Health tourism: UK out, Thailand in

British expatriates are now no longer entitled to free healthcare under the UK 's National Health Service following a crackdown on what has been termed ‘health tourism'. But as the UK shies away from the health tourism phenomenon, countries like Thailand are welcoming it with open arms.

As of this year, British nationals resident outside the UK are no longer automatically eligible for free expat health treatment through the National Health Service, according to the controversial proposal made earlier this year by UK Health Secretary Jo hn Reid.

The changes came about as part of the UK government's crackdown on what has been labelled in the press as ‘health tourism'. As a result of growing concerns and criticism, a three-month public consultation was carried out late last year to determine how to amend the system. This followed fears that the accession of 10 additional states in May 2004 to the EU would lead to a further increase in ‘visitors' taking benefit of the free health service and claims that the National Health Service was already under extreme pressure from asylum seekers needing medical attention. The result, from 1 April 2004, is that only employed, tax-paying residents and their dependants are entitled to free services from the NHS and non-residents are not.

Since the original announcement early this year, little up-to-date information has actually been released by the government. However, according to the Department of Health press releases and their website, there are new guidelines as to the eligibility for free treatment. British expats who spend less than three months a year in the UK will no longer have automatic free access expat health clinics, hospitals and GPs, except for emergency treatment, such as for a heart attack. Those seeking medical treatment could be asked to prove their residency status by showing council tax bills, pay slips and records of National Insurance contributions. However, there are further guidelines stating that to be exempt from medical costs, British nationals living abroad need to have lived continuously in the UK for 10 years and either have not worked abroad for more than five years, or if they have, they need to have taken home leave to the UK once every two years.

Confused yet? So is the NHS it seems. To make matters worse, there have been reports in the press that some expatriates have been refused free access to treatment whereas others have not had such difficulties. How this will be checked and administered is not known, though it seems that the decision to accept or to refuse free treatment is left to the treating medical establishment. Furthermore, support from the British Medical Association is unlikely as the profession is split on the subject. They feel that it is not the job of a doctor to decide who is to be given treatment but realise that non-UK residents are taking advantage of free treatment while visiting the country.

While it is doubtful that those who choose to go back to the UK for non-urgent care such as a hernia operation will face a bill at the moment, it could only be a matter of time before free medical treatment becomes a thing of the past. With this in mind, expat health insurance that is valid overseas, as well as in the UK, either for temporary visits or permanent return is likely to become of more importance.

 

Technorati : UK Tourism,Tourism

 

Travel and Tourism for Advanced GNVQ (Hodder Advanced GNVQ) Author by : Gillian Dale We Have More Tourism Guide Book in : BookmanClub. ....

Ayutthaya – Explore Thailand

Ayutthaya also known as "Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya" is the capital of Ayutthaya province in Thailand. Ayutthaya was named after the city of Ayodhya in India, the birthplace of Rama in the Ramayana. Ayutthaya was the capital of the kingdom of Thailand for many centuries between 1350 and 1767. The Burmese invaded Ayutthaya and the capital fell in 1767. Most of the city's temples and religious sculptures were destroyed. However, proud monuments to its glory are still standing, some restored.

Ayutthaya is located about 90 kilometers from Bangkok. It is recommended that if you are interested in Thai history & ancient monuments then you have to stay 2 full days with an overnight for sight sightseeing. The extensive ruins and the historical records demonstrate that Ayutthaya was one of Southeast Asia’s most prosperous cities. Ayutthaya province is easily accessible due to good road, rail and river connections and its proximity to Bangkok. Boat Trip, Bangkok Ayutthaya Cruise, Bicycle Tours & Mountain Biking are the activities which we can enjoy in Ayutthaya.

