[Fork Handles]

the Thais will fuck it up.
Guaranteed.

If they ever get off their arses long enough to pass the laws.

BANGKOK, June 28 (UPI) -- Lawmakers in Thailand say they want all foreign tourists to be required to purchase travel and health insurance before arriving in their country.

Thailand's Public Health Ministry Wednesday proposed the measure during a meeting with representatives from the Airports of Thailand, Royal Thai Police and other government ministries, the Bangkok Post reported.

The health ministry has suggested the cost of health insurance coverage might be included in visa fees, Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong said at the meeting.

Those visiting Thailand without visas would be required to buy insurance at immigration checkpoints or the fees could be added to the cost of airline tickets.

After the meeting, Pradit said all of those involved agreed to set up a subcommittee to work on the proposal.

The health ministry set up the meeting after Thailand's government asked it to address concerns about the financial burden on the country's state hospitals, which are required to provide foreigners with free medical service, Pradit said.


Frankly, I think its the expats who pose a bigger cost burden than two week tourists, even the ones zooming around Phuket on mopeds. I wonder if jet skis are included in the coverage?

[roamer]

Hi Fork, yes read the article, interesting, doubt it will happen.

"The health ministry set up the meeting after Thailand's government asked it to address concerns about the financial burden on the country's state hospitals, which are required to provide foreigners with free medical service, Pradit said."


I`ve not heard of free medical service for foreigners, learn something new everyday


No big deal but I ( willingly and had to insist/force) paid for private hospital treatment for my GF because the state hospital was quite frankly fxxking useless.
( She`s fine and now has BUPA Premium cover provided by her employer, which happens to be a foreign firm that takes very good care of their employees)


I wonder how many ( few) Thai businesses have public liability insurance, a requirement in many countries ?





Loosely translated this means the Thai Govt ( finance ministers) are desperately trying to find ways of compensating for the near 20 % reduction in predicted GDP growth, cost of rice subsidies and extra money for the already rich Thais.


"The finance ministry cut its 2013 growth forecast yesterday to 4 percent to 5 percent, compared with a previous range of 4.8 percent to 5.8 percent"


"The baht slumped 6.1 percent this quarter, the most since the three months through September 2000, to 31.17 per dollar as of 9:11 a.m. in Bangkok"


"Overseas sales dropped 5.3 percent in May from a year earlier after increasing 2.9 percent the previous month, official data showed this week"


Source

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-0...-outflows.html


Trust me to be a cynic.


That`s my Saturday rant done with anyway.

[Fork Handles]

Yes Roamer, the bit about free treatment had me scratching my head too. Does that mean that the hospitals we think about going to are private institutions, in which case where are the government ones?

[roamer]

Hi Fork

Banglamung hospital would be the nearest( state hospital) to Pattaya that I`m aware of.

That`s where my GF first went ( her choice, it was crap)


Bangkok Pattaya, Pattaya International and Memorial would be where we as tourists or even residents for that matter would go.

Payment or insurance required of course.

Memorial is where she went after, despite some poor reports, she was well treated and sorted.( no complaints)


I really hope never have to use any of them but would choose between Bangkok Pattaya and Pattaya International myself.

[woodman2]

Having visited a relative of my lady in a public hospital in Maha Sarakham city I think I would rather forego free treatment.

The staff were fantastic. No complaints about them but the place itself brought to mind the pictures of Florence Nightingale in the Crimea. Lines of beds under hanging bare bulbs and noisy ceiling fans

The wards were built around a typical Thai courtyard full of food carts, sleeping people and soi dogs. We walked straight from the communal area into the ward. The doors were wide open to the elements.

Relatives were actually asleep under their patients beds. The nurses are so understaffed that family members have to help look after the sick. The food carts are for the relatives to supplement the rations given to the patient. There were cats wandering among the bed.

The hospital is meant to be the best public hospital in the region....! I don't think it is actually free. There is a nominal charge of 20 or 30 Baht with the Kings fund paying the rest.

[Fork Handles]

I was well treated at Pattaya Int, cash up front but cheaper than getting sick here.

[Bilbobaggins]

Can't fault Pattaya Memorial, looked after me very well.