- Why should I consider travel insurance for a trip to Thailand?
- What do I need to know when travelling to Thailand?
- What to look out for when going to Thailand
Why should I consider travel insurance for Thailand?
The world’s most sought-after islands and beaches, amazing street food and the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. It’s little wonder Aussies choose to go to Thailand to spend their hard-earned holiday time and money.
However, with pickpocketing, scams and food hygiene concerns, there’s plenty that can go wrong when holidaying in Thailand. TID travel insurance provides protection against a wide range of scenarios, allowing you to enjoy your trip without worrying about the 'what ifs'.
What do I need to know when travelling to Thailand?
When visiting Thailand, the first thing to do before you pack your bags is check the Thailand government’s website to ensure you have fulfilled all the entry requirements. The rules around COVID-19 were relaxed in 2022. However, you should check whether you may need proof of a COVID-19 vaccination, or if you are unvaccinated whether you’ll require a negative PCR or RAT test 72 hours before entering Thailand.
TID travel insurance for Thailand includes:
- Cover for overseas medical expenses
- Medical repatriation if you're severely injured or fall ill abroad.
- Cover for lost, stolen or damaged valuables.
- Cover for lost or delayed baggage.
- Cover for cancellation or trip delay.
Traveller tip: don’t forget when travelling overseas, your Australian passport must have at least six months before its expiry date.
Thailand has long been the go-to destination for travellers seeking rest and relaxation, adventure, and happening nightlife. But you should keep in mind some of the things below just in case you need to use your travel insurance while you’re there.
What to look out for when going to Thailand
Don't let a motorbike or scooter ride ruin your trip
In Thailand, it’s easy to rent a motorcycle, and you’ll see many people riding along the streets of Bangkok or Phuket. While you most likely won’t experience a serious accident every year, hundreds of tourists are injured in motorcycle and scooter accidents in Thailand.
Always check your Product Disclosure Statement if you plan to get on a motorbike or scooter in Thailand. For your coverage to take effect, certain conditions apply:
- You must have a valid motorcycle driver’s license from home and a valid one for Thailand.
- You’ll need to comply with local laws and safety practices (obey speed limits, don’t drive drunk).
- Always wear a helmet.
Always ride cautiously and make sure the rental scooter or motorbike comes with liability insurance. Always give way to larger vehicles, and watch out for livestock, potholes and other hazards on the road.
Remember: terms, conditions, limits and exclusions to coverage will apply so read your policy carefully for full details.
Theft and pickpockets in Thailand’s hotspots
Like anywhere around the world, you’ll need to look out for pickpockets and always keep an eye on your valuables when in Thailand. While Thai people are some of the friendliest and most easy-going people you will come across, there is always the chance that an opportune thief will strike when you’re not looking.
Always keep an eye on your bags and valuables and beware of pickpockets in the major cities such as Bangkok and Phuket. Keep copies or originals of receipts for any gear and valuables that you purchase. Also please note that if you decide to take a photo with the cute monkey and it runs off with your camera or phone, unfortunately we don’t offer cover for dodgy monkey business!
Natural hazards in Thailand
Earthquakes and severe weather events do happen in Thailand. Depending on when you visit, you'll need to be aware of severe weather reports.
You can keep a track of travel warnings and alerts here.
The best time to visit Thailand is during high season between November to February (cool season). Temperatures range from 29°C to 34°C. During the hot season, from May to June, the best parts of Thailand to visit are the. South Islands, for example the Similan Islands. Other popular options are Phuket, Krabi and the Thai Islands in the Andaman Sea, as well as Koh Samui, Koh Pangan and Koh Tao.
The rainy or 'monsoon' season in Thailand occurs between July and October. The rain can be heavy but inconsistent (lasting just a few hours), , however towards the end of the monsoon season they become more persistent.
While the climate varies throughout the country depending on where you are visiting - North, Central or South or Mountains versus the coast - Thailand is a country that you can visit all year round. Please note that in the south, the climate differs between the eastern and western coasts.
Traveller tip: Australia has no Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Thailand. This means you can’t access subsidised emergency healthcare in this country. TID travel insurance offers overseas medical cover if you get sick or are injured and you need medical treatment.
Stay hydrated and beware of food poisoning
We recommend that you don’t drink tap water while in Thailand. Always be mindful that water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including tuberculosis, cholera, hepatitis, malaria, dengue fever and typhoid) are prevalent in this part of Asia. Please note that this is not medical advice but a recommendation by the TID team.
If you’re a foodie and you’re thinking of taking the four-hour Bangkok midnight food tour on a Tuk Tuk and plan to get a food coma on some tasty Thai food, you may want to be careful of where you choose to eat. While food in the local restaurants is mostly OK, you may want to be mindful when giving in to the temptation of street food.
We recommend you stick to drinking bottled water, wash your hands before eating, and be cautious of ice, unwashed or unpeeled fruit and uncooked vegetables.
Always refer to the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website for current travel alerts affecting Thailand before you buy a policy, before you leave Australia, and during your travels. The TID travel alerts page is also worth regular viewing in the lead up to your holiday.
Get a TID travel insurance quote to get your next domestic or international adventure underway today.
Travel insurance tips to get the most out of your holiday
- Understand your coverage: Read the policy details thoroughly to know what is and isn’t covered.
- Keep documentation: Always keep receipts and records of valuables and purchases.
- Check coverage if you’re getting on a scooter: Make sure you are adequately covered if you want to hit the road in a car or a scooter while in Thailand. TID travel insurance offers cover for scooter or motorbike riding, but there are terms and conditions that apply, to find out more go to our FAQ article.
- Emergency contacts: Save emergency contact numbers provided by TID.
- Activity and sports coverage: Ensure your policy covers specific sports and activities you plan to do, like scuba diving, hiking, and motorbike riding.
- Health precautions: Have a list of local hospitals and clinics covered by your insurance.
This is a brief summary of cover only. Cover is subject to the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement
What does travel insurance cover me for in Thailand?
Cover is available with different benefits with a TID travel insurance policy. Here are some of them.
Don't like medical bills?
Compensation for unforeseen medical expenses incurred whilst on an overseas holiday
Airline cancelled flight?
If your flight is cancelled by the Airline for operational reasons we cover the reasonable cost of meals and accommodation.
Taking luggage with you?
Cover if your luggage is stolen, permanently lost or accidentally damaged due to circumstances outside of your control.
Unexpected cancellation?
Insurance if you have to cancel your trip due to unforeseeable events outside of your control (e.g. sudden illness).
Choose a plan that suits your holiday.
Just like choosing the perfect destination for your next getaway, selecting a travel insurance plan to suit your needs may be just as important. We have four plans to choose from, each offering a different level of cover. Check out each of the plans below where you'll find loads of information about each one.
The Works
Our most popular and comprehensive plan, the Works offers broad cover for international trips including unlimited cover for costs such as medical expenses and cancellation as well as added benefits.
The Basics
Sticking to a shoestring budget? Our budget plan is designed for travellers who want coverage for all the important things, like hospital bills and stolen luggage, without breaking the bank.
Annual
Are you a frequent flyer? If you travel often for business, or have a few holidays coming up, our Annual Multi Trip plan could be for you. Made for globetrotters, your trips can be up to 35 days in duration and there is no limit to the number of trip you can take during a 12 month period.
This is a brief summary of cover only and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. Read the PDS before purchasing.