Mandatory travel insurance tabled in Phuket

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Mandatory travel insurance tabled in Phuket
Phuket Gazette


New Zealander Sean Kenzie is just one of thousands of tourists who struggled with hospital bills following an unfortunate incident in Phuket. Photo: Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Governor vowed to raise tourist travel insurance issues to those capable of making changes to national legislation following the honorary consul meeting yesterday.

“If a tourist is not covered by insurance in their home country, they are setting themselves up for a difficult situation if they get injured while on holiday here,” said Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada. “This is a very important issue, which I will raise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.”

The topic of travel insurance was tabled at the meeting yesterday by Pornphan Sittichaivijit, the Royal Norwegian honorary consul.

“Travel insurance is one issue that is getting worse and worse, because Phuket has no way to deal with those who are unable to pay their hospital bills,” said Ms Pornphan.

The cost of treating uninsured tourists at Patong Hospital totals about one million baht every year. At Vachira Phuket Hospital, the total is about three million baht. In total, foreign tourists’ unpaid medical bills cost the country more than 200 million baht annually, explained Somsak Pureesrisak, Thailand’s Tourism and Sports minister in 2013.

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Mandatory-travel-insurance-tabled-Phuket/62459?desktopversion#ad-image-0


-- Phuket Gazette 2015-11-27

[Suradit69]

unpaid medical bills cost the country more than 200 million baht annually,

And that loss has to be covered by rising charges for those of us who actually do pay our bills. So basically we end up subsidizing those who are too irresponsible to even consider insurance or who bring their nanny state mentality on holiday with them.

Edited November 27, 2015 by Suradit69

[Reigntax]

200 mil Baht annually. So bloody what. How many billion Baht do tourists inject into the country annually.

Anyone who considers a 200 million Baht annual cost to treat injured tourists as excessive has lost touch with reality.

They are lucky foreigners dont sue authorities for damages due to neglect, incompetence or deriliction of duty which causes some of the injuries. They may find 200 mil might not cover even a single event where authorities knew a danger existed and failed to mitigate the potential damage.

[Linky]

I have never had insurance for anything at all.

Perhaps the authorities should be looking at the reasons tourist need hospitalisation, may find a lot is to do with lack of enforcing the law.

[NamKangMan]

Most of the serious injuries to tourists on Phuket come from motorbike accidents, and why are tourists riding around on motorbikes here - no proper public transport.

Fix this issue, and your hospital admissions will decline, immediately, and across the whole of Phuket's population.

[sanukjim]

200 mil Baht annually. So bloody what. How many billion Baht do tourists inject into the country annually.

Anyone who considers a 200 million Baht annual cost to treat injured tourists as excessive has lost touch with reality.

They are lucky foreigners dont sue authorities for damages due to neglect, incompetence or deriliction of duty which causes some of the injuries. They may find 200 mil might not cover even a single event where authorities knew a danger existed and failed to mitigate the potential damage.

You can sue the government ,hospitals,and resorts here.I remember once that after many months of (shelving) the issue a foreign patient's wife received 100.000 baht in a wrongful death suit.Half to the lawyer.

[onni4me]

200 million sounds cheap to me since they quote 20+ million tourists every year. That makes not more than whopping 10 Baht per person. I bet they make more from tourism.

BTW, I have not witnessed a case where a foreigner got free hospital treatment even on a government hospital. You need a guarantor before they do anything that costs real money. Granted, government hospitals are cheaper but not necessarily any worse since most doctors do extra work in private hospitals partly owned by themselves.

Friends that have not been able to have private treatment have got fair service this way. For anything more serious like cancer I recommend returning to your respective countries for treatment.

[MobileContent]

Everyone coming to Thailand should have Travel Insurance. No Travel Insurance - No Visas.The Schengen countries have been doing it for years already. No Travel Insurance - No visas.

[robblok]

Agree people just should have travel insurance maybe even health insurance for expats if they live here (or real proof of funds in a Thai bank account). Otherwise those who do pay their bills pay in fact for those deadbeats.

I got a comprehensive health insurance I would not feel save living here otherwise, I have only had to use it once. Still you never know when you need it.

Edited November 27, 2015 by robblok

[LivinginKata]

Everyone coming to Thailand should have Travel Insurance. No Travel Insurance - No Visas.The Schengen countries have been doing it for years already. No Travel Insurance - No visas.

Exactly, 30+ years ago when I booked a holiday/flight to Spain I had to either pay the attached travel insurance or prove I had my own insurance policy.

[Linky]

Everyone coming to Thailand should have Travel Insurance. No Travel Insurance - No Visas.The Schengen countries have been doing it for years already. No Travel Insurance - No visas.

Exactly, 30+ years ago when I booked a holiday/flight to Spain I had to either pay the attached travel insurance or prove I had my own insurance policy.

Guess i cant be going to europe as i refuse all types of insurance. Its been many years since I have been there. Are british passport holders required to get insurance for travel in europe now?

[Linky]

Just did a quick google search and from what i can see UK and Australian passport holders do not need Schengen visa for europe, so no compulsory insurance.

