Malaysians Visiting Thailand Should Get Health Insurance Policy

SONGKHLA (Thailand), Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysians visiting Thailand are advised to get a health insurance policy to avoid being overcharged when seeking medical treatment in that country.
This advice from Malaysian Consul-General in Songkhla Mohd Aini Atan comes in the wake of many Malaysian tourists under the misconception it was sufficient to enter Thailand with just valid travel documents and vehicle insurance.
He said they did not pay much attention to medical treatment which they might seek at a Thai hospital.
Mohd Aini quoted a case where a Malaysian tourist had to cough up over RM90,0000 to settle medical fees at a hospital in Thailand after being involved in a road accident.
Among others, the fees covered medical treatment and admitance to the hospital's intensive care unit.
"The family of the victim had asked for our help to pay the bills, but we could not help much in such a financial matter," he told Bernama after meeting with Perlis Border Cooperation Committee chairman Ahmad Bakri here today.
Mohd Aini said medical charges incurred by Malaysians at overseas hospitals should be borne by them.
"That is why, Malaysians should get a health insurance policy before travelling abroad.
Meanwhile, Ahmad said Perlis and Thailand's southern provinces, especially Songkhla and Satun, were committed in strengthening ties through various bilateral activities, including the friendly football tournament which was held in Satun last Friday.
He said a meeting to enhance Perlis-Satun bilateral cooperation and discuss possible development in the Malaysia-Thailand border was held at the Satun Governor's Office on Dec 9.
The Perlis delegation was led by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Md Isa Sabu while Satun's delegation was led by Satun Acting Governor Nueachai Jirahapirak.
In the two-hour meeting, both parties had also agreed to revive a plan to develop Bukit Batu Puteh near Kuala Perlis as a new entry point that would connect Perlis and Satun.
The plan to develop Bukit Batu Puteh was first made in 1996 but the project was hampered by technical problems.