25 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Clearly that cost is for a dedicated medical evacuation, complete with medical staff and whatever life support equipment is needed to maintain his current state, a bit more than a spare seat next to him and extra legroom.

I have mentioned in another post how they do it as I witnessed it on a Qatar flight.

3 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

4 hours ago, brian69 said:

So a private hospital.....

Yeah,

Beggars CAN BE choosers!

He was apparently unconscious when they brought him in. Do you think he asked the ambulance to take him to a private hospital?

Or is it more likely that the private hospitals pay a better finder's fee for a foreign patient?

Tragic accident but it seems to me the money the family asking for had gone to the roof.Increasing everyday.Start make me thinking it can't be true.

Maybe im wrong!

Yet another case of a tourist who should never have been allowed to rent a motorcycle. Likely has no motorcycle license so had no right to be driving a motorcycle in the first place. The insurance company is quite right in denying coverage.

A seriously sad situation for the victim- and my thought are for his family

4 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I honestly never heard of it.

I was treated at Bumrungrad many years ago for a major cancer operation, and I found that to be very expensive.

Medpark is along the same price bracket. Hospital is only a few years old.

1 hour ago, impulse said:

He was apparently unconscious when they brought him in. Do you think he asked the ambulance to take him to a private hospital?

Or is it more likely that the private hospitals pay a better finder's fee for a foreign patient?

I understand that the accident didn't happen in Bangkok but he was brought here later for "better" treatment.

2 hours ago, ericbj said:

If the cost of flying a seriously injured person is really 170,000 GBP as stated this sounds like a total rip-off. Unless it involves flying him to the U.K. in a private jet rather than making temporary modifications on a scheduled flight.

According to recent reports, this young man has critical brain damage and has been defined as brain dead, which means he is being kept alive in Intensive Care by sophisticated life support equipment with 24/7 medical attendance.

Subject to his family settling the hospital bills first, If they do decide that they want their son repatriated back to the UK in his current condition it is going to cost the sort of figure quoted (e.g. 170K GBP plus). This is because he will need to be transported by a specialised air ambulance which is fully equipped with ICU equipment plus doctor(s) and nurses for the 12 hour flight, as per the attached photo.

It is highly unlikely that commercial air lines will accept his transport because they do not want to have to divert that aircraft, and make an emergency landing, in the case of him having a medical emergency during the flight, even with him having a medical team in attendance. An emergency diverted landing will incur the airline in considerable additional costs e.g. landing/take off fees, additional fuel, possible passenger compensation, messed up aircraft schedule etc. The risk would be deemed to high, hence a refusal to transport.

Motorcycle rental companies are Much too eager to rent their bikes

without doing due diligence ( like handing out statistic sheets stating

that Thailand is VERY dangerous for Motorcycle drivers )...or checking

for insurance, proper driver license etc.etc.

18 hours ago, JimmyTobacco said:

Certainly the first two prices you mention are in THB whereas the 170K is

2 hours ago, Upnotover said:

Clearly that cost is for a dedicated medical evacuation, complete with medical staff and whatever life support equipment is needed to maintain his current state, a bit more than a spare seat next to him and extra legroom.

I understood the patient was brain dead. Yes, he will need more than a spare seat but a specially equipped plane?

Even with a valid insurance I doubt the insurer would pay for medevac.

22 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

and hospitals have a reason to make big bills.. Foreigners are rich so they can pay, was a verdict of a judge in a Hua Hin case... And I know hospitals are expensive, but although Thailand wants to the hub of everything, especially for foreigners they are even more expensive

More Farang expense levels than a flight of stairs. Thai hospies start at the top step & rarely go down.🙃🙃

5 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I honestly never heard of it.

I was treated at Bumrungrad many years ago for a major cancer operation, and I found that to be very expensive.

I'd only heard of Med-Park because the surgeon who performed my knee replacement at Bumrungrad moved to Med-Park. I always thought that Bumrungrad was the most expensive in Thailand, but I find all the private hospitals to be pricey.

20 hours ago, 007 RED said:

I suspect that the clause stated something to the effect that he would only be covered if travelling (rider/passenger) on a bike of 125cc or less.  According to other local reports at the time of the accident the bike was considerably bigger than 125cc.

Yes !!

This is why I go over & over my travel insurance policy as they are all different in this

Some are 125cc ,others have no limit , some do not insure you as a pillion passenger etc....

