Brit Faced Large Bill After Thailand Bike Crash

44 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

And the other rider probably did not stop.

As there is no specific mention of the other rider in the report Is there any evidence that the other rider was even aware of the collision. Why are we focused on the other rider.

He/she probably entered the road as they do everyday or changed course to pass a slower vehicle completely as usual not realizing that another rider was not aware they were there. If the later then we, who live here, would have noticed that the other rider may not have had any rearview mirrors and as such has no idea we are even behind. Et al..

Young tourist riding in a foreign country will little or no experience of doing so. Experience is a hard teacher. We may have fallen off motorcycles when we were 16-17 and getting away with it before progressing to crashing cars at an older age.

1 minute ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

And the other rider probably did not stop.

1 minute ago, VocalNeal said:

As there is no specific mention of the other rider in the report Is there any evidence that the other rider was even aware of the collision. Why are we focused on the other rider.

He/she probably entered the road as they do everyday or changed course to pass a slower vehicle completely as usual not realizing that another rider was not aware they were there. If the later then we, who live here, would have noticed that the other rider may not have had any rearview mirrors and as such has no idea we are even behind. Et al..

Young tourist riding in a foreign country will little or no experience of doing so. Experience is a hard teacher. We may have fallen off motorcycles when we were 16-17 and getting away with it before progressing to crashing cars at an older age.

And there is no evidence he was not aware either.

Riding a motorcycle in Thailand is just plain stupid.

Just now, JamesPhuket10 said:

And there is no evidence he was not aware either.

Had there been any witnesses or damage then his/her name would probably have made it into the police report which is where the media gets its info ?

Riding or driving is completely OK in Thailand with sufficient experience and expertise. It is not risk free but it isn't anywhere. Even experienced people get caught out on occasion.

If you chose not do do something please do not assume that people who do are stupid.

You may not indulge in skydiving or scuba diving but just because I don't I wouldn't refer to you as stupid. (Unless of course I had previously met you and made that conclusion)

The rental company always carrys insurance. For the 125 cc rental companies tell you this, you can only ride in this district . You are not covered if you break our rule. If they ride out of the district, too bad. Plus the cost of the motorbike... personally I have a Thai motorcycle and car license and have rented a 125 cc bike. This story is missing something.

I assume then he didn't have a motorbike licence, and or paid for the cheaper non-dangerous activity policy.

Trouble with Brits is the NHS is forgiving, Americans understand you READ THE DAMNED TERMS!

he is alive and treated, gofundme not appropriate.

These events are an argument for a Thai state tourist compulsory insurance bought to get through immigration, that covers emergencies only say 80% of costs in any situation.

15 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Had there been any witnesses or damage then his/her name would probably have made it into the police report which is where the media gets its info ?

Riding or driving is completely OK in Thailand with sufficient experience and expertise. It is not risk free but it isn't anywhere. Even experienced people get caught out on occasion.

If you chose not do do something please do not assume that people who do are stupid.

You may not indulge in skydiving or scuba diving but just because I don't I wouldn't refer to you as stupid. (Unless of course I had previously met you and made that conclusion)

The first time I ever flew was when I jumped out of the aeroplane at 2000 feet and landed safely at the age of 19.

I had a parachute, a large unpopulated area to land in, I could control the direction of travel by pulling on the toggles.

That is far safer than riding a motorbike in Thailand with so many bad drivers around me who are mostly untrained Thai riders/drivers, no matter how much experience I have I can not stop a car ramming me from behind at speed.

I can of course ride a motorbike, any idiot can ride one, the question is am I stupid enough to think I am safe in Thailand on one, that is not possible.

I suppose riding one in a small village at the ars-e end of nowhere it is much safer, but in places like Phuket that would be really silly.

2 hours ago, Suetape said:

Stop renting bikes to tourists period.

yeah reduce your customer base by 99%.... greart call !!

Drove a motorcycle there for years with no problems, but very dangerous. They need a Thai driving course before renting here. Demilosion derby driving school.

2 hours ago, Suetape said:

Stop renting bikes to tourists period.

Or ToT could charge every tourist a fee and cover accidental injuries to tourists similar to New Zealand. It wouldn't be perfect but...

an insurance policy that only covers up to 50 cc, so basically a scooter,, how ridiculous

Off topic troll post removed @AngryMan

9 hours ago, Funkymover said:

an insurance policy that only covers up to 50 cc, so basically a scooter,, how ridiculous

It probably covered what his license allowed him to ride. If he had only a british license for car, he was allowed to drive a 50cc scooter.

