Health

15 May 2010

Although healthcare in Thailand is of a high standard, and some hospitals resemble exclusive luxury hotels, it makes sense to follow a few basic safety and hygiene rules to avoid the necessity to use their services!

Thailand | Thai medical facilities are of a very high standard (by christianhaugen )

Vaccinations

As there is no specific sanitary or epidemiological risk in Thailand at the moment, vaccinations are not obligatory. Still, it makes sense to take care of your health and bear in mind your body will not be used to the tropics if you are going there for the first time. Consider visiting a tropical medicine doctor or health centre about 3 months before your planned trip and having prophylactic vaccinations against, e.g., malaria, hepatitis A and B, and also typhoid, polio and tetanus.

Basic hygiene rules

Strict rules of hygiene must be followed in every tropical country. Remember that tap water is not drinkable and always have a supply of bottled water, which is widely available. Although Thai hotels and restaurant usually try to ensure high hygiene standards, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. It’s a good idea to use bottled water even when you brush your teeth.

Thailand | Every tourist should always keep a supply of bottled water handy (by jeppe-photos )

Common hazards

Heat

Even in the so-called ‘cool season’, the heat in Thailand can be quite intense. Start protecting yourself from the harmful effects of the sun on the first day of your visit. Sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen and a bottle of water should constitute the essential contents of every rucksack.

Mosquitoes

There are certain regions in Thailand where the risk of malaria is recorded – e.g. the area near the borders with Burma and Cambodia. Once you know you might be going to such a region, you must consult a doctor on malaria prevention. Before you go to Thailand, don’t forget to buy repellents against mosquitoes and other insects containing DEET (a chemical compound effectively repelling insects). Incense coils also prove effective – their smoke discourages mosquitoes.

Animals

Touching stray or wild animals is risky anywhere in the world and Thailand is no exception, so you should be very careful in this respect. This also applies to birds and poultry – although the bird-flu epidemic has already been contained, you can never be too careful.

Stomach problems

Tourists may also struggle with the effects of the change in food and heating habits. If your stomach is not used to certain kinds of food it may rebel! Should this happen, it’s a good idea to drink as much water as possible. However, if you only eat peeled fruit (under no circumstances eat fruit dirty or even washed in tap water), drink bottled water and gradually get used to new dishes, you should acclimatise without significant problems.

Insurance

Before arriving in Thailand, you should obtain a comprehensive health-insurance package. You should pay scrupulous attention to issues such as compensation for property loss, accidents in connection with a rented car, or when doing sports such as diving or climbing.

Healthcare

In Thailand, healthcare is not only widely available but also of a high standard. Some of the more expensive hotels even have their own doctor “on call”. Basic advice is provided by well-qualified English-speaking pharmacists and your prescription will be easily made up. The cost of seeing a doctor is between USD 15-25 and a hospital fee USD 60-150 a day, depending on the hospital standard. If you’re going to claim compensation, remember to keep all receipts. 

You will find hospital addresses here

Relaxation

It’s a good idea to take care of your health in advance and there’s nothing better to maintain your health than relaxing massages, yoga and visits to a spa. Thailand is virtually saturated with this kind of services. The famous Thai massage is offered at, e.g., Wat Pho in Bangkok, and also at numerous centres on the beaches. After just one such treatment you will be both relaxed and full of new energy released to all parts of your body. Your nerves will be effectively soothed in meditation centres by a course involving isolation and calming, lasting up to a few days. People who persevered enough claim it changed their life. Interestingly, you can join a massage course and enrich your everyday life after the holiday with valuable new knowledge and skills.

Thailand | We can care about our health, and effectively we will relax in the spa salons (by denniswong)