Road Accident Involving Brit in Phuket Raises Insurance Concerns
PHUKET, Thailand – A British man, Ricky Eury, has suffered severe brain injuries after being struck by a motorbike while crossing the road in Phuket. Currently unable to communicate, his medical insurance status remains unclear, leaving his relatives—who have rushed from the UK to his bedside—struggling to confirm whether he has coverage.
Eury is being treated in a private hospital in Phuket, where intensive care can cost up to £10,000 (430,000 baht) per day, especially in the initial stages involving surgery and medical investigations. To help cover expenses, a GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly £23,000 in just a few days.
The Russian driver of the XMAX motorbike involved in the accident, along with his passenger, has been arrested.
Mr. Eury had been in Thailand for over a month to study Muay Thai, one of the activities supported under the Destination Thailand Visa, which allows stays of up to six months. While the visa requires proof of 500,000 baht (£12,000) in financial means, medical insurance is not a mandatory requirement.
Thai-based insurance broker Greg Walters advised Mr. Eury’s family to contact the Thai embassy in London for potential assistance. He also highlighted a growing trend, stating that in the past year alone, 13 GoFundMe cases have been set up for Brits in Thailand who were unable to pay hospital bills, often due to lack of insurance or denied claims.
Back in the UK, Mr. Eury is well known in the Bristol area as the owner of Gorilla Thai Kitchens, one of which was nominated for Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year 2024. Local media describe him as a successful and popular businessman.
This incident has once again drawn attention to the ongoing issue of insurance coverage for foreign visitors in Thailand.
