Thailand has introduced a policy 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 strives to entice travelers back following the plague.
Under the new system, the government would cover up to 500,000 baht ($14,000) in expenses and up to one million baht in compensation in the event of death.
Travel restrictions during the Covid-19 outbreak harmed the kingdom’s key tourism industry, and arrivals have not rebounded as swiftly as officials had hoped.
Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol told AFP that the new Thailand Traveller Safety Scheme began on January 1 and would last until August 31.
“The campaign aims to assure foreign tourists that Thailand is safe and everyone will be under good care,” she went on to say.
The kingdom has long been popular among young tourists from all around the world seeking sun, beach, and adrenaline.
However, accidents are not rare, and in recent months, numerous tales have surfaced of young Europeans facing large medical expenditures due to insufficient insurance.
The Thai government emphasizes that the system will not cover incidents caused by “negligence, intent, illegal acts” or reckless behavior.
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 attract 35 million visitors in 2024, generating $55 billion in income.