Medical preparedness, recommended vaccines, and what healthcare looks like in Thailand.
Typhoid, hepatitis A&B, Japanese encephalitis (if extended stay), polio booster, tetanus; consult a travel clinic 4–6 weeks before travel.
Malaria is not a risk in Bangkok itself (only in rural northern/southern regions); dengue fever is (mosquito-borne) — use insect repellent, especially dawn/dusk.
Bangkok has excellent hospitals; public hospitals are cheap but crowded; private hospitals (Bumrungrad, Samitivej) are expensive but very good; travel insurance recommended.
Pharmacies (boots and local chains) are everywhere; can buy most OTC drugs without prescription at reasonable prices.
Tap water is not safe to drink; buy bottled water (cheap, 10–20 THB/liter) or use filtered dispensers in hotels; ice from restaurants is usually fine.
