Minimising losses while driving in Thailand

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians wishing to drive while on holiday in Thailand should consider getting full insurance coverage to reduce potential risks during traffic accidents.

A Malaysian activist living in Satun, Thailand, Abdul Halim Othman, said this should not be taken lightly as procedures to resolve accident cases could be complex due to communication barriers as well as the high cost of hospital treatment in the country.

According to him, most Malaysians have very little knowledge about getting full insurance coverage when driving in Thailand, with some wishing to save and thinking that they can easily resolve such issues.

“As soon as we step past the Malaysia-Thailand border, even for a short meal in Danok, we are already subject to the regulations of the Thai authorities.

“Insurance will act as our ‘legal aid’ that will come to our rescue. If nothing happens, it’s okay.

“But if anything does happen, it will be tough without full coverage. So you need to remember this before it really happens,” he told Bernama.

Also known as Cikgu Joe Satun, Abdul Halim has helped scores of Malaysians involved in traffic accidents in Thailand since 2011 on a voluntary basis.

“My wife is from Satun and can speak Thai and Malay, so she acts as the intermediary to deal with authorities or Thai parties involved in the accident.

“On my part, I will contact the Malaysians or the Malaysian ambassador here about the documentation needed.

“Without either one of us, things can’t be done,” said the tourism-based business operator.

Abdul Halim reminded Malaysians that having insurance was a condition for motorists to enter Thailand.

Currently, there are four types of mandatory insurance while driving in Thailand – Compulsory Insurance (CI), Travel Insurance (TI), Voluntary Insurance (VI) and Extension 101 Insurance (E101).

Besides VI, which compensates the parties involved in the accident, additional insurance like TI is important, while E101 will cover the Malaysian vehicle involved.

Azizan Ishak, 62, who was involved in a road accident while riding his motorcycle in Thailand in 2019, said the incident was an eye-opener for him.

Azizan, who suffered fractures to both his wrists in the accident, had only paid the basic CI insurance at RM15 as coverage for his week-long motorcycling trip in Thailand.

“The accident happened while I was on my way from Krabi to Phuket,” he said.

“A four-wheel-drive vehicle entered the right lane suddenly, causing me to hit the vehicle, breaking both my wrists.

“The costs involved, including medical fees, transport and compensation, reached around RM8,000 in cash.

“Luckily, with Cikgu Joe Satun’s (Abdul Halim) help, it was reduced to around RM3,000 only.”