Visas exempted for six Gulf states on medical visits: minister

Visitors from six Gulf countries who want to get medical treatment in Thailand will be able to travel here without needing to get visas.

The six in the Gulf Cooperation Council are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Public Health Minister Dr Pradit Sinthawanarong said this "privilege" was part of Thailand's campaign to become a regional medical hub.

Visitors from these countries will be allowed to stay in Thailand without a visa for up to 90 days if they plan to receive medical treatment here.

They will have to present documents showing that they have appointments with medical institutes, plus financial certificates and other related documents.

The campaign will in the future extend to other countries such as Asean and Scandinavian countries, plus Japan, Russia and China.

Last year, such visits generated an income of about Bt121 million to Thailand. The most popular services were health checkups, followed by plastic surgery, dentistry, bone surgery and heart operations, the minister said.