Leg 'Hanging Off': British Tourist's Thai Nightmare

Lewis McClelland, a 30-year-old British man, is facing a daunting £20,000 medical bill in Thailand after a moped accident on February 2, 2026. The incident occurred while he was on a two-week holiday in Ko Lanta, shortly before he was due to start a new job. He collided with a tuk-tuk, resulting in multiple open fractures to his leg, a fractured wrist, broken fingers, and facial lacerations.

His travel insurance provider, Post Office travel insurance, has denied his claim, stating he lacked a compulsory basic training (CBT) certificate, which is required in the UK for moped riders. McClelland asserts he was not asked for this certificate when hiring the moped and was only required to provide his passport. He is currently awaiting further surgery and is unable to fly until his condition improves and his leg heals sufficiently.

A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated by his mother to raise the necessary funds for his medical treatment and the cost of his repatriation to the UK. McClelland hopes to raise awareness among other tourists about checking policy small print and ensuring they possess the correct documentation when renting vehicles abroad.