What are the new insurance requirements for expats regarding Thailand visas during COVID-19?

Feb 10, 2021
4 years ago
Ray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
[members only] Can anyone confirm if this is correct please
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Recent discussions in the expat community highlight the increasing insurance requirements for those applying for Thailand visas amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It has been reported that both the Thai Embassy and the requirements for Non-O, OA, OX, and STV visas now mandate possessors to have insurance covering COVID-19 with minimum allowances. While some commenters argue that existing insurance policies might meet all criteria, others express concerns about the legitimacy and fairness of elevated requirements. The situation remains fluid, necessitating careful review of insurance policies and continued communication with Thai authorities and embassies.
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Naam **************
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Andrew ********
I think Thailand don’t want money and tourists so just find another place to visit ? Cambodia just as nice
Ray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew *******
true but Cambodia is pretty much closed at the moment
John *******
@Rod ************
i wondered how long before they changed the insurance needs to include retirement extensions on expats that have their visa renewed in thailand ....
Garrett ***********
@Jo**
Rob can't see your tag because he's not a member of our group. Please feel free to invite him.
Terry ********
This is on the London Embassy website NOW so maybe they are misinformed in Pattaya: "5. Copy of insurance policy which covers COVID and no less than 100,000 USD – please print the insurance certificate and all pages of the terms and conditions on the COVID coverage and medical benefits (some people were refused to board the flight because they could not show that their insurance meet this requirement)".
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2c562 There is nothing about needing double cover here. Things r often wrongly reported in Thailand, especially, to allay their fears about foreigners being allowed to return to Thailand.
Zabel ******************
It's just the way it's layed out on the page it's one insurance mention in two parts which make it looks like two insurance when I fact it's one insurance
Ray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry *******
it has the 2 insurance requirements on the London Embassy site
Terry ********
Fucking absurd when one Western policy for far in excess of $100,000 can be obtained which covers all these requirements, and has been accepted by the UK Embassy as such ever since they started accepting most visa applications. Not even the Thai declaration form to be signed by non-Thai insurers has been required.
Zabel ******************
ASI read it just one insurance.

It just need to cover does 3 aspects health/accident insurance on 400.000 THB minimum

Outpatient 40.000 THB minimum

CoVid 100.000 $ minimum

Note the first period you should also have the CoVid coverages but on the last part I read it as that is not beedo only normal health/accident insurance

They just want people to have insurance coverage for the whole length of the Visa.
Ray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Zabel *****************
you may be right, it doesn't actually say 2 policies
Dave *******
Scott Lawrie
Garrett ***********
@Da**
Scott can't see your tag because he's not a member of our group. Please feel free to invite him.
Gary ********
Andy ***********
Is this requirement for all Non immigrant O i.e. Thai Wife ? Seems to only focus on over 50 retirement Non O ...
Steve *******
@Andy **********
Seems to be only based on being over 50.
Ron *******
@Andy **********
no mention on the Thai Embassy website other than for Non O visas for those over 50yrs old and for retirement.
Chulala **********
I bought covid insurance for my Colleague 100,000usd cover Axxa 7,700thb 3 montha fo non Visa Allianz 4,726thb
Oliver ********
the general medical insurance seems sensible to me. many old foreigners get seriously sick/die in thailand without adequate insurance and leave thai taxpayers to foot the bill. but as long as quarantine remains in place i can't see the need for covid specific insurance.
Steve **********
@Oliver *******
When has a Thai ' taxpayer ' ever footed a medical bill for a foreigner ?

Are you 12.
Oliver ********
@Steve *********
happens every day
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Steve **********
@Oliver *******
how long you live here kid.
Oliver ********
@Steve *********
10 years. and you?
Steve **********
@Oliver *******
twice that and no hospital will confirm your claim
Michael ********
@Oliver *******
Agree with you there, chuck a 1000 baht on top of ASQ fees cover insurance for entry
Neil ********
TH just doesn't want old western sexpat types anymore. Instead of just banning them it's making life harder and harder. Once Covid ends, TH knows that it's Chinese and other Asian tourists who it will depend on, not westerners who are more like pests to the TH govt trying to stay in your country too long
Ray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Neil *******
just wrong, western tourists and retirees will continue to be welcomed
Steve **********
@Neil *******
ahh ! And you're from where ?
Dlonra ********
Don’t worry price is high and sure competition of insurance company will start and going cheaper same price of one bottle of Singha beer !
Steve **********
@Aaron ********
no it wont. Thai way..when business slow, raise prices
Ron *******
The UK Thai Embassy, along with most other Thai Embassy's, now require both insurances to issue Non O, OA, OX and STV visas.

