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Is travel insurance mandatory for travelers in Thailand?

Jan 17, 2026
3 months ago
Kalipada *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is travel insurance mandatory?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Travel insurance is not mandatory for visiting Thailand; however, many comments emphasize that having it is a wise choice given the potential risks associated with travel. While no Thai visa specifically requires travel insurance, long-term visas such as O-A, O-X, and LTR require health insurance from approved providers. Many users advocate for getting insurance for peace of mind, especially for older travelers, while others share personal experiences of traveling without insurance.
LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Jeffrey **********
Can I use travelers insurance in Thailand?
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Rob **********
No it isn’t, but you should definitely get it.
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Peter *******
Travel insurance is cheap so get it, health insurance expensive and may get a denied claim
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Stephen *******
Yes- better to be safe than sorry
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Nigel *********
Only the stupid don’t get it
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Ingvar *******
Nigel Vincent you don't need to be stuped to be refused an insurance. Everything depends on age and earlier health issues.
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Nigel *********
Ingvar Bergh well I’ve been coming here for 20 years and am now retired here, and I’ve only ever had to use it once, that was 14 years ago, and if I didn’t have travel insurance, It would of cost me 800,000bth. And it had nothing to do with age or earlier health issues. I was only in my 40s when it happened. So yes I think people who don’t get it are stupid.

And by the way, where did I say “refused” insurance?
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Nigel *********
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Mario **********
If you stay more then 60 days and you are over 70, if you will find insurance you have to give him also your blood 🩸
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Dennis **********
Not mandatory no but is it wise yes , yes it is
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Jay *******
Dennis ThomsettBe sure to read the fine print
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Jay *******
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Mally *******
OK when your young,try getting it when your older
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Nigel *********
Mally Neale my mother is 83 and very healthy, I brought her out to Thailand last year, and her travel insurance was $400 through her private health provider, she just had to get a couple of health checks and she was good to go. That’s from Australia
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Galenus ******
Mally Neale even being older (over 70) it's not a problem
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Galenus ******
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Cris ******
No but it should be
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Kevin *******
Yes until your 70 then try to get some !
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Tammy **************
Kevin Dunne

More like 67

Ours went from $1100 for 4 months last year to over $3000 this year

Husband 67 me 61

It’s BS
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Kevin *******
I know should be in the contract like 3%premium rise until 90 ! My brother is 79 this year can't get insurance as he's lived in Spain 30 years ! His insurance refused him after he got to 77 !
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Kevin *******
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Christian *********
Kevin Dunne lol😂🤣😅
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Christian *********
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Adonis ***********
Why most Platinum Credit cards Visa Mastercard have complimentary travel and Hospital Insurance .And unlike travel Insurance, they pay, and have great coverage. Consumers should access all of their options,
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John ********
Adonis Yeoryaras unless you’re above a certain age. Then ageism comes into play.
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Adonis ***********
John Franks We are specifically talking about Travel Insurance, not long term Visa Holders in Thailand .
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Adonis ***********
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Mark ******
No but your stupid if you dont have it
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David ***********
Mark Linn most have it through Crowd fund !
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Mark ******
David Warburton I would never give to idiots that knew or should have known better
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Mark ******
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Gaylee **********
No...but should be!
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Bob *********
No, but only an idiot would not have it
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Steven ********
Bob Maynard Here’s another idiot here. I have been in & out of Thailand eleven times a year for 15 years. Never had insurance once, saved myself a fortune
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Iain ******
Steven Barker
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Christer *****
Steven Barker How did you pay for your tickets?
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Richard **********
Steven Barker Until you need it.!
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Richard **********
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Art ************
Bob Maynard I guess I'm an idiot
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Carlos *********
Art Pizzanello some people fall for the scam. Only an idiot would let an insurance company tell them what procedures they can have, or be denied altogether! But make ins companies rich
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Bob *********
Art Pizzanello correct
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Brian ********
Bob Maynard well bob I reckon your a flog , but hey that’s my opinion like yours with insurance
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Brian ********
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Brian ********
Art Pizzanello same as me
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Brian ********
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Ant ***********
No but if you can afford a plane ticket & holiday

You should have insurance
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Phil ******
No
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Trevor **********
No, travel insurance is not mandatory. However health insurance is a wise choice.
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Piero *************
Trevor Ettridge it depends on your age, if your biological age is younger than your anagraphic age it's not worthwhile, you're paying for others' risks like sedentary people, smokers, and alcoholics
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Andy ********
Piero Marcheselli is that all going to help you is you are hit by a car travelling at 30 mph? If you are travelling you should have insurance. Go Fund Me is full of tales of perfectly healthy people who had an accident.
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Andy ********
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Kurt *************
Depends on visa.. but do you really want to travel anywhere without and risk paying out of pocket?
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Jack ********
Kurt J Oldervik no Thai visa requires travel insurance
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Kurt *************
Jack Wilbur O-A and O-X and LTR require insurrance.
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Steve *******
Kurt J Oldervik They require 'health insurance' from a list of registered companies, not 'travel insurance'
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Steve *******
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David ***********
Jack Wilbur not tourist visa
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David ***********
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