Thailand to require foreign tourists to buy health insurance

Published: June 28, 2013 at 6:04 PM from UPI.com

 BANGKOK, June 28 (UPI) -- Lawmakers in Thailand say they want all foreign tourists to be required to purchase travel and health insurance before arriving in their country.

Thailand's Public Health Ministry Wednesday proposed the measure during a meeting with representatives from the Airports of Thailand, Royal Thai Police and other government ministries, the Bangkok Post reported.

The health ministry has suggested the cost of health insurance coverage might be included in visa fees, Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong said at the meeting. 

Those visiting Thailand without visas would be required to buy insurance at immigration checkpoints or the fees could be added to the cost of airline tickets.

After the meeting, Pradit said all of those involved agreed to set up a subcommittee to work on the proposal.

The health ministry set up the meeting after Thailand's government asked it to address concerns about the financial burden on the country's state hospitals, which are required to provide foreigners with free medical service, Pradit said.

Trat Province – a rising star in Thailand’s luxury real estate sector

This was an interesting article i found in the most recent edition of the Pattaya Mail about the rising popularity and luxury developments going on in Trat. 

Trat is a small province located very close to the Cambodian border and is the gateway to Koh Chang. I was surprised to find just how much is starting to go on there now, hope you enjoy the article.

In times gone by, few would have considered Trat as a natural location for luxury real estate in Thailand.  Tucked away in the southern corner of the kingdom’s border with Cambodia, Trat was rarely mentioned alongside Phuket, Pattaya and Samui as a place likely to attract domestic and overseas buyers of upmarket property.

However, that is certainly no longer the case and the attractions of Trat as a place to buy investment and lifestyle property have come to the public’s attention with a slew of national and international property awards going to developers there.  
                                

Koh Chang offers an idyllic tropical lifestyle. It all began in 2011 when Soneva Kiri Development on Koh Kood scooped the Best Villa Development on the Eastern Seaboard at the Thailand Property Awards.  

12 months later the accolades went to Siam Royal View, which not only created a buzz in Thai property circles, but across South East Asia and the world as well.

Last October, Siam Royal View’s Koh Chang Marina Development won the Best Villa Development on the Eastern Seaboard, the second time in succession that Trat had displaced the likes of Pattaya and scooped the prize.  The company was also a highly commended finalist in the exclusive Best Villa Development in Thailand at the South East Asian property awards held in Singapore.

A villa at the award winning Siam Royal View Koh Chang Marina. Siam Royal View enjoyed a golden year in 2012 with its condominium project also receiving high commendations at the Thailand awards and being nominated as one of the top five Marina Developments in South East Asia by the regionally respected Property Report magazine.

Located in the most beautiful corner of Koh Chang, it is not hard to see why Siam Royal View has garnered so many accolades.  In addition to bordering no less than five stunning beaches, the development is surrounded by the lush tropical forest of Koh Chang National Park.                                                                                 

Island sunsets at Siam Royal View. The development boasts world-class facilities, including state-of-the-art infinity swimming pools, a Beach Club, water sports centre and nine hole golf course. 

At the end of last year, the Siam Royal View unveiled its 75 boat yacht marina, the most modern facility of its kind within a radius of 200km.

Trat Province is a perfect location for people seeking luxury property in a pristine environment as the region remains largely unspoiled and so far unaffected by the over development that has begun to blight the more popular tourist destinations in Thailand. 

The coast and islands are a tropical paradise, much of it protected by National Park status.  The Mu Koh Chang National Park includes 54 islands alone.  It certainly seems as if the province’s star is truly on the rise.

For thos that have never been to Koh Chang check out the video below, it offers some nice scenery and information