Thailand to become ‘medical hub’, new 10 year visa launched

[webfact]

Thailand to become ‘medical hub’, new 10 year visa launched

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Voice TV quoted a government minister as saying that the medical tourism visa for Asian nationals was being expanded.

 

People from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and China would be able to stay in the kingdom for up to 90 days up from a previous 15 - 30 day allowance.

 

Deputy government minister Thanasak Patimaprakorn said that this would bring in more money to the country in what is termed the "Medical Wellness Tourism" sector.

 

He called Thailand a "Medical Hub".

 

The story also referred to the previously announced ten year visa for nationals from 14 countries including the UK, US, Germany and Japan.

 

To qualify for this people must be over 50, have 3 million baht or earnings of 100,000 baht per month up and sufficient health insurance.

 

They will still have to report every 90 days, said Voice.

 

They mentioned that this visa would include a wife and dependents up to four people and would initially be five years extendable to ten.

 

Source: Voice TV

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-07-13

 

[fforest1]

I repeat a comment I made in another thread today...   

 

This sounds like the same 10 year visa that we already have a few

epic threads about here....Most posters have pretty much fire bombed this visa with napalm from squadrons of 52s.... 

 

Did anyone get the hint?.....I guess not....

[webfact]

Cabinet opens gates for medical tourism

By The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- Visitors to Thailand from China and the CLMV nations (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) seeking medical treatment are now allowed to stay for up to 90 days visa-free, Deputy Prime Ministers Tanasak Patimapragon and Admiral Narong Pipatanasai announced on Wednesday.

 

And visitors age 50 and up from 14 other countries can apply for long-stay visas valid for up to 10 years. 

 

Both measures are designed to fuel Thailand’s ambition to become a “medical and wellness” tourist destination and world-class medical hub. 

 

As part of the Strategic Plan to Become a Medical Hub (2017-2026), the Cabinet has approved in principle the extended permission-to-stay for citizens of 19 countries identified as potential sources of medical tourists.

 

The Interior Ministry announced that visa-exempt entry for hospital care for patients from the CLMV countries and China who meet certain criteria is extended to 90 days effective immediately. 

 

The same privilege – “meant to increase convenience of access to clinical care” – is also offered to as many as four people accompanying them. 

 

Foreigners age 50 years or older from Britain, the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, France, Australia, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Finland, Denmark and Canada can apply for long-stay visas of up to 10 years. 

 

Permission will initially be extended for five years, and an additional five years can be added for people who meet stated criteria and conditions. 

 

The same privilege is offered to their spouse and children under 20. 

 

The ministry said the measure would “hopefully lead to the increase of country income”.

 

The Public Health and Tourism and Sport ministries have been directed to work with relevant agencies in the public and private sectors to implement plans for developing the country’s medical-tourism capabilities.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30320643

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-07-13

[Chang_paarp]

Aaahhhh the Medical Hub idea.

 

The honourable Minister must have been clearing his desk and com across some old press releases. This concept has been released by at least one minister in each of the Phua Thai government, the Democrat government, the last Junta and the Thai Ruk Thai government.

[Goldieinkathu]

Good idea, gives them longer to recover from bus accident, jet ski accident, parasailing accident,motorbike accident, or diving accident without worrying about their visa . Medical hub indeed

[PremiumLane]

29 minutes ago, fforest1 said:

I repeat a comment I made in another thread today...   

 

This sounds like the same 10 year visa that we already have a few

epic threads about here....Most posters have pretty much fire bombed this visa with napalm from squadrons of 52s.... 

 

Did anyone get the hint?.....I guess not....

I guess they just don't read TVF - damn them! 

[yellowboat]

I think you get a better deal in Malaysia.  They do not use immigration as a cash cow and the hospitals are good.  Love some of the hospitals in Bangkok.  They are not overly expensive and they service is good and courteous.  Spoke to one of the hospitals about their high deductible insurance and visas, and they said they had no idea how to help me with the visas after the coup.  Sadly, I limit my time Thailand as much as possible.    I have weened myself off Thai hospitals because of this. 

