RI's Neighbour Prepares Mandatory Insurance, Tourists Subject to New Rules

Thailand is preparing a new policy that could alter the travel experience for foreign tourists. The government is considering the implementation of mandatory accident insurance to curb the burden on the healthcare service system, which has long shouldered costs for foreign patients without protection.

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health records unpaid medical bills from foreign tourists amounting to at least 100 million baht per year, or approximately Rp53 billion. This burden is most felt in popular destinations such as Phuket and Chiang Mai, which are primary targets for international tourists.

Hospitals in Thailand are still required to provide emergency treatment even if patients cannot pay. This situation has led the government to seek solutions so that costs are not entirely borne by the state.

“The government is still gathering data to assess the scale of the problem and design appropriate measures,” said Somruk Jungsaman, Permanent Secretary of Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, as quoted by the Bangkok Post on Tuesday (5/5/2026).

Although insurance premiums are relatively affordable, many tourists choose to travel without protection. Ademola Adelakun (33), a tourist from Canada, admitted he never considers insurance when holidaying.

“It’s not a factor and I don’t think about health insurance here,” he said, as quoted by Channel News Asia.

Rex (33), another tourist, echoed the sentiment, choosing to bear the risk himself. “I used to have insurance, but it didn’t feel financially beneficial, so I didn’t continue,” he said.

To date, the Thai government has not detailed the policy scheme, including the minimum coverage amount or implementation timeline. However, this discourse is seen as part of a shift in tourism strategy direction.

Several other countries have already implemented similar policies. The Schengen area, for example, requires insurance with a minimum protection of 30,000 euros or about Rp611 million for medical emergencies.

Thailand remains one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations with 32.9 million visits in 2025. However, growth is beginning to slow, even recording a 7.2% decline compared to the previous year.