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You need travel insurance for Thailand. There is no reciprocal health care agreement, and Smartraveller says hospitals need a deposit, confirmation of insurance and a valid visa before admitting you, otherwise you pay cash up front. A comprehensive policy with a high medical limit covers that; the motorcycle option covers riding, but only if you hold a motorcycle licence.
Thailand's specific risks are on the road, in the water and in parts of the country: Smartraveller rates Thailand overall at 'Exercise a high degree of caution', with 'Do not travel' areas along the Cambodian border. Entry rules also changed in September 2026, when the visa-free stay for Australians was cut from 60 days to 30.
By Better Rate Mate Editorial Team · Last reviewed
As at 28 September 2026, Smartraveller's advice for Thailand (page updated 26 September 2026) is to exercise a high degree of caution overall because of security and safety risks. It advises against all travel to areas within 10 km of the Thailand–Cambodia land border in Sa Kaeo, Buriram, Si Saket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Chanthaburi and mainland Trat provinces, and says to reconsider your need to travel to Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat in the far south. All Thailand–Cambodia border crossings were closed.
Travel to a 'Do not travel' area is commonly excluded from travel insurance, and some insurers restrict cover for level 3 areas. The main tourist areas, including Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and the islands, sit under the overall level 2 advice, but check your itinerary against the regional levels if you are travelling overland.
Tourists pay for all medical care in Thailand. Smartraveller says hospitals need a deposit, confirmation of insurance and a valid visa before admission, that medical evacuation can be very expensive, and that your insurance policy may be void if your blood alcohol level is over a certain limit. If you are travelling for cosmetic or other medical procedures, Smartraveller advises making sure your insurance covers complications and evacuation; check the PDS, because travelling for treatment is a common exclusion.
Smartraveller says Thailand has one of the highest traffic-related fatality rates in the world, and Australians are regularly injured or killed in motorbike accidents, often with alcohol involved. To ride, you need an International Driving Permit together with your Australian licence for that vehicle type, which for a motorbike means an Australian motorcycle licence. Some rental companies will tell you otherwise; Smartraveller's point is that without the right licence you may not be covered by insurance.
After an accident, police may detain you until compensation is agreed, and many hire companies are uninsured. Never hand over your passport as a deposit. Many travel policies add their own conditions on top of the licence, such as wearing a helmet, an engine-size limit and buying the policy's motorcycle option.
| Risk | What Smartraveller says | What to check in the PDS |
|---|---|---|
| Motorbikes and scooters | IDP plus Australian licence for the vehicle type; motorcycle licence required | Motorcycle option, helmet rule, engine-size limit, licence condition |
| Alcohol | Policy may be void over a blood alcohol limit; methanol poisoning risk | Alcohol and drug exclusion wording |
| Diving and snorkelling | Decompression chambers in Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Phuket, Pattaya and Bangkok; new marine rules | Dive depth and qualification limits |
| Border regions | 'Do not travel' within 10 km of the Cambodian border in listed provinces | Exclusion for travel against government advice |
| Wet season and floods | May to November in most areas; November to March on Koh Samui and the south-east coast | Cancellation, delay and the known-event rule |
| Mosquito-borne illness | Dengue, malaria, Zika, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis present | Overseas medical cover and evacuation |
Many Thai trips centre on the islands, which means boats, diving and snorkelling. Smartraveller notes new rules for divers and snorkellers, including no touching marine life and mandatory life vests when snorkelling. Diving cover often depends on your certification and the depth you dive to, and island evacuations add to medical costs. Check the activities section of the PDS before you book a dive trip.
Thailand's rules changed recently, so check them close to departure.
| Requirement | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Visa exemption | Up to 30 days for tourism, from 15 September 2026, replacing the previous 60-day exemption |
| Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) | Required for all foreign arrivals since 1 May 2025; complete within 3 days before arrival on the official immigration site, free of charge |
| Passport | More than 6 months' validity; be ready to show accommodation, funds and an onward ticket |
| Land border entries | Visa-free entries by land are generally limited to two per calendar year |
Smartraveller warns about methanol poisoning from contaminated drinks, and lists dengue, malaria, Zika, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and melioidosis, along with smoke haze in the north from December to April. See a doctor about vaccinations well before you go, and make sure your policy's medical cover includes evacuation if you are travelling to remote areas.
It is not an entry requirement, but you should have it. There is no reciprocal health care agreement, and hospitals need a deposit and confirmation of insurance before admitting you, or cash up front.
Only if you hold the right licence and meet the policy's conditions. Smartraveller says you need an IDP plus your Australian licence for that vehicle type, so for a motorbike you need an Australian motorcycle licence. Most policies also require a helmet and the motorcycle option.
Up to 30 days for tourism under the visa exemption that took effect on 15 September 2026, replacing the previous 60-day stay. You also need to complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival.
Smartraveller's overall advice is to exercise a high degree of caution, with 'Do not travel' areas near the Cambodian border and 'Reconsider your need to travel' for Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. The main tourist areas are under the overall level.
A comprehensive policy with a high overseas medical limit and evacuation cover, a 24-hour emergency assistance service, the motorcycle option if you might ride, and diving cover if you plan to dive.
