- Thailand is considering implementing mandatory travel insurance for all tourists to address the significant issue of unpaid medical bills.
- The proposal has garnered support from the country's health and tourist bodies, aiming to alleviate the financial strain on the healthcare system.
- Hospitals in major tourist areas, such as Phuket, absorb millions of baht annually in treatment costs for uninsured foreign patients, with total unpaid bills estimated at £2.3m per year.
- This move comes as attention shifts from a separate proposed 300 baht entry fee, which included a small portion for basic medical insurance, towards a more comprehensive compulsory insurance scheme.
- The travel industry, which previously prioritised visitor numbers, is now re-evaluating its approach to risk management, following a recent decline in foreign tourism arrivals.
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