Boat trips are available along the Chao Phraya River, the Pa Sak River and around the town island of Ayutthaya. A long-tailed boat can be chartered at the pier in front of Chanthara Kasem National Museum, Pom Phet Pier, and Wat Phananchoeng Pier. The fare totally depends on the route and duration which you will choose. The River King Cruise will take you to the World Heritage in Thailand Ayutthaya Province with international buffet lunch & beverages break. Witness the sensational view of the Chaopraya River where the great Temple of dawn (Wat Arun), Grand Palace (Wat Prakaew) and Rama where 8 Bridge are nested. Even you can visit the highlights of Ayutthaya; Summer Palace, Wat Yai Chaiyamonkol, Wat phrasisanphet, and Vihara Phramongkolbopitr. Cycle Tours from Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourist Information Centre at the old city hall, the suggested 11.82 km cycling route is flat and paved, passing over a concrete bridge. It is ideal for families, amateurs and can be enjoyed year-round. Bicycles are available for rent at several locations. Sukhothai Ayutthaya Mountain Biking is dedicated cycle paths to take you round the majestic ruins, temples and palaces. Further south, a bike is the ideal way to see the sprawling remains of the kingdom's once great capital Ayutthaya.

Technorati : Thailand Tourism,Tourism

Thailand's Political History: From the Fall of Ayutthaya to Recent Times Author by : B.J. Terwiel We Have More Tourism Guide Book in : BookmanClub. ....

Political Downturn as Thailand Tourism Accelerates

This honor is considered to be the tourism equivalent of the Oscars, and Thailand has won it for eight consecutive years in the ‘world’s best country’ category. This is certainly a high accolade and not to be downplayed in any way, and proves there is more to the Land of Smiles than meets the eye.

Thailand and Scandinavia have long established a firm and fruitful relationship, with 378,387 Swedish tourists visiting the Kingdom during 2007, generating somewhere in the region of 25 Billion baht in revenue.

14.4 million Foreign nationals visited Thailand in 2007 alone from over 45 different countries. The official 2008 TAT figures have yet to be released, but the mood suggests a slight decrease in tourist numbers due to the worldwide economic problems.

The downturn is clearly a widespread issue, which doesn’t represent any failings on the part of Thailand as a major tourist destination in any way. And though businesses in Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai have noticed a minor drop in profits, thing are still carrying on as usual and tourists continue to flock to Thailand’s four favorite tourist regions.

Mike Parry, a U.K. expatriate bar owner in Phuket stated, “The Island is still the place to be, and visitors from all over the world are visiting Phuket in droves, spending big money, and the vibrant atmosphere is still the same as ever. To be honest, we are starting to notice an influx of visitors from more diverse countries than ever before.”

The majority of tourists come from Western European nations and Australia, but over the past two years there has been a dramatic rise of visitors from the Middle-East, China, Korea and Japan. This is an ever-growing market which Emirates Airline is quickly trying to accommodate by initiating a new Airbus A380 Megajet service from Dubai to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Chumpol Silpa-archa, Minister of Sports and Tourism explained, “This launch reflects how much the airline expects visitors to increase to Thailand.” TAT have projected that visitors from the Middle East will rise 6.5% in 2009, and Emirates must be commended for their vigilance and vision.

All the major Airlines are also doing their utmost in combating the worldwide economic decline by providing value-for-money flights to encourage greater numbers to visit Thailand. For instance, Qantas/British Airways are beginning to offer special rates on economy tickets from Australia and the United Kingdom to Bangkok. From any major Australian city, British Airways are charging as little as 15,590bht, and 23,650bht from London for roundtrip economy tickets.

The American travel market is also receiving welcome discount prices for economy roundtrip tickets to Bangkok. Northwest and Delta Air Lines are providing tickets from American Cities such as San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Portland, Las Vegas and San Diego for as little as 20,000bht. Salt Lake City to Bangkok economy-class tickets are being offered from 26,500bht for the roundtrip.

David Phelps, an American national who has been visiting Thailand two times every year for the past decade said, “I wasn’t going to come to Thailand on vacation this year, what with the value of the Dollar and the economic hardships. But the airlines and Thailand themselves are making so much of an effort to drop the prices and encourage tourism, I have decided to make my usual pilgrimage to this beautiful country that I love very much.”

