Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing O-A visas specifically and whether or not retirees in the O-A Visa category are going to need COVID insurance in 2022 in order to maintain their status, their lawful status here in Thailand.

A recent article from ASEAN NOW, that is aseannow.com, the article is titled: How are the Non-Immigrant Visa "O-A" (Long Stay Visa) Requirements Changing?  Quoting directly: "The changes to the rules for "O-A" Visas came in last week and mean expats will need to think again about their insurance coverage. Previously Visa applicants were only required to have health insurance in Thailand with a minimum coverage of 40,000 Thai Baht for outpatient medical treatment and 400,000 for inpatients." Quoting further: "Foreigners currently residing in Thailand under a long-stay Visa have until 31st August 2022 to apply for a Visa extension under the previous regulations. But from September 1st, 2022 they will be required to meet the new criteria." Then quoting further from this article regarding the criteria, quoting directly: "From August 1st, applicants for this Visa (and that is folks both outside Thailand and inside Thailand) need health insurance or government welfare with a minimum coverage of US$ 100,000 all around 3 million Baht for medical expenses and costs related to the treatment of COVID-19."

Now to be clear, we are talking about O-A. I made another video contemporaneously with this one discussing O Retirement Visas and for those who are interested in that go ahead and check that out. But yeah O - A, to not only get a new one and that is overseas at a Thai Embassy or Consulate, but also to extend said status here in Thailand, yes it looks like you are going to need to be dealing with COVID insurance into the foreseeable future in addition to the current insurance coverage required; the 400,000 Baht vs. 40,000 Baht inpatient versus outpatient coverage so in addition to that, you are looking at COVID coverage as well.