Warning: Koh Chang Holidays & Insurance Risks
 

The UK FCDO currently advises against all but essential travel within 50km of the Thai-Cambodian border—this includes Koh Chang (and Koh Kood)

Most standard travel insurance will NOT cover you if you travel to a destination under this advisory. Yet tour companies are still selling Koh Chang holidays, sometimes even with insurance that appears invalid for the trip.

Travellers need to be aware: if you book Koh Chang now, you may be going without any effective cover. CHECK YOUR COVER – hopefully the FDCO will change their minds but up till 21 sept the advice still stands

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand

Why post this twice?

one of life's mysteries?
Or just a change of forum?
It didn't get any comments where it was – now it has straight away, thanks!

Thanks for this, I was looking over the weekend at Koh Chang for early next year.
Just received UK FCO mail today (Oct 15th ) still advises against Koh Chang and Koh Kood.
The world is a crazy place ATM
A great place Koh Chang I am sure all will work out-

Update from GOV.​UK for:

Thailand travel advice

Thailand travel advice

Change made:
Clarification that FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 50km of the whole border with Cambodia, including Koh Chang, Koh Kood and the other islands in between them (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

Time updated:
4:19pm, 15 October 2025

Yes – they are now specifically verbally including Koh Chang. I think it's rather indicative of the lack of knowledge the FO has of the region, but regardless of what anyone thinks about the situation, it will invalidate a lot of people's insurance – just going there for a couple of days might even give them the opportunity to void your entire cover. I've spoken to Staysure – they say you won't be covered
and
I spoke to Virgin, who were very vague at first but in the end said they would not cover me in that zone.

THere is an underlying problem -
Both travel companies and insurance companies are not fully aware of the situation.
Also, people from other countries apart from the UK would do well to check their cover.

one can only hope that the Thai military realise the damage their posturing is doing and sort out the situation ASAP

This situation on the border has worsened in the last couple of days, which means many governments are continuing to declare the Thai/Cambodian border an "ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY" zoneApparently there has been a huge increase in cancellations and the province in general is losing millions in tourism revenue. Basically the army seem unaware of the problems caused by their sabre rattling

THis video gives an overview -
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BecySMEA2/

this is the current FDCO as of Dec 21st, 2025
As you can see the Thai-Cambodian border is "No travel zone", and Koh Chang and the other islands are still "essential travel only"

So I'd still suggest you contact your insurance provider, as they probably don't offer cover in these zones

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bc8ee6bb83.jpg

Good News about Koh Chang and Koh Kood

They have revised their warnings about the Thai-Cambodian border – it’s now reduced to 20 km (from 50 km) –

"FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to within 20km of the land border with Cambodia"



So it seems that the FCDO "no longer advises against all but essential travel to Koh Chang, Koh Kood and the other islands between them."

This was updated: - 2:49pm, 2 February 2026





Koh Kood, etc., ARE NO LONGER INCLUDED on this map….



FCDO web page – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad...nt=immediately



https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1ba698a68f.jpg
Here's the new 20 km limit without including Koh. Chang and Koh Kood


“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).”


Edited: 11:09 am, today