Uninsured British man on way to extend his visa loses leg after horrific motorbike accident

[Russell17au]

Thian, try this for starters it is from TripAdviser and I would say that they know more than you do. You have been told by a few people but you are unable to accept the facts.

You must really start to accept the fact that it is YOUR responsibility to know the laws and not be so arrogant as to try and palm the responsibility on to other people

It is possible that I made a mistake and assumed that you had a Non-Imm "O" visa which gives you the 90 days but if you only have a Tourist visa then it only gives you 60 days

LICENCES and PERMITS

To ride a motorcycle in Thailand, and remain strictly within the law, you must possess and produce:

• A national motorcycle drivers licence issued in your home country, valid for a motorcycle AND,
• An International Driving Permit. *NB - Some members believe your home licence in English with a photo satisfies Thai law. In the end it is "up to you".
• The maximum period that you can drive a hire car or bike legally on an IDP is 60 days on a Tourist Visa, 90 days on a Non-Immigrant O visa. For rentals in excess of that a Thai Driver's Licence is required. To obtain a Thai drivers license requires a formal in-person application, as well as hold and be admitted to Thailand on a non-immigrant visa status. This link to the the Department of Land Transportation website explains the procedure.

[Letseng]

Gofundme supporters may soon get tired donating for careless tourists who can't be bothered to buy appropriate insurance. 

[Easy Come Easy Go]

8 minutes ago, jmccarty said:

This is a problem for anyone that comes from a country with National Health Service.  You grow up with it, and don't think about it.  At 29, you think you are bullet proof too.  

 

I do feel for the guy and hope he gets through this ok.  

 

Costly mistake and one to put in the local papers back home as a warning to others.

 

I used to travel with Amex travel insurance, if I recall, it only worked for 3 months a trip. Perhaps it could be extended, but likely not for long.  Maybe the TAT idea of everyone showing proof of insurance on arrival is not the worst idea they have!

I'm 29 and  came from the UK with the pros of the NHS. I don't care what any US citizens says, having free medical healthcare as a choice is essential for any 'developed nation' - yet the US spends their money on war and other means rather than the health of their own people, it's quite the con I must say. 

Anyway, I've only had travel insurance for the last 3 years of my stay here, so I was here for 5 years without. I think it was due to me being both broke, naive, stupid and coming from a place where healthcare was free. 

I had to have emergency healthcare twice in the UK on the NHS, and both times I have no complaints whatsoever. In the 5 years that I was here without insurance, I have had several incidents where it would have helped at least half way through the bill. 

Edited March 22, 2018 by Easy Come Easy Go

[Russell17au]

14 minutes ago, Henrik Andersen said:

You really do listen when you take your license 15 meter is nothing truck driver had meaby going 35-40 kpm it will take about 15-25 meter to stop 

This young man had driven 5 months without insurance stupid and surely he driving to quickly and not pay attention to the traffic 

Live fast die young.....

You should really learn to read and quote the right person when you want to pass remarks

Edited March 22, 2018 by Russell17au

[love asia]

On 21/3/2018 at 2:11 PM, ukrules said:

I wouldn't say his life is ruined, he lost a leg and should recover.

 

What attracts who to Thailand, 'the uninsured' ?

 

It probably wouldn't have made much difference if he did have insurance, most won't cover motorbikes and the temporary international licenses are only valid for 90 days.

 

have been there a some times,  and MANY thais drive like they dont have a driving licens..!!  and sadly i think many DONT have a driving licens..!!  when the police stops people for not vering helmet,  MAYBE they can also check if they have a licens,  and give big fine if some drive vithout a driving licens,  and that is not just the motobikes,  BUT also truck og car drivers..!!  maybe need better driving schools there i tahiland,  and in all asia..!!

[Russell17au]

Thain, here is some more information seeing that you will not take the responsibility yourself to check these things. Another thing is that under the Thai law if you are not a Tourist then you are classified as a resident and therefore you are required to have a Thai drivers licence and the 90 days that is accepted on your IDP is to give you the time to obtain your Thai drivers licence.

MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT (Thai Law)

Section 42

• Anyone who wishes to drive a motor vehicle on public roads must possess an appropriate driver licence.
• The driver must carry the driver licence and a photocopy of the registration book and show them to competent officers upon request.
• This does not apply to those who are learning to drive a motor vehicle according to the provision of Section 57.
• If the driver is an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa, he may drive a motor vehicle with a driver licence specified in the Section 42-2.
• In such a case, he must carry documents specified by the treaty between the Thai government and the government which issued such driver licence, and show them to competent officers upon request.

