Health and Safety Precautions

Thailand is hot, tropical and busy, and some health and safety risks are different from home. Most problems can be avoided with the right vaccines, good travel insurance, sensible habits and the emergency numbers saved in your phone. This guide collects the advice of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the UK and Canadian governments, checked in September 2026.

Before you travel: vaccines and paperwork

See a doctor or travel clinic well before your trip.

Vaccines the CDC recommends

The CDC's Thailand page (reviewed on 25 August 2026) gives this advice:

In 2026 the CDC also issued a Level 1 notice because measles cases are rising worldwide: all travellers should be fully vaccinated against measles.

Malaria and yellow fever

• Malaria: the CDC recommends preventive tablets only for the provinces that border Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia, and none for other areas. Popular provinces such as Chiang Mai and Trat are border provinces, so tell your doctor exactly where you are going.
• Yellow fever: the vaccine is not recommended for Thailand itself, but you must show a yellow-fever vaccination certificate if you arrive from a country with yellow fever.

Medicines you bring

Carry your prescription medicines in their original packaging, with the prescription and a letter from your doctor. The legal status of some medicines in Thailand is different from your home country, so check with the Thai embassy in your country before you travel.

Two things you should not pack at all:

• E-cigarettes and vapes. It is illegal to bring them into Thailand, to have them or to use them. Tourists have had them confiscated, paid fines of typically 5,000–30,000 THB, or been detained.
• Cannabis. Since 26 June 2025, cannabis flower can only be bought with a prescription from a Thai-licensed practitioner. A foreign prescription does not count, and recreational use is illegal.

Food, water and drinks

Most stomach problems can be avoided with simple habits:

• Choose food that is freshly cooked and served hot, from busy stalls and restaurants.
• Peel fruit yourself, and be careful with raw salads and food that has been standing out.
• Drink sealed bottled water and check that the seal is intact.
• Wash your hands before eating, or use hand sanitiser when there is no soap.

Methanol in spirits

According to the UK government, people in Thailand have died after drinking alcohol contaminated with methanol, and even a small amount can kill. Drink only sealed, branded spirits, and never leave a drink unattended or accept a drink from a stranger. Drink spiking followed by robbery or assault has also been reported.

Common health problems

Heat, sun and stomach upsets

Drink water regularly, wear light clothing, a hat and sunscreen, and rest in the shade or in air conditioning during the hottest part of the day. Confusion, a very high body temperature or collapse can mean heatstroke: call an ambulance on 1669.

For an upset stomach, rest and replace lost fluids with oral rehydration salts, which pharmacies sell. See a doctor if you have a high fever, blood in your stool, or symptoms that do not improve.

Mosquito-borne diseases

The UK government lists dengue, malaria and Zika among the health risks in Thailand, and the Canadian government adds Japanese encephalitis. The best protection against all of them is to avoid mosquito bites: use insect repellent during the day and in the evening, wear long sleeves and long trousers when you can, and sleep in rooms with air conditioning, window screens or a mosquito net. If you get a fever during or after your trip, see a doctor and say that you have been in Thailand.

Animals and rabies

The UK government lists rabies as a health risk in Thailand. Do not touch or feed stray dogs, cats or monkeys. If an animal bites or scratches you, wash the wound and get medical care the same day.

Beaches and the sea

Wear water shoes on rocky shores and around coral, and do not touch coral or sea animals. If a sea sting causes strong pain or you feel unwell, get medical help. When the sea is rough, ask your hotel where it is safe to swim.

Air pollution and haze

Bangkok and Chiang Mai have high levels of air pollution, and seasonal smoke haze from crop burning can reach dangerous levels. It can make asthma, sinus and bronchial conditions worse. If you have one of these conditions, bring your medication and check the air quality every day.

Pharmacies, hospitals and insurance

Pharmacies are easy to find in towns and tourist areas. Buy medicines from a pharmacy, not on the street: the UK government warns that medicines sold on the street may be fake or stolen.

For hospital care, private international hospitals are of a high standard but can be expensive. In Bangkok they include:

According to the UK government, public hospitals do not always meet UK standards, especially outside Bangkok. Every hospital in Thailand requires a guarantee of payment or proof of insurance before treatment, so insurance is essential:

• Buy travel insurance that covers your whole itinerary, all your activities and emergency medical costs.
• Save your insurer's 24-hour number and your policy number, and give them to the hospital at once.
• Your insurance can be refused if you ride a motorcycle or scooter without a valid licence, or if you travel against your government's advice. For example, as of September 2026 the UK advises against travel within 20 km of the land border with Cambodia, and against all but essential travel to Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces in the far south.

Emergency numbers

Save these numbers before you land. You can also install the "Thailand Tourist Police" app, which works without a Thai SIM card and sends alerts about safety concerns nearby.

Also save your own embassy's number from its official website.

Getting around safely

The World Health Organization ranks Thailand among the world's deadliest countries for motorcycle deaths. If you ride a motorcycle or scooter, you need a motorcycle licence and an International Driving Permit, and both rider and passenger must wear a helmet: since June 2025, police can fine you up to 2,000 THB, or 4,000 THB when neither of you wears one. Never leave your passport with a rental shop as a guarantee. On boats, overloading, poor maintenance and rough seas are the main risks, and they are worst in the monsoon season.

After a long flight, a pre-booked car takes you straight to your hotel. Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person), one way, and include expressway tolls. From Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok the fare is 600 THB by sedan, 800 THB by SUV and 1,100 THB by van. From Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya it is 1,200 THB by sedan, 1,500 THB by SUV and 1,800 THB by van. Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting, counted from the actual landing time, and you can request a child seat (+100 THB), an English-speaking driver (subject to availability) and a free 500 MB Thailand eSIM. You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip; if you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link (5% fee added). Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details).

• Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok
• Book a van from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya
• See all routes and prices

In a medical emergency, call an ambulance on 1669 rather than a taxi.

Useful Thai phrases

ฉัน (chan) means "I". Men often say ผม (phom) instead.

FAQ

Which vaccines do I need for Thailand?

Routine vaccines, including measles, plus hepatitis A and typhoid for most travellers. Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis and rabies depend on your age, the length of your stay and your activities, so ask a travel clinic.

Do I need malaria tablets?

According to the CDC, only for the provinces that border Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia. Tell your doctor your exact route.

Is the air safe in Chiang Mai and Bangkok?

Both cities have seasonal haze that can reach dangerous levels. People with asthma or other breathing problems should check the air quality daily.

What number do I call for an ambulance?

Call 1669. According to the UK government, you can also call 191 and ask for an ambulance.

Will a hospital treat me before I pay?

Hospitals require a guarantee of payment or proof of insurance before treatment. Give the hospital your insurer's 24-hour number at once.

Have a safe and healthy trip. To book an airport transfer or ask a question, message us on WhatsApp or LINE.

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