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Does Thailand Require Travel Insurance?

Thailand does not require tourists or expats to buy travel insurance before entering their country. While this was mandatory for a time during the peak of COVID-19, this requirement has since been lifted.

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Are you an expat looking to travel to Thailand? This Pacific Prime article will discuss why travel insurance is no longer mandatory in Thailand, why it might still be worth it to purchase it, what the best travel insurance companies for Thailand are, and how to get a tourist visa in Thailand.

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Thailand Does Not Require Travel Insurance

Wat Arun, Bangkok: Thai Travel Landmark

Travel insurance is not required for tourists visiting Thailand. While it was required for a time, that mandate was lifted on October 1, 2022, as the country began to reopen for visitors following the overall decline of COVID-19 cases.

However, if travelers are coming from or going to countries that require an RT-PCR COVID-19 test, travel insurance is mandatory. You should determine if the countries you’ll enter have this requirement. Additionally, with the recent Mpox threat in Thailand, travel insurance is strongly recommended

You may want to learn about your options for travel insurance in Thailand that covers COVID-19.

If you’re planning a trip to Thailand and are on the fence about purchasing coverage, you should ask yourself if you’ll benefit from coverage for your:

  • Belongings and luggage
  • Travel IDs and documents
  • Cancellation reimbursements
  • And more!

It is in your best interest to learn what the best travel insurance plans in Thailand cover so you can determine if you need those types of safeguards, even though Thailand no longer requires all tourists to have coverage.

When Travel Insurance In Thailand Is Worth It

Travel insurance is worth it for tourists in Thailand who have invested a significant amount of money in the trip and couldn’t afford to lose it all, who are more prone to having health emergencies when abroad, and who plan to visit Thailand during the flood season.

While it is up to each individual to wager whether or not travel insurance is “worth it,” there are factors that have a higher chance of predicting whether or not you’ll be relieved to have coverage for the unexpected outcomes that affect your travel plans.

Below are some of those factors that might make it worth it to purchase travel insurance for tourism in Thailand:

  1. If you can’t afford to lose all the money you’ve invested in the trip.
  2. If you plan to spend a significant amount of time in Thailand’s remote areas.
  3. If it is likely you’ll need to change or cancel your trip plans.
  4. If you’re traveling to Thailand during a season more prone to natural disasters.
  5. If you’re concerned about theft or lost property where you’re traveling.
  6. If you have multiple flights, connections, train rides, or other forms of transportation as you progress across your multiple destinations in or beyond Thailand.

If you want to learn more about each of these factors, read our article about whether or not travel insurance in Thailand is worth it for tourists.

Even though Thailand does not require travel insurance, Thailand does require health insurance for certain long-stay visitors.

If you’re a tourist, expat, or digital nomad, you’ll want to determine if your travels fit you into these mandatory categories.

Top Travel Insurance Providers In Thailand

Tropical Koh Samui, Thailand: Travel Insurance Inquiry

The top travel insurance providers in Thailand include Luma Health, AXA, and MSIG. Each of these providers are partners with Pacific Prime, which makes it easy for consumers. Pacific Prime advises you as we gather and compare quotes from each company so you can find the best fit for your needs.

After you’ve learned about each of the following travel insurance providers, we highly recommend you get a free Thailand travel insurance quote.

Pacific Prime is proud to provide this free, easy, and quick resource so you have the tools you need to make an informed decision and choose the right insurance provider and plan for your needs.

Luma Thailand Pass Travel Insurance

Luma Health’s travel insurance plan called Luma Thailand Pass has 5 plan options that can be customized to your needs, trip duration, and budget. This plan is acceptable for a number of Thailand visa applications, including the Thailand pass entry visa.

As a partner with Luma Health, Pacific Prime can help you select a Luma Thailand Pass plan.

Here is a summary of just a few of the benefits of the Luma Thailand Pass:

  1. Coverage starting at USD 10,000
  2. Coverage available for up to a full year
  3. Travelers ages 1 – 75 are approved
  4. Public liability coverage on all the plans up to USD 24,000
  5. It takes less than 5 minutes to apply for and secure the plan

Here you can read more about the terms and conditions for a Luma Thailand Pass, as well as get a free quote to gauge what types of coverage are within your budget.

AXA Sawasdee Travel Insurance Plan In Thailand

AXA insurance company has a Thailand travel insurance plan called AXA Sawasdee. This plan includes coverage for medical expenses, personal accidents, and more. If you’re an expat or foreign traveler between the ages of 1 – 74, you may be eligible for an AXA Sawasdee plan.

As a partner with AXA, Pacific Prime can help you select and secure an AXA Sawasdee travel insurance plan for your trip to Thailand.