Section 42-2
 

• In case there is a treaty between the Thai government and a foreign government regarding mutual acceptance of driver licence, an alien who does not have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver licence issued by such a foreign government, or an automobile association authorised by such a foreign government.

Once you obtain a non-immigrant visa or establish you are a resident (such as enrolling kids in school, buy a car etc,) and are no longer a toursit, you need a Thai drivers licence as your national license and international driving permit is only legally accepted if you are a tourist. Several insurance companies have  fine print stating that the driver should hold a valid Thai driving licence to be fully covered after a certain amount of time in Thailand.

Edited March 22, 2018 by Russell17au

[Basil B]

In the UK we are very generous, we do not require an IDP, just a valid full licence to drive the the classification of vehicle being driven but the one year rule applies, when stopped by the police they do check with immigration to verify the date one last entered the UK.

 

Worked with a South African guy  many years ago, he had been working in the UK for a number of years and got stopped one night, had to get a provisional licence and pass his test PDQ...

[mettech]

Too many of these call for begging on the net to get money for major mistake done by not taking travel insurance and it is a gamble like going to the casino and play in this case you are playing with your life or your health if you have to get to either surgery or hospital without insurance.

No insurance not allowed in the country it should be. No visa .

[kiwikeith]

20 hours ago, franckfranck said:

Could someone pls help me understand why many trucks do that? Do they seriously think 'decor' is more imp than safety? Esp the tinting of the windows at the bottom.

Why hasn't the enlightened one thought of this when he said he would have log books introduced within a month , but they have not appeared yet, he would get lots of brownie points for introducing strict rules for visibility in motor vehicles, but strict rule are worthless in LOS as no one takes much notice of anything.

[thailand49]

15 hours ago, wgdanson said:

BUPA THailand is now called AETNA.

Name change so what has changed, has Aetna come to save the day. Cheaper policy better coverage?

[abrahamzvi]

18 hours ago, Mattd said:

Fact 1: There is no such thing as an International License.

Fact 2: Regardless of fact 1, an International Driving Permit may well be valid for 12 months, however, that doesn't mean that the country you are using it in allows you to drive for 12 months on that IDP.

Fact 3: A large percentage of travel insurance policies will most certainly not cover riding a motorcycle whilst on holiday, you would normally have to specifically purchase for such, or make sure that you read the small print of the policy.

OK, the title is not  “license” but permit.IDPs are usually valid for 12 months. You may be right in saying that some countries allow driving with an IDP for 3 months only. Do you know if Thailand is one?

 

As far as insurance is concerned, of course there are companies that exclude various activities, like cycling, mountaineering, soccer, tennis and others. However, there are many insurers also in the UK that do not exclude motorcycling.

[colinneil]

1 minute ago, abrahamzvi said:

OK, the title is not  “license” but permit.IDPs are usually valid for 12 months. You may be right in saying that some countries allow driving with an IDP for 3 months only. Do you know if Thailand is one?

 

As far as insurance is concerned, of course there are companies that exclude various activities, like cycling, mountaineering, soccer, tennis and others. However, there are many insurers also in the UK that do not exclude motorcycling.

Why are you asking the question,is Thailand 1 of the countries only allowing 90 days on an IDP?

I answered that for you before, and you posted a sad emoji on my post.

[Jorgendk]

Thian

It is because you mix things up a bit.

Your international Driving license is valid for one year.

Most countries in the world, allow you to drive in their country on your international driving license for 90 days after you enter the country.

It is the same in all EU countries, in Thailand, and most other countries.

[blackcab]

The Go Fund Me page has raised about 500,000 baht.

 

I really don't think this will be sufficient to pay the hospital bill.

[jvs]

1 hour ago, Jorgendk said:

Thian

It is because you mix things up a bit.

Your international Driving license is valid for one year.

Most countries in the world, allow you to drive in their country on your international driving license for 90 days after you enter the country.

It is the same in all EU countries, in Thailand, and most other countries.

You can always tell a Dutchman but you can not tell him much,He won't listen to reason.I hope he never has to find out first hand,he will be up shxtcreek without a paddle.Thailand does not go by Dutch rules,TIT.

Edited March 23, 2018 by jvs

[Letseng]

1 hour ago, blackcab said:

The Go Fund Me page has raised about 500,000 baht.

 

I really don't think this will be sufficient to pay the hospital bill.

They are looking for 30.000$.

