How to not get sick while travelling to Thailand

Thailand is one of South East Asia's most amazing destinations to explore. The ancient culture, the people, the age-old rituals, vibrant nightlife and of course the street food are the greatest thrills. However, as with all new exotic destinations one needs to take precautions, whether it's against the mouth-watering cuisine, water or diseases spread by tropical insects. Read about how not to get sick while travelling in Thailand and enjoy your holiday.

1. Vaccinations You Must Get Before Visiting Thailand

There is no allocated set of vaccinations for Thailand but here are a few recommended vaccinations which will help to safeguard you against common ailments.

• Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
• Rabies; while the chances of you catching rabies in Thailand is quite low, you may find that taking the vaccine covers you in case of a sudden emergency. Especially when visiting the more remote areas of the country.
• Make sure your regular set of vaccinations are up to date. These include tetanus, diphtheria, polio, MMR
On a positive note, the health care system in Thailand is excellent. And should you fall ill during your stay in the country rest assured, as the nation is home to a collection of both public and private hospitals? Make sure you have a good travel health insurance and avail yourself of the premium service offered at the private hospitals of Thailand.

2. Types Of Disease Common In Thailand

As a tropical destination which experiences both monsoonal showers and hot humid weather, a range of diseases are found in Thailand. Most, such as Malaria and Dengue, is caused by mosquitoes. As such make sure to take along plenty of bug spray and mosquito repellent. You may want to ask your GP about Malaria tablets, although not all doctors recommend this.

Dengue fever is a disease spread by mosquitoes and you must take precautions against these critters as Dengue can be fatal if not treated. The Dengue mosquito is active during the daytime and prefers shady areas. There is no vaccination or medication for Dengue; patients are monitored and must ride out the deadly disease. Therefore, prevention is key. Wear long-sleeved, loose-fitting clothes when travelling outside and plenty of mosquito repellent.

3. How Safe Is The Drinking Water In Thailand?

Tap water in Thailand is not safe to drink. You should stick to boiled and filtered water. There are plenty of ice manufacturing companies in the country which supply purified ice, and most business owners opt to use this type of ice rather than making their own. You can differentiate the commercial ice from its tubular shape! While Bangkok, the capital is the safest in terms of finding purified water, there are other cities too in Thailand home to world-class hotel chains. For example, the academic hub of Khon Kaen is on par with the capital, boasting a modern infrastructure. Thus, finding a hotel Khon Kaen has to offer which suits your needs is easy, since many like Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre cater to both business and leisure travellers, offering world-class standards.

You must be aware of water conditions when taking part in any type of water-sports too. Cuts or abrasions on your skin can get infected via polluted water and cause leptospirosis also called swamp fever. Cover any wounds with a waterproof plaster and use an antiseptic once done. Make sure to use a safe source of water when washing any fruits too.

4. Enjoying Thai Street Food And Staying Safe

Thai street food is simply too delicious to miss. And you have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the variety of dishes without getting sick; simply follow a few rules. Eat from food stalls where you can see the food being prepared. Never buy food that seems to be sitting around for a long time. Look for the crowded food stalls, locals will soon identify which stalls are safe, thus standing in a queue to get a delicious plate of food is well worth the time. Besides, the food at crowded stalls move fast and is fresh. And always make sure to ask about the type of ingredients included in each dish.