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 holidaymakers 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 reporters that the new Thailand Traveller Safety plan 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 said.
The kingdom has long been popular with young backpackers from around the world seeking sun, sand and adrenalin.
But accidents are not uncommon and there have been numerous reports in recent months of young Europeans finding themselves facing big medical bills with inadequate insurance.
The Thai government stresses that the scheme will not cover accidents caused by “negligence, intent, illegal acts” or risky behaviour.
Tourists can register for the scheme through the Thailand Traveller Safety website at tts.go.th.
Some 28 million people visited Thailand in 2023, up from 11 million the year before, but still well down from the 40 million who came in 2019, the last year before the pandemic.
Officials are hoping to hit 35 million visitors in 2024, with a target of $55 billion in revenue.