This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What is the purpose of the new 300 baht fee for entering Thailand and do I need health insurance to enter?
300 baht feeThai visa ruleshealth insuranceCovid-19visa requirementsexpat health coveragetourism feesNon-O visamedical insuranceentry regulations
May 7, 2021
5 years ago
Michael **************
ORIGINAL POSTERMaybe you guys can help me understand the new 300 baht fee. Don’t get me wrong it’s not about the 300baht. From my understanding part of the 300 is to pay for medical bills of uninsured expats. So why do I need insurance to come? How did others get here without insurance?
Hmmmmmm
Hmmmmmm
TLDR : Answer Summary
The new 300 baht fee proposed for incoming travelers to Thailand is part of the discussion surrounding healthcare costs for uninsured visitors and is perceived as a way to cover medical bills for foreigners. Some commenters are confused about why insurance is still necessary if part of this fee is designated for healthcare. Many voicing their opinions highlight the shift in travel regulations post-COVID-19, emphasizing the significance of having valid health insurance before arriving in Thailand.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Terary **********
We get our medical bills paid.. Where/how do I do that
Joe ***********
Actually I propose that this 300 Baht fee or more be added to each annual Non Imm Extension of Stay. The Pool Needs to be Wide abd Deep - replenished often.
Once upon arrival and once a year for an Extension. I have accidently left minced beef sit in the fridge to long and spoil worth more than 300 Baht.
Once upon arrival and once a year for an Extension. I have accidently left minced beef sit in the fridge to long and spoil worth more than 300 Baht.
Mohammad *******
Bali is much better then
Darren *******
Why would you want to come here with no insurance....????
Edna *******
@Darren ******
everyone is not considering this, if you maintain a home in your own country the bills there March on including medical, car, home and contents all insurance premiums. At one time just recently insurance wasn’t required. To me medical costs were so cheap compared to other countries we didn’t bother. Some of my friends have traveled to Thailand for major treatment, actually cheaper than the US, including round trip flight, pocket money, accommodations and a little fun. Cataract surgery for instance was nearly 17,000$ big ones for two two hour day trips no hospital stay. Gall bladder surgery with complications over 100,000$ you figure it out. I also think ThAiland should have required insurance long ago. Many pack packers and the like stuck Thailand with the bill, because no money and from another country. I think they were justified in doing so. Only problem is with Covid raging insurance or not, you may not get a bed or doctor. Thais are having trouble themselves.Christophe **********
Yes overpaying is your mantra then pay for those that don't want to overpay.
Bobby ********
Darren Hulme. Because Thailand attracts the "Cheap Charlies" of the world.
Darren *******
@Bobby *******
that depends if you get married have kids and live here lolBobby ********
Darren Hulme. It's the Cheap Charlies who are complaining about the insurance.
Darren *******
@Bobby *******
They would be fucked if they had to pay for a years medical insurance lolBobby ********
Darren Hulme. Funny thing is there are Cheap Charlies who can't afford 30,000 baht for insurance but will stump up 50,000 for a bogus visa. 🤣
Charles ****************
@Bobby *******
We get it. You're no cheap Charlie. Shut up already.Bobby ********
Charles Michael Jones. Haha! The cap fits!
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Bob ********
@Mic****
Dawson I was a taxi driver for 28 years in Ireland...retired 24 years now...when I was last working it was 40 cent for every piece of luggage that was carried in the trunk/boot. I have been in many other countries in Europe and I was aware of this charge...In my time the "fare" (passenger) would not have even noticed or have been aware that they were been charged this fee if I had not pointed it out to them.Michael ********
@Robert *******
was if built into meter as add onBob ********
Michael ********
@Robert *******
ok makes sense thats why never noticed i just put reciept in wallet then claim expensesReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Bob ********
@Bobby *******
Taxis in most countries have a small extra charge for each bag that goes into the trunk/boot of the cab.Bobby ********
Robert Curtis. It's normally an "excess" baggage charge from my experience. Personally I normally travel light with just one case, so I've never encountered it, although I remember getting a cab from JFK some years back with my missus and two teenage daughters and their baggage alone cost me a fortune! However, in Bangkok it's 20 baht for the third and subsequent case (over a certain dimension). 20 baht. The way some expats have had an outpouring of emotional distress over this 20 baht has been embarrassing. These expats are the same ones who keep saying Thailand needs them to save their economy! 🤣
Michael ********
@Robert *******
out of interest which ones, i am a marine engineer and fly around the world for work. Never noticed this charge except for oversize baggageReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Colin ********
Not until Jan 1st
Leslie *******
More money for the politicians to go on a holiday, that is good for business ?.
