Travel Destination - Thailand
Travel Destination – Thailand
With beautiful islands, jungle treks and amazing cuisine, it is not much wonder Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for Australians in Asia. Before you go, take some time to learn about malaria and other health risks and give yourself the best possible chance of a smooth trip.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to Thailand, it’s important to consult a travel health professional. They will create a personalised health plan based on the regions you’ll be visiting—whether it’s Bangkok, the northern provinces like Chiang Mai, or southern islands such as Phuket or Koh Samui. Your doctor will review your vaccination history and discuss with you immunisations commonly advised for Thailand. They’ll also provide prescriptions for preventive medications, including antimalarials, if needed for your itinerary. Aim to book your consultation six to eight weeks before departure to allow time for any required vaccine courses. However, if you're leaving sooner, a travel doctor can still help by using accelerated vaccination schedules where appropriate.
Insect avoidance
Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis are present in various parts of Thailand, particularly in rural and forested regions. Since there are no specific treatments for some of these infections, preventing mosquito bites is essential. Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) on exposed skin, and wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Choose accommodation with air-conditioning or secure fly screens. If sleeping outdoors or in basic lodgings, use a mosquito net - ideally one treated with permethrin. These measures are especially important if you're travelling during the rainy season or visiting high-risk areas such as border regions or rice-farming villages.
Food and water hygiene
Enjoying Thailand’s vibrant street food and local dishes is one of the highlights of any trip - but it’s important to take precautions to reduce the risk of gastroenteritis and other food-borne illnesses. Always wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser before eating. Choose food that is freshly cooked and served piping hot - especially from street vendors who prepare meals in front of you. Avoid undercooked, raw, or reheated dishes, as well as buffets where food may sit at unsafe temperatures. Fruits like bananas, mangoes, and rambutans are safest when you can peel them yourself. Stick to bottled, boiled, or properly filtered water, and avoid drinking untreated tap water or consuming ice that may have been made from it.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Thailand?
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver, typically contracted through contaminated food or water. While it often causes mild illness, symptoms can be severe and occasionally life-threatening, particularly in adults. Although Hepatitis A is uncommon in Australia, it remains widespread in many parts of Asia, including Thailand. Travellers to Thailand are advised to receive the Hepatitis A vaccine if they haven’t already completed the two-dose course. The vaccine provides long-term protection and is a key safeguard when enjoying local food and drink during your trip.
Typhoid
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Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi or Paratyphi, spread through contaminated food or water. In Thailand, the risk is higher in areas with limited sanitation, and among travellers who eat from street vendors or local markets. Symptoms include high fever, fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea or constipation. A typhoid vaccine is available and provides protection for up to two years. It is commonly recommended for travellers planning extended stays, visiting rural regions, or intending to eat adventurously while in Thailand.
Hepatitis B
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Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can lead to chronic liver disease and is spread through blood and bodily fluids, including via unprotected sex, tattooing, and sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes. While many Australians are now protected through routine childhood immunisation, adults who haven’t received the full hepatitis B vaccine series should consider it before travelling to Thailand—especially if they plan to stay long-term, make repeat visits, or may engage in activities that increase their risk of exposure. The vaccine offers long-lasting protection and is a key component of comprehensive travel health planning.
Japanese encephalitis virus
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Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral infection found in parts of rural Thailand, particularly near rice paddies and pig farms. While most people infected experience no symptoms or only mild illness, in rare cases the virus can cause severe brain inflammation, leading to permanent disability or even death. The risk is highest in rural areas during the rainy season and for travellers spending extended time outdoors. Protection involves strict mosquito bite avoidance, and a vaccine is available for those at higher risk. Your doctor may recommend Japanese encephalitis vaccination depending on your itinerary, duration of stay, and planned activities.
Routine vaccinations
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While many common infectious diseases are well-controlled in Australia due to routine childhood immunisation programs, this isn’t always the case in other countries. In Thailand and elsewhere in the region, illnesses such as measles, mumps and rubella circulate more commonly. Travelling overseas is an ideal opportunity to review your routine vaccinations and update any boosters that may be due. Recommended vaccines to check before travelling include those for influenza, COVID-19, measles-mumps-rubella and tetanus. Staying up to date not only protects you but also helps prevent the spread of these infections across borders.