Here is a summary of some of the benefits of the AXA Sawasdee Thailand travel insurance plan:

  1. Coverage of USD 49,600 for medical expenses (including COVID-19)
  2. Coverage of USD 28,300 for personal accidents
  3. Instant coverage once you’ve cleared immigration inside Thailand
  4. A certificate clearly stating that COVID-19 is covered with USD 50,000 and/or USD 100,000 annually
  5. Has no waiting period or deductible
  6. Premiums include Stamp Duty starting at USD 8

Here you can read more about the AXA Sawasdee travel insurance plan in Thailand and get a free quote!

MSIG Inbound Basic Travel Insurance In Thailand

MSIG insurance company has a travel insurance plan called MSIG Inbound Basic for travelers headed to Thailand. Since Pacific Prime has partnered with MSIG, we can easily help you get quotes about this plan and secure coverage if you decide MSIG is right for you.

Here is a summary of some of the highlights of the MSIG Inbound Basic travel insurance plan:

  • Includes maximum coverage of up to USD 56,800 on COVID-19 inpatient medical expenses per policy period
  • Includes coverage for individuals up to 99 years old
  • A waiting period of only 7 days
  • For individuals aged 15 days – 60 years, a policy for 30 days of coverage has premiums starting at USD 28

Learn more about who is eligible for this type of plan and get a free quote to see what fits within your budget.

How To Get A Tourist Visa To Thailand

Diverse Bangkok: City Of Numerous Sights

There are three tourist visas you can get to travel to Thailand: a Tourist Visa TR for single entry only, a tourist visa TR for multiple entries, and the Visa Exemption Scheme for travelers from certain countries who do not need to get a visa before arrival.

You can also learn about travel insurance in Thailand for a Schengen Visa.

Here are some extra details about the three routes to enter Thailand as a tourist:

  • Tourist Visa TR (Single Entry)

The single-entry tourist visa grants travelers entry into Thailand for a period of 60 days. It can be extended for 30 days, with a maximum of stay up to 90 days. This is valid for a period of 3 months from the date it is issued.

  • Tourist Visa TR (Multiple Entry)

The multiple-entry tourist visa grants travelers entry into Thailand for a period of up to 60 days. It can be extended for another 30 days, with a maximum of stay up to 90 days. This is valid for 6 months from the date it is issued.

  • Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme

The Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme in Thailand is available to travelers from the United States of America. This scheme grants US passport holders the ability to enter the country for a period of 30 days without a visa.

If you’re interested in getting a Visa on Arrival, read about the documents needed for a Thailand Visa on Arrival.

Otherwise, you can learn how to apply for a Thailand visa as a US citizen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What insurance do I need to travel to Thailand?

When traveling to Thailand, it is recommended you need travel insurance and short-term health insurance if you will only be there for a short time. However, if you plan to travel to Thailand for several months up to years, Pacific Prime highly recommends you get international insurance.

Is travel insurance mandatory in Thailand for tourists from India?

Travel insurance is not mandatory for tourists from India traveling to Thailand. However, it is recommended you buy travel insurance if it’s likely you’ll need to cancel or delay your trip if you’re traveling to Thailand during the flood season, or if you have a greater risk of a medical emergency.

Is there a law in Thailand requiring travel insurance?

Currently, there is no law in Thailand requiring travel insurance. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a requirement for Thailand visitors to have travel insurance and health coverage for COVID-19. As of October 1, 2022, that mandate has been lifted.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned all about travel insurance requirements and options for expats and travelers going to Thailand, you’re ready to discover what insurance is best for you. We highly encourage you to try out our free insurance quote generator!

This resource can tell you in minutes a variety of plan options and price ranges that apply to your specific destination, duration of travel, and insurance needs. You can use it to discover Thailand health insurance quotes as well!

Once you’ve gathered some personal suggestions from the quote generator, reach out to us at Pacific Prime to answer more questions that come up. You can send us a quick message, and we’ll get back to you promptly with experienced, unbiased advice.

Happy travel planning!

If you are interested in securing travel insurance in Thailand, you may also be interested in our guide to Thailand health insurance for expats and how to get Thailand travel insurance.

Content Writer at Pacific Prime
Wish Sutthatothon (Nickname: Guy) is currently a content writer at Pacific Prime Thailand, an insurance broker that connects individuals and businesses with insurance providers worldwide. He creates and edits blog articles, guides, reports, webpages, and other types of digital content.

He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts, Media & Communication major (concentration: Creative Content) from Mahidol University International College (MUIC). During the compulsory major elective period in the summer of 2021 and voluntarily during the summer of 2022, he also interned as a video and photo editor at Mbrella Films.

He has experience working as an English Content Writer at a real estate buying/renting/selling platform in Thonglor. There, he crafted company blog posts on a multitude of topics. Topics include market trends, legal issues and disputes in property businesses, financial guides, expat guides, home insurance, home decoration and maintenance, and weekly real estate news quick-recaps. Occasionally, as part of the blog-writing process, he would also translate existing Thai blogs to English.

In his free time, Guy enjoys doing scriptwriting and storytelling for comic strips, watching movies, and listening to music (particularly film scores).
Wish Sutthatothon
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