Thailand

Recommended Vaccinations For Thailand

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to Hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with Hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended for infacts 6 to 11 months old prior to international travel.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Whether or not a traveller should receive this vaccine depends considerably on the itinerary of the traveller. The vaccine is recommended for travellers with itineraries that include rural and rice growing areas in the Chiang Mai Valley from May to October. Vaccination is also recommended for travellers who plan to spend an extended period of time in the Bangkok suburbs.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through the consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no recommendation for the yellow fever vaccination for travel to Thailand. However, this country requires a certificate of yellow fever vaccination from all persons 9 months of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Thailand

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline for the following areas: provinces that border Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos; provinces of Kalasin, Krabi (Plai Phraya district), Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phang Nga (including Phang Nga City), Rayong, Sakon Nakhon, Songkhla, Surat Thani, and Yala. Mosquito avoidance only is the recommendation for all other areas of Thailand with malaria, including Bangkok, Chang Mai, Chang Rai, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Phuket. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present. Recently, malaria strains that are resistant to all known malaria drugs, including artemisinin, have been found along the Thai-Myanmar border. Resistance to mefloquine and to quinine has been reported from areas near the borders with Cambodia and Myanmar.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Thailand

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Thailand.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks are common in Thailand, and the risk to travellers is significant.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Thailand through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya occurs in Thailand, particularly the southern region. Outbreaks of this disease usually occur during the tropical rainy season, however, outbreaks can occur in the dry season as well.

For Some Travellers

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquring hantavirus in the country through contaminated food or coming into contact with a person infected with the virus

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of Leishmaniasis in Thailand.

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring measles in the country.

Scrub Typhus

This disease generally occurs year-round in Thailand.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Yellow Fever

There is no yellow fever transmission in Thailand. However, a certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required from all persons 9 months of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Japanese encephalitis

In Thailand, outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis occur throughout the country, but mainly from May to October. The risk for travellers of contracting Japanese encephalitis is low, but visiting the listed areas and extensive outdoor activity in rural areas will increase this risk.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Thailand, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Schistosomiasis

In Thailand, there is a low risk of schistosomiasis. The disease is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Malaria

At risk areas are mainly provinces that border Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos; provinces of Ubon Ratchathani, Surat Thani, and Phitsanulok, especially in forested areas of these provinces. There are rare to few cases in other parts of Thailand, including other parts of Krabi Province and the cities of Bangkok, Chang Mai, Chang Rai, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Phuket. There is no risk in the islands of Krabi Province (Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai, and Ko Lanta and Pattaya City.

Zika Fever

There is transmission of the Zika virus in this county.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Thailand

Personal Safety

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, occurs throughout Thailand. Do not leave bags unattended, and ensure your personal belongings and travel documents are safe at all times.

Use only official taxis.

Do not accept food or drink from strangers or new acquaintances, as there have been reports of drink spiking and date rape with both men and women as victims.

There is a high rate of serious road traffic accidents in Thailand. The condition of vehicles may be poor. Drivers may not respect the rules of the road. Avoid road travel at night if possible. Most road accident fatalities involve motorcycles. Check your insurance coverage if you plan to rent a motorcycle in Thailand.

If you are involved in a motorcycle or jet ski accident, you can be detained by authorities until compensation (sometimes costly) is established.

If you plan to use boat travel services, avoid any vessel that appears to be overloaded or poorly maintained. Make sure there are life jackets available.

If you plan to attend Full Moon parties, be aware of risks and exercise caution for personal safety. Drug gangs operate with corrupt police, therefore, if someone is selling drugs, be aware this can be a setup. Leave all valuables in your hotel’s safe and ask for a receipt. Carry photocopies of identification.

Penalties for drug use or possession are harsh and include prison sentences and also the death penalty.

Be aware that elephant trekking can be risky. Tourists have been killed and seriously injured.

Ensure that tour guides, operators that rent sports equipment, or companies that offer sports activities are licensed, insured, and reputable.

Public displays of affection are not considered appropriate in Thailand. The culture in Thailand is relatively tolerant and progressive for LGBT travellers.

Political Unrest

Political demonstrations and civil unrest have occurred in Bangkok and in many provinces throughout the country. To minimize safety risk, avoid all demonstrations and protest sites. Even peaceful situations can escalate quickly and unexpectedly and become violent.

Areas To Avoid

Exercise caution in the Preah Vihear temple (Khao Phra Viharn) area between the Preah Vihear province in Cambodia and the Sisaket province in Thailand. There were violent border disputes until 2013 when the International Court of Justice ruled that this territory belongs to Cambodia. There is a risk of unexploded landmines in this area. Remain on marked paths and exercise caution, particularly around Ta Krabey.

Tourists should avoid the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, and Songkhla (including the city of Hat Yai) due to criminally and politically motivated violent incidents attributed to armed insurgents. Attacks against military and civilian targets occur frequently and have included shootings, bombings, beheadings, and arson.

Avoid the Thai/Burma border. Drug traffickers and criminals are armed and sometimes clash with the Thai police forces.