Expat Medical Advice for Thailand

Health and medical advice for those who will be travelling around Thailand or moving to live more permanently in Thailand

Whilst Leonardo De Caprio seemed to have gotten off relatively scot free during his time “on the beach” in Thailand, apart from losing a few mates to shark bites and drug barons that is, you do need to plan your healthcare in advance if you’re thinking of travelling to, or living in Thailand. 

A country of many contrasts and striking beauty, Thailand also has an interesting list of ailments and infections awaiting the traveller and naïve expat.  So, if you’re planning a trip, you’d better take more than the “Lonely Planet Guide to Thailand.”

Here’s the Shelter Offshore guide to expat medical advice for Thailand.

Before you travel it’s always important to check with your doctor or a travel health clinic 6-8 weeks in advance of travelling, they’ll be able to advise you on current immunisation requirements for example.  Also, as we always suggest, have a look at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office “travelling and living overseas” website which gives up to date medical information on a country-by-country basis, and which also has in-country information for those wanting to live in Thailand or any other country for that matter.

The main insect born infections in Thailand are malaria, which is mainly found in rural areas near the borders with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar and dengue fever, which infected over 60,000 people in the first 9 months of 2008.  The risk of contracting malaria whilst taking holidays in Thailand’s Southern Peninsular is very low, and as dengue fever has no vaccine, standard insect protection measures are important – i.e., DEET sprays, long sleeves and trousers.

Immunisations recommended for people planning to travel to Thailand are Hepatitis A and B, the measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations and a tetanus-diphtheria revaccination if required.  If you’re planning on checking out the hawker stalls with their exotic, interesting and possibly pretty unhygienic roadside cuisine, pack the Imodium as travellers’ diarrhoea is probably going to get you! 

In order to stave off the worst threats you need to be drinking bottled water and ensuring good personal hygiene - you may also want to take a typhoid vaccination as well.  Rabies vaccinations are recommended for expats who will be living in Thailand and working with animals or spending a lot of time outdoors, and dogs are the main source of rabies infections.  Whether you’ve been vaccinated or not, clean any bites with lots of soap and water and immediately seek medical treatment. 

Travellers and expatriates entering Thailand from countries which suffer from yellow fever will need to show their International Certificate of Vaccination.  If your idea is to live in Thailand’s rural areas, or you’re planning a gap year trip of more than a month and you’re going to be spending extensive unprotected time outdoors in the evening, then a Japanese encephalitis vaccination is advised too.

If you are planning on spending “extensive unprotected time outdoors in the evening”…don’t!  Around 600,000 adults over the age of 15 are living in Thailand with HIV/AIDS which has reached epidemic proportions; the country has a prevalence rate of 1.4% - far higher than the still frightening 0.2% in the UK.  Always follow safe sex guidelines and be aware that alcoholic beverages may be a lot stronger than you’re used to.  Waking up next to a lady-boy may be the least of your worries.