How to stimulate tourism?
This is a key issue for Thailand as the sector can represent 10% of GDP.
And Bangkok thinks it has found a good argument by launching a financial aid program for foreign visitors, in the event of hospitalization or death.
“
This campaign aims to reassure foreign tourists.
Thailand is a safe place and everyone is taken care of
,” explained Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol.
The program, which began at the beginning of January and runs until the end of August, covers medical costs up to 500,000 baht (13,000 euros) and death cases up to 1 million baht.
An envelope of 50 million baht has been provided by the State.
Enough to cover the medical costs of a few hundred, or even a few thousand, tourists if each person's bill remains modest.
However, situations caused by “
negligence, intent, an illegal act
” or dangerous behavior fall outside the scope of insurance, authorities have warned.
The program, which began at the beginning of January and runs until the end of August, covers medical costs up to 500,000 baht (13,000 euros) and death cases up to 1 million baht
In this kingdom popular with tourists, accidents involving them are common, which creates the risk of ending up in hospital with a high medical bill.
Since borders reopened after the pandemic, tourism has not rebounded as expected, with fewer Chinese visitors.
Thailand welcomed 28 million tourists in 2023, far from the 40 million in 2019. It is counting on 35 million visitors in 2024 and hopes to rake in $55 billion, or more than 10% of GDP.