Volume 14, Issue 08
What’s Inside:
1 - 15 January 2015
30 BAHT
Insurance cover needs marketing
T
he special online insurance coverage scheme, known as the Thailand Travel Shield, was initiated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to help visitors whose own insurance policy might be void because of the ongoing martial law. However, the policy has so far attracted only a small number of members, about 1,000, principally from Italy, Australia and Canada. The scheme offers travel insurance of up to 2 million baht for up to 60 days on any one trip to Thailand for a premium
which varies from 650 baht to 12,000 baht, depending on the length of the proposed stay and the precise benefits provided. The insurance must be applied for online prior to arrival in Thailand. Nobody over 70 is permitted to join the plan and foreign residents in Thailand are also excluded. Thailand Travel Shield is offered by four public-listed Thai insurance companies: Muang Thai Insurance, Chao Phaya Insurance, Siam City Insurance and Krungthai Panich Insurance.
There are a broad range of benefits for unforeseen events including medical care for accidents, trip cancellation, loss of personal belongings and emergency hotel accommodation. Pre-existing medical conditions are not covered. Marketing the scheme has been left to TAT and the four insurance companies, but few people seem to be aware of its existence. Pattaya Today contacted several Bangkok-based foreign embassies, but only the Australian mission seemed to Continued on page 6