Health & Safety – Bangkok Travel Advice

If you have planned to visit the beautiful city of Bangkok take advantage of our practical guidelines about health and safety in Bangkok, so you can relax and fully enjoy your trip.

The city is considered  safe, both government and private hospitals are known for their high quality standards and are usually appreciated by tourists for the well trained staff. Regardless these considerations when you travel in a foreign country, with such a different culture and climate conditions, is always useful to be informed about all the potential risks to avoid unpleasant episodes during your stay and have a health travel in Bangkok.

For more information please consult also:
www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1040.html#medical

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Pollution & Traffic safety
There are high levels of air pollution in Bangkok so people with respiratory conditions are particularly at risk for complications. For precaution we suggests to avoid using  tuk-tuks ( motorized rickshaw)in the central areas of the city. It is one of the favorite way to travel among tourists but as your trip will starts you’ll realize that there will be no protection from breathing the fumes. The risk may be minimized by drinking plenty of fluids.

In Bangkok traffic accident, mostly involving motorcycles, are very common and serious. Embassies  always suggest to not use motorcycle taxis, mopeds, and tuk-tuks in the city. For safety, if you are walking, use overhead walkways every time is possible  and look carefully in both directions before crossing streets, even if the crosswalk with the green “walk” light is illuminated. Pay attention when you open a car door even towards the sidewalk since motorcyclists and bicyclists often try to run between cars and may collide with the opened door.

Medicine
There are plenty of pharmacies in Bangkok with speaking English staff for tourists’ convenience. If you can’t find what you are looking for you can try going directly to the hospital that usually keep a wider stock of medicines but sold at a higher price and only  prescribed  after medical examination. Hospital pharmacies are usually opened 24 h. If you suffer for a chronic medical problem we suggest to be sure to bring the medicine you need with you not relying on buying it in the city. Be aware also of Thai Customs restrictions on importing medication for personal use since this is allowed as long as the amount does not exceed a 30-day supply.

You can find more customs and permit information here:
www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/CustEn/Home/HomeWelCome
www.fda.moph.go.th/eng/index.stm
www.wwwapp1.fda.moph.go.th/drug/eng

Vaccinations
It’s better you consult your personal physician one or two months before the departure date for recommended immunization shots. Be sure to be up to date for disease such as tetanus-diphtheria, measles-mumps-rubella. You should also have Hepatitis-A vaccine shot and a Typhoid immunization.  The risk of malaria in the major tourist destinations such as Bangkok is low but you should consider to do the prophylaxis if you planned to visit also jungle areas.  Please be aware that malaria  prophylaxis is useless against other mosquito diseases such as Dengue Fever, Chikungunya Fever. Using a mosquito repellent with DEET at least twice a day is effective for mosquito bite prevention.

For more information please consult:
www.cdc.gov/index.htm

Influenza
Since January 2004 new outbreaks of bird flu spread throughout South-East Asia. From the beginning of the disease some cases of infection from animal to man were reported. The situation is constantly monitored by Thai health authorities, which shall adopt the control measures and prevention of the case. You should in any case avoid places of poultry, do not touch birds (dead or alive) and it is suggested to eat meat of poultry and eggs only if well cooked.

Thai authorities have confirmed human cases of the H1N1 (commonly known as “swine flu”) as well.
www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/flu/flu_1181.html

General Precautions
- Do not consume foods and/or beverages of dubious provenance, drink only bottled water and drinks without ice if not in public places that can provide guarantees of hygiene.
- Drink frequently  to avoid inconveniences related to the phenomena of dehydration frequent in tropical countries.
- Remember to bring with you: aspirin or paracetamol tablets, sun filter, anti-diarrhoeal drug, tablets for water disinfection, tablets against motion sickness, oral rehydration solution, mosquito repellents, insecticide powder, antihistamines, plasters, gauze, bandages, disinfectants, eye drops decongestant solution.

Private Bangkok Hospital

Bangkok Christian Hospital
124 Th Silom, Saladaeng
www.bkkchristianhosp.th.com

Bangkok Hospital
2 Soi 47, Th Phetburi Tat Mai, Bangkapi
www.bangkokhospital.com

BNH Hospital
9 Th Convent; Saladaeng; Silom
www.bnhhospital.com

Bumrungrad International
33 Soi 3, Th Sukhumvit; Nana or Ploenchit
www.bumrungrad.com/thailandhospital