Travel Vaccines and Advice for Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination with its tropical climate, food, culture and beaches.
Thai is the official language of Thailand. But, other smaller languages spoken in rural areas. The primary religion of Thailand is Buddhism and is prevalent in many aspects of culture throughout Thailand. Islam is also practiced in Southern provinces.
Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city, is also the largest city in the country. Bangkok is highly populated with congested streets, modern buildings and temples. It is most known for its nightlife.
Thailand’s other major cities include Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai.
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Thailand?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Thailand?
What is the Climate Like in Thailand?
How Safe is Thailand?
Temples in Thailand
What Should I Take To Thailand?
Canadian Embassy in Thailand
Do I Need Vaccines for Thailand?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Thailand. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Thailand: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travellers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Accelerated schedule available - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. - Cholera –
Food & Water –
Cholera is rare, but present in Thailand. Vaccination is recommended for travellers at increased risk or visiting areas with active transmission. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission - Japanese Encephalitis –
Mosquito –
Recommended depending on itinerary and activities. May be given to short- and extended-stay travellers, recurrent travellers and travel to rural areas. Present throughout country, especially northern regions. Most cases from May to October. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Thailand |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travellers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Accelerated schedule available |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. |
| Cholera | Food & Water | Cholera is rare, but present in Thailand. Vaccination is recommended for travellers at increased risk or visiting areas with active transmission. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Mosquito | Recommended depending on itinerary and activities. May be given to short- and extended-stay travellers, recurrent travellers and travel to rural areas. Present throughout country, especially northern regions. Most cases from May to October. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
Routine Vaccinations for Thailand |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
Various mosquito-borne diseases are present in Thailand. Malaria poses a threat to travellers to some regions of the country. Make sure you are protected with antimalarials.
Dengue, Zika and chikungunya can also be found in Thailand. While there are no vaccines available for these diseases, there are steps you can take to prevent them. Be sure to use mosquito repellents, netting and wear proper clothing.
Medical treatment is adequate and common in urban areas. Healthcare is also available in rural areas, though the health care providers may not speak English.
To find out more about these vaccines, see our vaccinations page. Ready to travel safely? Book your appointment either call or start booking online now.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Thailand
“I was very pleased with my first visit to Passport Health travel clinic. The nurse was prompt, friendly, made me feel at ease and well prepared for my appointment. She had a brochure highlighted with specific recommendations for my trip to Thailand and Bali. She was very thorough and clear with her explanations. I will not hesitate to contact this travel clinic for my next trip.”
“I had the pleasure of meeting with my nurse last week in preparations for a trip to Thailand and to get my proper vaccinations in order. She was incredibly friendly and informative. She was able to answer all of my questions, gave me multiple options available to me and did all of this with a smile. The whole process was quick and enjoyable! I will be coming back for future vaccinations on trips in the coming years!”
“The nurse at Passport Health in Hamilton, Ontario was extremely knowledgeable, an friendly. We covered every single vaccine / precaution needed based on the areas I will be traveling to in Thailand.”
“I’m taking a trip to Thailand, and found Passport Health at random, through a Google Search, so I decided to make an appointment. I booked an appointment within a reasonable time frame, and it was really convenient to be able to fill out my medical history in advance. When I arrived for my appointment, I didn’t wait very long before I saw a nurse. And she was super-friendly as well as really helpful in terms of running through the list of vaccines I might need, providing me with lots of information, and giving me options, in the case of a couple of vaccines. I was really satisfied with my appointment at Passport Health. I would definitely come back again for any vaccinations for future trips.”
“Excellent interest and care from the nurse. Had prepared explanations and recommendations for my trip from Toronto to Thailand. No pressure to follow all recommendations, just info. Other background and helpful info too. My recommendation: trust them!”
“I met with the nurse at Richmond Hill location who explained everything in great detail. I decided to take all the shots suggested for travel to Thailand. All injections administered painlessly. Overall a very pleasant experience.”
“What a wonderful experience. My nurse was extremely knowledgeable regarding everything my husband and I needed to know before leaving for Thailand. Passport Health is a fantastic service. They are super organized and everything was so quick and efficient.”
“I came in and spoke with a nurse about my trip to Thailand. She was very helpful and was honest about what I did and didn’t need. She wasn’t pushy and when I got lightheaded after a shot she encouraged me to lie down, gave me a bottle of water and everything turned out great. Highly recommend.”
