webfact Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 Medical tourism package will go ahead, but under strict control By THE NATION Taweesin Visanuyothin Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesperson for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said on Thursday (July 16) that Thailand’s medical tourism and wellness programmes will go ahead despite the discovery of two Covid-19 cases this week. The Public Health Ministry is scheduled to announce a list of hospitals that pass its criteria next week, and the first group of medical tourists will land in Thailand in the next two weeks. The spokesman said this programme will be operated under strict guidelines, such as ensuring general patients are safe and visitors are not allowed to enter public spaces. The visitors, arriving under a special visa, will be provided with massage and spa services, fitness programmes, healthy meals and herbal products. According to an announcement on July 3, more than 1,700 medical tourists have registered for the programme. The first batch will come from 17 countries, including Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, China, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. These tourists will only be allowed to travel around Thailand once their 14-day quarantine and treatment has been completed. Medical tourists who test positive for Covid-19 will be treated for the virus in special areas prepared for foreigners at private hospitals. Medical tourists will undergo Covid-19 tests three times: before departing for Thailand, upon arrival and before returning home. Only medical tourists travelling by air will be granted entry into Thailand, and they must all have a certificate of entry from a Thai embassy. Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30391421 -- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-07-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Puchaiyank Posted July 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 16, 2020 the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia... Sign me up! ???? 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Berti Posted July 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 16, 2020 (edited) How should this be possible when only repatriation flights organized by the embassies are allowed to bring in passengers? The embassy told me, only urgent cases are considered and you need a confirmation from your home hospital that the treatment must be done in Thailand. This means people from low standard countries coming in. ???? Wow, I'm speechless. Edited July 16, 2020 by Berti 5 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lkv Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, webfact said: Medical tourists will undergo Covid-19 tests three times: before departing for Thailand, upon arrival and before returning home. And then, after 3 succesful negative results, they go into the general population to get infected, even though Thailand supposedly is "covid free". To get covid in the BTS, develop symptoms, go to hospital, and get refused covid testing. Funny, right? Gosh, if it was me, I'd either do no quarantine at all or I would not leave quarantine to risk my life in public. ???????? Edited July 16, 2020 by lkv 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post overherebc Posted July 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 16, 2020 If you come for medical reasons why do you need to travel anywhere apart from the airport and the place of treatment? Just askin' 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berti Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 20 minutes ago, overherebc said: If you come for medical reasons why do you need to travel anywhere apart from the airport and the place of treatment? Just askin' I think they combine business for hospitals with expansion of Thailand's quarantine capacities. The idea is not bad. Keep them in the country to spend money. But still no info about the procedure. They can't be serious that medical tourists will apply for a repatriation flight. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tribalfusion001 Posted July 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 16, 2020 They really are clueless, the middle eastern countries are full of covid-19, might as well invite everyone and have 14 day quarantine. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post overherebc Posted July 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 16, 2020 12 minutes ago, Berti said: I think they combine business for hospitals with expansion of Thailand's quarantine capacities. The idea is not bad. Keep them in the country to spend money. But still no info about the procedure. They can't be serious that medical tourists will apply for a repatriation flight. Lots of unanswered questions. One being the 100,000 $US insurance. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEtonal Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 31 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said: They really are clueless, the middle eastern countries are full of covid-19, might as well invite everyone and have 14 day quarantine. The health/wellness program is a screen for higher quality visitors. No cheap charlies, no mongers. 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Yorkshire Tea Posted July 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 16, 2020 7 minutes ago, SEtonal said: The health/wellness program is a screen for higher quality visitors. No cheap charlies, no mongers. I agree. From the OP "The visitors, arriving under a special visa, will be provided with massage and spa services, fitness programmes, healthy meals and herbal products." That doesn't sound like your usual medical treatment, & probably done at a luxury spa resort... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrTuner Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 41 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said: They really are clueless, the middle eastern countries are full of covid-19, might as well invite everyone and have 14 day quarantine. I think the idea is the middle eastern countries are full of (oil) money. Too bad oil price is at the bottom. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusticeGB Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 They will fly into Utopia dressed as Egyptian soldiers and be booked into an unknown hotel in Rayong and allowed unrestricted access to Malls for shopping before going to some unknown hospital. Better not let Thai people know which hospital to avoid people freeking out, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Letseng Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 3 hours ago, Yorkshire Tea said: I agree. From the OP "The visitors, arriving under a special visa, will be provided with massage and spa services, fitness programmes, healthy meals and herbal products." That doesn't sound like your usual medical treatment, & probably done at a luxury spa resort... Spa etc is for accompanying persons while the patient gets all thd medical treatment he is willing to pay for. