A British traveller was left facing medical costs of around GBP23,000 after suffering serious injuries in a motorbike crash just six days into a planned two-month trip to Thailand. Jude O’Connor required urgent surgery after another rider reportedly pulled out in front of him, throwing him into a parked car.

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Jude suffered a broken shoulder, broken arm, broken nose and a shattered elbow in the crash, which happened in March. He was taken to hospital and told he urgently needed surgery, but said his insurance company later refused to cover the costs.

“I was involved in a serious motorbike accident,” Jude said. “Another bike pulled out on me, throwing me into a parked car. I was taken to hospital and told I urgently needed surgery.”

He said there were delays while waiting for the insurer to respond, before he was informed the policy would not cover the claim because of exclusions he had not been aware of. Jude believed his travel insurance and International Driving Permit would cover him while riding in Thailand.

Jude was riding a 125cc motorbike, which he described as the “smallest commonly available” in Thailand. However, his insurance policy only covered motorbikes up to 50cc, meaning he had to pay privately for surgery and treatment.

“This left us with no choice but to go ahead with essential surgery privately,” he said. “I spent nearly two weeks in hospital in Thailand with my parents, having to fly out to bring me home.”

Jude returned to the UK in April after what he described as a difficult process involving a Fit-To-Fly form and surgeon approval. Since returning home, he has undergone further reconstructive surgery and now faces up to a year of physiotherapy.

The financial impact has also placed significant pressure on his family. Jude said his parents had to borrow money to cover the medical costs. “The total cost of everything has been around GBP23,000 which my parents have had to borrow, putting a huge financial strain on my family,” he said.

Jude launched a GoFundMe page on 23 April with a target of GBP17,500 to help repay the costs. He said he felt “incredibly guilty” about the burden placed on his family and hoped the fundraiser would ease some of the pressure.

He also said he wanted his experience to serve as a warning to other travellers to carefully check the details of their insurance policies before riding motorbikes abroad. The Mirror reported that motorbike accidents remain a major safety issue in Thailand, with between 14,000 and 15,000 motorbike-related deaths recorded annually according to recent statistics.

Pictures courtesy of The Mirror

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Mirror 16 May 2026

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No tats. I may donate

7 minutes ago, Celsius said:

No tats. I may donate

2 grilled cheese from your 7 would be most welcomed. 😆

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

What a scab.

Parents sorted the bill but yet he still starts a gofundme instead of growing a set and sorting out repayments.

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

exclusions he had not been aware of

Because he didn't read through the entire policy as if his life might depend on the policy?>

1 hour ago, Rams86 said:

When will they ever learn ...

Well, it's a new specimen each time round.

Most Insurance Policies for travel to S.E Asia have exclusions for motorbikes. Should have read his policy!

One week into a 2 month trip, didn't he still have all the money for the trip? There's got to be a few thousand quid at least to give his parents. £23k is not a crazy amount at least.

At least he did buy travel insurance, I'm not surprised that the insurer skrewed him with the fine print. They are in the business of not paying out.

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.

46 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Because he didn't read through the entire policy as if his life might depend on the policy?>

Who does, when you have about 50 pages of insurance gobbley gook that can strain the mind of someone with an IQ of 180, and reading it on your phone..but why only 50cc .was it a car international permit as 50cc is allowed...maybe not as innocent as he is making out

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Jude launched a GoFundMe page on 23 April with a target of GBP17,500 to help repay the costs. He said he felt “incredibly guilty” about the burden placed on his family and hoped the fundraiser would ease some of the pressure.

No "incredible guilt" about holding out the begging bowl and relying on strangers then?

I read only the headline and knew what's coming next. The common pattern:

Brit

Traveling without proper insurance

Not used to ride a motor bike

Unable to inform himself/licence

Got into troubles

#GOFUNDME

The govt should be forced by hospitals to implement an obligated insurance for All visitors, no matter short or long term. Even for day trippers.

This #gofundme class is not good for Thailands reputation.

Many of us drive motorcycles or scooters here, and it is dangerous getting on the roads with some of these other drivers.

Getting on a scooter, or a motorcycle anywhere in Thailand, much less Phuket, Phangan, Dark Tao, or Samui without a very good helmet, is like playing Russian Roulette with three or four bullets in the chamber. It is absolutely asking for problems. The degree of recklessness here is astounding. And many foreigners come here thinking "how much trouble could I get in on a little scooter, on a tropical island"? Well, the answer is alot. The amount of foreigners who are killed on the Southern islands is staggering. Most are not reported in the media. I had a friend who worked for Samui rescue for many years, and said the numbers were about 30-60 a month, on Samui, Phangan and Koh Tao. The official number is about 3 a month. Rider beware. Use as good a helmet as you can afford, and do not use these eggshells pieces of crap. They crack at the first impact, and what lies underneath them? Your skull, which is very delicate.

I have been riding bikes for over 50 years. Without any serious accidents. A few minor ones over the years. Riding a bike here is very dangerous. If not the highest, one of the highest fatality rates in the world. And an accident here can be very costly, to your person. Just ask yourself- do I have enough problems already, without a broken skull, or smashed head, or face injury, or lost eye? I have three friends who have been in motorbike accidents on Samui within the last several years. One still cannot walk, or talk or function on her own, from a motorbike accident, where she hit her head on the pavement going only 20 kph. The other one has lost alot of his mental capacity after hitting his head. He insisted for years he would never wear a helmet. Now, he seems 15 years older. The third one is a close friend, who was hit by a sidecar, and nearly lost his leg. 11 operations later, he can walk, but with a limp, and the leg caused him constant problems, many years later. 

