15 Thai Insurance Vocabulary: Expat in Thailand Should Know

Jirabhorn S.
2 days ago
2 min read

Family in white shirts and jeans sitting on a rug, holding a cardboard roof over daughter's head. Surrounded by moving boxes and sunlight.

Life in Thailand often feels comfortable and easy—until the day you get sick and visit a hospital. That’s usually when people realize the importance of having good health insurance.

This article helps you learn practical Thai insurance vocabulary used in real documents and everyday situations, so you can live in Thailand with greater confidence and peace of mind.

15 Thai Insurance Vocabulary

No.	Thai	Pronunciation	Meaning
1	ประกัน	bprà-gan	insurance
2	ประกันสุขภาพ	bprà-gan sùk-khà-pâab	health insurance
3	กรมธรรม์	grom-má-tan	insurance policy
4	สัญญา	sǎn-yaa	contract
5	ผู้เอาประกัน	pûu ao bprà-gan	policyholder (insured person)
6	ผู้รับประกัน	pûu ráb bprà-gan	insurer / insurance company
7	ผู้รับผลประโยชน์	pûu ráb pǒn bprà-yòhd	beneficiary
8	เบี้ยประกัน	bîa bprà-gan	insurance premium
9	ความคุ้มครอง	khwaam-khúm-khraawng	coverage
10	สำรองจ่าย	sǎm-raawng jàai	pay first, claim later
11	เคลมประกัน	khlehm bprà-gan	make an insurance claim
12	สินไหมทดแทน	sǐn-mǎi tód-taaen	insurance compensation / payout
13	โรงพยาบาลในเครือ	rohng-pá-yaa-baan nai khreua	network hospital
14	ผู้ป่วยใน	pûu-bpùai nai	inpatient (IPD)
15	ผู้ป่วยนอก	pûu-pùai nâawk	outpatient (OPD)

What If You’re an Expat in Thailand Without Health Insurance?

Woman lying in hospital bed with IV, looking pensive. Dressed in teal gown, surrounded by teal bedding. Monitor visible in background.

High emergency costs: Especially at private hospitals
Limitations of public hospitals: Long waiting times, language barriers, and limited access to specialists without eligibility
Visa requirements: Health insurance may be required for certain long-term visas
Financial risk: Medical emergencies can seriously impact your finances

So, What Kind of Insurance Should You Choose in Thailand?

Doctor with clipboard talks to smiling family visiting elderly patient in hospital bed. Warm atmosphere, flowers on cabinet.

If you are a foreigner living in Thailand, you should look for insurance that:

Offers cashless treatment (no need to pay upfront)
Meets your visa requirements
Provides 24/7 international service with English-speaking support and easy online claims

AIA is one of the options many expats in Thailand choose.

If you’re looking for insurance that understands the challenges of living abroad, AIA is a strong choice. As a leading insurance provider in Thailand, AIA supports you at every stage of your life here, offering access to an extensive hospital network and peace of mind when you need it most.