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- [Carrie] With its lush rain forests, beautiful beaches, and Buddhist landmarks,
Thailand is a pure visual feast. However, Thailand is not just a visual delight.
The country's renowned astronomy provides a literal culinary feast as well.
- [Jeff] The famous Thai cuisine known for its freshness and savory combination of
flavors is sure to delight the palettes of global travelers, and it's one of the best
ways to immerse yourself in the local culture. Dishes such as pad thai or spicy
curries are sure to please. But be sure to use proper judgment with your food
choices.
Hygiene and sanitation standards are likely to be different in Thailand from
what you're used to at home, especially, among Thailand's popular street food
vendors. Travel health specialist advice that you avoid eating from stalls on the
street. But if you do choose to indulge, it's best to avoid things like raw foods
in favor of fully cooked items, and to only eat fruits and vegetables that you've
peeled yourself. In case your culinary escapades take you off-road and take a
toll on your stomach, be sure to pack a traveler's diarrhea kit so your adventures
don't lead you off track and you don't end up dehydrated.
As you're wandering through the streets of Thailand cities, relaxing on the beaches
or trekking through the lush landscape in search of that idyllic retreat or perfect
next stop on your culinary tourism tour, remember that insect-borne viruses like
dengue fever and chikungunya are endemic to Thailand, and the application of
mosquito repellents containing DEET is highly recommend.
Travel to Thailand brings with it a host of other considerations of which the
average traveler or guidebook may be unaware. However, a visit with a travel
health specialist will help you to tailor your precautions to your specific
situation and medical history. For example, during the dry season,
travelers with respiratory or pulmonary conditions may find their symptoms
aggravated by agricultural burning. It's best to consult the air quality index and
plan your trip accordingly so your breath is taken away by the natural beauty and
delicious cuisine rather than a lack of oxygen.
As any cautious traveler knows, vaccines are a crucial pre-travel preparatory
measure. CDC highly recommends all travelers to Thailand receive both
Hepatitis A and B vaccines. Hepatitis A protection is especially important if you
plan on taking a culinary tour of the country since exposure to the virus often
occurs via contaminated food and water. For the same reason, the typhoid vaccine
is recommended as well, especially, if you plan to travel through small villages and
rural areas where sanitation may be lacking.
If you plan to travel outside of Bangkok and visit some of the more rural farming
communities, then Japanese encephalitis vaccine is recommended as well, since
this is where mosquitoes that carry the disease thrive. Make the most of your
time in Thailand. Consult with the Passport Health travel medicine specialist
to determine your strategy for staying well abroad. Call 1-888-499-PASS to find
the Passport Health clinic nearest to you.