Thailand: All visitors will need insurance

[vandeventer]

Well they got us coming or going now,better to dig up the gold you buried in the backyard as you will be needing it.

[Destiny1990]

Better get a traffic accident insurance!

[ChouDoufu]

The Covid-19 insurance policy covers both deaths due to the disease as well as medical expenses for those undergoing treatment.
In case of death caused by the Covid-19, the policy pays for funeral expenses and the repatriation of the corpse or ashes to the country of origin. The maximum payout is THB3.2 million.
For medical expenses linked to the treatment of Covid-19, including the period of hospitalisation (inpatient or outpatient), the maximum payout is  THB3.2 million.

 

 

so this "policy" will cover up to $100k for medical expenses PLUS up to an additional $100K for repatriation?  it may just be the flu, bruh, but some folks do get sick AND then die. 

 

any guess as to how this will affect retiree types returning with expired extensions, having to start over with a visa (waiver?) and conversion to non-O?

assume they will need an actual visa, don't expect waivers to be a thing for some time.  maybe they can enter with a 30-day policy to match their visa.....but then what about 30-day extensions or conversions to non-o?

 

will retiree/marriage extension guys need to buy additional thai policies in addition to the real expat insurance with $1 million worldwide cover they already have?

 

 

Edited September 16, 2020 by ChouDoufu

[pookondee]

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

The key here is that pretty much every country in the world defines emergency treatment as what we know it - life saving treatment when you're severely ill. Test positive, no symptoms - just go home and isolate for 7 to 14 days depending on which country you're in - no emergency treatment required.

 

Here in Thailand on the other hand you are removed from society (this is where the $100k is used), and they're going to use it. There's no being sent home to self isolate for 7 to 14 days here, you're getting the full on emergency isolation hospital suite with hazmat suit wearing doctors running around testing you every few hours regardless of whether you actually need it or not. But it's not going to be an emergency = no payment.

 

You could be in there for many weeks.

 

This is not speculation - you are NOT allowed to use the UK insurance and this is the reason why.

 

The worst part will be when Thai companies realise they can find reasons (clauses) to not honour claims, such as banning claims coming from certain hospitals or areas, after folks have made a claim.

 

But all that aside, its hardly the point.

What you have said here i believe 100%.

 

To me, going to Thailand under these conditions is akin to voluntarily walking into a jail to visit someone,

 and then you yourself end up getting locked up for absolutely nothing..

other than just being there.

 

With the news of false positives coming out recently, you'd be completely nuts to gamble on Thailand getting it right (or wrong rather)

and wind up being under hospital arrest and extorted, as you described.

 

Completely nuts.

Its nearly as if Thailand is deliberately advertising these horror scenarios to keep people away.

 

 

[Dukeleto]

They should simply ask every vistor for a kilo of unobtainium. Same result.

[billsmart]

I assume this health insurance requirement does not now apply to long-term visa holders, except OA visas -- at least yet. I expect soon, all visa holders will be required to have some kind of insurance like OA visa holders are now required to have.

[herfiehandbag]

1 hour ago, Shey420 said:

The question is can they hit there money goals while in this scheme. While every other business around them go under. I doubt that but it seems they are willing to have that collateral damage. 

Well it does rather look as if this scheme ( the whole quality tourists scheme) is being created to serve those "of influence" who have interests in insurance, upmarket resort and quarantine provision. Maybe they think that they have identified a "cash cow" in those 1200 potential visitors a month, and intend to milk it.

 

It will have no effect whatsoever in recreating any sort of tourist industry from the debris that are left. But then, they are not interested in that.

[madmen]

The window is open for condo owners with yello book although I would get in early before the backfip 

[stereolab]

3 hours ago, AgentSmith said:

I agree. My worldwide insurance policy covers me up to 2 million euros, 100% in and out patient, and covid-19 coverage is included. I sure do hope they won't force expensive redundant insurance upon us. I can prove I have insurance and that should really be enough.

Good luck trying to prove you have coverage while standing at the Immigration arrivals hall at Swampy. You will need 3 copies of the policy, 3 of your passport and your Fit to Fly forms, dealing with an non English speaking official.

