Thailand mulls compulsory travel insurance for all visitors
Visitors to Thailand could soon be forced to purchase compulsory travel insurance on arrival in the country.
The nation’s Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) says travellers would have to pay a 20-baht (52p) premium at the airport, which would be put towards a fund to provide cover in the event of death of up to one million baht (£26,000).
The legislation, which is awaiting approval from the Tourism and Sports Ministry before being sent to cabinet, is designed to bolster the confidence of foreign visitors to Thailand in the wake of a string of tragedies involving tourists. Last year 47 Chinese holidaymakers died when two tourist boats sank off the coast of Phuket.
Nel Mooy, head of travel insurance at Axa, said travellers should still purchase their own cover as it does not appear the policy will include injury and illness; a typical medical care allowance with a standard insurer could cover up to £15million.
“Travellers need cover for medical care,” she told the International Travel and Health Insurance Journal. “Medical expenses abroad can be very expensive – we recently paid a £164,000 claim for a British tourist involved in a road traffic accident in Thailand.
“Travellers... need to ensure their insurance includes the activities they’ll engage in, like scuba diving or rafting for instance.
“We recommend that UK tourists holidaying in Thailand continue to buy a travel policy in the UK no matter what. It will cover medical expenses and other costs linked to cancellations, delays, luggage loss and other mishaps. It remains a must.”
Thailand has a poor reputation for visitor safety. Earlier this year a Canadian tourist fell to his death after a zipwire cable snapped at Flight of the Gibbon in Chiang Mai.
Of safety and security in the country, the Foreign Office says visitors partaking in extreme sports should ensure the operator is fully licensed and insured. It also offers guidance for swimming, diving and jungle trekking.
Rates of road deaths in Thailand are some of the highest in the world, especially when motorcycles are involved. There are 5,500 motorcyclist deaths a year.
British holidaymakers who fall ill or suffer injury but do not have travel insurance face medical bills stretching into the thousands of pounds.
Earlier this year research by Admiral Travel Insurance found that one in four UK travellers depart the country without relevant cover. Abta, the travel association, believes one in five travels without insurance.
According to the ABI, one medical bill in 2017 for treatment following a jet-ski accident in Turkey cost £125,000. Another for care following a stroke in the US led to a £760,000 bill.
The cost of the average medical claim in 2017 ran to £1,300, a 40 per cent rise since 2011.
