Consular aid and other assistance in Thailand
When you enter Thailand live or go on holiday, something unexpected can always happen. One in five Dutch people experience something unpleasant on holiday. Examples include: illness, accident, theft, violence or missing persons.
Dutch people in Thailand can appeal to the Dutch embassy in Bangkok in case of some problems. This is also known as consular assistance.
When consular help?
You can get consular assistance in Thailand in the following situations:
- missing friends or relatives;
- arrest;
- death of friends or relatives;
- hospitalization;
- unsafe situations, such as disasters and attacks.
The Dutch embassy does not give money and does not provide a loan. The embassy can only mediate if you are in need of money. For example, if you have to return to the Netherlands due to an emergency. In that case, the embassy staff will contact family or friends and they can transfer money to Thailand.
Limits to help
The Dutch embassy has limited possibilities to help you. The Embassy:
- must respect the rules and laws of Thailand;
- does not pay private bills such as hotel bills, medical expenses and fines;
- cannot issue a visa for Thailand;
- does not mediate when looking for work or applying for a work permit.
Costs of consular assistance
Consular assistance abroad is not free. There are different rates for consular assistance. These are fixed prices per consular service. For example, mediation in solving financial problems abroad costs € 50.
Travel insurance: assistance from an emergency center
As mentioned, the embassy can only provide limited assistance, so it is important that you always take out good travel insurance when you go to Thailand. When you have taken out travel insurance, you are entitled to assistance from the Emergency Centre. This is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. You can always tell your story in Dutch. The Emergency Center helps you in the following situations, among others:
- the emergency center maintains contact with you abroad if you become ill;
- ensures that the family in the Netherlands is informed if necessary;
- issues a guarantee for the medical costs (if co-insured) of a hospital in Thailand;
- arranges for a possible repatriation (return to the Netherlands);
- arranges transport back in case of premature termination of your holiday in case of emergency;
- arranges for the repatriation of the mortal remains in the event of death abroad;
- if necessary, they arrange psychological help abroad.
This assistance is free of charge because it is covered under the SOS costs of a travel insurance policy.
For expats in Thailand, a Dutch (continuous) travel insurance is unfortunately not an option. The terms and conditions of travel insurers state that you must be a resident of the Netherlands.
Do you live in the Netherlands and are you going to Thailand to spend the winter or another long stay? Please bear in mind that the period during which you may stay abroad for a period of time is limited. Usually this is 60 – 100 days on a standard annual travel insurance policy. In some cases you can extend this to a maximum of 180 days against payment of an extra premium.
There are (expiring) travel insurance policies that allow you to stay abroad for up to 24 months, such as the Globetrotter insurance from Allianz Global Assistance.
Source: Rijksoverheid.nl and Reisverzekeringblog.nl