yes, i can see that side of things for sure but here is the thing: Health care in this country is NOT expensive except for very awful situations like needing brain surgery and what not. To put it in perspective: I broke 3 bones in my foot in a motorcycle crash something like 10 years ago - between the x-rays, the cast, the pills, the everything from start to finish, at the nicest hospital that they had in Krabi, i had to pay around $150 total from start-to-finish.

All of these expats that they are targeting (well i suppose I can't speak for everyone) can handle these sorts of expenses and the new rule wouldn't apply to anyone on a tourist visa anyway - which is a vast majority of the travelers here.

I would say we can probably look for them to introduce that into their future plan after they implement this stage :(