Other health risks in Thailand
Other health risks in Thailand
Malaria
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Malaria is a serious parasitic infection transmitted by mosquito bites, affecting the liver and red blood cells. It typically causes high fevers, chills, fatigue, and muscle aches, and in severe cases can lead to life-threatening complications such as cerebral malaria and severe anaemia. In Thailand, the risk of malaria is low in major tourist areas like Bangkok and Chiang Mai. However, it remains a concern in certain rural and forested regions, especially along the borders with Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. Preventive measures include avoiding mosquito bites - particularly from dusk to dawn - and taking anti-malarial medication when travelling to at-risk areas. Your travel doctor will advise whether malaria tablets are recommended based on your exact itinerary.
Dengue
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Dengue fever is one of the most common mosquito-borne illnesses affecting Australian travellers in Thailand. It is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which are most active during the daytime and are commonly found in urban and semi-urban areas, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and coastal towns. Symptoms typically include high fever, fatigue, severe muscle and joint pain, headache, and skin rash. Most people recover within one to two weeks after their first infection. However, repeat infections with a different strain of the virus can lead to more severe forms of dengue, which may involve internal bleeding, low blood pressure, and life-threatening complications. There is no specific treatment or widely available vaccine for travellers, so prevention depends on avoiding mosquito bites - especially during the day.
Gastroenteritis
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Traveller’s diarrhoea is one of the most common health issues affecting visitors to Thailand, typically caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, or enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Symptoms often begin within 1 to 3 days of exposure and may include nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, and vomiting. In most cases, the illness is mild and self-limiting, resolving within a few days. The key to treatment is staying well hydrated - oral rehydration solutions are ideal as they replace both fluids and electrolytes. Antibiotics are generally reserved for severe or prolonged cases, or when a traveller has underlying health conditions that increase their risk of complications. You should seek medical attention if symptoms are not typical, unusually severe, persist beyond a few days, or if you are unable to keep up with fluid losses. Prevention is based on good hand hygiene and safe food and water practices, such as avoiding raw or undercooked foods and drinking only bottled or properly treated water.
Rabies
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Rabies is a deadly viral infection transmitted through the bites or scratches of infected animals—most commonly dogs, but also cats, monkeys, and other mammals. While Australia is free of rabies, the virus remains present in many parts of the world, including Thailand. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, making prevention critical. Travellers should avoid contact with animals, particularly stray dogs and monkeys, which are common in tourist areas and temples throughout Thailand. A pre-travel rabies vaccine is recommended for those spending extended time in rural areas, working with animals, or visiting locations where access to urgent medical care may be limited. If bitten or scratched, urgent post-exposure treatment is essential—even if pre-travel vaccination has been received. Anyone exposed to a potentially rabid animal in Thailand should wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, then seek immediate medical care to begin the necessary course of treatment.
Non-infectious conditions
Deep vein thrombosis
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Travelling long distances - like flying to Thailand - can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition where a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the legs due to prolonged sitting and reduced circulation. To help prevent DVT, travellers should stay well hydrated, avoid excessive alcohol, and move regularly during the journey by walking or doing simple leg exercises. Those at higher risk, including people with a personal or family history of clots or recent surgery, may benefit from wearing compression stockings during travel. If DVT develops, it is treated with blood-thinning medication. If you experience unexplained leg pain, swelling, or shortness of breath after a long trip, seek medical attention promptly.
Safety on the Roads and Elsewhere
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Travelling in Thailand often involves exciting new experiences—from motorbike rides and mountain treks to scuba diving and jungle tours. While these adventures can be highlights of your trip, it’s important to be aware of the risks and take sensible precautions. If considering riding a motorbike, ensure you’re properly licensed, confident in your skills, familiar with local road rules, and always wear a helmet. When using other forms of road transport, choose vehicles with working seatbelts and drivers who operate safely. For diving, especially as a beginner, make sure your instructor is certified and follows recognised safety protocols. If joining a hike or trek, wear already broken-in boots, use insect repellent and sunscreen, pack light, and stay within your fitness level. Most importantly, ensure your travel insurance covers your specific adventure activities and includes emergency medical evacuation.