I've done a quick check of a few foreign offices. to see what their travel advice is for Koh Chang, Koh Kood etc. This may affect visitors' travel insurance.

Please don't say, "But Koh Chang is safe" – that's not the point – this is a review of official advice that may affect people's travel insurance. Even expats who have foreign cover.....

 

Travel near the Thailand–Cambodia Border (as of 20 September)

Several governments still advise against non-essential or all travel within 50 km of the Thai–Cambodia border. This zone includes Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and the ferry terminals. Travellers should be aware that if you visit these areas, your travel insurance may be invalid.
UK (FCDO):
Advises against all but essential travel within 50 km of the Cambodian border, which covers Koh Chang and Koh Kood. Standard insurance is unlikely to cover travel in this zone.
 

USA (State Dept):
Level 4 – Do Not Travel.
“Do not travel to areas within 50 km of the Thai–Cambodian border due to ongoing fighting between Thai and Cambodian military forces.”
 

Australia:
Advises “exercise a high degree of caution” in Thailand overall. For the border area:
•    Reconsider your need to travel within 50 km of the border in Chanthaburi and mainland Trat.
•    Do not travel within 50 km of the border in Sa Kaeo, Buriram, Si Saket, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani due to recent armed conflict, military strikes, violence, and landmines.
 

Canada:
Avoid all travel within 50 km of the Thai–Cambodia border due to ongoing tensions.
 

New Zealand:
Do not travel within 50 km of the border; follow the advice of local authorities.
 

France:
Citizens are urged to avoid the border area. Those already there are asked to leave as quickly as possible and register with the embassy.
 

Germany:
Advises against all but essential travel within 50 km of the Cambodian–Thai border.
 

NB - Key point for travellers: If you go to Koh Chang, Koh Kood, or other areas within the advisory zone, check very carefully with your insurer. In most cases, you will not be covered for medical, evacuation, or cancellation claims. It may also invalidate the rest of your policy
 

Western government nannies will ruin your life if you let them.

44 minutes ago, Lee65 said:

Western government nannies will ruin your life if you let them.

 

The problem is the relations between Thailand and Cambodia – like 2 kids – and the effect this will have on your insurance cover.

Thx, very good point.

 

Correction:

 

France:

Movements in the border areas located between Phanom Dong Rak and Chong Bok are advised against.

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/conseils-par-pays-destination/thailande/#securite

 

Germany:

Warning against travel within 10km (not 50) of the border. Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kut are excepted from this warning.

Strongly advises against travel to provinces bordering on Cambodia.

https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/reiseundsicherheit/thailandsicherheit-201558

We have cancelled our annular trip down in Desember. 

 

Last Wed heard many places do not have staff enough 

45 minutes ago, Hummin said:

We have cancelled our annular trip down in Desember. 

 

Last Wed heard many places do not have staff enough 

A lot of the menial labour force were Cambodian, and many have left. Of course the authorities don't want to adnmit they have caused this. 

If you don't have travel insurance don't worry about it

3 hours ago, Hummin said:

We have cancelled our annular trip down in Desember. 

 

Last Wed heard many places do not have staff enough 

Come now instead, low season is better anyway

12 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

If you don't have travel insurance don't worry about it

So I take it you're uninsured or live in Thailand with Thai insurance? ... is this your risk assessment?

20 minutes ago, kwilco said:

So I take it you're uninsured or live in Thailand with Thai insurance? ... is this your risk assessment?

No expats have travel insurance in Thailand, tourists do, sometimes

Was in Koh Chang for 3 weeks during that period and everyone seemed relaxed after the high point of the dispute and no staff issues or talk of staff leaving based on what I saw - for what it's worth. 

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

No expats have travel insurance in Thailand, tourists do, sometimes

I'm talking about insurance cover - e.g. medical - As an expat I have medical insurance from the companies I worked for; I even had national health cover. However, many expats have health insurance from abroad, and this may not cover them. So ... what sort of insurance do you have? I might add my vehicle insurance. with covers me.

1 hour ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

Was in Koh Chang for 3 weeks during that period and everyone seemed relaxed after the high point of the dispute and no staff issues or talk of staff leaving based on what I saw - for what it's worth. 

 

 

Not really worth a lot – the OP is about insurance cover, not as I said, how safe Koh Chang is. As for staff shortages, they are pretty well documented in the [press if you care to look.

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

No expats have travel insurance in Thailand, tourists do, sometimes

Many use nomad travel insurances like Safety wing, Henki, and World Nomads

23 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Many use nomad travel insurances like Safety wing, Henki, and World Nomads

So...are they covered?

For instance, World Nomads insurance generally does not cover you for destinations with an "essential travel only" or similar government advisory, such as those from the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office), unless you have obtained their explicit written authorization that your trip is considered essential

31 minutes ago, kwilco said:

 

 

Not really worth a lot – the OP is about insurance cover, not as I said, how safe Koh Chang is. As for staff shortages, they are pretty well documented in the [press if you care to look.

