A hospital in Thailand will usually ask how you are going to pay before it treats you. That is a strong reason to buy travel insurance before you fly, and to choose a policy that fits your real trip: your dates, your destinations and your activities. This guide explains what a Thailand policy should cover, which exclusions to check, and what to do if you need medical help.
Why travel insurance matters in Thailand
The UK government's travel advice says that all hospitals in Thailand require a guarantee of payment before they treat patients. Private hospitals are of a high standard but can be expensive. Public hospitals do not always meet UK standards, especially outside Bangkok.
The Canadian government adds that healthcare is excellent in the major cities but varies in rural areas, and that hospitals often ask for payment in advance or proof of insurance before admission.
Without insurance, you or your family may have to find the money before treatment starts. With insurance, you can show proof of cover and give the hospital your insurer's 24-hour number.
The UK government names dengue, malaria, Zika and rabies as health risks in Thailand, and Canada adds Japanese encephalitis.
What your policy should cover
The UK government's advice is short: get travel insurance that covers your whole itinerary, your activities and emergency costs.
Emergency medical treatment and evacuation
This is the most important part of the policy. Check that it covers:
- emergency treatment, hospital stays and surgery
- medical evacuation, and the cost of bringing you home if doctors say you should be treated there
- a 24-hour emergency assistance line that you can call from Thailand
- any medical conditions you already have, declared honestly when you buy the policy
Most policies set a maximum for medical costs. Choose a limit high enough for care in a private hospital.
Your whole itinerary and your real dates
Your policy must cover every day and every place of your trip. Dates matter more than before: from 15 September 2026, Thailand has abolished its 60-day visa exemption. Nationals of 60 countries, including the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, India, Japan and most EU states, now get up to 30 days without a visa for tourism. People who entered before 15 September 2026 will usually keep the stay they were given when they arrived.
For a longer stay on a visa or a side trip abroad, check that the full period and every country are covered.
Your planned activities
Many policies cover only a basic list of activities. Check that each thing you plan is named in the policy, for example diving, snorkelling trips, trekking, rafting, zip lines or Muay Thai classes.
Boat trips deserve attention. The UK government warns that boats can be overloaded or poorly maintained and that seas can be rough, especially in the monsoon season; British nationals have died in boat accidents. Make sure your policy covers boat and island trips.
Trip disruption and belongings
Most policies also offer cover for:
- cancelling or cutting short your trip
- flight delays and missed connections
- lost, stolen or damaged luggage and electronics
- cash and valuables, usually with a low limit
Thailand-specific exclusions to check
Motorbikes and scooters
The UK government notes that the World Health Organization ranks Thailand among the world's deadliest countries for motorcycle deaths. It also warns that riding without a valid licence can make your travel insurance invalid, and that unregistered motorcycles cannot legally be used.
If you plan to ride:
- hold a motorcycle licence and an International Driving Permit
- wear a helmet, and make sure any passenger wears one too; since 1 June 2025 police fine riders and passengers up to 2,000 THB, and up to 4,000 THB when neither wears a helmet
- buy a policy that names motorbike riding, and read its conditions
- never leave your passport as a deposit; rental firms have kept passports to demand money for damage they claim you caused
Drink-driving is strictly enforced, especially at New Year and during Songkran. If you do not have a motorcycle licence, a car with a driver is the simpler and safer choice.
Areas where your government advises against travel
Travel insurance can be invalid if you travel against your government's advice. As of September 2026, the UK government (advice updated on 18 September 2026) advises:
- against travel within 20 km of Thailand's land border with Cambodia, because of fighting, rocket and artillery fire and landmines; the Preah Vihear (Khao Phra Wihan) temple is closed
- against all but essential travel to Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces and to the Chana, Thepa, Na Thawi and Saba Yoi districts of Songkhla province, including the Hat Yai to Padang Besar railway through them
Other governments may give different advice. Check your own government's advice before you book and again before you travel.
If you need medical help in Thailand
- In an emergency, call for help. Call 1669 for an ambulance, or dial 191 and ask for one. The Tourist Police on 1155 answer 24 hours a day in English.
- Call your insurer's 24-hour assistance number as soon as you can. Give the hospital your policy number and the insurer's details at once, because it needs a payment guarantee before treatment.
- Choose a suitable hospital if you have time. In Bangkok, private international hospitals include Bumrungrad International Hospital (+66 2 066 8888, 24 hours, or 1378 from a Thai phone), BNH Hospital (+66 2 022 0700) and Samitivej (main line +66 2 022 2222).
- Keep every document. Ask for the medical report, itemised bills, receipts and prescriptions. Your insurer will ask for them.
- Report theft or fraud. Call the Tourist Police on 1155 and ask for a police report for your insurer. For tourist fraud, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports runs an assistance office at Suvarnabhumi Airport, open 24 hours: 0 2134 4077.
If you take regular medicines, carry them in the original packaging with a letter from your doctor, and check the rules with the Thai embassy before you travel.
Emergency numbers to save before you land
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Police and general emergency | 191 | You can also ask for an ambulance |
| Ambulance | 1669 | Medical emergencies |
| Fire | 199 | Fires |
| Tourist Police | 1155 | 24 hours, English-speaking operators |
Also save your insurer's 24-hour number and your embassy's number from its official website. The Thailand Tourist Police app works for tourists without a Thai SIM card and sends alerts about safety concerns and natural disasters nearby.
Getting around with fewer risks
Public buses and trains are the cheapest way to travel between cities. A private transfer costs more but takes you door to door, which helps after a long flight, with children or with heavy luggage. For one popular route, see the guide How to Get from Bangkok to Pattaya.
Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person), one way, with expressway tolls included and no meter. From Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya, a sedan (up to 3 passengers) costs 1,200 THB, an SUV (up to 5) 1,500 THB and a van (up to 7) 1,800 THB. You can book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya, book an SUV from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya or book a van from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya, or see all routes and prices.
Details that matter when plans change:
- Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting, counted from the actual landing time, and a person checks your flight.
- Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details).
- You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link; a 5% fee is added.
Travel insurance checklist
Before you buy, check that your policy:
- covers emergency medical treatment, hospital stays and medical evacuation
- has a 24-hour assistance line you can call from Thailand
- covers every day of your trip and every country on your route
- names each activity you plan, including diving, boat trips and motorbike riding if you will ride
- includes any medical conditions you have declared
- covers trip cancellation, delays and lost or stolen belongings, if you want that cover
Keep your policy number and the insurer's 24-hour number on your phone and on paper, and send a copy to someone at home. Carry a copy of your passport photo page: police can ask to see your passport, and a copy is usually enough.
FAQ
What should a Thailand travel policy include? Emergency medical treatment and evacuation, your planned activities (including motorbikes if you ride), and your whole itinerary.
Do Thai hospitals treat you before you pay? All hospitals in Thailand require a guarantee of payment or proof of insurance before treatment. Give the hospital your insurer's details at once.
Will my insurance cover a scooter accident? Not if you ride without a valid licence. Check that the policy names motorbike riding, and always wear a helmet.
Is the visa-free stay still 60 days? No. From 15 September 2026, visitors from the 60 countries on the list, including the UK, the US and Australia, get up to 30 days. Plan your cover for the dates you will actually stay.
Does my insurance cover trips near the Cambodian border? It may not. Insurance can be invalid if you travel against your government's advice, and the UK advises against travel within 20 km of the Cambodian land border.
With your insurance in place, message us on WhatsApp or LINE to book your airport transfer in Thailand.