It is easy to see why millions of tourists’ flock to Thailand every year. From tranquil beaches to vibrant cities, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

If you are looking for travel insurance for an upcoming Thailand trip, Asda Money can offer you the protection you need at a price that suits you.

 

 

 

Do I need travel insurance for Thailand?

While it is not a legal requirement for you to have travel insurance to enter Thailand, it is strongly recommended.

Mosquitoes in Thailand can carry Dengue fever and the Zika virus, which can carry significant risks to your health. If you become unwell while you are away and need hospital treatment, you will usually need to prove that you are able to guarantee payment to cover medical expenses before they agree to treat you. Thailand has many private hospitals providing excellent standards of care, but it is incredibly costly. Alternatively, public hospitals are available and are more affordable, but most do not meet the minimum quality standards of the UK.

Organising travel health insurance for Thailand will cover you for any potential unforeseen medical costs so that you will be able to access the care you need in an emergency.

Travel insurance will also protect you against other eventualities, such as flight cancellations, lost luggage and cash theft.

 

 

 

Do I need a visa for Thailand?

As well as organising travel insurance to Thailand, you will also need to check if you need a visa.

If you have a British passport, you are currently able to enter Thailand by land or air for 30 days without a visa. However, if you wish to stay in Thailand for more than 30 days or wish to work in Thailand, you will need to apply for a visa before you travel.

Entry requirements can change regularly, so it is always best to check the latest information on the gov.uk website, where you can also find the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice.

 

 

 

What travel insurance do I need for Thailand? 

When organising travel insurance to Thailand, you’ll need to make sure you have worldwide cover (excluding the USA, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean) included in the policy.

With Asda travel insurance, we offer worldwide cover on both our single-trip travel insurance policies and annual multi-trip cover. If this is your only planned holiday this year, then a single-trip policy may work out as the best travel insurance for Thailand. However, if you are planning multiple holidays, then annual multi-trip cover may work out cheaper. Asda Money also offers family travel cover, which puts your entire family on one policy to help keep costs down.

How much is travel insurance for Thailand? 

The cost of Thailand travel insurance will vary depending on several factors, including your age, duration of your trip, pre-existing medical conditions, and the level of policy you choose. You will also need to check that your policy covers you for adventure activities. Asda Money travel insurance will provide cover for most of the popular water sports, such as scuba diving, snorkelling and water skiing. However, restrictions do apply, so read your policy thoroughly.

 

Asda travel insurance offers three levels of cover: Value, Premium and Superior.  Each level protects against unforeseen events, such as lost luggage, cancellations, medical bills, legal expenses, personal money, and delayed departures.

Each type of cover will give you different amounts you can claim for each incident. For example, Asda’s Value cover will pay up to £20 million for medical expenses and up to £300 for stolen cash. Asda’s Premium covers pays up to £25 million for medical costs and up to £400 stolen money. Alternatively, Asda’s Superior cover offers unlimited protection for medical costs and up to £500 for stolen money.  

To work out the level of cover you need, calculate the value of your holiday and how much you would need to cover the costs of unforeseen events such as cancellations, medical bills and lost or stolen personal belongings.

If you’re searching for cheap travel insurance to Thailand compare cover levels with Asda Money to find the right level of protection for you.

 

What does Thailand travel insurance cover?

You will need worldwide travel insurance for Thailand, however, what your insurance covers will depend on the level and type of policy you choose.

With Asda Money, Thailand travel insurance will typically cover you for the following things:

• Medical costs – if you’re involved in an accident or fall ill unexpectedly, you may be covered for any associated medical costs.
• Personal belongings – you will be covered if your personal belongings are lost, stolen or damaged.
• Delayed departure – if your flight is cancelled or delayed, or your entire holiday is cancelled, then you may be reimbursed for this.
• Cancellation cover – if you meet the criteria set out in your policy document, you may be covered if you have to cancel or cut short your trip.
• Coronavirus cover – you may be covered for any extended stays, cancellations, or medical care required due to Coronavirus.

It’s recommended to read your policy documents thoroughly so you know what your travel insurance to Thailand covers you for, as most policies will have limitations.

 

What isn’t covered?

It’s important to be aware of the limitations of your travel cover. With Asda travel insurance, there will be some things you won’t be covered for, such as:

• Travelling to any location against the advice of the government and/or FCDO.
• Not getting the required vaccinations needed.
• Medical conditions that you did not disclose to your insurer when you took out your policy.
• Taking part in any illegal activities while in Thailand.
• Getting into an accident or incident while under the influence (drugs or alcohol).

When organising travel insurance to Thailand, it’s best to read your policy documents to ensure you understand what is and isn’t covered before you travel.