You must read the policy before taking it out

17 minutes ago, mberbae said:

Motorcycle rental companies are Much too eager to rent their bikes

without doing due diligence ( like handing out statistic sheets stating

that Thailand is VERY dangerous for Motorcycle drivers )...or checking

for insurance, proper driver license etc.etc.

It's up to the hirer to do their own due diligence

1 hour ago, newnative said:

Yet another case of a tourist who should never have been allowed to rent a motorcycle. Likely has no motorcycle license so had no right to be driving a motorcycle in the first place. The insurance company is quite right in denying coverage.

Absolutely

Now ...think about this ..the insurance companies don't care UNTIL there is an accident then ask where was your international motorcycle licence ,send us a copy immediately

What is it with the Brits and begging?

It seems like every one of these 'young man injured in motorbike crash' stories involves a young Brit who either couldn't read or didn't buy an insurance policy. Then there's the inevitable 'go fund me' begging campaign and hundreds of thousands of £ raised. It's a strange mentality. I've yet to see the often disparaged Indians or Russians begging, but the Brits always have their hand out. What happened to those once sensible, proud people?

1 hour ago, ThaiTraveller2016 said:

I understood the patient was brain dead. Yes, he will need more than a spare seat but a specially equipped plane?

Even with a valid insurance I doubt the insurer would pay for medevac.

He needs last rites and an organ harvesting team.

6 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

That's the thing.........he HAD insurance, but he apparently bought a cheap limited policy, and his activities were outside the range of coverage.

Most (if not all) standard insurance policies only insure you up to 125CC (lots of rented scooters are over this), want to ride something bigger you need a specific insurance policy covering it.

1 minute ago, SamSpade said:

Most (if not all) standard insurance policies only insure you up to 125CC (lots of rented scooters are over this), want to ride something bigger you need a specific insurance policy covering it.

Very true and please read your cover as you may not be covered as a pillion passenger, many freeccredit card insurance have this in their policy statement

I remember a case a few years ago posted on here too about a Australian couple who skipped down the pool stairs in Bali and were denied the claim...she was holding a wine glass and presumed to be intoxicated

Sad story, but one that continues to repeat itself again and again. Riding motorbikes here is a fool's errand for pretty much all but the most experienced bike riders that also regularly ride back in their own countries, have a proper licence, and have plenty of experience. There is also a case for a much stricter criteria, by law here in Thailand, from rental places for those wanting to rent out bikes too with real consequences for those who don't follow it.

No suprise about the insurance company declining to pay out, always the case with such activities as they are never included unless you specifically ask for a policy that covers it (and then you are going to need all the licences, paperwork, wear a helmet, and everything) or they will just use any tiny excuse to not pay.

Thailand's roads are a joke really and most, if not all tourists, would be better off sticking to four-wheeled or more transport. Riding motorbikes in country like this is basically reckless beyond belief generally for most.

6 hours ago, ericbj said:

If the cost of flying a seriously injured person is really 170,000 GBP as stated this sounds like a total rip-off. Unless it involves flying him to the U.K. in a private jet rather than making temporary modifications on a scheduled flight.

Individuals of adult age should have the option of choosing their insurance and adapting their activities accordingly, or having none at all. Free choice and individual responsibility. You need to be a millionaire to be fully covered for everything.

But governments of countries-of-origin, host-countries, airlines, and insurance companies should be jointly responsible for highlighting risks and consequences. To enable informed decision, especially by younger people who might otherwise give little thought to insurance to cover major accidents. Youth is by nature optimistic.

Temporary Modifications of a scheduled flight. Impossible in his condition plus the level of care he needs.

2 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

What is it with the Brits and begging?

It seems like every one of these 'young man injured in motorbike crash' stories involves a young Brit who either couldn't read or didn't buy an insurance policy. Then there's the inevitable 'go fund me' begging campaign and hundreds of thousands of £ raised. It's a strange mentality. I've yet to see the often disparaged Indians or Russians begging, but the Brits always have their hand out. What happened to those once sensible, proud people?

Different breed nowadays, but I think it's a generational thing of 'entitlement', and it isn't just British, it's the same around Europe, and this pathetic promoting of a socialist order that will never work.

It was considered shameful and begging in the UK when I was younger; now it's mainstream.

I can't believe they even asked for cash to send family members to the hospital to assist and support him.

How can you assist someone in the ICU who is brain-dead?