I saw the appeal "a f...ing truck.." Why didn't their friend buy "f..ing" insurance?

[Mattd]

1 hour ago, jvs said:

Thailand does not go by Dutch rules,

5555 couldn't agree more.

You can imagine good old Somchai driving Thai style in Holland and getting pulled over, 'no Mr. Policeman, you wrong, RAAT told me that I can do this, so it OK'...........

[BobbyL]

Only just read this news. Sad story and hopefully it will end as well as it can.

 

Why do so many people come here without insurance though. Mindboggling.

 

When I moved back here in August I knew I wouldn't get my medical insurance sorted through work for a while so I got a two month policy online from the UK for about £20. 

[keithpa]

9 hours ago, abrahamzvi said:

OK, the title is not  “license” but permit.IDPs are usually valid for 12 months. You may be right in saying that some countries allow driving with an IDP for 3 months only. Do you know if Thailand is one?

 

As far as insurance is concerned, of course there are companies that exclude various activities, like cycling, mountaineering, soccer, tennis and others. However, there are many insurers also in the UK that do not exclude motorcycling.

My insurance covers , for a fee, up to 150cc, for more than ;that, dunno.

[keithpa]

5 hours ago, BobbyL said:

Only just read this news. Sad story and hopefully it will end as well as it can.

 

Why do so many people come here without insurance though. Mindboggling.

 

When I moved back here in August I knew I wouldn't get my medical insurance sorted through work for a while so I got a two month policy online from the UK for about £20. 

" Why do so many people come here without insurance though. Mindboggling.". Thats what we need on here, more original comments.

[jenny2017]

22 hours ago, Tilacme said:

What we should take from this thread is that insurance companies should give proper motorbike insurance including full medical cover at a fair price for farangs in Thailand !

What is fair? Life isn't always fair and an ordinary motorcycle insurance, no matter if it's your own bike, or a rental only cover medical bills up to around 12,000 baht. Insurance companies are businesses and their goal is to make money, not to lose money.

 

   There seem to be foreigners who spend a fortune for alcohol every day, but they're too cheap to pay a certain amount of money for an insurance.

 

   It's your own responsibility to look for the right insurance that covers all costs, nobody tells you that you must drive on a motorbike. But too many foreigners leave their brains at the airport and just don't care. 

     

 

[Thian]

21 hours ago, sead said:

Hes been travelling 5 months around Asia without insurance. NO COMMENTS

Without comments it won't stop mate.

 

Why are there so many youngsters from Europe travelling the world without that insurance? The insurance even doesn't cost much, for under 100 quid a year they can have one....

 

Also most of the uninsured ones come from the UK, not from mainland Europe....so maybe it's time the Brits start a warningcampagne on tv ?? Or just don't sell any tickets without travelinsurance included? 

[Thian]

20 hours ago, Russell17au said:

Thian, try this for starters it is from TripAdviser and I would say that they know more than you do. You have been told by a few people but you are unable to accept the facts.

You must really start to accept the fact that it is YOUR responsibility to know the laws and not be so arrogant as to try and palm the responsibility on to other people

It is possible that I made a mistake and assumed that you had a Non-Imm "O" visa which gives you the 90 days but if you only have a Tourist visa then it only gives you 60 days

LICENCES and PERMITS

To ride a motorcycle in Thailand, and remain strictly within the law, you must possess and produce:

• A national motorcycle drivers licence issued in your home country, valid for a motorcycle AND,
• An International Driving Permit. *NB - Some members believe your home licence in English with a photo satisfies Thai law. In the end it is "up to you".
• The maximum period that you can drive a hire car or bike legally on an IDP is 60 days on a Tourist Visa, 90 days on a Non-Immigrant O visa. For rentals in excess of that a Thai Driver's Licence is required. To obtain a Thai drivers license requires a formal in-person application, as well as hold and be admitted to Thailand on a non-immigrant visa status. This link to the the Department of Land Transportation website explains the procedure.

Russel i'm not a starter, not in going to thailand and not in driving motocy's in different countries.

Also i know the dutch laws pretty well mate, i asked the ANWB by email exactly how it works with those 3 months (yes i have multiple non-o visa) and they wrote i can drive the whole year...i wrote them i'll keep them responsible if that causes me any damage and that was fine with them...They are entitled by the dutch government to produce IDL's.

 

you may call me arrogant but i like to call you the same...first you don't know how it works in Holland, 2nd you won't respect the answer the ANWB gave me. I showed it to JVS and he also is convinced now.