[2 is 1]

And after , when (if) this covid hassle is over! Getting out off Suvarnabhumi take 5-7 houer when they check everybody's papers! And need extra bag to carry all papers in coundry! Then there is copy machine where people can copy documents cost 40 bth / pcs! Huge line where baggers line to copy! Herd of familys in line whit crying baby's whit sht in they pans! Smell and noice is that kind everybody come here first and last time!

[madmitch]

5 minutes ago, billsmart said:

I assume this health insurance requirement does not now apply to long-term visa holders, except OA visas -- at least yet. I expect soon, all visa holders will be required to have some kind of insurance like OA visa holders are now required to have.

I think you are right. So does the CEO of a major Thai health insurance company I spoke with recently.

 

I dont believe that it will be necessary to have insurance from those specific companies in the cartel as up to now it hasn't been available from them and those few people that have entered have done so with alternative insurance. And, believe it or not, travel insurance including COVID-19 coverage is available in many countries. You just need to look around.

[bwpage3]

1 hour ago, Shey420 said:

They do get it. This is why their plan is to only have one to three flights per week. 1200 per month.

 

Quilty tourist is what they been pushing since talks of reopening started.

 

They can definitely get 1200 people per month with this new scheme. 

They can definitely get those numbers every month for the foreseeable future. While added more flights and more asq hotels and visitors.

This is their ultimate plan.

 

The question is can they hit there money goals while in this scheme. While every other business around them go under. I doubt that but it seems they are willing to have that collateral damage. 

You obviously don't get it.

 

Do you understand how many people around the world that have lost their jobs, are working on reduced salaries or furloughed for months at a time?

 

You think COVID hasn't financially diminished many tourists who use to visit Thailand?

 

High airfare, quarantine costs, now insurance.

 

What does Thailand have to offer for that additional cost and baht exchange rate?

 

Nothing.

 

Tourists will not come back with such increased costs.

 

It will take people a couple years to financially recover from being furloughed or working on reduced salaries.

 

That is today's reality.

[AussieBob18]

3 hours ago, SVC Porter said:

They don't get it....no one is coming lol.

And I and my Thai wife wont be if they enforce this in the future once Covid dies down.  I can get travel insurance for our annual trip for less than $300 - no way I am paying $1000+ for Thai insurance.

 

Likewise, if they enforce this cr*p scam insurance on those with 12 month marriage Visa (like they have for retirees) then we will not be living in Thailand in the future. And I personally know 3 Aussies who will leave Thailand, and there are many here that will not go back and live in Thailand again.

 

Amazing Thailand - unbelievable.

 

[checkered flag]

12 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

Well it does rather look as if this scheme ( the whole quality tourists scheme) is being created to serve those "of influence" who have interests in insurance, upmarket resort and quarantine provision. Maybe they think that they have identified a "cash cow" in those 1200 potential visitors a month, and intend to milk it.

 

It will have no effect whatsoever in recreating any sort of tourist industry from the debris that are left. But then, they are not interested in that.

It seems that every few months the insurance thing comes up and creates panic. Maybe it's the SOP for insurance companies to drive up business. I'm not against insurance but suspect there business plan to get new clients.

[Brickbat]

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

Wow, please share the name of the ins. company, thanks.

I think it’s AXA UK. It’s what I have

[DerekJ]

@ubonjoe does this apply to extensions? Do we need Covid-19 insurance for a extensions? 

[Paul Henry]

Well as stated many times before "while Thailand keeps the baht high and keeps imposing new rules and regulations on holidaying in Thailand" Vietnam and Cambodia are now the holiday destinations of choice. More welcoming less bureaucratic restrictions and less expensive. even the Chinese will change their destinations to take advantage of the benefits of the alternative destinations.

[khunjeff]

2 hours ago, Grumpy John said:

OK,  the main topic is the ridiculous insurance requirement but I  was of the understanding that inward and outward passengers paid a hidden tax on their ticket which was supposed to cover insurance whilst in country.  Am I to assume that tax is being funnelled into consolidated revenue?

Those are airport facilities fees, not taxes. They don't go into general revenues or pay for insurance (though this has been proposed many times) - they pay for the operation of the airport. Such fees are common around the world, and are often called Passenger Service Charges (PSCs).

[Mr Meeseeks]

4 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

So if I have a comprehensive policy already, including Covid insurance, I have to purchase again ?

