Ancient temples, modern skyscrapers, and huge shopping malls all live together in Thailand’s biggest cities. This is a great example of how the country has a unique mix of Eastern and Western influences.
Some of the travelers may become confused and lazy because of this, and they might not take the necessary safety precautions, especially those that are good for their health. Thailand is in Asia, so it is prone to many diseases that are no longer common in the West.
The point of this article isn’t to scare you or give you unwarranted worries. Instead, it’s to help you have a great trip without worrying about getting sick or having other health problems that could happen when you travel in the country.
If you’re thinking about taking a trip to Thailand, whether it’s just for two weeks or for a longer time, please pay close attention to the directions below and do your best to follow them. You will be able to enjoy all that Thailand has to offer in terms of wealth, beauty, and uniqueness while also making sure that you will be safe when you go back to your home country.
Getting vaccinated
Because you will be traveling through Thailand and may be exposed to a number of diseases, especially in the more rural parts of the country, the Ministry of Health recommends that you get vaccinated against certain diseases before you leave the country.
Even though these shots aren’t required, they will make your trip much safer and more fun. People who want to combine a trip to Thailand with a trip to neighboring countries that “suffer” from the same problems as Thailand are in the same boat. You can get immunizations at any of the many medical centers that are spread out across the country. It’s best to get vaccinated at least a month and a half ahead of time, but you should also call these clinics directly to find out what the exact method is, what vaccines you need, and when the best time to get vaccinated is (depending on the time of departure for the trip).
Before going to Thailand, It’s recommended in many cases to get the hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines, no matter where they are going. If you want to get a tattoo or piercing in Thailand, or if you are going to get acupuncture or dental care there, or if you are likely to come into contact with someone else’s blood, you can get a hepatitis B shot.
You can also get a Japanese encephalitis shot if you want to travel in Thailand during the rainy season, which is from May to October. This is especially important if you plan to visit rural areas or the area around Chiang Mai. If it has been more than ten years since your last tetanus shot, it might be an option to get it again.
Everyone who was born after 1977 is also strongly encouraged to get a measles shot. If you’ve never had chicken pox before and you plan to stay in Thailand for a long time, you can get vaccinated against it just like you can get vaccinated against the flu every year, which is what most of us are told to do.
Be careful and watch out
Malaria is one of the most common and potentially deadly diseases in Thailand, so you should do everything you can to keep from getting it. On the other hand, it’s common in places that aren’t well-known and are far away, but it’s not very common in places that are popular with tourists (especially in the southeastern part of Thailand, and near the border with Cambodia).
On the other hand, if you plan to stop in rural or tribal communities that are far away from each other, you should be very careful and make sure you get treatment to avoid getting sick. Malaria is spread by mosquito bites, especially those that happen at night. It is highly recommended that anti-malaria medicine be bought before a trip.
Dengue fever is another illness that can be spread by a mosquito bite and is also very bad for your health. The illness is much less common in the western parts of Thailand than in the middle and north of the country, where it is more common. From April to November, which is the rainy season, the risks are much higher in the north. The best way to avoid getting bitten by a mosquito is to take precautions against them, like using a special cream and wearing long clothes.
Also, travelers often get diarrhea, which can happen even when they are in other countries or parts of the world. Because the tap water in Thailand is so good and it is common for people to drink it straight from the faucet, this is more likely to happen. Because of this, it is highly recommended that you don’t drink them and instead drink mineral water, which is often sold in sealed containers instead of cans or bottles. Iodine and filters are two ways that water can be made safe to drink (can be purchased before the trip). If you get a bad case of diarrhea while on vacation, you can take azithromycin. At the same time, pay close attention to how clean the water you drink is and how clean the food you eat is.
Information about how a traveler can take care of their health in Thailand
Medical centers throughout Thailand
If you need medical help or have a condition that needs to be treated quickly, you will be able to find good hospitals and medical facilities in Thailand, especially in its larger cities, that will be able to take you as a patient. They can be found in large numbers not only in Chiang Mai, which is in the north of the country, but also on Phuket Island. In a city as big and full of tourists as Bangkok, this is to be expected. In general, wherever there are a lot of people traveling, you should be able to find a good medical facility that can help you. However, you should always check out the situation before you get to your destination.
Bangkok
Bangkok Hospital
Address: New Petchabury Road. Soi Soonvijai
Telephone from within the country: 02-310-3344
Out of state phone: +662-310-3344
Bumrungrad Hospital (this is a high level private hospital, the staff speaks English and the treatments are completely western)
Address: 33 Sukhumvit 3 (Soi Nana)
Telephone from within the country: 02-667-2999
Out of state phone: +662-667-2999
BNH Hospital
Address: 9/1, Convent Road, Silom Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Telephone from within the country: 02-632-0550
Out of state phone: +662-632-0550
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Ram Hospital
Address: Bunrueang Rit Rd 8, Tambon Su Thep
Telephone within the country: 053-224-861
Phone outside the country: +665-392-300
Phuket
Bangkok Hospital in Phuket
Address: 1 Hongyok Utis Rd., Muang District,
Out of state phone: +667-625-4425
Koh Samui
Bangkok Hospital in Samui
Address: 57 Moo 3, Thaweerat Phakdee Road, Bophut
Phone from the middle to the state: +667-742-9540
*It’s important to remember that the instructions and suggestions in this article are not meant to replace medical advice from a professional. Also, the fact that information has been given about different medical facilities does not in any way mean that any of those facilities or the level of care that can be given in any of those facilities is recommended.