One can comment on others comments. I didn't mention safety. In terms of media it was discussed a lot here when I was there and the feedback on Koh Chang was that the staffing issue was somewhat overblown. For what it's worth. 

Insurance companies looking for another excuse to avoid paying out.

7 minutes ago, Maybole said:

Insurance companies looking for another excuse to avoid paying out.

 

This is not "another excuse" – this has been written into just about every insurance policy for years.....

The point is that the FDCO and other countries' foreign offices have declared this zone "essential travel only" – so if you are there or go there, there is a very high chance you won't be insured – are YOU covered?

3 hours ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

Was in Koh Chang for 3 weeks during that period and everyone seemed relaxed after the high point of the dispute and no staff issues or talk of staff leaving based on what I saw - for what it's worth. 

 

Exactly.

 

That's why fake news / fear porn like this is a total psyop.

 

As I wrote elsewhere it's all part of the Big Boys' plan to nail your axrse to the grass, keep you tagged & grounded at home in your Western nanny country.

 

The world's but a stage and all the players in this psyop - incl TH and CAM - are acting their part.

 

Despicable!  (but by now predictable from these twxts)

2 hours ago, kwilco said:

So...are they covered?

For instance, World Nomads insurance generally does not cover you for destinations with an "essential travel only" or similar government advisory, such as those from the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office), unless you have obtained their explicit written authorization that your trip is considered essential

Of course not, I just replied to scuba about expats did not use travel insurances. I did when I lived permanent in Thailand, but same for everywhere else when it is issued  travel advises, but it depends who gives the advises and where the issuer is located. I never bothered to care for the warnings around south Thailand and travelled to and through many times.

 

I'm more concerned about the quality the resorts and Restaurants can deliver than an invasion 

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

Of course not, I just replied to scuba about expats did not use travel insurances. I did when I lived permanent in Thailand, but same for everywhere else when it is issued  travel advises, but it depends who gives the advises and where the issuer is located. I never bothered to care for the warnings around south Thailand and travelled to and through many times.

 

I'm more concerned about the quality the resorts and Restaurants can deliver than an invasion 

It's got sodall to do with invasion; it's to do with insurance.

Many tourists have booked holidays on KC, the shoulder season starts in November, and I know not only re they unaware they are not covered, but many of the tour companies seem unaware too.

 

Many rent scooters (legally even!), and some can get sick – tummies, dengue, whatever – and they won't have cover.

If you work in Thailand, you probably have healthcare (unless you are a careless Brit), and you get either national health or one of th private companies with your job.

Retiree too  have to buy their insurance and if they get it from home country, they may still find they are not covered for either the Thai-Cambodian border or the Southern Provinces too

Doesn't matter how good  the quality of  the resort and Restaurants  if you are in need of hospital treatment and can't pay.

 

err...

8 hours ago, kwilco said:

I'm talking about insurance cover - e.g. medical - As an expat I have medical insurance from the companies I worked for; I even had national health cover. However, many expats have health insurance from abroad, and this may not cover them. So ... what sort of insurance do you have? I might add my vehicle insurance. with covers me.

Health insurance will cover people there, so what else are you going to worry about? I'm sure you can find something 

8 hours ago, Hummin said:

Many use nomad travel insurances like Safety wing, Henki, and World Nomads

Check policy doc to see if they are actually insured, travel insurance isn't meant for long term expats, usually there is a 180 day in home country rule

8 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Health insurance will cover people there, so what else are you going to worry about? I'm sure you can find something 

what ARE you talking about?????

9 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Check policy doc to see if they are actually insured, travel insurance isn't meant for long term expats, usually there is a 180 day in home country rule

Nomad travel insurances is month by month and have no limits and can also be signed while traveling. My one year travel insurance gives me 75 days, and when stay longer I sign with either Safety wing or Genki month by month 

Sounds like a great time to find a good rental or business.

8 hours ago, Hummin said:

Nomad travel insurances is month by month and have no limits and can also be signed while traveling. My one year travel insurance gives me 75 days, and when stay longer I sign with either Safety wing or Genki month by month 

I was referring to expats who live in Thailand most of the time, not tourist type scenarios

Just now, scubascuba3 said:

I was referring to expats who live in Thailand most of the time, not tourist type scenarios

And many who are nomads working abroad and also the type who works here who still below 69 and can have nomads insurance.

 

Nomad travel insurances is good value compared to health insurance. Also for those who do paragliding, skydiving, big motorbike touring and other activities nomad insurances is the best option. 

 

 

10 minutes ago, Hummin said:

And many who are nomads working abroad and also the type who works here who still below 69 and can have nomads insurance.

 

Nomad travel insurances is good value compared to health insurance. Also for those who do paragliding, skydiving, big motorbike touring and other activities nomad insurances is the best option. 

 

 

It's good, i used travel type insurance as long as possible, max was 18 months, but those who are living here long term, long periods and think they are covered will be disappointed