Thai authorities to hold new talks on insurance for foreign tourists

[windwalker]

Supposedly some form of insurance is available to tourists:

http://thailandtravelshield.tourismthailand.org/

[Daniel]

I agree wholeheartedly with Gaybutton; I would not consider taking a holiday in Thailand without insurance. However, I have spoken to many tourists over the years who do not take out a policy. I have also spoken to many expats who have no insurance. For some, their age and/or existing medical conditions make the premiums unaffordable. Others, who could afford the premiums, are prepared to gamble that any treatment they required would be cheaper than the premiums.

The responsibility to arrange insurance should lie with the tourist or expat, not the host country. I wouldn’t advocate making it compulsory to take out insurance; if someone wants to take the gamble of travelling or living permanently in a country uninsured, let them. I wouldn’t be rushing to contribute to their crowdfunding effort.

[Rin]

Does that mean if I want a Schengen visa I have to buy additional insurance?

The health insurance requirement only applies to those people who require a Schengen visa. If you hold a US passport as an example you don't need a visa to visit a Schengen country, no proof of health insurance is required.

[Gaybutton]

Why should the Host Country have to pay for a Tourist who does not have adequate Overseas Coverage?

Thailand's obligation for emergencies for uninsured foreigners goes only up to a point. If people don't have insurance and/or can't pay the hospital up front, don't expect a private luxury suite at Bumrungrad Hospital. You're much more likely to end up in a public ward at a hospital such as Banglamung Hospital. Again, ending up in that kind of ward is only a very few steps better than the Black Hole of Calcutta. I hope none of you will have to find that out the hard way. Even then, you're likely to be financially obligated.

By the way, just in case - Banglamung Hospital does have private rooms at 1200 baht per day. That's the price I paid for a Thai boy to get him out of the ward, but he had to be in the ward for nearly two weeks before a private room became available. It never occurred to me to check to see if that price is for Thais only, but I think that price would apply to anyone, including farang. You get a good bed, TV, refrigerator, air conditioning, private bathroom, balcony, better food (and you can order out and receive food delivery), and nursing staff working only on that floor. Obviously that's much better than the ward. The problem is there are only a few such rooms. Chances are just when you need such a room, none will be available. In that case, it's back to the ward . . .

While the odds are greatly in your favor that your holiday in Thailand will be trouble free, there is always the risk of an accident or illness - or both - that requires in-patient hospitalization. I hope all of you have sense enough to make sure you have coverage rather than taking chances. You'll probably arrive in Thailand on an airplane. You don't want to end up leaving in a body bag.