Seems why the claim was denied.

13 hours ago, chuang said:

No problem as long as #Fundme is around...

I am beginning to think insurance policies should list a link to the site for creating a GoFundme page. Then wash their hands of most other responsibilities.

On 5/15/2026 at 4:18 PM, Rams86 said:

When will they ever learn, the last thing you need when holidaying in Pattaya is a motor bike.

Just got for the essentials: a bar girl, or a ladyboy if you are Indian.

British tourist -> motorcycle accident -> go fund me page

seems almost as common as:

Indian tourist -> gold chain -> ladyboy incident

Another article. All boxes ticked.

Motorcycle ✅

Accident ✅

Hospital ✅

Insurance company rejection of claim ✅

Go Fund Me ✅

British (optional) ✅

On 5/16/2026 at 2:40 AM, Krabi King said:

There's no need to scrutinise your insurance policy for this:

50cc = MOPED

50cc + = MOTORCYCLE = another license.

Do you ride at home? No? Why not?

They all know it but take the chance.

THat's a false definition – you are just relying on semantics that vary between countries.

the Law in Thailand is clear – if it has TWO WHEELS It is a motorcycle. To ride a motorcycle in Thailand, you are required to have a FULL driving licence – no probationary, learners, small bike or any other licence is permitted.

As a visitor you are also required to have an IDP category A ...

Many people will say police have stopped them and not pulled them up on not having a Cat A or an IDP; that really is irrelevant, as if you end up in hospital or in any other circumstance making a claim, you can be sure the insurance company will check...and, like in the OP, refuse to pay.

Why don't people ride at home? Because it is really expensive, highly regulated and enforced, and the weather is appalling. It is incredibly tempting to have your own transport and travel around with the wind in your hair...no protective clothing, no hat and no shoes...

Just a little research may not have helped overcome the urge to ride.

I think it's a safe bet that many of the contributors to this thread are actually riding and driving uninsured or illegally themselves and fail to realise it. If they are still using teir home licence for instance, or don't have a full Thai licence or think the 3000 baht road tax they paid includes more than the bare minimum injury cover.

16 hours ago, thaibreaker said:

he was allowed to drive a 50cc scooter

not in Thailand, he isn't

On 5/16/2026 at 11:44 AM, JamesPhuket10 said:

And there is no evidence he was not aware either.

Riding a motorcycle in Thailand is just plain stupid.

It is a wonderful country to ride any motorbike and with all the traffic on Thai roads being 2-wheelers, you're in great company, with parking and many other facilities... not mention the glorious weather

On 5/16/2026 at 12:57 PM, Funkymover said:

to 50 cc, so basically a scooter,,

Again, semantics – what do you mean by "scooter"? There is no legal definition for "scooter" or "moped" in Thailand – neither for "step-through", which is the more correct description of most rental bikes in Thai holiday resorts.

The idea varies from country to country. Most travel insurance either rejects all 2-wheelers or puts an engine size limit on them – in many cases that is 125 cc, regardless of the kind of licence, as only one kind of licence is acceptable in Thailand (FULL M/C). Another problem is that even if you have cover, most rental M/Cs are now over 125 cc, i.e., 150, 160cc and over

Just now, kwilco said:

Again, semantics – what do you mean by "scooter"? There is no legal definition for "scooter" or "moped" in Thailand – neither for "step-through", which is the more correct description of most rental bikes in Thai holiday resorts.

The idea varies from country to country. Most travel insurance either rejects all 2-wheelers or puts an engine size limit on them – in many cases that is 125 cc, regardless of the kind of licence, as only one kind of licence is acceptable in Thailand (FULL M/C). Another problem is that even if you have cover, most rental M/Cs are now over 125 cc, i.e., 150, 160cc and over. My personal experience is that most people have no idea what cc their bike really is....e.g. the ubiquitous Yamaha Nouvo now superceded by sportier models

On 5/16/2026 at 10:45 AM, JamesPhuket10 said:

And the other rider probably did not stop.

A farang who lived in the next house to me in Phuket was killed on a motorbike five years ago, and by coincidence a farang who then moved into the house with his Thai wife and child was killed on one as well.

"Probably"??? - don't suppose – get the crash report and comment on the evidence. PS – Good luck getting the crash report.

On 5/16/2026 at 7:53 AM, diveasia666 said:

Stupid is as stupid does…no valid driving license. Moron.

