Bangkok:
Thailand has launched a plan to offer visitors up to $14,000 in medical coverage in the event of an accident, its tourism minister said Thursday, as the kingdom tries to lure travelers back after the pandemic.
Under the new scheme, the government will reimburse expenses of up to 500,000 baht ($14,000) and pay compensation of up to one million baht in the event of death.
Travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic have hit the kingdom's vital tourism sector hard and arrivals have not recovered as quickly as officials had hoped.
Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol told AFP that the new Thailand Traveler Safety program started on January 1 and will run until August 31.
“The campaign is aimed at reassuring 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 looking for sun, sand and adrenaline.
But accidents are not uncommon and there have been numerous reports in recent months of young Europeans facing high medical bills and inadequate insurance.
The Thai government emphasizes that the scheme does not cover accidents caused by “negligence, intent, illegal acts” or risky behavior.
Tourists can register for the program through the Thailand Traveler Safety website at tts.go.th.
Some 28 million people visited Thailand in 2023, up from 11 million the year before but still well below the 40 million who came in 2019, the last year before the pandemic.
Officials hope to reach 35 million visitors by 2024, with a goal of $55 billion in revenue
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