In an effort to entice travelers back after the epidemic, Thailand has created a program to provide up to $14,000 in medical coverage in the case of an accident, the country’s tourism minister announced on Thursday.
Under the new plan, the government would pay up to 500,000 baht ($14,000) in expenditures and up to one million baht in compensation in the event of a death.
The crucial tourist industry in the monarchy was severely damaged by travel restrictions during the Covid-19 outbreak, and arrivals have not recovered as swiftly as officials had intended.
According to AFP, the new Thailand Traveler Safety program launched on January 1 and will continue through August 31. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol is the minister of tourism.
“The campaign aims to assure 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 seeking sun, sand and adrenalin.
But accidents are not uncommon and there have been numerous reports in recent months of young Europeans finding themselves facing big medical bills with inadequate insurance.
The Thai government stresses that the scheme will not cover accidents caused by “negligence, intent, illegal acts” or risky behaviour.
Tourists can register for the scheme through the Thailand Traveller Safety website at tts.go.th.
Some 28 million people visited Thailand in 2023, up from 11 million the year before, but still well down from the 40 million who came in 2019, the last year before the pandemic.
Officials are hoping to hit 35 million visitors in 2024, with a target of $55 billion in revenue.
