Travelling to Thailand? The Insurance You Need Before You Go

Thailand is still one of the favourite holiday spots for Malaysians. Some fly straight to Bangkok, Phuket or Chiang Mai, while others drive up to Hat Yai and the southern provinces for a long weekend.

Whichever way you go, a little preparation saves a lot of stress. This guide covers the latest entry rules for Malaysians, what travel insurance can do for you in Thailand and the extra cover you need if you take your own car.

Is Travel Insurance Compulsory for Thailand?

Not at the moment. Malaysians on a normal holiday do not need to show travel insurance to enter Thailand. Even so, it is one of the most useful things you can buy before the trip, because a hospital stay, a cancelled flight or lost luggage can quickly cost more than the holiday itself.

Thailand is discussing a 450 baht fee for foreign tourists, and part of that money could fund basic insurance for visitors. As of October 2026, the plan was still a proposal, aimed at air arrivals from the first quarter of 2027, and Thai hotel and travel groups were opposing the insurance part, according to The Star. Collection from land and sea arrivals would be postponed by a year.

Even if the scheme goes ahead, early details point to basic cover for death and medical expenses only, subject to conditions. It would not cover flight delays, lost baggage or trip cancellation, so your own travel insurance would still matter.

Entry Checklist for Malaysians

Before you leave, make sure you have these ready:

• A Malaysian passport with at least six months of validity left.
• A Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) for every traveller, including children. It applies to arrivals by air, land and sea, and you submit it online up to three days before you arrive, as reported by The Star.
• A visa if you plan to stay longer than 30 days. From 15 September 2026, Thailand cut the visa-free stay for Malaysians from 60 days to 30 days, according to The Star.
• Your travel insurance certificate, saved on your phone and printed as a backup.
• Copies of your hotel bookings and return travel details.
• Vehicle documents and Thai motor insurance if you are driving across the border.

What Travel Insurance Covers on a Thailand Trip

Travel insurance pays for unexpected costs before and during your trip. The exact benefits and limits depend on the plan you choose, but most plans include protection for these situations.

Situation	How travel insurance can help
You fall ill or get hurt and need a clinic or hospital	Pays medical bills up to the plan limit
You need to be moved to a better hospital or flown home	Covers emergency medical evacuation or repatriation
Your flight is delayed for several hours	Pays a fixed amount for each block of delay
Your luggage is lost, damaged or arrives late	Compensates you for the lost items or essentials you need to buy
You must cancel or cut short the trip for a covered reason	Refunds non-refundable bookings up to the plan limit
A serious accident leads to death or permanent disability	Pays a lump sum under personal accident cover

Some plans also cover natural disasters, such as floods that disrupt your trip. Always check the policy wording, because cover for these events differs between insurers.

Flying vs Driving: Which Insurance Do You Need?

Travel insurance protects you and your belongings. It does not cover your car. If you drive into Thailand, you need separate motor insurance on top of your travel plan.

Type of insurance	Flying to Thailand	Driving to Thailand
Travel insurance	Strongly recommended	Strongly recommended
Thai compulsory motor insurance (CMI)	Not needed	Required for Malaysian cars
Endorsement 101 on your Malaysian car policy	Not needed	Optional, extends some of your Malaysian cover to Thailand

Thai CMI only gives basic protection to people injured or killed in a road accident. It does not pay for damage to your own car. For a full explanation of CMI and Endorsement 101, read our guide on whether Malaysian car insurance covers Singapore and Thailand.

How to Choose the Right Travel Insurance Plan

Single trip or annual plan

A single trip plan covers one journey from the day you leave Malaysia until you return. If you visit Thailand or other countries several times a year, an annual plan may work out cheaper than buying a new plan for each trip.

Individual or family cover

Families travelling together can often buy one plan for everyone instead of separate policies. Compare both options, because the better deal depends on the size of your group and the plan.

Medical limit and evacuation

Medical cover is the most important benefit for most travellers. Choose a limit that would realistically cover a few days in a private hospital, plus emergency evacuation.

Activities and exclusions

Thailand is popular for island hopping, diving and renting motorbikes. Check whether the activities you plan are covered, and read the exclusions so you know what the policy will not pay for.

Cover period

Make sure the policy starts on the day you leave and ends on the day you come home. If you extend your holiday, ask your insurer whether you can extend the cover too.

For a deeper checklist, see our article on factors to consider before choosing a travel insurance policy.

Tips to Make a Claim Easier

• Save your insurer’s 24-hour emergency hotline in your phone before you fly or drive.
• Keep every receipt, medical report and invoice from clinics or hospitals.
• Ask your airline for a written letter confirming any delay or cancellation.
• Make a police report in Thailand if your belongings are stolen.
• Report the incident to your insurer as soon as possible and follow its claim deadline.

Compare Travel Insurance on Bjak

Bjak lets you compare travel insurance plans from several insurers and takaful operators, including Zurich and Allianz, in one place. You can see the premium before you pay, and Bjak does not charge additional service fees.

Booked your trip at the last minute? You can still get covered before you leave, as we explain in our guide to last-minute travel insurance. Get a quote for your travel insurance on Bjak and enjoy Thailand with peace of mind.