Thailand Agrees In Principle To One-Year Medical Treatment Visa To Attract Foreign Patients

By Linda Khoo Hui Li BANGKOK, Dec 1 (Bernama) – As a major hub for medical tourism, Thailand will offer a one-year Medical Treatment Visa to attract foreign patients with high purchasing power to boost its medical tourism market. Deputy government spokeswoman, Dr Ratchada Thanadirek said the cabinet on Tuesday approved in principle the Medical Treatment Visa or Non-MT Visa for patients and their supporters (up to three per patient) travelling to the kingdom for medical treatment. “The Medical Treatment Visa targets visitors and patients who need continuous treatment. It is in line with the government’s plan to promote Thailand as a major hub for medical tourism,” she said at a press conference here Tuesday. She added that foreign patients eligible for the new visa can stay up to 90 days and could seek permission for continuous stays if the treatment requires. Patients and followers must each show bank statements with deposits of at least US$23,735 (800,000 Thai baht, US$1 = 1 33.70), accident and COVID-19 insurance with coverage of at least 3 million baht. Meanwhile, amid concerns about the Omicron COVID-19 variant, the cabinet today decided to continue the use of RT-PCR test for on-arrival screening for all travellers entering the kingdom. “There have been no reports of the Omicron variant here yet but the public health authorities will step up screening to contain the spread of the highly infectious strain in Thailand.” Last Friday, Thailand approved a plan to deploy Rapid Antigen Testing for fully vaccinated travellers from 63 COVID-19 low-risk countries and territories to expedite the entry process in a bid to boost its tourism sector. Under the travel arrangement, travellers entering the kingdom via “Test & Go” entry scheme only need to undergo Rapid Antigen Tests at a Safety and Health Administration (SHA) Plus certified hotels. -- BERNAMA