You will need the insurance to pass through Thai immigration.

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2c562
Ray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
but the report states that even non o with re entry permit would also require this additional insurance. I am trying to find out if this is new as i know I only had obe insurance in December but that may have covered both requirements
Ron *******
@Ray ****
that's correct. If you attempt to enter with a reentry permit, you now need 2 lots of insurance.

You can no longer board a flight to Thailand without it
Ray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
ok i hear you, is that what the article is reporting? I entered in December, so if i leave i wouldn't be able to re enter without 2 insurances on those visas? Did this just start this week?
Ron *******
@Ray ****
I believe it started sometime in early January, when the Embassys started to require the insurance.

IMO, at some stage, the insurance will be required in order to get the extension the same as it's required for an extension based on an O-A visa.

Right now, it isn't yet required for an extension based on a Non O.

Lets not forget, you need the insurance for gaining AND extending the STV visa as well.
Ray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
ok January makes sense as i came back in December. However, chucking my insurance, it covers over $100k for covid and far exceeds the requirements for 40k and 400k so would i still need to get 2 insurance policies when my insurance already covers both?
Ron *******
@Ray ****
I guess it depends on the airline and what they will accept and for getting the COE. If it's like the O-A visa, it will likely need to be a Thai insurance company if your insurance company won't sign the declaration form.

Most foreign insurance companies, won't sign it.

I suggest you do your homework before travelling.
Carlo **********
Its just too expensive now :(
James **********
Well it says Thai Embassies worldwide confirm it so maybe have a look there
Steve **********
Simple. When you leave..dont return.
Bobby ********
Steve Mccarthy. Or don't leave!
Steve **********
@Bobby *******
the other option
Bobby ********
Steve Mccarthy. Each to their own. I'm here for the long term!
Jeremy *********
Lol up to them just one more nail in the coffin.
Tom *******
Cambodia when it opens going to give it a try, been before 15 year's ago was good then
Steve **********
@Tom ******
the world and all it contains is-a changin.
Oliver *************
The Very thing that i wanted Needed and Thailand Couldn't Even tell me Where to get it What a Country
Alex ********
I don't get insurance requirements for covid is $100,000 with $1,000 premium.....

That's a hell of a lot of treatment and costs given the majority of people who contract it only have mild symptoms and are covid free within a few weeks.

I am heading out to buy shares in Thailand's insurance companies!
Steve **********
@Alex *******
have lived here 16 years and in total havent spent that much in medical care.

Scam !
Alex ********
Thailand tourism took a hit with covid.

And Thai wisdom says to encourage tourism we will increase visa requirements and costs for inbound tourists.

Thailand tourism is dead for a long time to come.
Bobby ********
Alex Warner. As Todd says, Thailand is not alone in dead tourism. But back in my father's day, tourism wasn't even a word, let alone "holiday". And he lived until he was 91, so it didn't affect him too badly. He said he did go to Blackpool for a weekend sometime in the late 1940's!
Steve **********
@Bobby *******
these days are simply history, never to return
Bobby ********
Steve Mccarthy. Yeah, I never got a weekend in Blackpool. Looking even less likely now.
Steve **********
@Bobby *******
to be honest. Dont know where Blackpool is.
Steve **********
@Alex *******
a long, long time, yet the populace gets no state relief.
Steve **********
@Alex *******
govt has already said it doesn't want us. They want Chinese and India.
Alex ********
@Steve *********
yup.....

Going for quantity over quality.

Not realising westerners spend 3 times as much per capita, and use much less tour operators from home country.
Todd *********
@Alex *******
just like everywhere... no big deal
Alex ********
@Todd ********
not quite.

Charging $1000 for premium regardless of length of stay is excessive.

In addition to the other insurance required.

And why is covid suddenly exempt from cover in your regular insurance in Thailand?
Bobby ********
Alex Warner. I don't think covid is exempt from regular insurance. The cover is very high, but you only have to show you are covered by the right amount and it's acceptable
Jameson **********
They are worried about people coming back right??? Legalized marijuana in Thailand and their ain’t no question where most would go.
Isabel *******
Pattayamail should be the absolute last place anyone goes to for reputable information
Ray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Isabel ******
that's why i am asking here. It came up in my news feed and i wanted to know if it was correct
Michael ********
No idea about insurance.

But pattayamail need somebody who can write english, that headline is so wrong
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