 

If i want a thai dl, i have to go to a doctor for the healthcheck, go to the embassy to let them approve it, go to the land department and watch a video for 2 hours, have to bring my wife (who's very busy) to be translator, have to do an exam...

Why should i do all that? I'm doing nothing wrong and if so the ANWB will pay...And i drive for 8 years motocy in BKK, all over the city.

 

I have no issues with doing the exam but i'm not going to a doctor and the embassy, that takes me many days. And i don't see the reason for it since i have a valid driverslicense and am healthy, no glasses, never had accidents all is well. 

There's a thai drivingschool around the corner here, with their own circuit...if i could just do the exam there and all would be done in some hours i would do it but i'm not going to be busy for many days...i do nothing wrong, leave thailand every 3 months and that website you sent doesn't say that an IDL is ONLY valid 3 months a year. I still haven't seen that written on any official website...if i do see it i 'll send that to the ANWB and see what they think about it cause then they inform all dutchies wrong (and are still responsible for all damage done). That's how it works in holland and for dutchies overseas.

[Dave67]

I was going to open a thread myself yesterday he's a friend of a friend who lives in the UK and needs help in Thailand. His sister and Brother are flying over. I've donated hopefully others will as well

[jvs]

3 minutes ago, Thian said:

Russel i'm not a starter, not in going to thailand and not in driving motocy's in different countries.

Also i know the dutch laws pretty well mate, i asked the ANWB by email exactly how it works with those 3 months (yes i have multiple non-o visa) and they wrote i can drive the whole year...i wrote them i'll keep them responsible if that causes me any damage and that was fine with them...They are entitled by the dutch government to produce IDL's.

 

you may call me arrogant but i like to call you the same...first you don't know how it works in Holland, 2nd you won't respect the answer the ANWB gave me. I showed it to JVS and he also is convinced now.

 

If i want a thai dl, i have to go to a doctor for the healthcheck, go to the embassy to let them approve it, go to the land department and watch a video for 2 hours, have to bring my wife (who's very busy) to be translator, have to do an exam...

Why should i do all that? I'm doing nothing wrong and if so the ANWB will pay...And i drive for 8 years motocy in BKK, all over the city.

 

I have no issues with doing the exam but i'm not going to a doctor and the embassy, that takes me many days. And i don't see the reason for it since i have a valid driverslicense and am healthy, no glasses, never had accidents all is well. 

There's a thai drivingschool around the corner here, with their own circuit...if i could just do the exam there and all would be done in some hours i would do it but i'm not going to be busy for many days...i do nothing wrong, leave thailand every 3 months and that website you sent doesn't say that an IDL is ONLY valid 3 months a year. I still haven't seen that written on any official website...if i do see it i 'll send that to the ANWB and see what they think about it cause then they inform all dutchies wrong (and are still responsible for all damage done). That's how it works in holland and for dutchies overseas.

I am not convinced at all,i still believe you are wrong.You are dead set on being right,so be it.You do not have to go to any embassy ,why would you?I told you i will be asking the police next time i am going there.How can you be so ignorant to believe what the ANWB tells you about the rules in Thailand,they do not have a clue.

Carry on as you wish,good luck.

[Thian]

8 minutes ago, jvs said:

I am not convinced at all,i still believe you are wrong.You are dead set on being right,so be it.You do not have to go to any embassy ,why would you?I told you i will be asking the police next time i am going there.How can you be so ignorant to believe what the ANWB tells you about the rules in Thailand,they do not have a clue.

 

Mate i have no idea who you are so why on earth would i choose your opinion above the rules/advice from the ANWB who are the sole entitled organisation to give out IDL's in Holland? It's a huge organisation with loads of lawyers and experts and all.

 

If you can show me (and the forum) where it's written ON A OFFICIAL WEBSITE that we can only drive 3 months in thailand on a IDL then you have all the rights to call me arrogant or ignorant...But untill that moment i 'm convinced  i'm 100% doing all things according the laws..i leave thailand every 3 months and come back on a new visa.

 

I (and all other Dutch passportholders with an IDL from the ANWB) can drive 1 year in thailand untill that IDL expires..simple as that.

 

And i don't know what the rules for Aussies or Brits or Germans are, i have nothing to do with that since i'm Dutch.

 

But do us a favour and show that website where it's stated...don't ask the police cause that's a waste of time..it has to be a written law on internet or anywhere public. You can even show it on an Aussie website if you can find it but don't come with tripadvisor texts cause that has no legal depth at all.