[kotsak]

Their slogan could be "Come for the temples, stay for the hospitals"

 

[boooker]

Hub and clueless

[Lupatria]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand to become ‘medical hub’

Does this mean all the illegal clinics will get an upgrade and proper licenses? I only hope there are no secret arrangements between the hospitals and the mini van and tour bus drivers

Edited July 13, 2017 by Lupatria

[trainman34014]

Must be in the Guinness Book of Records for being World leaders of 'Hub of Hubs' !

[saakura]

Wow, a lot of bitter posters here today. Thailand has excellent medical facilities as compared to CLMV and certainly the affluent from these countries will welcome this. Similarly, there may be a lot of affluent retired people in the other 15 countries with monthly expenses over 100k and good health cover who will be encouraged by the 10 years visa. The foolish thing is the insistence on the 90 days reporting.

[hansnl]

5 minutes ago, saakura said:

Wow, a lot of bitter posters here today. Thailand has excellent medical facilities as compared to CLMV and certainly the affluent from these countries will welcome this. Similarly, there may be a lot of affluent retired people in the other 15 countries with monthly expenses over 100k and good health cover who will be encouraged by the 10 years visa. The foolish thing is the insistence on the 90 days reporting.

The problem is for many, the health insurance.

The government should tackle that problem first by speedily implementing the planned state health insurance for foreigners.

[saakura]

3 minutes ago, hansnl said:

The problem is for many, the health insurance.

The government should tackle that problem first by speedily implementing the planned state health insurance for foreigners.

Yes sure. If they are able to do this, then it will be a paradise for a lot of well to do retirees.

[yankee99]

"million baht or earnings of 100,000 baht per month"

 

100k sounds a lot better than 3 million

[Lingba]

medical hub my ass...they are lightyears behind in the medical business

[YetAnother]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The ministry said the measure would “hopefully lead to the increase of country income”.

so incredibly transparent and superficial; what is missing is : 'and help people who need it'; thailand laid bare

[Chicken George]

Why do this when you can just get an O visa then extend it for reason of retirement?  

[observer90210]

Be it a 5 year visa or a 10 year visa....if it requires you to shell in say €80'000,-- in a Thai bank, with absolutely no state backed guarantee that your funds are secured if the bank goes bankrupt...who will be reckless enough to entertain such a scheme?

 

Also, what is the point on such long term visas if you require regular visits requiring to waï the boys in brown every xx days??

 

A fair and civilised measure would be to give such 5 year or 10 year visas to retirees who own houses/condos either on lease/free hold, who can justify foreign source of a decent income/pension, and stop asking for substantial amounts of racket money blocked in some Thai Bank!

[wvavin]

With this country's ever loving safety track record, the potential oversea patients would have a second thought.

[imaderbyfan]

1 hour ago, saakura said:

Wow, a lot of bitter posters here today. Thailand has excellent medical facilities as compared to CLMV and certainly the affluent from these countries will welcome this. Similarly, there may be a lot of affluent retired people in the other 15 countries with monthly expenses over 100k and good health cover who will be encouraged by the 10 years visa. The foolish thing is the insistence on the 90 days reporting.

Retired people and good health cover?

You are having a laugh.....Any preexisting conditions....which are common in retirees...means no health cover.....

[nickcar]

1 hour ago, Lingba said:

medical hub my ass...they are lightyears behind in the medical business

 I wonder why you would say that, is it from ignorance? I worked in  Bumrungrad hospital for nearly 15 years  developing their computer systems.  If they were so backward why would Microsoft buy the computer system having searched all around the world for the best?  I was involved in installing and implementing some of the most sophisticated medical equipment in the world, certainly the best in Asia.  Many loopholes where staff can make mistakes plugged with automation.  Such as prescriptions entered into the computer by doctors fulfilled by machine and then checked by pharmacists. Blood tests completely automated on a chain system that treats the blood  and inserts into each appropriate machine and then stores in the fridge without any human intervention.   Laboratory technicians then check the results for reasonableness on the computer.  I doubt you would find such sophistication in many hospitals in the USA or UK 

 

 

[SABloke]

I'm confused: Do I already have a ten year visa? I have renewed my 10 year visa every year, but in total it comes to 10 years. For me that has the same sentiment as a 10 year visa you renew every 5 years OR did I get a 1 year visa or extension of stay (and then extend every year) so this is in fact a 5 year visa at best.

