After a motorbike accident in Thailand, call 191 (police) or 1155 (Tourist Police) to file an accident report, seek medical care, and get the report reference number. Present your ID and the report at the hospital or insurer to claim compulsory พ.ร.บ. (P.A.) benefits — medical costs and injury/death compensation — within 180 days of the accident.
What Is พ.ร.บ. ("P.A." / "Por Ror Bor") Insurance?
พ.ร.บ. คุ้มครองผู้ประสบภัยจากรถ — officially the Victims of Accidents from Vehicle Act B.E. 2535 (1992) — is Thailand's compulsory motor insurance. Every vehicle registered in Thailand, including rental motorbikes and scooters, is legally required to carry it. In everyday conversation and on insurance paperwork it's usually shortened to por ror bor, and English-language guides often call it the "P.A. Act" or "CTPL" (Compulsory Third-Party Liability).
The core idea is a no-fault, first-response safety net: a fixed, preliminary payout is made to anyone injured in an accident involving the insured vehicle, before anyone has determined who was at fault. Once the police report establishes liability, a second, larger tier of compensation becomes available to the party who was not at fault.
Every bike in the Chang Thai Rentals fleet carries its own valid พ.ร.บ. policy as required by law, on top of the insurance included with every Chang Thai booking. See what's included in every Chang Thai Rentals booking
What พ.ร.บ. Covers
According to Thailand's Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) and current insurer guidance, coverage is split into two tiers:
- Preliminary compensation (paid regardless of fault): medical treatment costs up to 30,000 baht per person, plus death or permanent disability compensation of 35,000 baht per person — a combined cap of 65,000 baht per person before any fault investigation.
- Extended compensation (once the claimant is confirmed not at fault): medical treatment up to 80,000 baht per person; death, permanent disability, or loss of organs up to 500,000 baht per person; and a hospitalization allowance of 200 baht per day for up to 20 days.
- Maximum aggregate payout: up to 20 million baht per accident for all vehicle types (including motorbikes), pooled across everyone injured in that accident. This limit was raised from the previous 5 million baht cap by an OIC registrar order effective August 2025.
Note: the per-person medical and death/disability figures above have been stable across recent OIC and insurer publications, but the aggregate per-accident cap was revised upward in 2025 (see above) — always confirm the exact current schedule with your insurer or the OIC if the amount is critical to your case.
What พ.ร.บ. Does NOT Cover
- Vehicle damage. พ.ร.บ. only compensates injury, death, and disability to people — it does not pay for damage to the motorbike itself or to any other vehicle involved. Property damage is handled by separate voluntary insurance (this is why rental insurance, like the coverage included with every Chang Thai Rentals bike, matters separately from พ.ร.บ.).
- Losses beyond the fixed schedule. Lost income, pain and suffering, or long-term care costs beyond the statutory caps are not automatically covered — pursuing those typically requires a separate civil claim against the at-fault party.
- Full compensation without a police report. Insurers and the OIC's compensation fund rely on the police accident report to process claims, especially once fault needs to be established.
Step-by-Step: How to File a พ.ร.บ. Claim After a Motorbike Accident
- Get safe and get medical help first. Call 1669 for an ambulance if anyone is seriously injured, or go directly to the nearest hospital or clinic.
- Call the police to the scene. Dial 191 for general emergency police, or 1155 for the Tourist Police, who operate 24 hours with English-speaking officers experienced in helping tourists and expats. Get an official accident report with a case/report number — you will need this for almost every later step.
- Document everything. Photograph both vehicles, license plates, the road and surroundings, any visible injuries, and the other party's ID and driver's license if they're willing to share it.
- Note the insurance details of the vehicle(s) involved. The พ.ร.บ. sticker is usually displayed on the windshield or under the seat and shows the insurer's name and policy number.
- Go to the hospital or clinic and present your documents. Many hospitals in Phuket can bill the preliminary compensation directly to the insurer, so you may not need to pay the full amount upfront — ask the hospital's admissions desk about direct billing ("เบิกจ่ายตรง") for พ.ร.บ. claims.
- Submit the formal claim to the insurer within 180 days of the accident date, with the documents listed below.
- Wait for processing. Once the insurer has received a complete file, the OIC's guidance is that payment should follow within about 7 working days.