 

 

Edited March 23, 2018 by Thian

[Russell17au]

27 minutes ago, Thian said:

Russel i'm not a starter, not in going to thailand and not in driving motocy's in different countries.

Also i know the dutch laws pretty well mate, i asked the ANWB by email exactly how it works with those 3 months (yes i have multiple non-o visa) and they wrote i can drive the whole year...i wrote them i'll keep them responsible if that causes me any damage and that was fine with them...They are entitled by the dutch government to produce IDL's.

 

you may call me arrogant but i like to call you the same...first you don't know how it works in Holland, 2nd you won't respect the answer the ANWB gave me. I showed it to JVS and he also is convinced now.

 

If i want a thai dl, i have to go to a doctor for the healthcheck, go to the embassy to let them approve it, go to the land department and watch a video for 2 hours, have to bring my wife (who's very busy) to be translator, have to do an exam...

Why should i do all that? I'm doing nothing wrong and if so the ANWB will pay...And i drive for 8 years motocy in BKK, all over the city.

 

I have no issues with doing the exam but i'm not going to a doctor and the embassy, that takes me many days. And i don't see the reason for it since i have a valid driverslicense and am healthy, no glasses, never had accidents all is well. 

There's a thai drivingschool around the corner here, with their own circuit...if i could just do the exam there and all would be done in some hours i would do it but i'm not going to be busy for many days...i do nothing wrong, leave thailand every 3 months and that website you sent doesn't say that an IDL is ONLY valid 3 months a year. I still haven't seen that written on any official website...if i do see it i 'll send that to the ANWB and see what they think about it cause then they inform all dutchies wrong (and are still responsible for all damage done). That's how it works in holland and for dutchies overseas.

What don't you understand you are not in Holland and you are not driving under the road laws of Holland YOU ARE IN THAILAND you really need to get that fact into your head and also Dutch laws do not apply in Thailand. Why can you not accept the proven facts that have been presented to you. You just do not want to accept any of the facts so I would say that you are either that arrogant or you are just a troll on here. Maybe one day when you have an accident then you may find out that it is the Thai laws that operate in Thailand and not the Dutch laws.

You really need to get of you backside and do a lot of research because if you did you would find that it is written in the THAI road rules not the DUTCH road rules because if you did not know you are in THAILAND not HOLLAND. Search the websites it is quite easy to find if you are not lazy.

 

Edited March 23, 2018 by Russell17au

[jenny2017]

12 minutes ago, Russell17au said:

What don't you understand you are not in Holland and you are not driving under the road laws of Holland YOU ARE IN THAILAND you really need to get that fact into your head and also Dutch laws do not apply in Thailand. Why can you not accept the proven facts that have been presented to you. You just do not want to accept any of the facts so I would say that you are either that arrogant or you are just a troll on here. Maybe one day when you have an accident then you may find out that it is the Thai laws that operate in Thailand and not the Dutch laws

If i want a thai dl, i have to go to a doctor for the healthcheck, go to the embassy to let them approve it, go to the land department and watch a video for 2 hours, have to bring my wife (who's very busy) to be translator, have to do an exam...

Why should i do all that?

 

  Only reading that raises the question who the arrogant and ignorant person here is? Why should he do all that what we did? The answer is so easy.

If there's a serious accident, they want to see a Thai drivers license when you're staying here a long time. 

 

The first license is only valid for one year, but then you'll get the 5-year license without problems.

 

   You can lead a horse to a lake, but you can't make it drink water. 

Edited March 23, 2018 by jenny2017

[Justfine]

On 21/03/2018 at 11:09 PM, JOC said:

Please please make it compulsory for anyone entering Thailand to have a travel/medical insurance.

We will still have the terrible accidents, but at least the victims and their families will not have to worry about the bill...

Like how?

Spend another 2 hours checking stuff in airports

 

Got to be kidding

[JOC]

14 minutes ago, Justfine said:

Like how?

Spend another 2 hours checking stuff in airports

 

Got to be kidding

Really very simple.....Your carrier collects the insurance fee, when you pay the ticket. So together with the ticket you receive your insurance...Tickets can not be sold without insurance.....even if you have a private insurance.....To make it simple, the compulsory insurance only covers accidents...

Price around 500 baht. Valid as long as your visa. Expats on extensions based on marriage/retirement pay the fee yearly when the renew their extensions. People arriving via land borders pay on arrival....

It can be done..and it should be done, to end the never ending stories about uninsured people begging for money....