Extended visa to Gulf countries' patients

Medical tourists from six Middle East countries, along with four people accompanying them, will be now granted a 90- day visa on entry, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced today in a move to boost medical tourism in the country. Previously, patients were granted 30-day visa on arrival.

Under this new rule, nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, only need to produce appointment documents from a Thailand-based hospital, bank statements or any other relevant document up arrival.

At a press conference, Yingluck also presented special passports to diplomats representing the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries, adding that this privilege will be extended to other Asean countries, Scandinavian countries, Japan, Russia and China.