Travel vaccinations · South-East Asia
Travel vaccinations for Thailand
Heading to Thailand? Most travellers need hepatitis A and an up-to-date tetanus booster. Some need more, depending on where you’re going and what you’ll be doing.
Reviewed by Kardo Ali, Superintendent Pharmacist (GPhC 2233113) · November 2026
Thailand at a glance
- Most travellers Hepatitis A and tetanus
- Yellow fever Certificate only if arriving from a risk country
- Malaria None in the main tourist areas
Vaccines
Vaccines for Thailand
Everyone should be up to date with their routine UK vaccines, including MMR and the diphtheria, tetanus and polio booster. On top of that, the official UK advice for Thailand is:
Depending on your trip, your pharmacist may also recommend the chikungunya vaccine, or discuss the dengue vaccine if you’ve had dengue before. Whether you need the vaccines marked “some travellers” depends on how long you’re staying, where you’re going and what you’ll be doing.
Many vaccines need more than one dose, so the total depends on the course you need. Your pharmacist will confirm it before you go ahead. Some travel vaccines, such as hepatitis A and typhoid, may also be free from your GP.
| Vaccine | Who it’s for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Most travellers | from £60 |
| Tetanus (diphtheria, tetanus and polio booster) | Most travellers | from £37 |
| Typhoid | Some travellers | £37 |
| Hepatitis B | Some travellers | from £45 |
| Rabies (before travel) | Some travellers | from £85 |
| Japanese encephalitis | Some travellers | from £100 |
Coming back for your next dose or a booster? Book it directly.
Yellow fever
There’s no yellow fever in Thailand. You only need a certificate if you’re arriving from a country with yellow fever risk, or have spent more than 12 hours in an airport in one.
Malaria
There’s no malaria risk in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pattaya, Koh Samui or Koh Phangan. The rest of the country is very low risk, apart from rural, forested areas near the borders with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, where the risk is low. For most trips, avoiding mosquito bites is enough. Antimalarial tablets are only considered in exceptional cases.
Stay well
Other things to know
Dengue, Zika and chikungunya
Spread by day-biting mosquitoes. Use insect repellent and cover up.
Rabies
Avoid touching dogs, cats and monkeys, and get medical help straight away after any bite, scratch or lick.
Japanese encephalitis
A risk in rural areas, highest between May and October.
This page is based on advice from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), checked in November 2026. Advice can change, so we’ll always check the latest at your consultation. You can also see it on TravelHealthPro.
Book your Thailand travel consultation
Ideally 6–8 weeks before you travel · 8 Lavant Road, Chichester · Call 01243 380185