I think I am reading it correctly but not sure.

[MobileContent]

Agree people just should have travel insurance maybe even health insurance for expats if they live here (or real proof of funds in a Thai bank account). Otherwise those who do pay their bills pay in fact for those deadbeats.

I got a comprehensive health insurance I would not feel save living here otherwise, I have only had to use it once. Still you never know when you need it.

I too have Travel Insurance, up to 1,500,000 Euros plus on top of it I also have a Liability Insurance for 3 Million US Dollars. It cost me almost 400 Euros quarterly but I feel better, specially when driving in Thailand.

[MobileContent]

Just did a quick google search and from what i can see UK and Australian passport holders do not need Schengen visa for europe, so no compulsory insurance.

I think I am reading it correctly but not sure.

UK and Australia don't need travel insurance to Europe, however many have it any way as for a short trip.

I had a lost bag last month on a flight from Paris to Bangkok plus my flight was delayed for 8 hours. The bag showed up after 3 days and I could have claimed for the bag 150 Euros and for the 8 hours delayed flight 179 Euros.

Any way I didn't wanted to claim it as it is to much hassle and I only signed up for it for possible accidents and hospitalization.

[MobileContent]

Everyone coming to Thailand should have Travel Insurance. No Travel Insurance - No Visas.The Schengen countries have been doing it for years already. No Travel Insurance - No visas.

Exactly, 30+ years ago when I booked a holiday/flight to Spain I had to either pay the attached travel insurance or prove I had my own insurance policy.

Guess i cant be going to europe as i refuse all types of insurance. Its been many years since I have been there. Are british passport holders required to get insurance for travel in europe now?

Most Muslims don't take insurance as it seems to be Haram.

[NamKangMan]

Even with travel insurance, there is still the issue of whether the tourist was riding legally in Thailand. Eg. licenced

If deemed to be riding illegally, their travel insurance will not cover them.

This may result in a Court case, years after the accident, where the insured tries to recoup their money, but will result in no immediate cash payment by the insurance company to the hospital, for treatment.

This leaves the hospital in the same position - a seriously injured tourists, who is uninsured, despite them thinking to the contrary, and can not pay for their medical bills.

[LivinginKata]

Everyone coming to Thailand should have Travel Insurance. No Travel Insurance - No Visas.The Schengen countries have been doing it for years already. No Travel Insurance - No visas.

Exactly, 30+ years ago when I booked a holiday/flight to Spain I had to either pay the attached travel insurance or prove I had my own insurance policy.

Guess i cant be going to europe as i refuse all types of insurance. Its been many years since I have been there. Are british passport holders required to get insurance for travel in europe now?

It's also many years since I have been back in the UK. In my case travel insurance was not required for a flight only, but it was required for a package tour(flight and accomodation). I always thought is was a bit of a scam by the travel companies to sell insurance, but when I looked into it the tour company stated that they would be liable if the tourist had an incident (medical or accident) and could not pay. Seems logical to me.

I agree that any toursists coming to Thailand should have a travel insurance to cover medical and accident.

[WhizBang]

Most of the serious injuries to tourists on Phuket come from motorbike accidents, and why are tourists riding around on motorbikes here - no proper public transport.

Fix this issue, and your hospital admissions will decline, immediately, and across the whole of Phuket's population.

Add to that mandatory insurance when you rent a motorbike/jet ski etc., or partake in some group tourist activity like scuba diving, fishing or bungee jumping. ALL those outlets should have mandatory insurance to cover accidents and mishaps.

Do that and I think you would find most of the hospital bills would be paid (insurance payout squabbling notwithstanding).

[stevenl]

Everyone coming to Thailand should have Travel Insurance. No Travel Insurance - No Visas.The Schengen countries have been doing it for years already. No Travel Insurance - No visas.

Exactly, 30+ years ago when I booked a holiday/flight to Spain I had to either pay the attached travel insurance or prove I had my own insurance policy.

Guess i cant be going to europe as i refuse all types of insurance. Its been many years since I have been there. Are british passport holders required to get insurance for travel in europe now?

It's also many years since I have been back in the UK. In my case travel insurance was not required for a flight only, but it was required for a package tour(flight and accomodation). I always thought is was a bit of a scam by the travel companies to sell insurance, but when I looked into it the tour company stated that they would be liable if the tourist had an incident (medical or accident) and could not pay. Seems logical to me.

I agree that any toursists coming to Thailand should have a travel insurance to cover medical and accident.

It is not a legal requirement, but sounds like the tour company made it mandatory for their clients.

[stevenl]

Most of the serious injuries to tourists on Phuket come from motorbike accidents, and why are tourists riding around on motorbikes here - no proper public transport.

Fix this issue, and your hospital admissions will decline, immediately, and across the whole of Phuket's population.

Add to that mandatory insurance when you rent a motorbike/jet ski etc., or partake in some group tourist activity like scuba diving, fishing or bungee jumping. ALL those outlets should have mandatory insurance to cover accidents and mishaps.

Do that and I think you would find most of the hospital bills would be paid (insurance payout squabbling notwithstanding).

