Thailand waives visa fee for GCC medical tourists
Thailand has waived visa fees for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals seeking medical treatment in the country, according to a report published by UAE-based daily Gulf Today on June 9. This move follow the visit of Thailand’s prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in mid-May, where she announed to ease visa requirements for GCC visitors to Thailand.
Previously, Thailand issued a waiver on medical tourism fees for a period of 30 days. This waiver has now been extended to 90 days, said Juthaporn Rerngronasa, deputy governor for international marketing of the Tourism Authority of Thailand at a travel conference held in Bangkok on June 7.
The visa fee exemption is strictly for medical purposes.
The GCC is one of the main source markets for medical tourists to Thailand. Of the 140,000 Arab patients visiting Thailand last year, 40 per cent came from the UAE, and others mainly from Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar.
The country is chosen by them for the competitive prices for medical services, the high quality of hospitals and health personnel, and, not at least, for the broad range of tourist attractions and resort choices. Most of the hospitals catering to GCC patients offer halal food, prayer rooms, and have trained Arabic-speaking staff. Popular hospitals for medical tourists are, among others, Bumrungrad Hospital, Phyathai Hospital and Bangkok Hospital.
[caption id="attachment_3358" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Thailand is a popular medical tourism destination for GCC nationals"][/caption] Thailand has waived visa fees for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals seeking medical treatment in the country, according to a report published by UAE-based daily Gulf Today on June 9. This move follow the visit of Thailand's prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in mid-May, where she announed to ease visa requirements for GCC visitors to Thailand. Previously, Thailand issued a waiver on medical tourism fees for a period of 30 days. This waiver has now been extended to 90 days, said Juthaporn Rerngronasa, deputy governor for international...
Thailand has waived visa fees for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals seeking medical treatment in the country, according to a report published by UAE-based daily Gulf Today on June 9. This move follow the visit of Thailand’s prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in mid-May, where she announed to ease visa requirements for GCC visitors to Thailand.
Previously, Thailand issued a waiver on medical tourism fees for a period of 30 days. This waiver has now been extended to 90 days, said Juthaporn Rerngronasa, deputy governor for international marketing of the Tourism Authority of Thailand at a travel conference held in Bangkok on June 7.
The visa fee exemption is strictly for medical purposes.
The GCC is one of the main source markets for medical tourists to Thailand. Of the 140,000 Arab patients visiting Thailand last year, 40 per cent came from the UAE, and others mainly from Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar.
The country is chosen by them for the competitive prices for medical services, the high quality of hospitals and health personnel, and, not at least, for the broad range of tourist attractions and resort choices. Most of the hospitals catering to GCC patients offer halal food, prayer rooms, and have trained Arabic-speaking staff. Popular hospitals for medical tourists are, among others, Bumrungrad Hospital, Phyathai Hospital and Bangkok Hospital.
