Thailand

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Malaria is present in border areas, close to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia. Strains are highly resistant to chloroquine (level-3 resistance). In the rest of the country, no chemoprophylaxis is necessary.
• Dengue fever is endemic in Thailand (11,000 cases between January and June 2007).
• In 2007, avian flu has been detected on farm ducks on January 15 in the Pitsanulok province (northern Thailand), January 23 in the Nong Khai province, February 2 on farm chickens in the Ang Thong province (central Thailand) and March 20 in the Mukdahan province (north-east of the country.
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Diarrheic diseases are common.

FOOD SAFETY

• Gastric diseases are common among tourists who are not accustomed to local food or who do not take precautions.
• Do not drink tap water and favor bottled mineral water, without ice ; avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish. If possible, order hot dishes.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before each meal.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• Travellers entering the country from an endemic area are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
Systematically:
• Yellow fever: the vaccination is available for all children at least one year old.
• Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
• Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.



Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:
• Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• Japanese encephalitis: in case of a long stay in a rural area.
• Tuberculosis: in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.
• Recommended chemoprophylaxis against malaria (for a trip to areas bordering Cambodia, Laos, Myanamar or Malaysia): mefloquine (commercial name: Lariam) or doxycycline (commercial name: Doxypalu).

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Bangkok
• Bumrungrad Hospital, 33 Sukhumvit 3 (Soi Nana Nua), Wattana: phone + 66 2 667 1000, fax + 66 2 667 2525
• Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital, 9/1 Convent Road, Silom, Baok: phone + 66 2 686 2700, fax + 66 2 632 0577
• Saint Louis Hospital, 215 South Sathorn Road: phone + 662 675 5000, fax + 662 675 5200
• Samitivej Hospital (Srinakarin), 488 Srinakarin Road, Suanluang: phone + 66 2 378 9000, fax + 66 2 378 9195



Phuket
• Bangkok Phuket Hospital, 2/1 Hongyok Utis Road, Muang District: phone + 66 76 254 421, fax + 66 76 254 430
• Phuket International Hospital, 44 Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Road: phone + 66 76 249 400, fax + 66 76 210 936



Krabi
• Krabi Hospital, 325 Auttarakit Road, T. Paknam, Muang: phone + 66 75 611 212, fax + 66 75 611 202



Chiang Mai
• Lanna Hospital, 103 Superhighway Road: phone + 66 53 211 037, fax + 66 53 218 402
• McCormick Hospital, 133 Kaewnavarat Road, PO Box 56, Muang District: phone + 66 53 241 311, fax + 66 53 241 177



Koh Samui
• Samui International Hospital, Northern Chaweng Beach Road 90/2 Moo 2, Bophut: phone + 66 77 230 781, fax + 66 77 230 049
• Kan Health Clinic, Chaweng Beach Road - Chaweng Center 11/6 Moo 2, Tambon Bo Phut: phone + 66 77 230 802

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 199
• Police: 110
• Ambulances: 191

CLIMATE

• Climate is tropical, with a dry and sunny season from November to February. From March until May, the atmosphere is blistering.
• The rain season (monsoon) begins in June to end in October, September being the most rainy month. The monsoon is marked by short thunderstorms.
• Rains are abundant in the north of the country, where temperatures are cooler than in the south.
• There is a risk of typhoon in September-October.
• When to go: between November and February.