Before the end of 2019, travellers to Thailand will be required to have travel insurance before arriving — or they’ll be forced to pay a hefty premium.

Thailand’s Office of the Insurance Commission recently decided, upon approval from the country’s governing bodies, foreign travellers coming into the country need to hold travel insurance or pay a premium upon arrival, according to reporting by Chiang Rai Times.

The idea to implement compulsory travel insurance rose after visitors failed to pay a combined Bt300 million in medical bills after being treated in the country’s hospitals in 2018. If visitors arrive to the country without insurance, they will be forced to pay a Bt20 premium, which will offer coverage of a maximum of Bt1 million in case of death for up to 30 days in the country.

According to Chiang Rai Times, recent tourism disasters, like a boat accident that claimed the lives of 47 Chinese tourists, bolstered the decision to implement compulsory insurance for travellers. Chinese tourists make up a little more than a quarter of all tourists to Thailand.

The compulsory coverage has not yet been implemented, and requires the approval of state officials at the Tourism and Sports Ministry before being forwarded to the cabinet for approval.

Will the compulsory travel insurance impact your decision to travel to Thailand? Tell us. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.