Lynnette *******
@Leslie ******
what is that supposed to mean?Joe ***********
@Lynnette ******
Disgruntled griping is all it meansReply to
Joe ***********
Reply
Elisa *******
administrator in the house ? Do we really need these kinds of comments ?
Gordon ********
Actually b34 of the b300 goes to recover hospital costs. The rest is for tourism promotion.
I think b500 would be better and cover everyone for the duration of their tourist visa up to 90 days. Then allow people to continue paying for longer stays and extensions. The promotional publicity by advertising this would be fantastic for the country image. “WE TAKE CARE OF YOU”
Hope govt is listening
I think b500 would be better and cover everyone for the duration of their tourist visa up to 90 days. Then allow people to continue paying for longer stays and extensions. The promotional publicity by advertising this would be fantastic for the country image. “WE TAKE CARE OF YOU”
Hope govt is listening
Mario **********
Ca$h grab. Welcome to the Land of Smirks.
Bobby ********
Mario Gaspacho. It's 300 baht!
Mario **********
@Bobby *******
Your point?Bobby ********
Mario Gaspacho. Describing 300 baht as a "cash grab" I find amusing. 🤣
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Graeme **********
I understand that the 300 baht will go into a slush fund that will be used to support hotels and other tourist reliant businesses should there be another wave of COVID infections.
Graeme **********
*****************************************************************************************************************************************
Joe ***********
@Graeme *********
And you have proof beyond mere speculation? Graeme **********
@Joe **********
pretty sure it was on Thaiger newsReply to
Graeme **********
Reply
JJ **********
I came 15 months ago.... safe!
Bobby ********
JJ Standing. Safe from paying 300 baht. Wow! Must be good to sleep easy at night! 🤣🤣🤣
JJ **********
@Bobby *******
safe from quarantine, safe from having to buy insurance safe from reporting to Thai Ministry you know extra stuffBobby ********
JJ Standing. Yeah! Must be great being safe from that 300 baht. I feel the same way. Sleep easy every night, knowing that 300 baht is still in my wallet!
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Geoff ********
If you look back at the stats before the introduction of compulsory OPD health insurance for farangs. There were no live in expats in the list. It was all people from neighboring countries and tourists who were escaping without paying. What security was in place at those hospitals ?
Michael **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Geoff *******
noneReply to
Michael **************
Reply
Joe ***********
During non Covid times... youthful tourists and old Expats fall into unexpected calamities - from rock climbing, motorcycle accidents, boating accidents.... to aortic aneurism, strokes, brain aneurisms... some of these descend upon people with the best of insurance planning. And the person is stripped of any real ability to contend with the total costs. Sometimes the insurance has hidden clauses shutting off full compensation. Everything is not always cut and dried. Having a Large Pool of money at low average costs to tourists to compensate hospitals and clinics is not really a big deal.
Michael **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Joe **********
It’s not the 300baht it’s why should I pay for someone else. Joe ***********
@Michael *************
it is called Pool Insurance. If you're too cheap to pay 300 Baht, then Thailand is not likely the place for you. Reply to
Joe ***********
Reply
Joe ***********
Geeze Guys Get over it - it's a whole 300 Baht - a halfway decent meal and a beer.
Jonathan ***********
You won't get more authentic then where all the locals eat. You can pay 500฿ for a meal, but locals don't eat daily. Not saying it won't taste good, but the street food is really good as well. Ain't because you paying a fortune that it's better ;)
But i ain't complaining, good for you if spending makes you feel superior, locals enjoy having tourists paying overpriced stuff
But i ain't complaining, good for you if spending makes you feel superior, locals enjoy having tourists paying overpriced stuff
Jonathan ***********
"Halfeay decent meals"?