Repeat visitors make up more than one third of the Thailand tourism trade and this is not a coincidence. The magnetic allure of the country and its wonderful inhabitants is underestimated and is the foundation of the tourist industry. Long term visitors always joke, “Nobody visits Thailand only once.” This type of repeat visitor already understands how the country works and is not so dependent on package holidays or hotel bookings.

There is a reported 30% decrease in hotel occupancy, but when you take into consideration that so many repeat visitors are favoring self-catering short-term villa rentals instead of hotel accommodation, the industry is still very healthy.

The Pattaya based holiday home rental company Thailand Holiday Homes has seen their figures rise a massive 32% in a two year period, providing a fascinating insight to the changing demographics of the tourist industry. Khun Nom, the Thai owner of Thailand Holiday Homes said, “We have many repeat clients and referrals due to the fact of giving excellent value for money, a free car for their personal use and 24 hour service. It seems that modern tourists prefer the privacy and freedom which a luxury self-catering rental villa provides.”

Whether you are a repeat visitor or a first timer, Thailand is the quintessential tropical paradise, with a colourful culture and an electric atmosphere, where people fall in love at first sight. Many tourists visit the Kingdom for a number of reasons that include beachside getaways, cultural excursions and the amazing diving conditions with beautiful coral reefs.

Many western men fall in love with the country and the petite smiling females in particular. The feeling from the Thai women is mutual as a recent survey proved. The women of the Northeastern rural province of Isaan have long been famous for marrying western men. A recent survey which covered 484 women from the Northern provinces showed that a whopping 61% suggested they would like to marry a western man, not only because his wealth, but also for the respect and faithfulness they offer women.

It doesn’t really matter what your reason for visiting Thailand is, the country has showed massive resolve in combating the current economic problems of the world and is battling against adversity. Thailand will continue to win awards and accolades for being one of the world’s favorite holiday destinations for a simple reason. People love this amazing country and the exotic allure of its culture, breathtaking scenery and the gracious attitude of its inhabitants.

Technorati : Thailand Tourism,Tourism

 

Moon Thailand (Moon Handbooks) Author by : Suzanne Nam We Have More Tourism Guide Book in : BookmanClub. ....

Phuket - Web Guide To Travel To Phuket Thailand

Phuket is Thailand's largest island, and is approximately the size of Singapore. Phuket nestles in balmy Andaman Sea waters on Thailand's Indian Ocean coast-line 867 kilometers south of Bangkok.

Phuket is an island connected by bridges to southern Thailand's Andaman Sea coast, in the Indian Ocean, lying between 7' 45 " and 8' 15" north latitude, and from 98' 15" to 98' 40" west longitude on the map. Thailand's largest island, Phuket is surrounded by 32 smaller islands that form part of the same administration, with a total area of 570 square kilometers. Measured at its widest point, Phuket is 21.3 kilometers; at its longest, 48.7 kilometers. It is bounded thus:

About 70 percent of Phuket is mountainous; a western range runs from north to south from which smaller branches derive. The highest peak is Mai Tao Sip Song, or Twelve Canes, at 529 meters, which lies within the boundaries of Tambon Patong, Kathu District (no roads go there yet). The remaining 30 percent of the island, mainly in the center and south, is formed by low plains. Streams include the Klong Bang Yai, Klong Ta Jin, Klong Ta Rua, and Klong Bang Rohng, none of which is large.

History of Phuket

Phuket Island has a long recorded history, and remanins dating back to A.D.1025 indicate that the island's present day name derives in meaning from the Tamil manikram, or crystal mountain. For most of history, however, it was known as Junk Ceylon, which, with variations, is the name found on old maps. The name is thought to have its roots in Ptolemy's Geographia, written by the Alexadrian geographer in the Third Century A.D. He mentioned that in making a trip from Suwannapum to the Malay Peninsula it was necessary to pass the cape of Jang Si Lang.

