration policies in general, nearly all countries are discriminatory in who they allow to enter.

This policy does seem discriminatory. Heck, it IS discriminatory. They are explicitly seeking the business from the specific countries. We can only hope the program is a huge success and someone gets the bright idea that medically based 90 day visas should be much more widely offered.

I strongly feel this discriminates against other nationalities and makes no good economic sense. I also has lead to an invasion of muslims around the hospitals to include women in Burcas begging in the street with small children just like in Afghanistan. Not sure the influence of the muslims from some areas is what a country like Thailand needs with its problems in the south. I also note that costs for procedures at the two main hospitals that do this in Bangkok have sky-rocketed for procedures and they try to rush you into surgeries. In my case the next day to remove bones in my hand. I figured a second opinion first, but could have just as easily trusted this highly credentialed doctor/professor.

...

As for immigration policies in general, nearly all countries are discriminatory in who they allow to enter.

Yes.

This policy does seem discriminatory. Heck, it IS discriminatory. They are explicitly seeking the business from the specific countries. We can only hope the program is a huge success and someone gets the bright idea that medically based 90 day visas should be much more widely offered.

I strongly feel this discriminates against other nationalities and makes no good economic sense. I also has lead to an invasion of muslims around the hospitals to include women in Burcas begging in the street with small children just like in Afghanistan.

If they're reduced to begging in the streets how are they going to pay their medical bills?

The advantage of the middle easterners is that the typically the patioents' governments will pay for the medical treatment.

A couple of months back I was staying in a resort in Hua Hin and got chatting to this Omani guy who was taking a few days break from caring for his father who been in Bumrungrad.for a while. I observed that it must be costing a pretty penny and was mildly surprised to discover that the Omani government were shelling out for the bill as it ran into the millions of baht.

1 post and a reply to it deleted. Please stay on topic.

Not to be picky about it, but while many European health systems are fine and basically free for that country's nationals there can be a long waiting time...especially for elective and non-emergency surgery procedures.

When I worked in Denmark, a Danish friend wanted some elective surgery....and if he went on the waiting list he could have expected a wait of possibly 6 months.

So he and his wife went to the Thai consulate and both got a sinmgle entry tourist visa...which they both extended for 30 days.

He got his operation done, then he and his wife spent about 3 weeks "recovering" on the beach in Thailand.

Much better from his point of view than waiting maybe 6 months in Denmark, especially in the winter.

(He needed some work on his leg injury caused by an accident,,,,he had private health insurance anyhow....and the insurance company saved money by sending him to Thailand)

Win-Win situation for everyone involved.

...........most europeans have a health insurance, which wouldnt cover thailand, and are used to very high standards anyway...

Very high health standards in Europe?

Not according to Fox News.

They tell their viewers Europe is living in the Stone Age medically and every other -ly.

The big studies show Europe to have a measurably better service than the US, but what do facts matter?

Funnily enough Fox's most-hated France always comes out top.

BTW IMAFARANG. Just read your post

There has to be a balance to keep away from truly crippling levels of cost such as in the US and occasionally waiting for non urgent repeat non urgent treatment is one of the prices i for one would be happy to pay. If you want an unaffordable perfect service have one but you'll work yourself to death and ruin the economy paying for it.

BTW if you measure a range of factors including social mobility, trust, education, etc, it seems that if you want to live the American Dream, move to Denmark, Norway, or Finland......but not America.

Just sayin'.....

Edited August 9, 201213 yr by cheeryble

Obviously a more objective method (e.g. 100k USD deposit or some sort of proof of high income) would be fairer than the Arabs-only rule

Huh?

Fairer for whom.......rich people?

Edited August 9, 201213 yr by cheeryble

Off-topic unreadable font post removed.

Obviously a more objective method (e.g. 100k USD deposit or some sort of proof of high income) would be fairer than the Arabs-only rule

Huh?

Fairer for whom.......rich people?

If you can think of a better way to differentiate between real high-spending medical tourists and low-life long-stay sex tourists please suggest it.

Sent from iPhone; please forgive any typos or violations of forum rules

All this info about the visa for medical treatment is not really all that new other than this appears to some type special VOA.

From MFA website. http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15398-Issuance-of-Visa.html

- other activities (Category "O") as follows:

to stay with the family, to perfrom duties for the state enterprise or social welfare organizations, to stay after retirement for the elderly, to receive medical treatment, to be a sport coach as required by Thai Government, to be a contestant or witness for the judicial process.

There is also a clause in the police order for an extension to have medical treatment.

Followup: I wonder how those people are going to get checked in for their flights. Their return flights will exceed the number of days shown in the airline databases.

maximum number is 180 days. then there is also the possibility to keep the return flight open and book when the medical treatment allows it.

Maybe the perception that middle east visitors are seen as being usually very wealthy and bringing 4 relatives adds to to the overall spending while in Thailand

They might be percieved as being wealthy, but the wealthy in all the countries listed for the 90 day visa have no trouble receiving high level care in their own countries. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates all have world class medical facilities. And it wont stimulate the economy in a manner that will have much impact. The people will come, stay in a cheap hotel, eat arab food at Suk and soi 3 served by an arab illegal alien in a restraunt operated by an arab illegal alien.

________

Seems unfair that everyone cant get a 90 day visa for medical reasons. The whole thing seem a bad idea to me. And 90 days on arrival..just seems stupid. To easy to BS.

stay in a cheap hotel, eat arab food at Suk and soi 3 served by an arab illegal alien in a restraunt operated by an arab illegal alien

people like you with no bloody idea should not spread their silly assumptions. go to any fancy Thai hospital, check the ocupation rate of the "arab" section as well as the prices "hospital room only" and then tell us facts.

Maybe the perception that middle east visitors are seen as being usually very wealthy and bringing 4 relatives adds to to the overall spending while in Thailand

They might be percieved as being wealthy, but the wealthy in all the countries listed for the 90 day visa have no trouble receiving high level care in their own countries. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates all have world class medical facilities. And it wont stimulate the economy in a manner that will have much impact. The people will come, stay in a cheap hotel, eat arab food at Suk and soi 3 served by an arab illegal alien in a restraunt operated by an arab illegal alien.

________

Seems unfair that everyone cant get a 90 day visa for medical reasons. The whole thing seem a bad idea to me. And 90 days on arrival..just seems stupid. To easy to BS.

stay in a cheap hotel, eat arab food at Suk and soi 3 served by an arab illegal alien in a restraunt operated by an arab illegal alien

people like you with no bloody idea should not spread their silly assumptions. go to any fancy Thai hospital, check the ocupation rate of the "arab" section as well as the prices "hospital room only" and then tell us facts.

Get the feeling ole Lebo doesn't like folks from that part of the world. My guess he's and Australian - and 'Lebo' is a shortened version of 'Lebanese' used by some in the past in OZ. I'm not sure he'd dare call someone a 'Lebo' to their face though. But then again, based on his posts, it doesn't appear he is smart enough to know better.