Por Ror Bor: Thailand's Compulsory Motor Insurance Explained
Por Ror Bor (พ.ร.บ., the Compulsory Motor Insurance Act) is the third-party liability insurance every registered vehicle in Thailand must carry by law. It costs roughly ฿160–645 a year for a motorbike and ฿600–800 a year for a car in 2026, the price fixed by the Office of Insurance Commission rather than shopped between insurers, and it pays out only for third-party injury or death, never for your own bike, your own injuries, or the other person's vehicle. Riding or driving without it carries a fine up to ฿10,000.
Quick answer
- What it is: mandatory CTPL (Compulsory Third-Party Liability) motor insurance, required to register or renew any car, motorbike, truck or van.
- Price is standardized: every insurer charges the same government-set rate for the same vehicle class; there is no "cheap Por Ror Bor" to hunt for.
- Motorbike cost: about ฿160–645/yr depending on engine size and private vs. commercial/rental use.
- Car cost: about ฿600–800/yr for a private sedan, commonly cited around ฿645.
- What it covers: third-party bodily injury or death only, in fixed amounts, regardless of fault.
- Not enough alone: most riders and drivers also carry voluntary Class 1, 2 or 3 insurance on top.
What it actually pays out
Every injured third party gets a guaranteed ฿30,000 per person for medical treatment regardless of fault, no questions asked. If the policyholder was not at fault, that rises to up to ฿80,000 for medical expenses and up to ฿500,000 for death or permanent disability; if at fault, the death/disability payout is lower, commonly cited around ฿200,000–300,000. Sources describe these break points slightly differently, so treat them as approximate and check the insurer's schedule before relying on a number.
It never pays for damage to your own vehicle, your own at-fault injuries, or property damage of any kind. That gap is why almost every long-term rider or driver layers a voluntary policy on top; see motorbike insurance for foreigners and car insurance Class 1 vs 2 vs 3 for what that costs.
2026 price snapshot
| Vehicle type | Typical annual cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motorbike, private, under ~150cc | ~฿160–400 | Cheapest tier; scooters and small commuters |
| Motorbike, larger cc or commercial use | ~฿600–645+ | Some sources cite up to ฿1,200–1,800 for big bikes or rental fleets |
| Car / sedan, private use | ~฿600–800 | Commonly quoted around ฿645 |
| Pickup / van / commercial vehicle | Higher, varies by weight class | Set by DLT/OIC vehicle category, not by insurer |
Source: Roojai; ExpatDen; ThailandStarterKit motorcycle insurance guide 2026 · verified July 2026 · ฿33/USD. Bands vary by source and DLT vehicle classification; confirm your vehicle's registered category before renewal.
You cannot renew your annual road tax without proof of a current policy, so most owners buy both together at a 7-Eleven, post office, or Department of Land Transport counter.
Why it is not enough on its own
Por Ror Bor guarantees accident victims some compensation; it does not protect the policyholder. Crash your own bike into a wall with no other party involved and it pays nothing toward your bike or hospital bill. A night in a private Bangkok hospital room can run ฿4,000–10,000, and an uninsured moderate ER visit can reach the low hundreds of thousands of baht, so most expats pair Por Ror Bor with voluntary Class 1 cover (own-damage plus third-party property) or at minimum Class 2/3. It is also separate from personal health insurance: see best health insurance for expats and Thai Social Security (SSO) for day-to-day medical cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Por Ror Bor the same as car insurance?
No. It is only the compulsory third-party injury/death layer required by law. Full car insurance (voluntary Class 1, 2, or 3) is a separate policy covering your own vehicle and third-party property, which Por Ror Bor never touches.
What happens if I drive without Por Ror Bor?
It is illegal, with a fine up to ฿10,000, and you cannot renew annual road tax without a current certificate, so in practice you cannot legally keep driving the vehicle.
Does Por Ror Bor cover my own motorbike if it's stolen or damaged?
No. It only pays fixed amounts to third parties for bodily injury or death. Your own vehicle, your own at-fault injuries, and any property damage sit outside its scope entirely.
The bottom line
Por Ror Bor is cheap, mandatory, and deliberately minimal: a few hundred baht a year buys legal compliance and a guaranteed baseline payout for anyone you injure, nothing more. Treat it as the floor, not the ceiling, and budget separately for voluntary motor cover and your own health insurance if you plan to ride or drive in Thailand.
Sources
- Roojai, Compulsory Motor Insurance in Thailand (Por Ror Bor), accessed 2026-07-11
- ExpatDen, What Is Por Ror Bor in Thailand and How to Make a Claim?, accessed 2026-07-11
- ThailandStarterKit, Motorcycle Insurance in Thailand: A Complete Buying Guide 2026, accessed 2026-07-11
- Motorist Thailand, What is Compulsory Motor Insurance (Por Ror Bor)?, accessed 2026-07-11
