Thailand

Latest update: 31 January 2024 - Authors: Mieke Croughs, Ula Maniewski

Outbreaks

There has been an increase in the number of reported Zika infections in the northeast.

This page contains the main health risks for travellers and general recommendations. Travel conditions are different for everyone and each patient's health condition varies. Discuss your trip during a travel consultation with your doctor or in a travel clinic, preferably six to eight weeks before departure.

Check the current security situation on the federal government website.

Important health risks

The malaria risk is:

moderate on the island Little Koh Chang in the Andaman Sea , close to the Myanmar border. We recommend the use of of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning. For people with an increased risk, we sometimes recommend preventive malaria tablets, or taking an emergency treatment with you.
low in the rest of the country, including Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai, Koh Lanta. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning.

There is no malaria risk in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Pattaya.

In case of fever during or after your journey, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.

Insects can transmit diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, zika and leishmaniasis.

Japanese encephalitis is sporadic in the entire country and all year round. The peak season is between May and October and especially in the north.

Protect yourself against insects.

Ticks can transmit diseases.

Dogs and other mammals can be infected with rabies.

Tuberculosis

Read these tips before you leave.

Vaccinations

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travellers.

A single booster of polio vaccination is recommended for all travellers to Asia or Africa aged 16 years or older.

Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you:

Yellow fever

Exceptionally mandatory for some travellers

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There is no risk of yellow fever in this country. Vaccination is not required if you are travelling from Belgium.

Vaccination is exceptionally compulsory if you have been in a country where yellow fever may occur in the past six days (see map). This also applies to transit through an airport.
This vaccination must be administered at least ten days prior to arrival by an official yellow fever vaccination centre and must be registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.