Phuket was a way station on the route between India and China where seafarers stopped to shelter. The island appears to have been part of the Shivite empire (called in Thai the Tam Porn Ling) that established itself on the Malay Peninsula during the first Millenium A.D. Later, as Muang Takua-Talang, it was part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahm empires. Governed as the eleventh in a constellation of twelve cities, Phuket's emblem, by which it was known to others in those largely pre-literate times, was the dog.

During the Sukothai Period Phuket was associated with Takua Pah in what is now Phang-nga Province, another area with vast tin reserves. The Dutch established a trading post during the Ayuthaya Period in the 16th Cent. The island's northern and central regions then were governed by the Thais, and the southern and western parts were given over to the tin trade, a concession in the hands of foreigners.

After Ayuthaya was sacked by the Burmese in 1767 there was a short interregnum in Thailand, ended by King Taksin, who drove out the Burmese and re-unified the country. The Burmese, however, were anxious to return to the offensive. They outfitted a fleet to raid the southern provinces, and carry off the populations to slavery in Burma. This led to Phuket's most memorable historic event. A passing sea captain, Francis Light, sent word that the Burmese were en route to attack. Forces in Phuket were assembled led by the two heroines, Kunying Jan, wife of Phuket's recently deceased governor, and her sister Mook. After a month's siege the Burmese were forced to depart on 13 March, 1785. Kunying Jan and her sister were credited with the successful defense.

In recognition King Rama I bestowed upon Kunying Jan the honorific Thao Thep Kasatri, a title of nobility usually reserved for royalty, by which she is known today. Her sister became Thao Sri Suntorn.

During the Nineteenth Century Chinese immigrants arrived in such numbers to work the tin mines that the ethnic character of the island's interior became predominantly Chinese, while the coastal settlements remained populated chiefly by Muslim fishermen.

In Rama V's reign, Phuket became the administration center of a group of tin mining provinces called Monton Phuket, and in 1933 with the change in government from absolute monarchy to a parliamentary system, the island was established as a province by itself.

Boundaries

On the North Is the Pak Prah Strait, spanned by two bridges running side-by-side, the older Sarasin Bridge, and the newer Thao Thep Krasatri Bridge.

On the South Is the Andaman Sea.

On the East Is Ao Phang-nga Bay (In the Jurisdiction mainly of Phang-nga Province).

On the West Is the Andaman Sea.

Climate

Phuket's weather conditions are dominated by monsoon winds that blow year round. It is therefore always and humid. There are two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. The rainy season begins in May and lasts till October, during which the monsoon blows from the southwest. The dry season is from November through April, when the monsoon comes from the northeast. Highest average temperatures, at 33.4 degrees Celsius, prevail during March. Lowest averages occur in January, when nightly lows dip to 22 degrees Celsius.

Transportation

By Car

Take Route 4 from Bangkok south. Along the way pass the provinces of Nakorn Pathom, Ratchburi, Petchburi, Prajuab-Kirikan, and at Chumporn go right to Ranong, From Ranong, go south through Kraburi and Kah-Perr districts to Phang-nga Province. In Phang-nga the road passes through Kuraburi, Takua Pa, and Takua Tung districts before reaching the town of Kok Kloy, just beyond which is the Tao Thep Krasatri Bridge and Phuket. Distance is 867 kilometers.

Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses leave the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok daily. For details call the individual bus companies: Borisat Kohn Sohng Jumkat Phuket Transport Co, Ltd., in Bangkok tel. (02) 4351200, or in Phuket (076) 211480

By Air

Details about flights to and from Phuket International Airport can be obtained from Thai Airway, in Bangkok Tel. (02) 2800070,2800080, or in Phuket (076) 211195, 212499, 212946 or from travel agents around the world. There are also many regular and chartered flights from other airlines.

By Sea

The Deep Sea Port (Port of Phuket) at Phuket is visited by both cargo and cruise ship from Thailand and from abroad. Contact your travel agent for information about the may different ships that stop at Phuket.

Phuket , Thailand , Travel

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