Thailand is a favourite for Australian travellers, from Bangkok's street food to the islands of the south and the mountains around Chiang Mai. Most trips go smoothly, but a few common health risks are easy to prepare for with a pre-travel appointment.
This guide covers the vaccinations commonly recommended for Thailand, whether you need malaria tablets, and the practical health issues Australians should know about before they go.
Key points
- Commonly recommended vaccines for Thailand include hepatitis A, typhoid, and up-to-date routine vaccines such as measles. Hepatitis B, rabies and Japanese encephalitis are worth discussing depending on your trip.
- Dengue is common in Thailand, especially in the rainy season, and a dengue vaccine is now available in Australia for some travellers.
- Most tourist areas, including Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai, have little or no malaria risk. Tablets are mainly considered for border regions.
- Some medicines that are legal in Australia are restricted in Thailand, so check before you pack.
- See a travel doctor 4 to 6 weeks before you leave if you can.
Heading to Thailand? A TMA travel doctor can tailor your vaccines and advice to your itinerary.
What vaccinations do I need for Thailand?
No single list suits every traveller. Smartraveller advises asking your doctor about health risks and vaccines before you go, and your travel doctor will consider your itinerary, length of stay, activities, age and health. These are the vaccines most often discussed for Thailand.
Routine vaccines
Check that your routine vaccines are up to date, including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, influenza and COVID-19. The Australian Immunisation Handbook advises that Australians born in or after 1966 without 2 documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine should generally have MMR before travel. See our measles and travel checklist.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water. The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends hepatitis A vaccine for travellers aged 1 year and over to countries where it is common, and the CDC recommends it for unvaccinated travellers to Thailand.
Typhoid
Typhoid vaccine may be recommended for travellers to most of Southeast Asia, and the CDC recommends it for most travellers to Thailand, particularly those visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or friends and relatives. It is available as an injection or oral capsules.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B spreads through blood and body fluids, including through medical or dental treatment, tattoos, piercings and sexual contact. Many Australians are already vaccinated, but it is worth checking your records, particularly if you are staying longer or may need medical care while away.
Rabies
Rabies is found in dogs in Thailand, and any mammal bite or scratch is a potential risk. Pre-exposure vaccination can be given over two visits a week apart and makes treatment after a bite simpler, as you need fewer doses and do not need rabies immunoglobulin. It is often recommended for children, longer stays, cyclists, hikers and people likely to be around animals. Whether or not you are vaccinated, wash any bite or scratch thoroughly with soap and water and get medical care the same day.
Japanese encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne viral infection found in rural and agricultural areas of Thailand. The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends JE vaccine for travellers spending a month or more in endemic areas, and suggests considering it for shorter trips with more risk, such as rural stays, camping or travel in the wet season. It is not usually needed for short city stays.
Dengue
Dengue is common in Thailand, and Thailand is one of the countries where Australians most often catch it. The new dengue vaccine, Qdenga, is recommended for some travellers, particularly those who have had dengue before. Read our guide to dengue fever and the dengue vaccine to see whether it may suit you.
Cholera
Cholera vaccine is not usually needed for Thailand. The Handbook notes most travellers do not need it, and the CDC reports no active cholera transmission in Thailand.
Do I need malaria tablets for Thailand?
Most travellers to Thailand do not. According to the CDC, malaria in Thailand is found mainly in provinces bordering Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia, while Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan have rare cases at most, and there is no transmission on the islands of Krabi Province or in Pattaya. If you are trekking or travelling near the borders, your travel doctor may recommend tablets. Our malaria tablets guide explains the options.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccine for Thailand?
Not if you are flying from Australia. Thailand requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only from travellers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever, and Smartraveller notes those travellers need to pre-register through the Thai Health Pass platform. If your trip includes Africa or South America before Thailand, read our yellow fever vaccine guide.
Mosquitoes, food and water
Smartraveller notes that outbreaks of insect-borne illnesses occur in Thailand and are common in the rainy season. Use a repellent containing DEET or picaridin during the day as well as at night, cover up where practical, and choose accommodation with screens or air conditioning. More tips are in our guide to mosquito protection.
To lower your risk of travellers' diarrhoea, drink bottled or treated water, choose food that is freshly cooked and served hot, and wash or sanitise your hands before eating. Pack oral rehydration salts in your travel medical kit.
Air pollution
Smartraveller warns that air pollution in Thailand can reach hazardous levels, especially in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and that smoke haze is an issue across the north and north-east from March to April. If you have asthma or another lung condition, bring your usual medicines and a written action plan, and check air quality levels before outdoor activities.
Taking medicines to Thailand
Some medicines available in Australia are restricted or illegal in Thailand. Smartraveller advises checking with the Royal Thai Embassy before you travel, carrying enough medicine for your whole trip in its original packaging, and bringing a copy of your prescription and a doctor's letter listing your medicines and doses. Smartraveller also warns that travellers have been arrested for carrying medicine bought at a Thai pharmacy without a prescription, so get medical advice before buying medicines locally.
Your travel doctor can write a letter for your regular medicines at your pre-travel appointment.
Methanol poisoning
Smartraveller warns that methanol is highly toxic and as little as one shot can be fatal. Only drink branded, sealed drinks, and get medical help quickly if you or a friend feel much sicker than expected after drinking.
Medical care in Thailand
Private hospitals in Thailand's major cities have high standards, but services can be limited elsewhere. There is no agreement between Australia and Thailand for free healthcare, so tourists pay for all medical care. Make sure your travel insurance covers your activities, such as motorbike riding or diving.
Frequently asked questions
How long before Thailand should I get vaccinated?
Ideally 4 to 6 weeks before you leave, so there is time for multi-dose vaccines and for immunity to develop. If you are leaving sooner, an appointment is still worthwhile.
Are any vaccinations compulsory for Thailand?
For travellers flying directly from Australia, no vaccinations are required for entry. Yellow fever vaccination is required only for travellers arriving from yellow fever risk countries.
Do I need a rabies vaccine for Thailand?
It is not compulsory, but it is worth discussing, especially for children, longer trips and travellers likely to be around animals. Rabies is present in Thailand.
Can I drink the tap water in Thailand?
It is best to stick to bottled or treated water and avoid ice from unknown sources.
I am also visiting Vietnam or Cambodia. Do I need different vaccines?
Possibly. Multi-country trips can change your recommendations, particularly for JE and malaria. Let your travel doctor know your full itinerary. Our Vietnam travel health guide covers that destination in detail.
Book your Thailand travel health appointment
Travel Medicine Alliance (TMA) clinics have substantial experience in travel medicine and can tailor your vaccines, medicines and travel letters to your Thailand itinerary. Find your nearest TMA clinic, make an appointment, or call 1300 42 11 42.
This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Recommendations change, so speak with your doctor before you travel.
Sources
- Smartraveller: Thailand travel advice
- Australian Immunisation Handbook: Vaccination for international travellers
- Australian Immunisation Handbook: Rabies and other lyssaviruses
- CDC: Thailand traveller information
- SBS News and The Conversation: Dengue in Australian travellers
Ready to plan your Thailand travel health?
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