Thailand – Travel tips, health and safety

• Drink only bottled water in Thailand. If possible, only use bottled water for brushing your teeth and washing dishes.
• Food should either be boiled, fried or peeled before consumption. Be especially careful with food offered at the roadside. Maintaining consistent food hygiene (cold chain, disinfection, etc.) is usually not possible there.
• Many mosquito-borne diseases occur in Thailand. Mosquito-borne diseases found in Thailand include dengue fever, Zika virus, chikungunya fever and malaria. The risk of contracting the disease is particularly high during the rainy season. The best protection against disease is complete protection against mosquito bites. Wear long, light-coloured clothing and spray all uncovered parts of the body with mosquito repellent. At night, it is best to sleep under a mosquito net for protection. To protect against malaria infection, there are also different medicines that are used for prophylaxis or treatment. Seek individual advice from a travel doctor.
• There is no compulsory vaccination for Thailand. The Robert Koch Institute advises travellers to Thailand to have all standard vaccinations refreshed before departure.
• Vaccination against hepatitis A is also advised, as well as against hepatitis B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis and typhoid fever in case of prolonged stay or special exposure.
• In Thailand, numerous poisonous snake species are found – also in urban areas. Do not leave your shoes outside the door, but always take them with you into your holiday apartment/hotel room.

Medical care in Thailand corresponds to European standards in the cities and tourist conurbations; in more rural regions, however, there is often a lack of medical professionals, as well as the necessary medicines. International clinics and medical centres are mainly located in the larger cities such as Bangkok, Phuket or Pattaya. English- or German-speaking doctors are available in most tourist centres.

There is hardly any functioning state emergency rescue system in Thailand. Ambulances are usually assigned to a specific hospital and are, therefore, rarely deployed centrally. This also leads to response times exceeding those that are usual in Europe. The vehicles are poorly equipped in terms of equipment and personnel. Ambulance drivers in Thailand often have only rudimentary medical training, which in Germany is roughly equivalent to the first aid course completed when earning a driving licence. Private hospitals usually equip their ambulances better, but they also charge significant amounts for their rescue services.

Treatment in the international clinics usually has to be paid immediately in cash or by credit card. Especially in private clinics, treatment can be very expensive. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid in Thailand.

In order to avoid being stuck with these costs, the Federal Foreign Office recommends taking out travel health insurance.

There are pharmacies in all major cities in Thailand. Medicines are usually available over-the-counter, so a doctor's prescription is not necessary. Many medicines commonly available in Europe are also readily available in Thailand. However, it is better to bring any medicines you may need with you from home, as dosages and dosage forms may differ from those in Europe. Tablets are often sold in Thailand in loose form. For this reason, there is usually no package insert where you can read up on dosage information and side effects. Therefore, when buying medicines, ideally go to an international pharmacy where the pharmacists can explain to you in English how to take your medication.

Take a moment to think about your travel safety before your holiday – it pays off! Find out if the Federal Foreign Office has issued safety warnings for your destination. Or whether there are severe weather warnings for your holiday destination. So you are prepared for everything and can simply sit back and relax during your holiday.

Travel warnings and safety advice from the Federal Foreign Office (German)

Travel warnings, as well as safety and security advice (English – source: Government of Canada)

In recent years, there have been repeated terrorist attacks in Thailand, which were also directed against places popular with holidaymakers. Always be alert and follow the instructions of the local security authorities. In some regions of Thailand, there are clashes between state security forces and separatists. Find out about current danger areas before you travel on the pages of the Federal Ministry.

Always take care of your valuables. Money, tickets and other valuables should be kept in a safe place, for example, in the hotel safe. Just in case, it is advisable to make copies of all important documents, including airline tickets, and keep them separately. In tourist strongholds, there is also an increasing incidence of violent crime, with armed gangs attacking holidaymakers. When attending parties, watch what you drink and don't let strangers buy you drinks. The administration of narcotics and strong sedatives in a drink occurs at large events such as the full moon parties in order to rob the victim afterwards. In some cases, gangs work together with local police officers.

