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Is insurance required for entry into Thailand?
TLDR : Answer Summary
Insurance is not legally required to enter Thailand, except for certain visa categories that mandate it. However, many commenters strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance for safety, emphasizing that it provides peace of mind and can save travelers from significant financial burdens in case of emergencies. Some users mentioned experiences regarding being asked for proof of insurance at immigration, which could be linked to specific visa types, such as retirement visas.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Carlos *********
12 years ago you could go to a hospital in Bangkok with an overnight stay and a catscan for ~ 200 US dollars.....until they were taught the insurance game. You know Thais aren't falling for it, right?
Ross ***********
Zoom is ok
Gill *****
Only an idiot would travel without travel insurance
Carlos *********
@Gill ****
only an idiot would fall for an insurance scam. Insurance is a gamble against yourself, and you are saying your going to lose.It's great if your a hypochondriac
Mike **********
@Gill ****
What an idiotic comment.Reply to
Mike **********
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Sophie *********
Only for the sensible. Here's a link for the rest:
******************************
Joel *********
No
Carlos *********
Really? Insurance is the american scam. If people wouldnt fall for it, it wouldnt exist.
Philip *********
No, but i would get it all the same.
Garrett ***********
No, you do not need insurance to enter Thailand.
Michael **************
Was ask to show proof of insurance at immigration on Monday. I do have a retirement visa but to get that you must have insurance 
Steve **********
@Michael *************
No you weren'tMichael **************
@Steve *********
yes gave them my passport officer said show me insuranceSteve **********
@Michael *************
Then go to next officer.Reply to
Steve **********
Reply
Steve **********
@Michael *************
huh ?ไทเลอร์ **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *************
where can i purchase the insurance?Michael **************
@Tylor *******
I used lumaReply to
Michael **************
Reply
Chris *****
Never had any insurance on 10years hère ...anyway what happened you will pay casch.
And you probably have a visa card cover you 😉
And you probably have a visa card cover you 😉
ไทเลอร์ **********
ORIGINAL POSTERDoes the amex platinum come with travel insurance?
Muz *********
Brandon ************
@Tylor *******
the platinum has different benefits depending on the country you received it from.The US platinum has trip interruption and cancellation coverage but no health benefits.
Reply to
Brandon ************
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Matthew *********
You gotta be pretty dumb to go anywhere without it 🙄
Jo **********
@Matthew ********
Sorry you should read better the question is “is it required?”Matthew *********
@Jo *********
required or not, dose’nt come into it , if you’re insured any wayJo **********
@Matthew ********
yes or no?Matthew *********
@Jo *********
are you one of those pedantic spell check hero’s! Evading a common sense point?🤦♂️obviously you are.Jo **********
@Matthew ********
not at all, the person asked question just answer itReply to
Jo **********
Reply
Garrett ***********
@Matthew ********
Guess I'm dumb then because I've never had insurance in the last 5 years.Anthony ********
@Garrett **********
totally agree! Had it over lockdown of course but otherwise no. Anyone who knows Thailand knows the complex system with insurance and hospital ect you have to pay first anyway and then make your claimMatthew *********
@Anthony *******
for a broken bone 🦴 maybe, but something serious or you’ve got tubes hanging out of you or dead ☠️ you could save your loved ones a lot of grief and expense, they wouldn’t get much change out of 10k repatriation of your dead arss body because you couldn’t get a hundred dollar insurance 🙄Anthony ********
@Matthew ********
point taken Mathew. However Thai hospitals and doctors are very reluctant to accept that they will be paid by your insurance company. They know there could be complications. So to receive the best of treatment you need to have the funds already. But for death and repatriation yeah I see your point.Reply to
Anthony ********
Reply
ไทเลอร์ **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Matthew ********
where do i buy it at?Matthew *********
@Tylor *******
go on line, I get a bupa platinum travel insurance covers everything from flights, hotels,motor bikes, car’s, air-mountain sea rescue all medical and hospital cover and even repatriation for your dead body should you be unlucky enough! It also gives you pice of mind that no one has to pay for your selfishness of not paying a extra 100 dollars a month to cover your arss ( and there’s).Reply to
Matthew *********
Reply
Nate ******
Man always get travel insurance, it’s cheap and might save your ass.
Jo **********
@Nate *****
what about woman?Nate ******
@Jo *********
but for the record… every man, woman and child should be covered by insurance when traveling abroad. 🗺😉Jo **********
@Nate *****
yes i agreeReply to
Jo **********
Reply
Nate ******
@Jo *********
what? 😆 That’s just an expression in English my friend. It doesn’t mean “Man” should get insurance and not women. 😆😝Reply to
Nate ******
Reply
Frank-Steven ***********
By law: No. By common sense: Absolutely.
ไทเลอร์ **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Frank-Steven **********
where is the best place to purchase it?Frank-Steven ***********
@Tylor *******
SafetyWing comes suggested often for Americans: ***********************
Frank-Steven ***********
@Tylor *******
From a reputable insurance company in one’s respective home country - where one speaks the same language and knows the legal framework. Makes enforcing the insurance pay much easier should one ever need to.Reply to
Frank-Steven ***********
Reply
Tony *********
@Frank-Steven **********
best answer ever mate .If you can afford to travel you can afford travel insurance I say
Reply to
Tony *********
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Brandon ************
Only if you're entering with one of the few visas that require it. Most don't require it.
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
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