With the sole exception of Yellow Fever, for those
arriving from an infected area, at present no vaccinations are
required as a condition of entry to Thailand.
However, the decision to avoid medical precautions
should either be based on medical advice from your practitioner, or on personal
acceptance of risk and, if planning to travel without medical
protection it may be prudent to check for pre-qualifying
conditions with regard to ignoring medical advice in your travel insurance
policy.
Currently recommended vaccinations are Diphtheria,
Tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, Polio, Rabies, Tuberculosis
and Typhoid, with a course of anti-malarials also highly advised.
Providing visitors exercise good personal hygiene, there
are minimal risks from disease in Thailand, but precautions against
malaria are vital. As Dengue Fever and Japanese encephalitis are also borne by
mosquitoes, it is advised to use repellents and wear long sleeves and trousers
at vulnerable times and places.
Visitors should avoid drinking tap water, or water from
the wild, and should use only bottled water, even for brushing teeth. In common
with many other parts of the world, it pays to examine the bottle top seals of
bottled water to ensure these have not been re-filled by unscrupulous
traders.
For those unfamiliar with travel in the planet’s tropical
regions, special attention should be given to the possibility of dehydration,
sunstroke and sunburn. Always drink plenty of water and wear a high factor
sunscreen and bear in mind that it is possible to suffer from considerable
sunburn even on completely overcast days, particularly in the first few days of
your trip.
Although there are pharmacies in Thailand, and it is
often possible to get medicines over the counter that would require a
prescription at home, please be aware that products, including condoms, can
often be poor quality, counterfeit or out of date.
If you rely on particular medication or other health
related products it is better to bring an adequate supply with you when you
travel. It is also recommended to have a dental check prior to travelling to
avoid the unforeseen spoiling your holiday.