Health and Safety in Thailand | Airport Transfers

❓ Health and Safety in Thailand

Health and Safety Guide for Thailand

Staying healthy and safe is essential for enjoying your Thailand adventure. This comprehensive guide covers medical preparation, common health concerns, and safety tips for travelers.

Before You Travel

Recommended Vaccinations

Consult a travel health clinic 4-6 weeks before departure.

Vaccine	Recommendation	Notes
Hepatitis A	Highly recommended	Food/water transmission
Hepatitis B	Recommended	For longer stays
Typhoid	Recommended	Especially for adventurous eaters
Tetanus-Diphtheria	Routine update	Every 10 years
Japanese Encephalitis	Consider	Rural areas, long stays
Rabies	Consider	Animal contact risk
Malaria prophylaxis	Some areas	Border regions only

Travel Health Kit

Essential Medications:

Prescription medications (with doctor's letter)
Anti-diarrheal medicine (Imodium)
Oral rehydration salts
Antihistamines
Pain relievers (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
Antacids
Motion sickness tablets
Insect repellent (DEET 30%+)
Sunscreen SPF 30+
Hand sanitizer

Common Health Concerns

Heat-Related Illness

Thailand's tropical climate requires precautions:

Prevention:

Drink at least 2-3 liters of water daily
Avoid alcohol during peak heat
Rest during hottest hours (12-3 PM)
Wear light, breathable clothing
Use sunscreen and wear a hat

Heat Exhaustion Signs:

Heavy sweating
Weakness, fatigue
Dizziness, nausea
Muscle cramps

Action: Move to shade, drink water, cool down with wet cloth.

Food and Water Safety

Water:

Do NOT drink tap water
Buy sealed bottled water (10-20 THB)
Ice in restaurants is usually safe (commercial)
Be cautious with ice from street vendors

Food Safety Tips:

Eat at busy stalls (high turnover)
Watch food being cooked fresh
Avoid raw vegetables if concerned
Peel fruits yourself
Start slowly with spicy food

Traveler's Diarrhea

Most common health issue for visitors:

Prevention:

Wash hands frequently
Use hand sanitizer
Be selective with food choices
Stay hydrated

Treatment:

Rest and rehydrate (ORS packets)
BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast)
Imodium for travel days only
Seek medical care if: blood in stool, fever over 38.5C, or lasting more than 3 days

Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Dengue Fever:

Present throughout Thailand, year-round
No vaccine widely available
Prevention is key

Prevention Measures:

Use DEET repellent (30%+)
Wear long sleeves/pants at dawn and dusk
Stay in air-conditioned rooms
Use mosquito nets if needed

Symptoms: High fever, severe headache, joint pain, rash Action: Seek medical care immediately

Medical Facilities

Hospitals in Bangkok

Hospital	Type	Location	Phone
Bumrungrad	Private, international	Sukhumvit	+66 2 066 8888
Bangkok Hospital	Private, international	Soi Soonvijai	+66 2 310 3000
Samitivej	Private, international	Sukhumvit 49	+66 2 022 2222
BNH Hospital	Private, international	Silom	+66 2 686 2700
Siriraj Hospital	Public, teaching	Thonburi	+66 2 419 7000

Medical Costs

Service	Estimated Cost (THB)
Doctor consultation	500-1,500
Emergency room visit	2,000-10,000
Hospital stay (per night)	5,000-30,000
Ambulance	1,000-3,000
Pharmacy consultation	Free

Important: Always have travel insurance! Medical bills can be significant.

Pharmacies

Thai pharmacies (Raan Ya) are well-stocked and pharmacists often speak English:

Boots: Major shopping areas
Watsons: Malls and high streets
7-Eleven: Basic medications
Hospital Pharmacies: For prescribed medications

Many medications available over-the-counter in Thailand require prescriptions elsewhere.

Safety Tips

General Safety

Thailand is generally safe, but take precautions:

Theft Prevention:

Use hotel safes for valuables
Carry minimal cash
Be aware of surroundings
Avoid displaying expensive jewelry
Use bags with zippers, carry across body

Scam Awareness:

Ignore touts offering "special deals"
Verify taxi meter is running
Be wary of unsolicited advice from strangers
Research prices before purchasing gems/suits

Road Safety

Traffic accidents are a significant risk in Thailand:

Motorcycle Safety:

Always wear a helmet (law requires)
Check bike condition before renting
Have valid license (International Driving Permit)
Drive defensively

General Traffic Tips:

Look both ways, multiple times
Do not assume cars will stop
Use pedestrian bridges when available
Be extra careful at night

Water Safety

Beach Safety:

Heed warning flags (red = danger)
Beware of strong currents
Do not swim alone
Avoid swimming after drinking
Check for jellyfish warnings

Diving/Snorkeling:

Use reputable operators only
Check equipment before use
Never exceed your certification level
Know nearest recompression chamber

Emergency Contacts

Service	Number
Tourist Police	1155
Police	191
Ambulance/Rescue	1669
Fire	199
Highway Police	1193

Embassy Contacts (Bangkok)

Country	Phone
USA	+66 2 205 4000
UK	+66 2 305 8333
Australia	+66 2 344 6300
Canada	+66 2 636 0540
Germany	+66 2 287 9000

Useful Thai Phrases for Health

English	Thai	Pronunciation
I am sick	ฉันไม่สบาย	Chan mai sabai
Help!	ช่วยด้วย	Chuay duay!
Hospital	โรงพยาบาล	Rong payaban
Doctor	หมอ	Maw
Pharmacy	ร้านยา	Raan ya
Allergic to	แพ้	Pae
Pain	เจ็บ	Jep
Headache	ปวดหัว	Puat hua
Stomach ache	ปวดท้อง	Puat tong