Thailand plans mandatory travel insurance for tourists

Thailand remains one of Australia’s most popular international destinations, drawing close to one million Aussies each year to the likes of Bangkok, Phuket, Ko Samui, Pattaya, and Krabi.

But every visitor may soon have to bring proof of travel insurance before they are allowed into the country.

Thailand is pushing for regulations to make accident insurance compulsory, as unpaid medical bills threaten to overwhelm the public healthcare system.

According to the Bangkok Post, the country has to absorb 100 million baht – about A$4.4 million – in treatment costs for foreign patients without insurance, with major tourism hubs most affected.

“Many visitors come to Phuket and try riding motorcycles for the first time, which increases accident risks,” Dr Weerasak Lorthongkham, director of Vachira Phuket Hospital, told the news outlet.

Hospitals are required to provide emergency care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, leaving the public system to cover the costs.

Industry data shows that locally-issued travel insurance for a two-week stay costs about 1,100 baht (A$48), typically providing medical coverage up to A$400,000.

If the proposal goes ahead, the arrivals halls of Thailand’s international airports would no doubt see a surge in kiosks selling travel insurance alongside eSIMs; airlines might also make this an inflight offering which passengers could buy on board.

A proposed 300 baht (A$13) entry fee for all foreign visitors remains under government review, with a small part of this fee going towards basic medical insurance; the rest would be a general tourist tax, which would be used to improve tourism infrastructure and public amenities.