- If fault is disputed, or costs exceed พ.ร.บ.'s fixed schedule, the police report will be used to determine liability for the extended compensation tier, and any remaining gap may need to go through a civil claim or your voluntary insurer. If you were riding a Chang Thai bike, reach out to us on WhatsApp and we'll help you through this stage. our full guide on what to do immediately after a motorbike accident
Documents You'll Need
| Document | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| Passport or Thai ID (copy) | Proves your identity as the claimant |
| Police accident report / case number | Required by insurers and the OIC to process any claim |
| Vehicle registration book of the motorbike involved | Confirms the insured vehicle (Chang Thai can provide this for its bikes) |
| พ.ร.บ. / insurance certificate | Identifies the insurer and policy number for the claim |
| Medical receipts, hospital discharge summary, or death certificate | Substantiates the medical or death/disability claim amount |
| Driver's license (Thai license or valid International Driving Permit) | May affect liability and eligibility for extended compensation |
| Bank account details | For reimbursement transfers from the insurer |
Who to Contact After a Motorbike Accident in Phuket
| Contact | Number / Link | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Medical emergency | 1669 | Ambulance or serious injury |
| Royal Thai Police (general) | 191 | Any emergency, to get police attendance and a report |
| Tourist Police | 1155 (24 hours, English-speaking) | Accident reports, interpretation, help for tourists and expats |
| The other party's insurer | Listed on their พ.ร.บ. sticker/policy | To open a claim if they were at fault |
| Chang Thai Rentals | If riding a Chang Thai bike — message us immediately and we'll help coordinate the report and claim |
Realistic Timelines
| Stage | Typical timeframe |
|---|---|
| Filing the police report | Same day — ideally before leaving the scene |
| Deadline to submit claim documents | Within 180 days of the accident |
| Insurer payout after a complete file is received | Around 7 working days (OIC target) |
| Fault investigation, if disputed | Can take several weeks depending on complexity |
| Civil claim for damages beyond พ.ร.บ.'s fixed schedule | Can take months if it goes to litigation |
If the Other Party Is Uninsured, Unidentified, or At Fault
Not every vehicle on Phuket's roads is properly insured, and some accidents involve a driver who leaves the scene. Thailand's system accounts for this:
- Uninsured, unidentified, or hit-and-run vehicles: you can claim preliminary compensation from Thailand's Road Accident Victims Protection Fund (กองทุนทดแทนผู้ประสบภัย), administered by the OIC, which exists specifically for cases where the responsible vehicle has no valid พ.ร.บ. or cannot be traced. The fund pays the injured party first, then pursues recovery from the vehicle owner or responsible party afterward.
- The other driver is insured and at fault: the claim is filed against their insurer using the police report, and the process largely mirrors the steps above.
- You are found at fault: พ.ร.บ. still pays its fixed no-fault compensation to the other party, since that tier doesn't depend on liability. Anything beyond that — vehicle damage, third-party property, or civil liability — falls outside พ.ร.บ. and is where your rental company's included insurance (and any voluntary top-up) becomes relevant.
In every scenario, keep the police report number safe — it's the document both insurers and the compensation fund use to process a claim tied to fault or an unidentified party.
Tips for Tourists and Expats Riding in Phuket
- Ride with an appropriate license — a Thai license or a valid International Driving Permit alongside your home license. พ.ร.บ.'s basic benefits aren't conditional on this, but licensing can affect liability findings, extended compensation, and the validity of voluntary insurance.
- Save 1155 (Tourist Police) in your phone before you start riding — English-speaking help is available 24 hours.
- Photograph the พ.ร.บ./insurance sticker on your rental bike at pickup, so you have the insurer's name and policy number saved even if the physical bike is damaged later.
- Never leave the scene of an accident, even a minor one — both Thai law and any insurance claim require a report.
- Keep every medical receipt, even from a small clinic visit — they're needed to substantiate the reimbursement claim.
