Kiwi in coma gives the 'thumbs up'

Paul Lupi has been in a coma since a scooter accident in Phuket last week. Photo / Supplied

A New Zealand man in a coma in Thailand after a scooter crash has given a thumbs up from his hospital bed.

Paul 'PJ' Lupi, 28, suffered severe facial injuries in the incident in the popular holiday destination of Phuket last week.

In an email update today the Lupi family said PJ gave the "thumbs up", which was a "massive step forward".

However, he remains in a coma.

The level of consciousness required to give a thumbs up was "a very promising sign", the Lupi family said.

Options are being explored to get PJ home on a flight to New Zealand before the end of the month.

"Keep praying, not out of the woods yet," the Lupi family said.

PJ had been on holiday in Thailand for about 10 days, with his girlfriend Amy who had returned to New Zealand the previous day, when he crashed.

It was unclear exactly what happened, but PJ hit his head and suffered severe facial injuries, despite wearing a helmet.

As PJ did not have travel insurance cover a Givealittle page was set up to help pay for his hospital care. His family has urged all Kiwis heading overseas to make sure they take out travel insurance.

The page has now raised $167,922.70, with 1701 people donating.

Family and friends said they continued to be overwhelmed by the generosity.