Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai cabinet has approved inprinciple a one-year Medical Treatment Visa to attract foreigners withpurchasing power.

Yhe Medical Treatment Visa, or Non-MT visa, will be availablefor patients who needed medical services in Thailand and includeup to three supporters per patient, deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek was quoted by local media as saying.

The one-year andmultiple-entry Medical Treatment Visa will not be renewable.Visa holders will be able to stay in Thailand for up to 90 days perarrival, but could seek permission for continuous stays if their medicaltreatment requires that. For this, they must present medical certificatesissued by public or private hospitals or medical institutes in thegovernment sector. 

The Medical Treatment Visa targets visitorswho need continuous medical treatment and their supporters, Rachada said. Itwill enhance the country's competitive edge in line with government policy topromote Thailand as an international medical hub. 

Foreigners eligible for the new visa are patients whoneed medical services in areas that Thailand has mastered. These include anti-agingmedicine, health rehabilitation, plastic surgery, dentistry and treatmentfor cancer and cardiovascular disease, she said. 

Patients and followers must each show bank statements withdeposits of at least 800,000 baht (about 24,000 USD) and have accident and COVID-19 insurancecover in Thailand for at least 100,000 USD, or about 3 million baht. 

Patients must make appointments with their hospitals orclinics 30 days in advance, said Rachada./.