- If you rented from Chang Thai Rentals, message us on WhatsApp as soon as it's safe to do so — our team can talk you through the police report and paperwork. Our branches in Chalong, Mai Khao, near the Airport, Bang Tao, and Phuket Old Town, plus delivery to Kata, Karon, Patong, and Rawai, mean help is rarely far away. Find your nearest Chang Thai Rentals branch
Quick Checklist: After a Motorbike Accident in Phuket
- Check for injuries and call 1669 if anyone needs urgent medical care
- Call 191 or 1155 to get police attendance and an official report
- Photograph the scene: vehicles, plates, road, and any injuries
- Exchange details, including insurance/พ.ร.บ. information
- Get the police report/case number before leaving
- Visit a hospital or clinic and keep every receipt
- Contact your rental company — Chang Thai Rentals: WhatsApp
- Submit your พ.ร.บ. claim documents within 180 days
Frequently Asked Questions
What is พ.ร.บ. insurance in Thailand?
It's Thailand's compulsory motor insurance under the Victims of Accidents from Vehicle Act B.E. 2535, required for every registered vehicle, including motorbikes. It's commonly called "por ror bor" or the "P.A. Act," and it pays a fixed, no-fault benefit for medical costs, death, and permanent disability to anyone injured in an accident involving that vehicle, regardless of who caused it.
Does พ.ร.บ. cover damage to the motorbike?
No. พ.ร.บ. only compensates injury, death, and disability to people — it does not cover damage to the motorbike or any other vehicle. That's handled by separate voluntary insurance, which is why the insurance included with every Chang Thai Rentals bike exists alongside the compulsory พ.ร.บ. policy.
How long do I have to file a claim?
You generally need to submit your claim documents within 180 days of the accident date. Once the insurer has a complete file, current OIC guidance targets payment within about 7 working days.
What if the other driver has no insurance or drives away?
You can claim preliminary compensation from Thailand's Road Accident Victims Protection Fund (กองทุนทดแทนผู้ประสบภัย), managed by the OIC, which exists for accidents involving uninsured, unidentified, or hit-and-run vehicles. The fund then pursues repayment from the responsible party.
Who should I call first after a motorbike accident in Phuket?
Call 1669 immediately if anyone is seriously injured. For the police report you'll need for any claim, call 191 or the Tourist Police at 1155, who are available 24 hours with English-speaking officers experienced in helping tourists and expats.
Is a foreigner without a Thai driving license still covered by พ.ร.บ.?
Yes — พ.ร.บ.'s basic no-fault medical and injury benefits are tied to the insured vehicle, not the rider's license status. That said, riding without a valid license or International Driving Permit can affect fault determination, eligibility for the extended compensation tier, and the validity of any voluntary insurance on the bike.
Riding Prepared in Phuket
Every motorbike in the Chang Thai Rentals fleet — from the Honda Click 125i and Scoopy to the Click 160, PCX 150/160, Yamaha NMAX155 ABS, Honda ADV160, and Forza350/ADV350 — carries its own valid พ.ร.บ. coverage as required by Thai law, and insurance is included with every Chang Thai rental. If you're ever involved in an accident on one of our bikes, message us on WhatsApp any time and our team will help you through the police report and claim process. Chat with Chang Thai Rentals on WhatsApp or visit changthairentals.com. Contact Chang Thai Rentals
Sources
- Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) — Victims of Accidents from Vehicle Act B.E. 2535 (official law text)
- OIC — press release on increased compulsory motor insurance coverage
- Kapook — พ.ร.บ. รถยนต์คุ้มครองอะไรบ้าง เบิกได้เท่าไหร่เมื่อเกิดอุบัติเหตุ
- Roojai — Compulsory Motor Insurance in Thailand (Por Ror Bor)
- Thairath — คปภ. clarifies compensation for accidents involving uninsured vehicles
- Tourist Police Bureau — official site
- Tourism Authority of Thailand — 1155 Tourist Police
- Gengmak — พ.ร.บ. รถยนต์ 2569: วงเงินคุ้มครองใหม่ 20 ล้านบาท (2025 coverage increase)
1 thought on “How to Claim P.A. (พ.ร.บ.) Insurance After a Motorbike Accident in Phuket”
Thank you so much for this clear guide! I recently had an accident and wasn't sure about the claiming process. These step-by-step instructions made it so much easier to navigate the paperwork and get my compensation. Really appreciate the detailed breakdown of the compensation limits too.