Is it safe to take Thailand holidays right now? Thailand is not considered a high risk country for tourists. But as everyone knows, zero risk does not exist anywhere and each destination has its share of inconveniences and dangers. The Kingdom of Siam is no exception to the rule and you could find yourself faced with health and safety problems or even setbacks with the local justice system! So that in the Land of Smiles, you don’t lose yours, follow our “to do list” of things to do and not to do. Before and during your stay.
Valuable and useful advice that answers the legitimate question that every wise traveler asks: is it dangerous to go to Thailand?
1. Check the essential vaccinations against certain diseases that are rampant in Thailand
Health risks in Thailand require you to take certain precautions to avoid getting sick during your stay.
Be up to date with your Diphtheria Tetanus Poliomyelitis (DTP) and Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccinations.
Depending on the nature of your journey (regions visited, in “backpacker” mode, off the beaten track, in rural areas, etc.), it is advisable to get vaccinated against certain pathologies that circulate in the Kingdom of Siam:
– Hepatitis A and B
– Typhoid fever
– Japanese encephalitis
– Rabies
– The coronavirus (COVID-19): Thailand has not been spared by the pandemic (even if the number of reported cases remains much lower than that observed in France).
– Information on the vaccine against COVID-19: consult the website of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health.
2. Be in order with the formalities to enter Thai territory… and leave it!
Travelers are exempt from visa for a stay of less than 30 days. Provided you are in possession of a passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Thai territory). To stay longer in the Land of Smiles, you will need to apply for a tourist or long-stay visa. Above all, do not try to extend your stay beyond the date stamped on your passport. In the event of non-compliance with entry formalities and any irregular stay, you risk receiving a heavy fine, a prison sentence, a deportation order and/or a ban on stay in Thailand for up to 5 years!
NOTICE! Due to the Covid-related health crisis, the local authorities have implemented special entry measures (quarantine, non-Covid medical certificate, negative COVID test result by RT-PCR method, etc.) on the territory for all foreign traveler wishing to come to Thailand during the epidemic.
3. Do not travel to certain regions or at certain times of the year
– Risk of attack: due to the separatist conflicts raging in southern Thailand, it is advised to not to go to the provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala and Songkhla.
– It is also not recommended to travel to the border area with Burma to the northwest. Stay away from demonstrations or other protest gatherings, such as those in Bangkok in the fall of 2020, which can be violent.
– Risks of bad weather: avoid booking your stay during the rainy season (from April to November throughout the country and from November to March in the region of Koh Samui and the east coast of Thailand). The intensity of rainfall causes flooding and makes certain roads inaccessible and dangerous.
4. Do not eat anything and anywhere!
Renowned for its gastronomy, this country is a true paradise for foodies. But be careful, the risk of food poisoning can be on the menu of your holidays if you do not respect certain precautions. So, how to eat in Thailand without getting sick?
5. Be extra careful on the roads
Thai roads are among the most dangerous in the world and are the deadliest in Southeast Asia. More than 22,000 people perish annually in a traffic accident and 70% of deaths concern drivers and/or passengers on two-wheelers (WHO figures, 2018).
So are you ready to visit Thailand?
