The scheme, introduced on March 1 after bombings in Bangkok, offers tourists insurance cover in the case of injury or death linked to a security incident, and is expected to be extended until June. Ministry of Tourism and Sports permanent secretary, Suwat Sidthilaw, said the extension aims to build confidence at a time when there are regional terrorist threats and concern that Thailand could be a target.
“The scheme was supposed to expire at the end of June, but the ministry is asking the Cabinet to extend this advantage to September as it is a plus point that builds confidence,” said Mr Suwat.
Mr Suwat noted that there were more than 400 security-related injuries in Yala last month, and also a car bomb in Haad Yai’s Lee Garden Hotel that killed one Malaysian visitor.
“There are good reasons to keep the insurance scheme alive,” he said.
The scheme only covers foreign tourists. Domestic tourists injured in security incidents such as the one at Hat Yai are eligible for treatment under the national health insurance scheme.
Insurance covers up to US$10,000 (B308,000) per person in the case of death, while it covers the actual costs of hospital treatment in the case of injury. It also compensates financially those who lose limbs or suffer impairment due to a bomb or other kind of security-related incident.
Extending the insurance will cost the ministry B100 million in additional budgets.