I get full really good meals for 30-50฿ 😆
I get full really good meals for 30-50฿ 😆
Joe ***********
@Jonathan **********
Wow another near native eating from the sidewalk kiosk... Otherwise (known by the ladies as Cheap Charlie) And if you are going to quote me - please spell correctly.Reply to
Joe ***********
Reply
Bob **********
There is past present and the future you dealing with right now along with a pandemic
Lynnette *******
No insurance? Why travel without insurance? So who pays if you're sick or injured? You would need plenty spare money.
Bobby ********
Best insurers!
GoFundMe.com
GoFundMe.com
Michael **************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
I agree you should have insurance when traveling it’s not that expensive But for those cheap B’s that want to save a buck or want to get over on someone
We need to pay for their ignorance
Lynnette *******
@Michael *************
yes. It's so wrong. Todd *********
@Michael *************
too cheap to pay for your own health care? If you can't afford it, insurance is your best bet. They might help Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Todd *********
@Lynn****
people travel with or without insurance for a wide variety of reasons. It's worth understanding how the country you will be visiting, handles tourist or expat patients. You may well be wealthy enough to self insure. Or understand that you are travelling to a socialist style nation with free healthcare provision for emergency situations. Public or private.... are you healthy or not healthy? Pre-existing conditions or not? Every place i go requires a quick mental risk assessment and decision process. There is always risk. Insured or not. Colin ********
@Todd ********
the days of insurance free travel are overReply to
Colin ********
Reply
Colin ********
It was used years ago exit charge,it was a machine which gave you a ticket for boarding at a cost of 500 baht,no ticket no boarding
Dave *********
@Colin *******
most likely be bringing those machines back..then..this time on entry .. more chaos😂🤣Todd ***********
@Colin *******
I remember that! This fee will likely be wrapped into the plane ticket price.Colin ********
@Todd **********
can’t see how as the Thai gov will want it 100%Todd ***********
@Colin *******
Yes, and thats how they will collect it.Reply to
Todd ***********
Reply
Adrian ******
This 300baht was mentioned before covid as a insurance cover for bad ferang that don’t pay hospital bills. It all gets obscured as no real explanation is ever given or follow ups just a constant grabbing for more tourists money
Channel **********
How is this going to be collected at immigration counters?
Over 75% of visitors enter the country with no Thai baht and there's 180 different currency in the world, and paying by card there are additional fees.
Another extra hour at immigration counter I'm afraid.
Over 75% of visitors enter the country with no Thai baht and there's 180 different currency in the world, and paying by card there are additional fees.
Another extra hour at immigration counter I'm afraid.
Bob ********
@Channel *********
Whenever I go on holidays to a different country, I always bring a certain amount of the local currency for immediate use upon arrival.. ie ..for Coffee, Something to eat, Bus or Taxi....seems like only common sense to me?Channel **********
@Robert *******
everyone is different and some people leave many things to the last minute Bob ********
@Channel *********
@Channel *********
I agree totally...The ones with common sense don't leave many things to the last minute. They make preparations for their trip?Reply to
Bob ********
Reply
Channel **********
Reply to
Channel **********
Reply
Todd *********
or located immediately beside a high fee ATM owned by a bank very well connected to the govt. Welcome to planet earth
Channel **********
@Todd ********
. That is the only way it will work.Todd *********
@Channel *********
when you don't let people pass immigration without paying, you will see a whole new level of motivation from the masses. No problemReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Frank ******
@Channel *********
it will be imbedded in airline ticketMichael ********
@Channel *********
there is already a 500 baht airport fee thats built into ticketDave ***********
@Channel *********
they will add it to the cost of the flight ticket most likely. That’s what most other countries do. Channel **********
@Dave **********
yes I think so.Reply to
Channel **********
Reply
Greg ******
Cronyism
Brandon ************
Once Covid is over and there's no more Certificate of Entry needed, the insurance to enter will no longer be a requirement. That's where this comes in.
Todd *********
'once covid is over'....😂
Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
John *****
All these hv been spin spin around for a long time...how to get more $$$. Changes anytime...
Will ************
They have made In/Out patient insurance mandatory if applying for Non O in your own country.