[anon4637435435]

Medical Hub? Good god Noooo.... I opted for life saving treatment here which would have been free and 100% success rate had i been living in Australia and done treatment there. It was easier to do it here at the time so did it here. I was told treatment had worked and only did 4months treatment in stead of 6 but it had actually failed due to neglegence. Did it again one year later and it failed because of the botched first treatment. Cost me over 2mil. Im still fighting the problem and had to illlegally buy in new medecinces from india because of the lack of compotent and knowledgable people here i couldnt trust.

Even had a bout of gastritis many years ago. They couldnt put me to sleep because im bigger than the average guy i guess so i had cameras rammed down my throught and samples taken and small lumps removed while awake. Could breath and vommited the whole time whilst strapped down on a table to move whilst being laughed at. Was a great experience.....

'Neglegent hub" would be more honest and i have only ever gone to the best private hospitals i could.

Family and friends go to public hospitals. There isnt enough beds let alone everything else.

 

[micmichd]

2 hours ago, hansnl said:

The problem is for many, the health insurance.

The government should tackle that problem first by speedily implementing the planned state health insurance for foreigners.

Private health insurances should lower their premiums for those in a good state of health. 

[bangrak]

'Thailand, the hub'! How many times have we got to hear it? An overdose of that 'hubby hubby' pride-lifting medicine! ...And, in the end, it lasts as long as the many 'crackdowns', and is, alas, as 'effective' in producing lasting effects! Pfff!

[Grubster]

51 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

Be it a 5 year visa or a 10 year visa....if it requires you to shell in say €80'000,-- in a Thai bank, with absolutely no state backed guarantee that your funds are secured if the bank goes bankrupt...who will be reckless enough to entertain such a scheme?

 

Also, what is the point on such long term visas if you require regular visits requiring to waï the boys in brown every xx days??

 

A fair and civilised measure would be to give such 5 year or 10 year visas to retirees who own houses/condos either on lease/free hold, who can justify foreign source of a decent income/pension, and stop asking for substantial amounts of racket money blocked in some Thai Bank!

It only requires you have a 100,000 baht income per mo. You will not have to renew your extension every year thereby only required to prove this income every ten years, maybe five.  I can really see the point in that, also if you are out of country on you extension date, no problem. I will no longer have to get an affidavit from the Embassy every year. I don't have a Thai bank account now and never will, unless I need one to pay for the insurance. The insurance may be another issue, I hope it is good insurance and can be had for a reasonable price. I'm 62 and would be willing to pay 50,000 to 100,000 baht per year if good insurance, usable in the top hospitals.

[Felt 35]

''sufficient health insurance''  

What is considered sufficient health insurance in Thailand and will it be possible for they interested in the visa option to buy that insurance in Thailand?

[bangrak]

1 hour ago, Lingba said:

medical hub my ass...they are lightyears behind in the medical business

Quite some modern equipment, in expensive hospitals (racketting Farang healthcare insurances...?), the weak link is the 'human factor', some very kind individuals in the lower ranks, but on higher levels, especially the specialised MD level, oh my!

And as long as the Thai State does not decide that it wants, and does not succed in getting, agreements with the official healthcare organisations of first world countries, the game of craps, with pipped dices, will go and on...

[gk10002000]

2 hours ago, yankee99 said:

"million baht or earnings of 100,000 baht per month"

 

100k sounds a lot better than 3 million

I could show 100k Baht of earnings, actually dividends and interest, but I bet they won't accept the current standard embassy income affidavit letter.  If they do, well, then they might get me to take a chance on the 10 year visa that I think cost 10k baht?  The medical insurance is still an issue as I have not seen many details if any on who and how that will be gotten.  What Thai companies or policies one must have, if I get BUPA on my own, would that be OK?  Who decides?  How long do they take to decide?  Do you get the medical before you get the Visa?