 

 

Other considerations

Thailand is filled with diverse landscapes to explore and exciting places to visit, which is why it’s important to think about what you might end up doing while you’re there to make sure you’re fully protected before you travel.

A few things you may want to consider are:

• Natural disasters – Thailand is a beautiful holiday destination, however, it is also prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, as well as flash flooding and landslides during their rainy season. You may want to consider taking out Natural Disaster Cover on your policy to help cover the cost of an extended, delayed or missed departure.

 

• Adventure activities –Although some activities, such as snorkelling and hiking, are usually included in a standard Thailand travel insurance policy, some other extreme sports, such as white-water rafting, may not be. To be covered for these activities with Asda travel insurance, you would need to take out Hazardous Activities’ optional upgrade cover.

 

• Scuba diving – If you have a recognised qualification in scuba diving, you will be covered to scuba dive up to a maximum depth of 30m with a standard Asda travel insurance policy. However, you will need to take out the Hazardous Activities cover if you are unqualified or want to dive into deeper depths.

 

• Valuables – Although cover towards money and personal belongings is included in a standard Asda travel insurance policy, if you are travelling with expensive tech gadgets, such as phones, laptops, or binoculars, you may want to consider taking out Valuables Extension Cover to make sure you’ve enough protection in case they get lost or stolen.

 

• Local laws – It’s a good idea to read up on any local laws in Thailand to avoid any potential trouble while you’re there. For example, In Thailand, you can be fined or even imprisoned if you are caught smoking in public. E-cigarettes and vapes are also illegal in Thailand, so you’ll need to leave these at home.

 

• Travel money – It’s usually cheaper to buy your holiday currency before you travel. With Asda Money, you can order travel money in-store or online to have it delivered to your door or click and collect it from your nearest participating store. Alternatively, if you prefer to go cashless, the Asda Travel Money Card allows you to make contactless payments while travelling with no fees for spending abroad.

 

Do you need any vaccinations to go to Thailand?

You will need to ensure you are up to date with all your routine vaccinations and boosters in the UK such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine. It is also recommended to speak with your doctor at least six to eight weeks before departure to check if you need any other potential vaccines or boosters, such as diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tetanus, or typhoid.

Currently, travellers don’t need to present a COVID-19-related certificate of vaccination or test result on arrival in Thailand. However, if you visit Thailand and are then travelling to a country that requires an RT-PCR test for entry, you will need medical insurance prior to arriving in Thailand that covers you for any COVID-19 treatment you may require.

We recommend you visit the FCDO website and check the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the Travel Health Pro website for the latest information on entry and vaccinations requirements. 

 

Does travel insurance cover motorbiking in Thailand?

Motorcycles are a popular mode of transport in Thailand and are loved by both locals and tourists.

To rent a motorcycle in Thailand, you will need an International Driving Permit. As the risk of an accident is much greater in Thailand due to the incredibly busy roads, you will need to ensure your insurance policy covers you for riding a motorcycle so that you will be protected in the event of an accident.

Asda Money standard travel insurance will cover you to ride a motorcycle if the engine size is no bigger than 125cc and you are wearing a helmet. However, you will need to take out the Hazardous Activities cover if you wish to ride a motorcycle with an engine size of over 125cc.

We always recommend reading your policy document thoroughly to avoid any potential surprises.

 

Travel Insurance Thailand FAQs

 

What type of travel insurance do I need for Thailand?

For Thailand, you’ll need travel insurance that provides worldwide cover. If Thailand is likely to be your only holiday this year, Asda’s single-trip cover might work out as the best travel insurance for Thailand. However, if you are planning several trips, annual multi-trip cover might work out better value.

How much is travel insurance for Thailand?

How much you pay for travel insurance for Thailand will depend on the type of policy you choose and the level of cover you need. Asda travel insurance has three levels of cover, Value, Premium and Superior, so you can find the right level of protection for you. The cost of travel insurance will also depend on other factors, such as, your age and any medical conditions you may have. For cheap travel insurance to Thailand, compare cover levels with Asda Money.

Does worldwide travel insurance cover Thailand?

Yes, with Asda travel insurance, if Thailand is your only destination, you’ll need worldwide cover (excluding USA, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean).

What is the 300 Baht tourism fee in Thailand?

As of 1^st June 2023, those arriving in Thailand by air, land, or water will be subject to pay a tourist fee. This fee will help the country pay towards expenses related to taking care of tourists.

Those arriving by land or water will need to pay 150 Baht (about £3.50). However, if you arrive by air, you will need to pay 300 Thai Baht (about £7).  This tax should be included in the cost of your ticket.