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What are the implications of not having motorcycle insurance in Thailand following an accident?

Motorcycle InsuranceGovernment HospitalsThailand LawsMedical CostsAccidentsThai Healthcare SystemEmergency Treatment
Jan 21, 2024
a year ago
Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all. Something else question. A family member of a friend (all Thai nationals) has just recently had a motorcycle accident. He was taken to a government hospital and stayed for 2 days. However he did not have any motorcycle insurance and his family was charged 30 thousand baht. He has had to return to his home because he has no further funds even though he is still in need of medical attention. Something doesn't seem right to me about this. Has anyone any experience about this situation. I'd like to know the law. Google is not clear.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The situation discusses a Thai national who incurred a high hospital bill after a motorcycle accident without insurance. The comments highlight that in Thailand, individuals without motorcycle insurance must cover their medical costs up to a limit set by law—30,000 THB for motorcycle accidents. Government hospitals require payment upfront for treatments, and in the absence of insurance, patients can face significant out-of-pocket expenses. Some community members note that while government healthcare offers a low-cost option for many, its coverage may not apply in situations involving motor vehicle accidents unless requisite insurance is held.
Bart **************
Had he been westerner, there would by now have floated GoFundMe things with some sad story all over Facebook. But he's Thai. So he has to pay by himself.
a year ago
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Mike ******
I
a year ago
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Henrik *****
Hospitals is like any other business, if you can’t pay, you can’t get anything.

That’s why it is important to get insured.
a year ago
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Jimmy ******
My thai friends younger brother at 16 got into a really bad motorbike accident. Cost him 500k baht for all hospital bills. If he didnt have medical insurance and if no money to pay the hospital will turn them away.
a year ago
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Chulala **********
Hi normally the motor bike has normal insurance call Por Ror Bor that can pay for the accident and they must pay the hospital by cash and go get the money later, all thai people if they don’t have the insurance they have the basics insurance by the government call 30thb card and can go every hospital if the case are emergency
a year ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chulala *********
 thank you so much
a year ago
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Chulala **********
@Anthony *******
 you are welcome
a year ago
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Chulala **********
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Ticha *****************
Every motorbike in Thailand require compulsory mototrbike insurance for annual motorbike or car tax. And heslthcare system.

And it is like deductible. You must be covered by compulsory insurance first for 30,000 THB then after excess of 30,0000 you can be covered under healthcare system.

If no have insurance, they must pay 30K THB then will be covered excess by NHS
a year ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ticha ****************
 that makes some sense to me now. Thank you so much
a year ago
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Anthony ********
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Arisara *********
@David **********
 Thai Medicare does not cover motor accidents.
a year ago
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Arisara *********
By law if the rider has no insurance, he needs to pay for his own hospital cost up to the fee that the motorbike insurance cover would pay ( probably 30k). The government hospital won't wave that fee. It will be in his debt and he has to pay it does matter how long it would be. I was surprised to hear how the government is making sure people take responsibility for their own actions. Years ago people used to get away with it as they cried poor me and my family.

What they told you is true.
a year ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Arisara ********
 thank you I know now your answer is correct
a year ago
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Ted ********
@Arisara ********
 my family experience is the same.
a year ago
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Ted ********
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Joey ***********
My Thai friend who had an accident did no pay anything to government hospital. If he or she had Thai ID he might pay minimal fees. Different story if you are a foreigner.
a year ago
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Arisara *********
@Joey **********
 depends on an accident for example if she had a fall at home or fell from a bicycle the 30 THB Medicare will cover. If she got a motorbike or car accident the motor accident insurance will cover. However, if the car or motorbike were not insured. The patient/ the owner of the vehicle needs to pay for hospital fee up to whatever by law stipulate i.e. motorbike insurance cover for 30k, car insurance cover for injury /treatment up to 80k THB.

