Thailand is moving forward with plans to implement regulations requiring international tourists to obtain accident insurance before entering the country, according to the Bangkok Post. The proposal comes amid a growing number of unpaid medical bills, which are placing increasing strain on the public healthcare system.
This issue is particularly evident at Vachira Phuket Hospital, which serves around 400,000 registered residents and more than 1m visitors each year.
According to hospital director Weerasak Lorthongkham, the facility incurs roughly THB10m (over $280,000) annually in treatment costs for uninsured foreign patients, largely driven by motorcycle accidents and drug-related cases.
He also cited a severe case involving a Russian tourist who sustained serious spinal injuries, with
Ultimately, the hospital bears the full cost of repatriating the patient. He added that such cases occur across visitors of various nationalities.
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health estimates that unpaid medical bills from foreign patients amount to at least THB100m annually, with Phuket and Chiang Mai among the most affected areas.
Hospitals are unable to refuse emergency treatment on ethical grounds and are therefore required to treat patients regardless of their ability to pay, often absorbing the resulting costs.
Industry data indicates that travel insurance premiums for a two-week trip are around THB1,100, with health coverage ranging from THB3.6m to 9m. Despite the relatively low cost, insurance uptake among travellers remains inconsistent.
For years, Thailand has prioritised tourism volume overprotective measures, allowing many visitors to enter without insurance, particularly under visa-free arrangements.
A proposed THB300 entry fee for air passengers is still pending cabinet approval, while policymakers are increasingly considering mandatory insurance as a more viable solution.