The cabinet yesterday approved in principle a medical treatment visa scheme to attract wealthier foreign tourists under the government's medical hub policy, deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said.
She said the multiple entry visa under the Non-MT category will be valid for one year and is non-renewable, and the visa holder can be accompanied by up to three people.
"They can stay in Thailand for no more than 90 days and if the patient needs further medical treatment in the country, they must report to immigration authorities every 90 days as well as show the medical certificates issued by state or private hospitals where they are admitted," Ms Rachada said.
Tourists applying for this visa must have health conditions Thailand is able to treat and require more than 90 days of medical treatment. They include anti-ageing and regenerative medical treatment, coronary artery disease, cancer, dental care, and cosmetic surgery.
Applicants must have at least 800,000 baht to cover their expenses in Thailand and must make an appointment with hospitals at least 30 days in advance. They will also need accident and Covid-19 insurance policies with a minimum coverage of US$100,000 (3 million baht), the spokeswoman said.
The medical treatment visa scheme is intended to attract foreign tourists who can afford to pay for medical treatment in Thailand for a long period, Ms Rachada said, adding the scheme is in line with the government's policy of promoting wellness and medical tourism.
Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said promoting tourism is part of the government's efforts to resuscitate the economy hit by Covid-19.
He said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha stressed the need for agencies involved to adjust their action plans in accordance with health safety precautions.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has come up with a plan to promote medical and wellness tourism for next year, shifting the focus from quantity to quality or those with the ability to spend between 80,000-120,000 baht each, Mr Thanakorn said.
The TAT also plans to improve the quality of domestic tourism by adding more value to goods and services, the spokesman said.
The Ministry of Public Health is pushing for Thailand to be recognised as a medical hub under a plan started in 2017 that will run until 2026. The plan includes using Thai herbal medicine to promote the wellness of tourists. This will be sourced from local communities, Mr Thanakorn said.
"The prime minister wants to ease the plight of people in the tourism sector affected by the pandemic and he gave assurances that the government will do everything in its power to solve the problem and come up with plans to deal with any new challenges," he said.
The government is confident its policy will add value to the tourism sector and help stimulate economic growth, he added.