For (organised) scuba diving accident insurance is mandatory in Thailand.

[dhream]

Arse backwards as always. how about mandatory law enforcement tabled instead? having insurance does nothing to minimise or mitigate the risks and events that require one to activate a claim, Lord (whoever that is this week) have mercy!

[dhream]

Most of the serious injuries to tourists on Phuket come from motorbike accidents, and why are tourists riding around on motorbikes here - no proper public transport.

Fix this issue, and your hospital admissions will decline, immediately, and across the whole of Phuket's population.

Add to that mandatory insurance when you rent a motorbike/jet ski etc., or partake in some group tourist activity like scuba diving, fishing or bungee jumping. ALL those outlets should have mandatory insurance to cover accidents and mishaps.

Do that and I think you would find most of the hospital bills would be paid (insurance payout squabbling notwithstanding).

Jetskis are serious water craft and it's time they were treated as such, not toys.

Sydney city banned them outright as noise polluters and a danger to other waterway users. They were used by show-off morons for the most part anyway, no great loss.

Motorbikes. no licence for the engine capacity one level ABOVE THE BIKE you're renting, then no ride. Shut down corrupt bike shops who fail to comply. There, fixed 90% of the problem in one quick post.

[elgordo38]

They want to take it in but they do not want to shell it out. Sounds like a cost of doing business.

[useronthenet]

I'm all in favor of Thailand imposing a compulsory requirement, (and a condition to obtain a visa) by holding valid medical insurance.

As with Europe, all Schengen applications will only be approved with applicants providing such proof of insurance. Visitors cannot

expect a hosting country to pay for services which are quite clearly for their own citizens.

[Linky]

Everyone coming to Thailand should have Travel Insurance. No Travel Insurance - No Visas.The Schengen countries have been doing it for years already. No Travel Insurance - No visas.

Exactly, 30+ years ago when I booked a holiday/flight to Spain I had to either pay the attached travel insurance or prove I had my own insurance policy.

Guess i cant be going to europe as i refuse all types of insurance. Its been many years since I have been there. Are british passport holders required to get insurance for travel in europe now?

Most Muslims don't take insurance as it seems to be Haram.

Im catholic, not that my religion matters. Ive never had insurance for anything.

[Linky]

Everyone coming to Thailand should have Travel Insurance. No Travel Insurance - No Visas.The Schengen countries have been doing it for years already. No Travel Insurance - No visas.

Exactly, 30+ years ago when I booked a holiday/flight to Spain I had to either pay the attached travel insurance or prove I had my own insurance policy.

Guess i cant be going to europe as i refuse all types of insurance. Its been many years since I have been there. Are british passport holders required to get insurance for travel in europe now?

It's also many years since I have been back in the UK. In my case travel insurance was not required for a flight only, but it was required for a package tour(flight and accomodation). I always thought is was a bit of a scam by the travel companies to sell insurance, but when I looked into it the tour company stated that they would be liable if the tourist had an incident (medical or accident) and could not pay. Seems logical to me.

I agree that any toursists coming to Thailand should have a travel insurance to cover medical and accident.

The tour company is the one that should be insured for you having an accident on their watch. Not you. Seems they are in effect getting you to pay for THEIR insurance.

Most things you want to insure for are not covered. Sit in hotel all day and fine, go have a beer and they will find a way not to pay.

Edited November 27, 2015 by Linky

[Nobb]

Will the Phuket council pay for all the robberies and killings in Phuket. No way because it will never happen as long as the Mafia rules Phuket. Stay away from Phuket my farang friends!

[NamKangMan]

Most of the serious injuries to tourists on Phuket come from motorbike accidents, and why are tourists riding around on motorbikes here - no proper public transport.

Fix this issue, and your hospital admissions will decline, immediately, and across the whole of Phuket's population.

Add to that mandatory insurance when you rent a motorbike/jet ski etc., or partake in some group tourist activity like scuba diving, fishing or bungee jumping. ALL those outlets should have mandatory insurance to cover accidents and mishaps.

Do that and I think you would find most of the hospital bills would be paid (insurance payout squabbling notwithstanding).

"Add to that mandatory insurance when you rent a motorbike" - there would be no need to rent a motobike, if proper public transport existed on Phuket. In any case, you would still have the issue of whether the tourist was riding legally at the time of the accident. Licensing and sobriety being the main issues here.

[NamKangMan]

I wondering if the Governor of Phuket has been pressured by the transport mafia to push tourists into tuk-tuks, and he is using medical bills as an excuse to stop motorbike rental to tourists.

I doubt this is all about a few elderly tourists having heart attacks, whilst on holiday on Phuket.

Edited November 27, 2015 by NamKangMan

[Enoon]

Just did a quick google search and from what i can see UK and Australian passport holders do not need Schengen visa for europe, so no compulsory insurance.

I think I am reading it correctly but not sure.

These show reciprocal health agreements between UK and other countries:

EEA country-by-country guide - Healthcare aborad - NHS ...

Non-EEA country-by-country guide - Healthcare abroad - NHS