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Letseng Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 4 hours ago, tribalfusion001 said: They really are clueless, the middle eastern countries are full of covid-19, might as well invite everyone and have 14 day quarantine. Mind boggles. Just look at infections:population. Are they really concerned about keeping infections out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Letseng Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 5 hours ago, Berti said: How should this be possible when only repatriation flights organized by the embassies are allowed to bring in passengers? The embassy told me, only urgent cases are considered and you need a confirmation from your home hospital that the treatment must be done in Thailand. This means people from low standard countries coming in. ???? Wow, I'm speechless. They can fill business class on repat flights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Letseng Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 6 hours ago, Puchaiyank said: the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia... Sign me up! ???? Not worried about anybody bringing an infection in? Really? Guess as long as they bring in money no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB1986 Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 I really dont understand the meaning of this, i know in Europe most of things are covered by insurance. And why would someone want to travel 12 hours, 14 days quarantine to get Massage, go to gym etc.... I just see another loophole by Thai government for Chinese to float in. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg O Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 Wow a special 'bubble bath' visa now to come for a soapy ! What'll they think of next ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prakhonchai nick Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Up to 3 "hangers on" allowed too. What are they supposed to do whilst the "boss is receiving medical treatment.. Quarantine somewhere? A dodgy hotel perhaps with a back door allowing them freedom to go wherever they like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazykopite Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Registered an interest that’s not the same as booking and paying up front for this health program. Let’s wait and see how many actually commit once they realise what the process of getting into the country is no way would I come to Thailand to be locked up for the first 14 days . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffggi Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 I am still suspicious regarding the Sudanese girl who was found to have the virus, why else would a diplomat bring a little girl to Thailand ......??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micmichd Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 11 hours ago, NB1986 said: I really dont understand the meaning of this, i know in Europe most of things are covered by insurance. And why would someone want to travel 12 hours, 14 days quarantine to get Massage, go to gym etc.... I just see another loophole by Thai government for Chinese to float in. It might be cheaper in Thailand than in Europe. So, insurances will profit if medical treatment is done in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micmichd Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 2 hours ago, Greg O said: Wow a special 'bubble bath' visa now to come for a soapy ! What'll they think of next ? Sexual healing (get rid of vegetative dystony) would be a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guderian Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 18 hours ago, webfact said: The spokesman said this programme will be operated under strict guidelines, such as ensuring general patients are safe and visitors are not allowed to enter public spaces. So was the original plan to allow the health tourists to wander around the public spaces freely, and not to bother ensuring that general patients are safe? <scratches head> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewMciver Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Completely confused. I was scheduled to have finger surgery on deviated bone, and contemplated it having it done in Thailand, as the UK had an 18 month waiting list for non emergency procedures of this kind ! However, when i contacted the Thai embassy in London, they said you can only qualify for this visa if you are unable to have any procedure done in your home country. Which begs the question, which medical need can you only have in Thailand but not in your home country? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtls2005 Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 1-3 persons can accompany. Where do they quarantine? At the Sudanese condo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SymS Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 What's a medical tourist exactly? All I see are massages, fitness programs, eating and travelling around Thailand... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtls2005 Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Just now, SymS said: What's a medical tourist exactly? Non-emergency/elective surgery, cardiac treatment, ortho treatment, cancer treatment, eye treatments. Some elective stuff: tucks and enhacements. People come here for stufff they cant get done at home, unless by a barber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pib Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 15 minutes ago, AndrewMciver said: Completely confused. I was scheduled to have finger surgery on deviated bone, and contemplated it having it done in Thailand, as the UK had an 18 month waiting list for non emergency procedures of this kind ! However, when i contacted the Thai embassy in London, they said you can only qualify for this visa if you are unable to have any procedure done in your home country. Which begs the question, which medical need can you only have in Thailand but not in your home country? During that contact you would have needed to identify yourself as Prince or Sheikh AndrewMciver to get approval (and the free coupons for massage and spa services, herbal products, etc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 17 hours ago, Berti said: How should this be possible when only repatriation flights organized by the embassies are allowed to bring in passengers? The embassy told me, only urgent cases are considered and you need a confirmation from your home hospital that the treatment must be done in Thailand. This means people from low standard countries coming in. ???? Wow, I'm speechless. Some have deep pockets to circumnavigate the issue of why the operation has to be done in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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