Thailand to offer medical coverage...

Visitors can register for the Thailand Traveller Safety scheme online

Thailand is offering visitors up to US$14,000 in medical coverage in the event of an accident for a limited period.

The government will also pay compensation of up to US$28,000 in case of death under the new scheme, which began on 1 January 2024 and will run until 31 August 2024.

Travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic severely impacted Thailand's tourism sector and arrivals haven't yet fully bounced back as quickly as officials had hoped. The medical coverage scheme, which can be applied for online, announced by tourism minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, was launched to encourage more travellers back to the country.

Wangsuphakijkosol said: "The campaign aims to assure foreign tourists that Thailand is safe and everyone will be under good care."

The kingdom has long been popular with young backpackers from around the world but accidents are not uncommon and there have been numerous reports in recent months of young travellers finding themselves facing big medical bills with inadequate insurance.

Thai government officials were keen to stress that the scheme will not cover accidents caused by risk-taking behaviour or "negligence, intent or illegal acts".

In 2023, Thailand received 28 million visitors, up from 11 million the year before, but still down from the 40 million who visited the country in 2019.

Officials are hoping to hit 35 million visitors in 2024.

For more information, visit www.tourismthailand.org

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