 

"If the traveller is from a high-risk country, the insurance premium could be as high as THB43,200".

 

Assuming UK is high-risk then that's over £1000 !

 

SERIOUSLY !?

 

Yeah, you are paying for your government's incompetence in handling the COVID-19 crisis.

[Mr Meeseeks]

50 minutes ago, pookondee said:

Its nearly as if Thailand is deliberately advertising these horror scenarios to keep people away.

Bingo. We have a winner.

 

Finally someone gets what I have been saying for months on here.

[fulhamster]

1 hour ago, tonray said:

 I'd sure like a chart showing which officials are connected to the insurance companies

I would have thought all the usual suspects..........

Edited September 16, 2020 by fulhamster

[fcgprg]

3 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

 

Same, I usually pay around £25 per trip. Just checked and it's around £30 including Covid insurance.

 

BANGKOK, 15 September 2020: A consortium of 16 insurance companies in Thailand are now offering foreigners, who are eligible to travel to Thailand, the mandatory insurance cover valued at USD100,000.   

 

The Insurance company as to be on the list of companies accepted by the Thai government at the moment.

[Xonax]

45 minutes ago, 2 is 1 said:

And after , when (if) this covid hassle is over! Getting out off Suvarnabhumi take 5-7 houer when they check everybody's papers! And need extra bag to carry all papers in coundry! Then there is copy machine where people can copy documents cost 40 bth / pcs! Huge line where baggers line to copy! Herd of familys in line whit crying baby's whit sht in they pans! Smell and noice is that kind everybody come here first and last time!

To me that almost sounds like a normal trip to immigration for visa extension, except for the baby part.

1200 tourists a month distributed between 600 different hotels is like a drop in the ocean and will not save the whole tourist industry.

 

Edited September 16, 2020 by Xonax

[Mr Meeseeks]

21 minutes ago, Paul Henry said:

Well as stated many times before "while Thailand keeps the baht high and keeps imposing new rules and regulations on holidaying in Thailand" Vietnam and Cambodia are now the holiday destinations of choice. More welcoming less bureaucratic restrictions and less expensive. even the Chinese will change their destinations to take advantage of the benefits of the alternative destinations.

Lol Cambodia.

 

As much as I love the place it has nothing on Thailand.

 

Was lovely 15-20 years ago though, now ruined by Chinese developments. 

 

Vietnam? Meh.

[RotBenz8888]

3 hours ago, ukrules said:

The key here is that pretty much every country in the world defines emergency treatment as what we know it - life saving treatment when you're severely ill. Test positive, no symptoms - just go home and isolate for 7 to 14 days depending on which country you're in - no emergency treatment required.

 

Here in Thailand on the other hand you are removed from society (this is where the $100k is used), and they're going to use it. There's no being sent home to self isolate for 7 to 14 days here, you're getting the full on emergency isolation hospital suite with hazmat suit wearing doctors running around testing you every few hours regardless of whether you actually need it or not. But it's not going to be an emergency = no payment.

 

You could be in there for many weeks.

 

This is not speculation - you are NOT allowed to use the UK insurance and this is the reason why.

 

A very good point. In addition, some policies do not cover during quarantene. Some only cover for state hospitals. Better check these things before signing up. 

Edited September 16, 2020 by RotBenz8888

[NemoH]

Finally - Thailand is looking at high quality tourists who can afford the 14 days quarantine and a USD$100,000 value insurance and of course - who has the time to after spending all the above - repeat paying for the above process when they travel out of Thailand and back again. 

[steven100]

2 hours ago, ezzra said:

And the madness continues....

and the wheels on the bus go round and round ...

[mr mr]

are they still going on about this magical tourist thing? it's over thailand. find something else to do quick. 

[david555]

3 hours ago, bodga said:

it stinks  already

Insurrances-Cartel is the right name ....not consortium

Edited September 16, 2020 by david555

[steven100]

19 minutes ago, NemoH said:

Finally - Thailand is looking at high quality tourists who can afford the 14 days quarantine and a USD$100,000 value insurance and of course - who has the time to after spending all the above - repeat paying for the above process when they travel out of Thailand and back again. 

NO quality tourist is going to come to spend 14 days in quarantine.