Travel Insurance Thailand

Travel Insurance for Thailand

Pristine white sand, palm trees and warm waters characterise Thailand’s dreamlike beaches while Bangkok’s glittering temples, gleaming skyscrapers and rich heritage add exciting variety to your holiday. Delicious, delicate food and the enchantment of Chiang Mai are also likely to have you talking about your travels in Thailand long after you get back home.

To fully indulge and enjoy your trip to Thailand, make sure you have the peace of mind offered by a quality Thailand travel insurance policy, give us a call free on 0800 033 4902 and a member of our team will gladly discuss all the options with you.

Cover for medical conditions in Thailand

With dreams of exotic holidays in Thailand, it’s unlikely that travel insurance will immediately spring to mind. But travelling without insurance could mean you face expensive bills should you need medical treatment while you are away and Thai hospitals will request your travel insurance details or proof of payment before agreeing to treat you.

Thailand travel information

Health

The standard of healthcare and emergency treatment in private hospitals and clinics is excellent in most parts of Thailand, but it comes at a high cost. Bear in mind that public clinics are not always up to the standards you might be used to in the UK.

In a medical emergency in Thailand, phone 1554 for an ambulance.

Vaccinations

The most common vaccines recommended for travels to Thailand include Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Malaria. Malaria is particularly prevalent in some areas of Thailand.

Check with your GP before you travel to find out which vaccines you need. They will often depend on where you plan to visit and the type of holiday you are going on.

Visas

British passport holders don’t need to get a visa to enter Thailand if their stay is for less than 30 days however you can only enter through a land border twice per calendar year; otherwise you’ll need to obtain a visa in advance. If you plan on staying longer than 30 days or you intend to work, you must get a visa before you travel.

If you have entered Thailand and intend to stay longer than the visa you have, you can apply for an extension before your permission to stay expires. Over-staying without an extension means you risk being detained, fined or deported at your own expense.

Driving in Thailand

Driving in Thailand is not for the faint hearted. The majority of road accidents involve motorcycles so take extra care if you are using one and, of course, make sure you have the right insurance in place. If you have a Staysure policy you are covered only if wearing a helmet, the motorcycle is under 125cc and the rider holds a valid motorcycle licence.

You will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a Thai driving licence. Your IDP is valid for six months, after which you must apply for a Thai licence.

Things to remember when driving in Thailand:

Legal blood alcohol concentration limit is 0.5 mg per 1 litre of alcohol
Driving is on the left-hand side of the road
Motorcyclists must wear helmets
Speed limits are normally 50 – 60 km/h in the suburbs and 90 – 120 km/h on motorways
Have your vehicle registration and driver’s licence with you at all times.

FCO travel advice

The UK government currently describes the political situation in Thailand as “volatile”, largely due to recent years of civil and political unrest which has sometimes resulted in violent demonstrations. If you are planning a trip to Thailand it is a good idea to check the FCO’s travel advice pages for the latest information.

Petty crime can be a problem, particularly on public transport and in main towns and resorts. Keep your passport safely with you at all times and don’t part with it as a guarantee for the rental of a car/motorbike or other rental business.

Unprovoked attacks have been known especially at the Full Moon parties in Koh Samui so take extra care with personal safety.

Currency

The Thai baht is made up of 100 satang to one baht
Tipping is not standard but it is appreciated so if you have some coins left over from a restaurant bill or a taxi fare, it is usual to offer them as a tip
It’s a good idea to get some baht before you leave the UK, ready to pay initial costs as you arrive. Try to have your baht ready in low denominations – a few 50 baht notes are ideal
Bank opening times are generally from 8:30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. You may find some branches in popular resorts are also open at the weekend.