Thailand to offer medical coverage for tourists

Thailand has launched a scheme to offer visitors up to $14,000 in medical coverage in the event of an accident, the tourism minister said Thursday, as the kingdom seeks to lure travellers back after the pandemic.

The government will cover expenses up to $14,000 and pay compensation of up to $ 27,670 in case of death under the new scheme. Travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic hammered the kingdom’s vital tourism sector and arrivals have not bounced back as quickly as officials hoped.

Tourism minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol told AFP the new Thailand Traveller Safety scheme began on January 1 and will run until August 31. “The campaign aims to assure foreign tourists that Thailand is safe and everyone will be under good care,” she said.

The kingdom has long been popular with young backpackers from around the world seeking sun, sand, and adrenalin. But accidents are not uncommon and there have been numerous reports in recent months of young Europeans finding themselves facing big medical bills with inadequate insurance.