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Answered5 months ago

Is travel insurance mandatory when traveling to Thailand?

Craig ************
asked Jun 3, 2026
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British citizen. Application submitted in Hanoi 25.05. Remote worker. Approved today 03.06.

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Answer summary
The discussion centers around whether travel insurance is mandatory for visitors to Thailand. While it is not required for typical tourists, it is essential for specific long-term visa categories like the Non-Immigrant O-A and Destination Thailand Visa. Many commenters emphasize the importance of insurance due to the high costs associated with medical emergencies in Thailand, recommending it as a necessary precaution for all travelers.
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Simon **********
Simon **********
You need it ? Dont you. Chaos. Isnt it
Tracey ******
Tracey ******
If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford TO TRAVEL. I hope they make it mandatory all over the world to travel. Maybe then Go Fund Me can be used for people who truly NEED IT.
John *******
John *******
No not mandatory but intelligent people purchase it
Greg *******
Greg *******
Dont worry about it as you can always get a "go fund me" to send your remains back!
Graeme *******
Graeme *******
No but if you are thinking of driving a scooter or hiring a car get it.
Stephen ******
Stephen ******
Would be a idiot to travel without it anywhere in the world.
Karl *******
Karl *******
Not mandatory. Many stupid people travel without it.
Patrick ********
Patrick ********
No been traveling for years in Pattaya now don't have it.
Ian *******
Ian *******
NO- but you’d be an idiot not to have it
Hans-Victor *****
Hans-Victor *****
Thailand
Paul ******
Paul ******
I had pneumonia in Krabi it cost $6000 aud and out of pocket it was $250 for the excess wouldn’t travel with out it
Periklis ***************
Periklis ***************
Negative
Alex ********
Alex ********
Don’t waste money on travel insurance, save it beer and girls

.

What could possibly go wrong?
Robert **********
Robert **********
Depends om your visa.

Travel insurance is not mandatory for standard tourists entering Thailand on a tourist visa or visa exemption. However, it is strictly mandatory for specific long-stay visas, such as the Non-Immigrant O-A (retirement), Non-Immigrant O-X, and the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).While not legally required for typical vacations, having comprehensive coverage is highly recommended. Medical emergencies and scooter accidents are common in the region, and private hospital treatments can be prohibitively expensive.
Christer *****
Christer *****
Robert G Viset you don't know the difference between "travel insurance" and "health insurance"?
Robert **********
Robert **********
Christer Bau eeeeeeehhhh, where is health insurance mentioned? The question was about travel insurance.

Health insurance is important when settling in Thailand.
Flemming ****
Flemming ****
Nope…

But an idiot without it

🤣🤣🤣
Dennis **********
Dennis **********
There's always GoFundMe to set up if you dont want to buy travel insurance
Graham ******
Graham ******
Only for certain visa types such as the Non-OA
James *********
James *********
Insurance is a legit scam!!
Rodney *******
Rodney *******
They need to do the same thing in the Philippines. If your going to live abroad you need to do it responsibly.
Trevor ************
Trevor ************
You'd have to be an idiot to travel overseas without travel insurance.
Greg *********
Greg *********
No but I recommend it
Chris ******
Chris ******
no. it is certainly a good idea, but there is no requirement.
FunDe******
FunDe******
Chris Wood I found Elite helpful because it puts all the essentials in one place
Kenneth ********
Kenneth ********
Travel insurance is always a good idea to travel anywhere small price to pay if you need it
Neil ********
Neil ********
Travelling to Thailand since 1988, never had insurance!
Gary **********
Gary **********
Silly not to have insurance

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