Thailand issues a one-year visa for medical tourism purposes

Thailand intends to grant those wishing to visit it for the purpose of medical tourism a valid one-year visa, as part of the efforts of Southeast Asian countries to present themselves as a global center for medical tourism in the post-coronavirus era.

The Thai government's deputy spokesperson, Tipanan Sirishana, said in a statement that the government had approved a proposal to reduce the fee for obtaining this visa to 5,000 Thai baht ($140) compared to 6,000 baht, noting that this new visa will begin to be issued at the beginning of next year.

Bloomberg news agency quoted Tipanan as saying that the medical visa will allow foreign patients to travel to and from Thailand several times with a maximum stay of 90 days.

At the same time, obtaining a visa requires hospital reservation papers, health insurance, and a financial balance to finance treatment of at least 800,000 baht.

Thailand is seeking to attract more foreign tourists in the post-coronavirus era by promoting itself as a global medical care tourism destination, with hospital management companies such as Bangkok Dusit Medical Services and Bumrungrad Hospital leading these efforts.

The country, which has the second largest economy in Southeast Asia, is also betting on a boom in tourism to support the economic recovery over the next year, according to a statement issued by the Bank of Thailand earlier this week.

The country recorded strong growth in foreign tourism after the government lifted most of the restrictions imposed on travel and economic activities with the decline in the severity of the Corona pandemic.

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