10 hours ago, Sigmund said:

Another smart and fine UK visitor with no insurance. What do they expect at the end of the day ? It's due to such situations that all the foreigners are harassed with all the immigration red tape and suspicions. However, one does not wish ill for anybody. Hope the lad recovers fast and gets back home soon. But the UK government needs to ban it's people to board an outbound plane that do not have at least some kind of temporary travel insurance.

10 hours ago, Sigmund said:

It's due to such situations that all the foreigners are harassed with all the immigration red tape and suspicions.

What on earth has this got to do with immigration?

11 hours ago, Bacon1 said:

A somewhat insensitive post has been removed, particularly as it was placed in the News section. This is a serious area of the forum, and the News team works hard to produce high-quality content for members.

@Ralf001

Please ensure your contributions are respectful and appropriate for the section. Further posts of this nature may result in additional moderation action.

Noted Mr Bacon.

4 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

There is also a case for a much stricter criteria, by law here in Thailand, from rental places for those wanting to rent

That would never happen. If the govt passed such laws they would either be ignored or the right people would be paid off. I remember the law banning riding in the back of pickups after a few deaths. I think it lasted a month and then it's forgetten by everyone.

22 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Tragic story.

The famous saying, "No Money, No Honey" is applicable in bars, but in hospitals here, "No Money, No Live" is equally true.

Money Number One in Thailand.

Yes we already know that regarding hospitals, so if a farang is stupid enough to ride a motorbike in Thailand which will invalidate their medical travel insurance then that is their fault, doing so is just so dim, dim, dim.

I know it sounds heartless but if other people read this story it might make them think twice before renting out a stupid bike.

30 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

Yes we already know that regarding hospitals, so if a farang is stupid enough to ride a motorbike in Thailand which will invalidate their medical travel insurance then that is their fault, doing so is just so dim, dim, dim.

I know it sounds heartless but if other people read this story it might make them think twice before renting out a stupid bike.

I agree, 100%.

The horror stories are all over the internet, but "The Facebook Generation" live for "likes" and "thumbs ups" and never think it will happen to them.

Many times the parents back home are left with the emotional grief, and the medical bills, as in this case.

Heart breaking, the greed of the Thais is unbelievable.

On 2/12/2026 at 10:44 AM, ASEAN NOW News said:

Tiger Duggan's family battles costs after a tragic accident.

The family of Tiger Duggan, a 23-year-old British backpacker critically injured in a motorcycle accident in Thailand, is in a desperate financial struggle. They must raise £170,000 for his repatriation flight as medical expenses continue to mount. Tiger's mother, Lisa Duggan, has made an urgent plea for help, facing the harsh reality that funds are depleting rapidly despite generous public donations.

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Lisa, a neonatal nurse from Milton Keynes, and her husband Kieron have already spent nearly £120,000. This includes hospital bills and moving Tiger to Bangkok for more advanced care. Although they've received over £180,000 in donations, the family confronts a significant financial gap as the travel insurance company refuses to pay, citing Tiger's involvement in a "dangerous activity."

The support from the UK government has been minimal, limited to providing general online advice links. Lisa expressed her frustration at the lack of personal contact or practical assistance during such a critical time. The family feels isolated, relying heavily on public generosity and pushing for more direct aid from officials.

Tiger, who left his job in Australia to travel with a friend, is in critical condition but showed signs of life following a brain scan. This has given his family a glimmer of hope. Lisa remains cautiously optimistic, noting improved health markers, but acknowledges the long journey ahead, filled with extensive treatment and tests.

Currently, the cost of Tiger's care at Med Park Hospital in Bangkok is £2,500 a day. The need for a repatriation flight costing up to £170,000 remains urgent. Lisa, who recently hugged her son for the first time since his transfer, continues to call on the UK government to intervene, highlighting past instances where repatriation assistance was provided.

Throughout this ordeal, the Duggan family has expressed deep gratitude for the public's support, which has been vital. However, without insurance coverage, they are in a precarious financial situation. This case also highlights the importance of understanding insurance clauses, especially concerning activities abroad that may void coverage.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office acknowledged their ongoing support of Tiger's family. Meanwhile, the Duggans remain determined to secure the necessary help, continuing their fight to bring Tiger home safely.

Key Takeaways

• Family urgently needs funds for repatriation.

• Minimal assistance received from the UK government.

• Insurance denied due to policy clause on activities.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 11 Feb 2026

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This might sound harsh but the mother would be best to gather the family in Bangkok say their goodbyes , turn off his life support machine and have him cremated and take his ashes home. Lets face it if they can't pay the hospital they wil stop the lifesaving treatment and he will die anyway. I dont think they have much choice.