Bleating tourists should be aware of two well documented things.

vapes are illegal and your insurance pollcy will not cover you if you are stupid enough to hire a scooter snd have an accident. Don't brg money from stangers to pay for your mistakes.

Do they even have 50cc here?

This seems to be a never ending story accidents involving motor bikes insurance and. Gofundme situations

And the worst news nothing will change 😱

Insurance companies are scams they don’t pay out even if you have it

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

his insurance policy only covered motorbikes up to 50cc,

Jude was riding a 125cc motorbike,

meaning he had to pay privately for surgery and treatment.

Something not fix here🤔

1 hour ago, Iron Tongue said:

I'm not surprised that the insurer skrewed him with the fine print. They are in the business of not paying out

The insurer didn't screw him, he screwed himself... there is no fine print and insurers are in exactly the opposite business to what you claim, they are there to, and they do, payout in the huge majority of cases. They will never pay out to stupid people doing stupid things and self-voiding their insurance policy.

1 hour ago, baansgr said:

Who does, when you have about 50 pages of insurance gobbley gook

Justify your bizarre claim by providing just one example of a travel insurance policy that has 50 pages of policy conditions that are not understandable. I won't hold my breath.

49 minutes ago, cnx101 said:

Insurance companies are scams they don’t pay out even if you have it

Nonsense. Again. But, obviously, they don't pay out claims on voided policies!

An IDP is a translation of your home license. If he had a motor bike license it would be included, but a UK car license is OK for a 50cc Moped and that's what he had. He was an unlicensed driver so they wouldn't pay.

Also, I have bought travel insurance on-line many times. The Exclusions are clearly listed, but most do limit to 125cc. Many Thai rental places also have 150-160cc, which can be a problem

Bizarre story: Instead of Jude and his family pay back their loan for his own faulty action – yes, check what your insurance covers – they insist on GoFundMe to let other people pay for their fault...

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A British traveller was left facing medical costs of around GBP23,000 after suffering serious injuries in a motorbike crash just six days into a planned two-month trip to Thailand. Jude O’Connor required urgent surgery after another rider reportedly pulled out in front of him, throwing him into a parked car.

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Jude suffered a broken shoulder, broken arm, broken nose and a shattered elbow in the crash, which happened in March. He was taken to hospital and told he urgently needed surgery, but said his insurance company later refused to cover the costs.

“I was involved in a serious motorbike accident,” Jude said. “Another bike pulled out on me, throwing me into a parked car. I was taken to hospital and told I urgently needed surgery.”

He said there were delays while waiting for the insurer to respond, before he was informed the policy would not cover the claim because of exclusions he had not been aware of. Jude believed his travel insurance and International Driving Permit would cover him while riding in Thailand.

Jude was riding a 125cc motorbike, which he described as the “smallest commonly available” in Thailand. However, his insurance policy only covered motorbikes up to 50cc, meaning he had to pay privately for surgery and treatment.

“This left us with no choice but to go ahead with essential surgery privately,” he said. “I spent nearly two weeks in hospital in Thailand with my parents, having to fly out to bring me home.”

Jude returned to the UK in April after what he described as a difficult process involving a Fit-To-Fly form and surgeon approval. Since returning home, he has undergone further reconstructive surgery and now faces up to a year of physiotherapy.

The financial impact has also placed significant pressure on his family. Jude said his parents had to borrow money to cover the medical costs. “The total cost of everything has been around GBP23,000 which my parents have had to borrow, putting a huge financial strain on my family,” he said.

Jude launched a GoFundMe page on 23 April with a target of GBP17,500 to help repay the costs. He said he felt “incredibly guilty” about the burden placed on his family and hoped the fundraiser would ease some of the pressure.

He also said he wanted his experience to serve as a warning to other travellers to carefully check the details of their insurance policies before riding motorbikes abroad. The Mirror reported that motorbike accidents remain a major safety issue in Thailand, with between 14,000 and 15,000 motorbike-related deaths recorded annually according to recent statistics.

Pictures courtesy of The Mirror

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now Mirror 16 May 2026

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"Jude believed his travel insurance and International Driving Permit would cover him while riding in Thailand."

The bold text above, how does that work re Thai medical / hospital bills?

This is not even news.

All holiday rentals should add compulsory health insurance - or no bike.....

26 minutes ago, scorecard said:

"Jude believed his travel insurance and International Driving Permit would cover him while riding in Thailand."

The bold text above, how does that work re Thai medical / hospital bills?

Presumably he thought that riding legally would mean his insurance would pay out.

28 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Presumably he thought that riding legally would mean his insurance would pay out.

Was he riding legally? There is no mention of whether he had a motorbike licence in the UK. I believe a car licence will cover a 50cc bike, not bigger.

And was he wearing a helmet?

Was he going too fast to stop when someone pulled out in front of him.

There are a few unanswered questions before concluding he was riding legally.

5 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

There are a few unanswered questions before concluding he was riding legally.

Indeed there are, unfortunately as is normal they appear not to have been. But clearly the rider had come to that conclusion, or at least so he claims.

"Jude launched a GoFundMe page on 23 April with a target of GBP17,500 to help repay the costs."

Jude should launch himself into a job and pay back his parents himself.