The dazzling island of Phuket has exquisite white sands, tall palm trees, and glittering blue waters. Phuket is also famous for its romantic ambiance, making it an excellent choice for a honeymoon.

There's lots to see and do in Phuket. But as you're getting ready for your trip, don't forget to purchase travel medical insurance or travel insurance to protect yourself financially from unexpected health emergencies or travel mishaps.

Phuket Travel Medical Insurance for International Travelers – FAQs

We should plan for the best and prepare for the very worst. When planning a holiday, no one likes to dwell on the possibility of medical emergencies and accidents. Nevertheless, preparations for such an event can go a long way in saving you money and time.

Travel medical insurance is all the preparation you need. You cannot always prevent injuries from occurring, but you can mitigate the financial burden of such an injury, right?

Do I need travel medical insurance for Phuket?

Legally, you do not. Thailand ended its mandatory health insurance requirement on July 1, 2022. However, while it no longer legally required, purchasing health insurance before an international vacation is still a prudent choice. 

Why buy travel medical insurance for Phuket?

Travel medical insurance is usually perceived as a waste of money. However, that is not the truth. The money you invest in purchasing travel insurance is nothing compared to the benefits you stand to derive from it.

Travel medical insurance could help cover emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, the return of minor children, and more. Islands tend to have higher risks of injuries due to adventure-based activities, so if any of those are on your itinerary, you should purchase an additional hazardous sports travel insurance plan designed to cover the elevated level of risk. The wide variety of street food also poses a risk to your health. Hence, you should purchase travel health insurance for Phuket.

Phuket Trip Cancellation Insurance for International Travelers – FAQs

Vacations to islands always carry the risk of flight cancellation or delays due to erratic weather. Although the weather in Phuket is pleasant for most of the year, there are certain months where heavy rains lead to disruptions of the same sort.

Flight cancellation could disturb your whole itinerary. Hotel bookings, adventure sports bookings, and other pre-paid activities that you may have planned will be affected. That is where trip cancellation insurance could come in.

You can be reimbursed for your prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses if you have to cancel your trip for a reason covered under the policy. A full list of covered reasons for cancellation is available in your policy's certificate wording. Be sure to review this fine print before purchase for a full understanding of what situations are (or aren't) covered.

The coverage varies by plan. However, most base-level trip cancellation policies include the most common reasons for cancellation, like getting sick before your trip, work-related emergencies, or weather-related flight cancellations or delays.

Why buy travel insurance to Phuket?

Phuket's weather is the main reason that may cause you to need trip cancellation insurance. However, there are additional benefits that you may derive from a travel insurance plan.

Phuket has a lot of street markets where cash is the primary mode of exchange; therefore, emergency cash services offered by some travel insurance plans could come in handy. Language assistance is also another feature that you can stand to benefit from.

Moreover, travel insurance plans can provide the following services:

• Coverage for loss of baggage
• Coverage for travel delays
• Coverage for trip interruption for a covered reason
• 24/7 travel assistance services
• Coverage for missed connections

Things to Do for Travelers in Phuket

One can never get bored in Phuket. There is just so much to do. A wide array of activities involving water sports, exploring the culture, enjoying majestic views, and more make Phuket the tourist hub it is. The land of beautiful sunsets, Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. Several extraordinary traits make it a desirable travel destination. The massive island is surrounded by magnificent beaches on all sides. The Chinese residents greatly influence the culture. Hence, there is no shortage of delicious (and spicy) foods. The architecture on the island is commendable. The nightlife in Phuket is world-renowned.

The Big Buddha

A trip to Phuket would be incomplete without visiting the Big Buddha statue. The statue is 45 meters (almost 150 feet) tall and cost a whopping 30 million bahts (about $1 million) to construct. It is the drive up to the Big Buddha that makes the experience so exhilarating. Winding through the beautiful jungles and enjoying the view of the island from the top is an incomparable experience.

Phi Phi Islands

You may recognize the Phi Phi Islands from the movie "The Beach" (2000). Thailand owes a large chunk of its tourists to these magnificent islands. The best mode of transport to the Phi Phi islands is by boat so that you can watch them rise from the ocean like a fortress. The islands are a beautiful amalgamation of the jungle and the coast.

Night Markets

What makes a tour of the bustling night markets even better? Street performances and live music. Yes, you heard that right. Not only do the Phuket night markets offer strikingly low prices for souvenirs and staple Thai cuisine, but they also provide a festive ambiance.

Beach Clubs

If you're looking for absolute luxury along with great fun, Phuket's beach clubs are the best option. Combining a relaxed vibe with first-class dining and unique cocktails, the beach clubs in Phuket should be a must on every traveler's list. Nowhere else in the world will you experience such fine restaurants and bars, right by the sea. To top it all off, the view of the sunset from these beach clubs may be the best part of your trip.

Phuket Simon Cabaret

Entertainers of the Simon Cabaret Theatre offer live music, dance, and comedic performances. The single show takes you around the world through the projection of cultures from across the globe. The wide display of color, magnificent costumes, clever choreography, and swift set transformations leaves the audience entranced.

Travel Risks for International Travelers in Phuket

International travel always comes with its fair share of risks. However, these are risks that are easily avoidable with the help of certain precautions—and purchasing adequate travel insurance. Phuket is a delightful place to visit. Nevertheless, certain safety risks in Thailand do have the potential to affect your trip.

Motorbikes and road safety

The roads in Phuket are usually in a rather rough state. Although renting a motorbike is a relatively cheaper option, it is not the safest. The locals have a general disregard for traffic rules. As a traveler who is not accustomed to the driving habits of the locals, riding a motorbike may not be safe.

Rough waves and high tides

Between May and October, the seas in Phuket tend to get rough and potentially dangerous. The tides are high, and while that may be beneficial to surfers, it is a safety threat to the regular swimmers who may get swept away. The best way to avoid injury is to pay attention to warning flags and not venture out too far into the sea during this period.

Jet-ski scam

Jet-skiing is one of the most popular activities on the island. However, the jet-ski scam has received international media attention. Previously damaged jet-skis are rented out to innocent travelers. However, upon return, anger is feigned by the operators at the damage, and large compensations are demanded from the travelers. The best way to avoid such a scam is to take picture of the jet-ski before you rent it.

Minivan Scam

The cheapest mode of transport from the airport to your hotel will almost always be minivans. However, most drivers of such minivans have agreements with travel agents. The drivers will stop at the travel agent's office, and the agent will convince you that your hotel is closed or fully booked. They will then proceed to suggest an overpriced alternative. The best way to avoid such a scam is to not engage in conversation with the travel agent.

Phuket Weather

The weather in Phuket is mostly pleasant. However, the months of September and October receive heavy rainfall, which can lead to disruptions. When planning your trip, you must be mindful of these two months, as there are chances of flights getting delayed or canceled.

Before you travel to Phuket: Do These

Ensure that no transactions seem suspicious when making travel arrangements, and check your bookings for potential scams.

Get vaccinations for common diseases prevalent in Phuket.

Purchase travel medical insurance or travel insurance as a financial safety net for your vacation. Take the time to compare the coverage options in different plans, and decide which ones you need. Then, purchase the plan that best matches the needs of your travel itinerary, destination, and budget.

DISCLAIMER: The information within this article is intended as a broad summary of benefits and services and is meant for informational purposes only. The information does not describe all scenarios, coverages or exclusions of any insurance plan. The benefits and services of an insurance plan are subject to change. This is not your policy/certificate of insurance. If there is any discrepancy between the information in this article and the language of your policy/certificate wording, the language of the policy/certificate wording will prevail.