Thailand has introduced a scheme to provide visitors with up to $14,000 in medical coverage in the case of an accident, the tourism minister announced Thursday, as the country seeks to entice holidaymakers back following the pandemic.
Under the new scheme, the government would cover up to 500,000 baht ($14,000) in expenses and up to one million baht in case of death.
Travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak harmed the kingdom’s key tourism sector, and arrivals have not rebounded as swiftly as officials had hoped.
Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Tourism minister said that the new Thailand Traveller Safety scheme began on January 1 and would last until August 31.
Wangsuphakijkosol went on to say, “The campaign aims to assure foreign tourists that Thailand is safe and everyone will be under good care”.
The country has long been popular among young tourists from all around the world seeking sun, beach, and adrenaline.
However, accidents are not rare, in recent months, numerous reports have surfaced of young Europeans facing large medical expenditures due to insufficient insurance.
The Thai government emphasizes that the initiative will not cover accidents caused by negligence, intent, illegal acts, or reckless activity.
Tourists can sign up for the scheme on the Thailand Traveller Safety website, tts.go.th.
In 2023, approximately 28 million people visited Thailand, up from 11 million the previous year but still significantly lower than the 40 million who went in 2019, the year before the epidemic.
Officials hope to reach 35 million tourists in 2024, with a target of $55 billion in revenue.
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