Do You Need Travel Insurance for Thailand?

Last updated September 2, 2021

From the distinctive spicy cuisine to the ancient temples and architecture that can’t be found elsewhere, Thailand is a stunning country full of unique flavors and sights. While travelers can’t get enough of the country’s natural beauty of white sandy beaches and towering rainforests, Thailand is a unique adventure for any traveler. Here’s what you need to know to get the most out of your experience.

Travel insurance is mandatory for Thailand

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand now requires all international visitors to have travel insurance.

Travel insurance requirements for Thailand include:

• Coverage for medical treatment related to COVID-19 up to $100,000 USD
• Coverage for funeral and repatriation expenses if a visitor dies from COVID-19 while in Thailand up to $100,000 USD

Travel insurance plans must be certified by the Thai government, so check carefully before buying a plan.

COVID-19 in Thailand

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) currently recommends that travelers should avoid all travel to Thailand. If travel is a must, here are some Covid safety precautions to take.

Additionally, to help keep Covid infection numbers at bay, a number of travel restrictions are put into place for those wishing to visit the country:

• Most travelers must quarantine for 14 days in an Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) facility (the island of Phuket, however, allows vaccinated foreign visitors to visit without quarantine requirements)
• Travelers must provide proof of an insurance policy that covers COVID-19 treatment up to $100,000
• A negative PCR test must be taken and results provided within 72 hours of departure
• Another PCR test must be taken upon arrival into Thailand, after which all travelers (with the exception of those going to Phuket or Koh Samui) must being their quarantine at government-approved facilities

For a list of participating government-approved hotels and resorts for quarantine, click here.

Health & safety

Tap water is not always safe to drink in Thailand, but fresh bottled drinking water is readily available. The country is generally quite safe although petty theft and tourist scams can occur.

Avoid bringing non-prescribed drugs into Thailand. Drug charges are taken very seriously and usually result in jail time.

Necessary vaccinations

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before your trip. Here are the common vaccination requirements. Experts expect that the Covid-19 vaccine will also be required once it is more widely available.

Once the Covid-19 vaccines are more widely distributed, vaccination may be required prior to departing your country of origin.

Visas and documentation

The visas and documentation required for a trip to Thailand are changing due to COVID-19. Be sure to check with your local government agencies to learn what you will need in order to enter the country.