Don’t skimp on third-party insurance, and think twice about Waze, Consul General tells Malaysians driving to Thailand

Malaysians driving to southern Thailand are advised to stick to Google or Apple Maps to navigate as Waze could lead them down village roads and hilly areas. — Unsplash pic

First Published: Monday, 05 Oct 2026 9:26 AM MYT

SONGKHLA, Oct 5 — Malaysians driving their own vehicles into Thailand are advised to obtain insurance coverage that includes third-party claims in the event of a road accident in the country.

Consul General of Malaysia in Songkhla Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi said such insurance is crucial if a Malaysian driver is found to have caused an accident resulting in injury or death, potentially requiring substantial compensation.

“Usually, apart from the penalty imposed on the offender, there is also an element where Malaysians need to pay compensation to the injured (victim) or the deceased’s family as a result of the accident.

“The compensation or damages involved are not small amounts. Therefore, adequate insurance can also cover the compensation costs,” he said during a courtesy call by a delegation from the Perlis Journalists Association at the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla here last Friday (Oct 2).

Ahmad Fahmi said his office had encountered cases of Malaysian drivers involved in accidents in Thailand who did not have sufficient funds to pay compensation to victims, as they only had insurance coverage for hospital medical costs.

He also advised Malaysians visiting the country to obtain insurance coverage for vehicle damage caused by natural disasters.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Fahmi said Malaysians were not encouraged to travel at night, especially in high-risk areas such as Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, following security incidents in the three southern Thai provinces.

He also recommended that they use only Apple Maps or Google Maps when travelling to destinations in southern Thailand, as these were safer options than Waze, which might direct road users through shortcuts into villages and hilly areas. — Bernama