Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) has revealed that there has been a noticeable increase in the number of Australians requiring emergency assistance while travelling in Thailand, when compared to the same period in 2024.

While Thailand has always been a popular destination for Aussies, the wildly popular HBO series, The White Lotus, has ignited fresh interest in the destination. Policy sales for Australians travelling to Thailand grew by almost 19.8% between the show's release date on February 17, 2025, and May 11, 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. 

However, as travellers plan their next trip to the tropical paradise, SCTI continues to highlight the essential role of travel insurance to travellers planning to explore this stunning and irresistible country to make sure they're not left out of pocket. 

Jess Strange, Chief Customer Officer at SCTI, comments: “With international travel proving to be a non-negotiable among Aussies, despite cost-of-living pressures, we saw a 31.9% increase in Australians purchasing travel insurance for Thailand from between May 2024 and May 2025. Thailand is clearly a favourite destination, and we expect demand to continue rising as we carry on through the year.” 

A deep dive into data from SCTI reveals some of the most common, and expensive, claims submitted by Australians while travelling in Thailand. 

• 307 instances of Australians requiring emergency assistance while visiting the country, an increase of 43% compared to the same period in the previous year.   
• The average cost of claims for Australians dealing with the unexpected in Thailand between 1 May 2024 and 1 May 2025 was $2808. The most common claims revolve around medical and evacuation incidents (65%) followed by claims for baggage and personal items (17%).
• SCTI reports that to date in 2025, of the most common claims made, 28% were for gastroenteritis. Also high on the list of common incidents and illnesses were trips and falls and ear infections.  While these events aren't on the scale of a 4-week hospital stay, they can still have a significant negative impact on your holiday. 
• One of the most significant claims was for an 80 year-old woman who had to be medically evacuated from Phuket to Perth with severe chest issues: The total cost for the claim was $260,132.
• While serious incidents are always a concern, SCTI has seen some other unusual claims in Thailand. In addition to the usual trips and falls, SCTI has had claims for monkey bites, dog bites, and even a missed flight caused by an incredible six hours of gridlock traffic. We've also had claims for slips and trips in hotel rooms due to travellers stumbling in the dark, slipping on bathroom floors, or falling over charging cables.

“The variety of these claims underscores the very real need to consider travel insurance ahead of any trip abroad to ensure you're covered for those unexpected events. Whether it's a slip, trip, lost or stolen property, or even a monkey bite, travel insurance offers peace of mind, ensuring that you're covered for the unexpected and can truly relax during your holiday," says Strange.

For more information, please visit: www.scti.com.au. 

- ENDS -

About Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) has over 40 years of experience supporting more than more than six million travellers worldwide.

SCTI first launched in New Zealand in 1982, before beginning to partner with Australians in 2009. Since then, the insurer has been trusted by over 6 million travellers worldwide+, which includes providing peace of mind to 1.5 million Aussies.

SCTI is proud to have won multiple awards for providing customers with great value and outstanding customer service, including:

• International Travel & Health Insurance Journal Award

Finalist – International Travel & Health Insurer of the Year 2024, 2023

Winner – International Travel & Health insurer of the Year 2022

• ProductReview.com.au Award

Winner – Travel Insurance 2025, 2024, 2023, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017

• Canstar Star Rating Awards

Outstanding Value – Travel Insurance - International 2024, 2022, 2017

Outstanding Value – Travel Insurance - Seniors 2024, 2023, 2022

Outstanding Value – Travel Insurance - Domestic 2024, 2023, 2022

• Finder Travel Insurance Customer Satisfaction Awards

Highly commended – Loved Brand 2024

Highly commended – Trusted Brand 2024

Highly commended – Quality Service 2024

• Finder Awards

Winner – Best Travel Insurance - Comprehensive 2023

Winner – Best Travel Insurance - Seniors 2023

Highly Commended – Best Travel Insurance - Value 2023

• Mozo Experts Choice Awards

Exceptional Value Medical Only Travel Insurance 2025, 2024

Exceptional Value Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance 2024, 2022

Exceptional Value Comprehensive Travel Insurance 2018

Exceptional Value Cruise Travel Insurance 2018

• Sitecore Experience Award

Honourable Mention – Digital Experience Transformation 2021

+Based upon the total number of travellers we have insured across the markets where we operate for all our travel insurance products from January 1995 to June 2024.

If you have any further queries, please contact:

Yvette Schlegelmilch – 0423 954 224

yvette@sedgwickcommunications.com

OR  

Laura Sedgwick - 0451 041 705

laura@sedgwickcommunications.com