On 5/16/2026 at 7:53 AM, diveasia666 said:

Stupid is as stupid does…no valid driving license. Moron.

have YOU got one??

2 hours ago, kwilco said:

Again, semantics – what do you mean by "scooter"? There is no legal definition for "scooter" or "moped" in Thailand – neither for "step-through", which is the more correct description of most rental bikes in Thai holiday resorts.

The idea varies from country to country. Most travel insurance either rejects all 2-wheelers or puts an engine size limit on them – in many cases that is 125 cc, regardless of the kind of licence, as only one kind of licence is acceptable in Thailand (FULL M/C). Another problem is that even if you have cover, most rental M/Cs are now over 125 cc, i.e., 150, 160cc and over

12 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

wording typically requiring contact before a procedure, it is often impossible to do so, particularly in emergency situations. It takes time to submit, and allow a review of a claim. The claimants often do not provide supporting or complete information. The medical services provider do not provide complete information and hospitals can over charge. Often it comes as a copy of opp

2 hours ago, kwilco said:

Again, semantics – what do you mean by "scooter"? There is no legal definition for "scooter" or "moped" in Thailand – neither for "step-through", which is the more correct description of most rental bikes in Thai holiday resorts.

The idea varies from country to country. Most travel insurance either rejects all 2-wheelers or puts an engine size limit on them – in many cases that is 125 cc, regardless of the kind of licence, as only one kind of licence is acceptable in Thailand (FULL M/C). Another problem is that even if you have cover, most rental M/Cs are now over 125 cc, i.e., 150, 160cc and over

2 hours ago, kwilco said:

Most travel insurance either rejects all 2-wheelers or puts an engine size limit

Make that "most British travel insurances"

(Not every traveller in Thailand is British.)

33 minutes ago, Hish said:

Make that "most British travel insurances"

(Not every traveller in Thailand is British.)

I'm not sure what you think that shows – I think you'll find that travel insurance is pretty uniform the world over; it's down to risk assessment, which is basically maths – I happen to have spoken to a few British insurance companies to find out exactly what their policies did or did not cover.

What I have discovered is that many people make assumptions about their insurance and either fail to read their policies or fail to understand the wording. When it comes to 2-wheelers in Thailand, the case doesn't alter – if it's 2-wheeled, it's a motorcycle and requires a full licence. Just because you're not a certain nationality, it doesn't change that. It's all written down in the Vienna Traffic Treaty of 1968.

I get the impression you are beginning to realise that you aren't covered.

7 minutes ago, kwilco said:

I think you'll find that travel insurance is pretty uniform the world over;

No, it's not. Not at all.

British insurances are often cheap (customers like this) and flimsy (customers don't like this). Of course, this is dictated by math - a company can only offer a cheap policy if coverage is somehow limited. Policies are dependent on national regulations, which vary a lot, and on cultural issues (Germany's travel insurances are mostly sold by a company whose roots are motorcycle racing).

Japanese or Russian or Czech policies are very different from British ones.

As for continental European policies, look at Mapfre from Spain, Generali from Italy (doing business all over the world), or Allianz (selling many international policies under Irish law). In many jurisdictions, they would - as an example - not be allowed to exclude motorcycles. They may even (be forced to) cover driving without a licence.

BTW your ad-hominem quip is beneath you

4 hours ago, kwilco said:

have YOU got one??

Wait a minute. Why the aggressiv approach. It's my impression that most long term expats do indeed have a valid Thai license for motorbike. It's incredibly easy to get, you need no motorbike experience at all. 50 general traffic questions, 45 correct answers (I got 48 at first try) , a ridicolously easy reaction and color test, and you're good to go.

Why this approach?

Seems to me the guy was riding too fast, got cut off and swerved right into a parked car.

The 11 years I lived in Phuket, first 4 I rode a scooter (daily for work) upgraded to a 250cc dirtbike which gave me a bit more juice. Went down once, when coming down from Kata Viewpoint into Rawai. On one of the curves a truck had lost a load of sand. Skinned myself up pretty good, ankle bone was showing.

You have to anticipate the worst happening way up in front of you. Be ready and slow down. If there is a massive truck behind you, fuel truck or something big, pull over and let it go by. Get the hell out of the way.

because of exclusions he had not been aware of.

had he taken the time to read the policy then he would have been aware. alternatively, he could have requested of the insurance company; please include cover for riding a motorcycle. it's not rocket science.