Richard ********
@Will ***********
not correct see my comment to @Dave **********
Dave ***********
@Will ***********
for Non O-AWill ************
@Dave **********
they have it in the document upload section for Non O in the UK Dave ***********
@Will ***********
ok strange. A colleague was issued a non o based on being married to a Thai about 10 days ago and no insurance was asked for. In the UK.Richard ********
@Dave **********
same here for an O retirement visa, did not take my cover as not required, neither was any covid insurance. But if you don't have it will cost you a nice penny for treatment. Will ************
@Dave **********
I just chucked the free Emirates insurance in, they issued the Non O straight away. Reply to
Will ************
Reply
Todd *********
The world of travel, as we knew it 15 months ago is gone. Altered the landscape forever. It seems likely that it will be less efficient, more costly, more administratively annoying, more medically onerous, more challenging than ever to acquire visas than ever before. And every tiny piece of payback that can acquired via direct user fees, will be done. For anyone wishing to travel in the future.... #BC - bring cash, cuz it's gonna be expensive and irritating.
Gary *********
Spot on with that assessment.
Sammy *******
@Todd ********
exactly right!Reply to
Sammy *******
Reply
Jean ****************
2 Insurances are now mandatory.covid ins and also health bins,
Joe ***********
For newbies - Prior to Covid the only Visa requiring insurance to enter was Non Imm O-A... Now under the COE everyone is required to have Covid specific coverage and general health coverage for outpatient and inpatient coverage. Which under a COE could be withdrawn when COE usage is withdrawn
Jean ****************
Yes,coming from outside is different.You need COE, and for COE you need anticovid ins,then next step as usual health insurance.For newbies it's not very clear.But not difficult.Except if you are more than 70 y.o.Read small characters.Difficult.
Richard ********
@Jean ***************
I just renewed my health insurance in Thailand and it includes covid illness cover to the same level as the policy cover. 🤔 But I live here not coming on tourist visa Brian ************
@Richard *******
any chance you could give me a link for the company you're using for health insurance? Richard ********
@Brian ***********
AIA it's a Thai Insurance company. Reply to
Richard ********
Reply
Jean ****************
You need 1 ins anti Covid to obtain COE
AND one general health insurance for in and out patient to obtain visa.
Perhaps theses 2 insurances are belonging by the same company.
Normally,only health insurances registered in Thailand with an office in Bangkok are allowed.See list of about 15 approved Thai insurances.
All this is new.
AND one general health insurance for in and out patient to obtain visa.
Perhaps theses 2 insurances are belonging by the same company.
Normally,only health insurances registered in Thailand with an office in Bangkok are allowed.See list of about 15 approved Thai insurances.
All this is new.
Andy *******
@Craig ******
tourist visa requirements are different to other long stay expat visa's ... its almost like extortion because they insist on Thai insurance (ie, little brown envelopes). And good luck if you apply for COE without using a Thai insurance company... many people have been bitten. Look on Thai immigration site, they don't care what an embassy says 😅😅Reply to
Andy *******
Reply
Jean ****************
@Craig ******
no,read carefully the visa section of EmbassyReply to
Jean ****************
Reply
Will ************
Never heard of it. You need
*****
0US Dollar insurance for Covid.Bobby ********
What 300 baht fee?
Dave ***********
@Bobby *******
Think he means this. *************************************************************************************
**********
**********
*****
*****
11/*****
*****
*****
******************************
/?type=3Bobby ********
Dave Nickerson. Thank you! That's January. Too far off for anything substantial in Thailand! Let's get the "sandbox" done first! 🤣
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
56 comments
2 years ago
30 comments
3 years ago
3 comments
3 years ago
37 comments
3 years ago
18 comments
3 years ago
38 comments
3 years ago
7 comments
3 years ago
45 comments
4 years ago
19 comments
4 years ago
44 comments
4 years ago
13 comments
4 years ago
25 comments
4 years ago
21 comments
4 years ago
12 comments
5 years ago
39 comments
5 years ago
64 comments
5 years ago
42 comments
6 years ago
6 comments
6 years ago
43 comments
6 years ago
1 comments
6 years ago
3 comments
6 years ago
1 comments
6 years ago
9 comments
6 years ago
19 comments
6 years ago
16 comments
7 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.