The real importance of having a valid IDL and a matching valid foreign license and obeying the 90 day limit is that otherwise you won't have any insurance coverage. That could cost you a whole lot more than tea money.

 

Good point.

 

The more you think about it the more complicated the aftermath of an accident must be.

 

There's the damage to the vehicle itself for which the money to repair it will come from your own insurance - class 1 is a term I've heard used - if you're living in Thailand and own a car, or if you are driving your bf's car. If the accident is in a hire car or hired motor cycle the hire company insurance should cover it. There may be an excess of course. The last time I hired a car the excess was 10,000 baht.

 

As for damage to yourself, that should be covered by travel insurance for those of us visiting Thailand, provided all the conditions are met of course, such as valid documentation as already mentioned. For visitors with travel insurance, as far as I know there are no restrictions on driving a hire car, or one with the owner's permission, in Thailand. The situation with motor cycles is more complex, and it's my understanding that in certain circumstances you will not be covered by your travel insurance. Some motor cycle hire companies will pay a proportion of the costs of medical care up to a limit, but that wouldn't be much use in the event of a serious injury requiring plenty of medical treatment and care.

 

I don't know what residents in Thailand do about getting good coverage for accidents that involve serious injury to themselves. Maybe medical insurance would cover that.

 

Apologies if I have got any of that wrong. It is a bit of a minefield I think.

Yes, it's definitely a minefield if a person thinks they're covered because they didn't read the fine print about having a valid license.

 

"Class 1" is the local term for full coverage: injury to self or others, damage/loss for your vehicle, damage/loss for other vehicles and property.