Travelling to this popular holiday destination about to get more expensive
Travelling to one of Australia’s favourite tropical holiday spots could be about to get more expensive.
Thai tourist officials are pushing for a proposal to make purchasing travel insurance compulsory for all visitors entering the country.
Why? Apparently, the misadventures of tourists in the popular South East Asian country are costing local hospitals a fortune.
According to Jaturon Phakdeewanit, director of the Tourism Safety and Security Standards, visitors without travel insurance have cost Thailand at least 3 billion baht ($A117 million) a year for their treatments at state hospitals.
“We need to push this through as soon as possible because the problem is becoming more serious,” he said.
Government officials will discuss specifics with tourism operators before submitting a proposal to the cabinet for approval.
Travel insurance documents will likely be inspected at immigration counters upon arrival.
Tourism is a major industry in Thailand, with more than 14 million people visiting the country since January 1 this year, generating billions of dollars in revenue for the country.
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