A British tourist has warned others to check their travel insurance after being left with medical bills of at least £21,000, approximately 920000 baht, following a spinal injury on holiday in Krabi. Jo Ingram, 56, from Belton near Great Yarmouth, broke her back in three places after falling from a pony during a beach trek on 8 March. The activity was later classed as an “extreme sport” and was not covered by her insurance policy, leaving the couple to fund treatment themselves.
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Jo and her husband Stu, 58, had been on a two-week trip celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary when the incident occurred on the penultimate evening of their stay. She was taken to hospital by ambulance after waking on the sand in severe pain, where X-rays revealed multiple fractures and a shattered disc pressing on her spinal column. She underwent emergency surgery after lying in hospital for 36 hours in extreme pain.
The couple paid £12,000 upfront from their savings to begin treatment, with the total cost of a two-week hospital stay rising to £21,000. Additional expenses continue to mount due to ongoing physiotherapy, rehabilitation and extended hotel accommodation, as Jo cannot fly home until at least seven weeks after surgery. They expect to remain in Thailand until at least the end of April.
Stu said the experience had been “indescribable”, with constant fear and concern about possible paralysis during the wait for surgery. The couple accepted the insurer’s decision, acknowledging they had not fully checked the policy details. An online fundraiser set up by Stu’s employer has already raised enough to cover their initial outlay, with support also coming from family, friends and Jo’s workplace.
Jo said her recovery would take months, although she has regained some mobility with the help of a walking frame. She urged other travellers to carefully review insurance policies before taking part in activities, warning that many are not covered. “It’s a mistake we’ve made and we’ve paid dearly for it,” she said.
The BBC reported that Tom Vaughan from the insurance website confused.com said travellers should assume any activity not explicitly listed in a policy is excluded. He noted that while many policies cover activities such as scuba diving or bungee jumping, it is essential to confirm details in advance. A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is supporting a British woman hospitalised in Thailand.
Pictures courtesy of BBC
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Adapted by ASEAN Now BBC 27 Mar 2026