This rule applies to everyone in Thailand including Farang.
a year ago
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Joey ***********
@Arisara ********
 Yes, my foreign friend got 30,000 from motorcycle insurance. Thanks.
a year ago
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Joey ***********
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Ted ********
My mother in-law had motobike accident and no insurance. She had to pay the bill for government hospital stay, 2 nights.
a year ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ted *******
 do you mind me asking how much?
a year ago
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Ted ********
@Anthony *******
 I think maybe
*****
. She had a head injury. Also ambulance from Rattanaburi to Surin.
a year ago
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Ted ********
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Leon ****
Friend’s family member had motorcycle accident no insurance on the bike. Stayed in hospital for a week. Craniotomy Paid 200,000 baht for hospital and 30,000 fine for riding a motorcycle without rego and drunk. Lucky he wear a helmet at the time.
a year ago
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David ***********
If hes a thai national with his Thai ID card he should have medical cover at government hospital automatically i thought. Be careful not to fall for a scam here
a year ago
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Damo ***********
@David **********
 maybe an extra '0' added on for the scam? Wouldn't be the 1st time.
a year ago
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Arisara *********
@Damo **********
 not a scam- this rule has been used with every motor accident injury in Thailand for sometimes. If the vehicle has a registration and insurance cover- the owner/ Injured person does not need to pay any cent for hospital treatment BUT if there is no insurance - they have to pay to the maximum requirement motorbike is 30k, car is 80k.
a year ago
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Arisara *********
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Lye **********
Since he is Thai, he should be able to figure it out himself better than any non Thai. End of story.
a year ago
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Jorge ****
Don't locals pay 30 THB at gov hospitals?
a year ago
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David *********
@Jorge ***
 they do 100%
a year ago
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Ticha *****************
@Jorge ***
 for healthcare yes. But accident by motorbike must be covered by compulsory insurance 30,000THB first. If no have insurance, self pay for 30,0000 THB and thrn excess can be covered by NHS. Compulsory insurance which all motorbike require that every year.
a year ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ticha ****************
 great answer that makes sense. Only thing is after they paid
*****
(allegedly) why did the hospital tell him to leave?
a year ago
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Ticha *****************
@Anthony *******
 in this case, I can't tell why they have been told to leave. We must see medical history, doctor order, progress note in order to comment further.
a year ago
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Ticha *****************
@Anthony *******
 they have to pay 30K after treatment which is normal for medical treatment process in government hospital. If hospital tell them to leave, it is supposed that patient has got all necessary treatment including x ray, CT scan and other things required and then doctor assess that they do not require staying in hospital anymore so they would tell them to pay and leave.
a year ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ticha ****************
 thank you for your help 👍
a year ago
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Ticha *****************
@Anthony *******
 or you may request breakdown invoice (ใบสรุปค่าใช้จ่าย) from hospital directly. There will be lists of medical supplies and services that hospital have given for patient. You can assess if the cost of medical treatment make sense by breakdown invoice.
a year ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ticha ****************
 excuse me again but what if you don't have
*****
?
a year ago
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Ticha *****************
@Anthony *******
 this you may have to talk with financial department in government hospital. If there's any solution for this. But mostly they are not harsh like private hospital. Especially when you are Thai.
a year ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ticha ****************
 explained thanks 😊
a year ago
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Anthony ********
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Michael ********
@Jorge ***
 its in the one they are registered to. Stupid arrangement which move forward were going to change
a year ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jorge ***
 That's what I thought
a year ago
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Jorge ****
@Anthony *******
 at least for outpatient.
a year ago
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Jorge ****
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Richard *********
no baht= no service> why is that hard to understand?
a year ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard ********
 that would mean about 70% of the population would be left to die
a year ago
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Richard *********
@Anthony *******
 it is what it is>>>>

hospitals are business not welfare

didn't he have the thai hospital card?
a year ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard ********
 no government hospitals are funded by the government
a year ago
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Paul *************
@Anthony *******
 and them paying social security.
a year ago
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Paul *************
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Wayne *********
No licence and bike not registered so no insurance probably the issue
a year ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 yes no insurance but I wonder. This is a thai national in a government hospital?
a year ago
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Paul *************
@Anthony *******
 lesson learnt tax and insure your bike!
a year ago
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Wayne *********
Free is only to certain level of treatment. If needed special need to pay my wife just explain
a year ago
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Wayne *********
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Robert **********
Are they trying to borrow money from you? Don't fall for it. I can have 2 nights in hospital cheaper than that.
a year ago
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Frank **********
@Joe *****
 they ripped you off I spent 3 days in ICU for Dengue, total bill 9970 baht.
a year ago
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Joe ******
@Frank *********
 You don't get x-ray, cat scans or an emergency crew if you have dengue. Maybe two, three days hospital, 1'800THB. Blood test 1'200THB, some saline solution and antibiotics and the attention of some pretty nurses during your stay.

A single CAT scan can cost anything between 5'000THB to 40'000THB. Chest X-ray 1'200THB

How long you stay doesn't really matter as 400THB resp. 600THB for bed and food is the smallest cost.

Anyway, why would they rip me off? My Thai insurance paid for it and I'm sure, they don't allow themselves to be ripped off.
a year ago
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John *********
@Joe *****
a year ago
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Frank **********
@Joe *****
 they do a CAT scan for bronchitis? Didn't know that. In that case you didn't get ripped off 5555. Oh and the nurses were not that pretty.
a year ago
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Joe ******
@Frank *********
 If you also suffer from COPD and emphysema they do.

Now go back to your beer as I'm sure, your more knowledgeable about beer prices then medical costs🍺 😜
a year ago
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Frank **********
@Joe *****
 I don't drink alcohol and your right I don't know much about medical cost because I am not sick like you apparently are. Go back to your inhaler or oxygen tank.
a year ago
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Frank **********
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Joe ******
@Robert *********
 How can you assume how much hospital admission costs without knowing what was involved?

Just got out of hospital today after having an emergency admission for acute bronchitis and two nights in government hospital in the general ward. 24'800THB
a year ago
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Barry *******
@Joe *****
 He's a Thai national!!
a year ago
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Joe ******
@David ********
 Yeap, had radiotherapy in Surat Thani Cancer hospital last year. 35 sessions. Always 4 x 4000THB & 1 X 5050THB. Total 150'500THB as outpatient just for the Radiotherapy.
a year ago
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Joe ******
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Kevin *******
Bangkok Bank I presume!
a year ago
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Kev **********
Another uninsured prick on a bike....have a crash expecting everyone else to pay and definitely not their fault!
a year ago
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Kevin *******
@Kev *********
 thais don't do insurance believe in Buddha ! ! But if they have paid road tax there is an insurance in with that !
a year ago
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Bill *********
You don’t need tax on a motorbike that doesn’t have a number plate….lol
a year ago
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Kev **********
@Kevin ******
 most of them don't bother with road tax either and the police don't seem bothered either
a year ago
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Rene ******
@Kevin ******
 but the coverage is quit low
a year ago
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Rene ******
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Brandon ************
I can guarantee you a Thai person will be able to figure this out better than you. They can search the internet in Thai or ask their Thai friends and family.
a year ago
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Anthony ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 . The point is I want to know otherwise I wouldn't be asking
a year ago
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Jack ****************
@Anthony *******
 further, what they can and what they WILL do are not the same. If they are "jungle people" like my family they are so used to getting fucked over they don't even try to defend themselves.
a year ago
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Jack ****************
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