“I needed some shots at the last minute for a trip to Thailand. Passport Health got me in and I felt safer for my trip. Great service and advice.”
“I met with a nurse who came prepared to the consultation around all the information I needed for travelling to Thailand and as well as the risks and needs for possible immunizations. We went over these, and she was very transparent with the timings, and cost of each one. It made the whole process easy to understand, and I felt well informed and prepared ahead of my trip.”
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Thailand?
If you are entering Thailand for tourism purposes under a 30-day period, you do not require a visa. All Canadian citizens must have a valid passport upon arrival. For those travelling to Thailand for business purposes, a business visa is required.
Thailand Entry Requirements |
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| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Thailand? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | ||
| Business Visa | |
|
| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Thailand and Canadian Travel and Tourism
Always carry your passport and visa with you to avoid arrest in Thailand.
Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.
What is the Climate Like in Thailand?
Thailand is a country with a tropical climate that is hot and humid throughout the year. The temperature ranges from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius during the day. The weather can be different depending on where you are in Thailand. Here are some popular tourist destinations:
- Bangkok : Bangkok is hot and humid all year round. It rains a lot, especially between May and October.
- Phuket : Phuket is a tropical place. It can rain a lot from May to October. The temperature is usually between 75 and 90 degrees.
- Chiang Mai : Chiang Mai has a tropical climate with three different seasons: cool, hot, and rainy. The cool season runs from November to February, the hot season from March to May, and the rainy season from June to October.
- Pattaya : Pattaya is hot and humid all year round. It rains a lot, especially between May and October.
- Koh Samui : Koh Samui is an island that has two different seasons: dry and rainy. The dry season runs from December to April, and the rainy season from May to November.
Remember that weather can change, so always check the forecast before you travel.
How Safe is Thailand?
In the past few years, there have been periodic terrorist attacks at popular tourist attractions in Thailand,. This remains a high-concern today. There is an ongoing risk of terrorist attacks in Thailand.
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has placed strict restrictions on media and have banned political gatherings. Tourists may be detained by the military for openly criticizing the NCPO.
Pick-pocketing is common in Thailand as is sexual violence in bars and isolated areas.
Do not use your passport as collateral. Many rental places are scams.
In Southern Thailand (Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla), martial law is still prevalent. Tourists are cautioned against travelling to these areas.
Temples in Thailand
There are over 40,000 temples in Thailand, making them popular tourist attractions. These temples range in age and architecture and many are still in use today.
Wat Pho, located in Bangkok, is one of the most popular due to its size and attractions within. It is one of the largest complexes in the country, holding many buildings. Wat Pho houses the largest reclining Buddha and largest collection of Buddha images.
The site is also headquarters for the teaching and preservation of Thai medicine. There, tourists can find two massage schools and pavilions.
You must take off your shoes to enter and you purchase coins to put into bowls for good luck. All the money goes towards renovating and upkeeping the site.
What Should I Take To Thailand?
Thailand is a hot and humid country, it’s important to pack lightweight and comfortable clothing. You should bring comfortable shoes for walking, sun protection like sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses to avoid the strong sun rays. Mosquitoes are common in Thailand, so it’s important to bring insect repellent to avoid bites.
Thailand uses different types of electrical outlets, so it’s recommended to bring a universal adapter. It’s also recommended to pack any prescription medication and over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, and motion sickness medication.
Thailand is a cash-based society, so it’s important to bring cash and credit cards. If you plan to visit the beaches or go swimming, don’t forget to pack swimwear and a beach towel. When visiting temples or other religious sites, make sure to dress respectfully, covering your shoulders and knees, and avoid wearing revealing clothing in public places.
Don’t forget to bring your passport, visa (if required), travel insurance, and any other important travel documents.
Canadian Embassy in Thailand
Canadian consular services can help travellers with many issues they may face including passport services. Once in Thailand, the information for the Canadian Embassy is:
Canadian Embassy Bangkok
15th Floor, Abdulrahim Place,
990 Rama IV, Bangrak,
Bangkok, 10500, Thailand
Tel.: +66 0 2646 4300
If you have any questions about travelling to Thailand or are wondering what shots you may need for your trip, schedule an appointment with your local Passport Health travel medicine clinic. Call us at or book online now! and protect yourself today.
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