The recent announcement about entry fees for foreign visitors to Thailand, which includes a component for insurance, has sparked controversy among expats and tourists. Comments highlight concerns over perceived injustices, labeling these fees as a 'foreigner tax' and questioning the necessity of insurance for tourists. Critics argue that the funds seem to benefit bureaucratic interests rather than improve tourist infrastructure or health services. Additionally, there is a mention of a multi-tier pricing system at public hospitals that disadvantages foreigners, contradicting the idea of free medical care for visitors.
Paul *******
This is a foreigner tax, nothing else. The "insurance" part is complete nonsense. Check the comments section. One very naive commentator believes that foreigners will suddenly get free medical care!! He obviously hasn't heard of the 4-tier pricing system in place at public hospitals:
1. Lowest price for Thais
2. Next tier is for Burmese, Lao and Cambodian migrant workers
3. Farang work permit holders
4. All other types of farang, whether on marriage or retirement visas, student visas or just tourists. These groups pay something like 3 times more than Thais for most services and procedures.
Tom *********
The idiotic lies are getting more stupid by the hour! First it was: to improve the tourist infrastructure, then health insurance, then both, only to disguise that there is no real justification and the money goes into deep bureaucrats pockets. From the land of smiles..., to the land of greedy cunts...! There is simply no justification for this..., and no reason why visitors should pay this ! The illegitimate coup criminals are just trying to camouflage their terrible mismanagement...!