Thai Medical Insurance for Immigration

[Bread Man]

Does anyone know if the Immigration Office in Udon Thani will require compulsory Medical Insurance when renewing their yearly visa? I am a Diabetic and cannot find cover here in Thailand. I have lived here for 16 years and have regular check ups at the hospital. My home country offers Insurance at sky high prices but I would have to live there to qualify for this. Talk about a Bummer!
Thanks in advance....

[semperfiguy]

Bread Man, this is only a tentative government proposal and is far from being formerly authorized. Besides that, the interpretation thus far is that the medical insurance will only be a requirement for those requesting a new Non 0-A visa from outside the country, and it hasn't specifically mentioned those who are already in Thailand and on an annual extension of stay. You should be okay!

[Bread Man]

Thanks everyone for that, it's a relief .....

[sometimewoodworker]

Thanks for that, it's a relief if I correct....

there is a new Police order due very very soon about income proof, there may be something else as well, if there is nothing in it about insurance (nobody has suggested there will be) then you are safe

[Bubbler]

When I was renewing my visa a while back, I found out that the requirements can change, and insurance isn't always a must, but it really depends on the office. Since you’ve been living in Thailand for 16 years, you might have a good shot at getting some flexibility. I’d suggest reaching out to the Immigration Office directly or checking in with expat groups on Facebook; they can be super helpful. You might also want to look into local insurance providers that cater to expats—they sometimes have plans that include coverage for pre-existing conditions.

[jackspratt]

Giving your ChatGPT machine a good workout today, Bubbles.

[Pikolim]

I’ve been renewing my visa in Thailand for a while now, and from my experience, the rules can vary depending on the immigration office and the type of visa. In Udon Thani, I’ve heard they aren’t super strict about medical insurance for everyone, but if you’re on a retirement visa, especially an OA type, they might ask for it. I’m on an O visa, and they’ve never asked me for insurance, but I always make sure to have my financial proof and hospital check-up records ready. It’s best to go in and ask directly since things can change quickly here.

[Bandung_Dero]

If you're extending a non imm "O" for 12 months there is no medical insurance requirement, as of this morning, when I did mine.

[sometimewoodworker]

I’ve been renewing my visa in Thailand for a while now, and from my experience, the rules can vary depending on the immigration office and the type of visa. In Udon Thani, I’ve heard they aren’t super strict about medical insurance for everyone, but if you’re on a retirement visa, especially an OA type, they might ask for it. I’m on an O visa, and they’ve never asked me for insurance, but I always make sure to have my financial proof and hospital check-up records ready. It’s best to go in and ask directly since things can change quickly here.

There is little to no evidence of significant flexibility on the requirement for insurance.
All reports I have seen suggest that the rules are almost all ways followed in every case.

It may seem that there is flexibility but that is almost certainly not the case, just that you don’t know the rules.
Changes happen, they are seldom sudden.

[rick]

If you're extending a non imm "O" for 12 months there is no medical insurance requirement, as of this morning, when I did mine.

likewise today