Before renting scooters or jet skis, find out about the trustworthiness of the rental company. Holidaymakers may be accused of causing damage, in order to extort money.

The mountainous jungle in the north is a popular destination for cultural travellers who can explore the region on trekking trails. Here, for example, lies the city of Chiang Mai, which is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The south of Thailand is home to the paradise holiday destinations of Koh Samui and Phuket with their fine sandy dream beaches. And in the middle of it all, the metropolis of Bangkok: A modern, sophisticated city that offers its visitors not only cultural sights such as magnificent temples and palaces, but also versatile shopping opportunities.

The country has something for every taste. If you want to party the night away, you've come to the right place. Those looking for peace and quiet will also find it in Thailand. The Buddhist country is known for its peaceful atmosphere and friendly interaction.

The kingdom is also particularly popular because of its low prices. A stay lasting several weeks is quite affordable here – even luxurious hotels are affordable.

Thailand is known for consistently good weather. The country's climate is tropical, with temperatures usually between 30 and 35 degrees. No matter what time you travel, Thailand offers summer holidays all year round.

Natural disasters usually occur unpredictably. Therefore, it is advisable to learn as much as you can about the holiday region and potential dangers. Your safety is our top priority and we want to prepare you for what natural hazards occur in Thailand and how best to protect yourself in the event of a disaster.

• Heavy rain
  Heavy rain occurs annually in Thailand during the monsoon season.
  From May to October, whole country
  November to January, south-east

• Flooding
  May to October

• Landslide
  May to October

• Tsunami
  Due to the geographical proximity to the Pacific Ring of Fire, where numerous earthquakes occur, there is also an increased risk of tsunamis along the coasts of Thailand.

• For a period of three months, an international driving licence is accepted in Thailand in conjunction with the German driving licence. If you are planning a longer stay during which you would also like to drive a car, you will need a Thai driving licence.
• In Thailand, you drive on the left-hand side of the road. The traffic in Thailand is chaotic and the locals have a very risky driving style. There is no general insurance obligation, but you should still make sure you have comprehensive insurance cover when renting a vehicle. Tourists are regularly involved in accidents. As a rule, the fault for the accident is not determined objectively; as a rule, the tourist has to pay. For your own safety, you should wear a helmet on your motorbike or scooter.

Only use taxis or tuk-tuks that you have chosen and spoken to yourself. Look for the words "Taxi Meter" or negotiate the price before the ride. Have your destination written down in Thai to make sure you arrive at the right place.

Thailand is a deeply Buddhist country where you should dress appropriately out of respect for the culture. Only wear swimwear on the beach and not when going to eat or shop. Nudism is strictly forbidden. When visiting temples, cover your shoulders and knees.

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
G.P.O. Box 2595
Bangkok 10500
Thailand

Contact:
Tel. +66 2 287 90 00
Website: https://bangkok.diplo.de/th-de

Further German consulate offices in Thailand can be found in Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket

Thai Embassy in Berlin
Lepsiusstraße 64/66
12163 Berlin
Tel.: +49 30 794 810

In the big tourist cities and holiday areas of Thailand, there are tourist police in addition to the "normal" police. Members of the tourist police are specially trained to communicate with tourists in English or another foreign language (e.g. German, French...). They are also particularly sensitive to crime such as theft, which is often directed at tourists. If you become a victim of crime in Thailand, the tourist police are your first point of contact.

If you dial the emergency number for the fire brigade or an ambulance, you must expect that you will only be able to communicate with the staff in Thai. Ambulances in Thailand are not centrally stationed but always assigned to a specific hospital. If you call a hospital directly in the event of a medical emergency, an ambulance can usually be sent from there even faster than via the central emergency number.

191 - Police
1155 - Tourist police (only in holiday areas)
199 - Fire brigade
1669 – Emergency medical service

HanseMerkur's Emergency Call Service is there for you as an insured person worldwide. 
24 hours a day – around the clock. Including on Sundays and public holidays, quick help in case of emergency.

Phone (worldwide): +49 40 5555-7877