Travel Pharmacy for Thailand and Safety Tips
These Medications You Should Take on Your Vacation in Thailand! Based on potential risks, we've compiled a travel pharmacy for your holiday in Thailand to make planning for your next backpacking adventure a bit easier.
Of course, our Thailand travel pharmacy is just our personal recommendation. You may get by with fewer medications or need to supplement with specific ones as needed.
However, it's important to assemble your travel pharmacy at home in advance, as buying medications abroad often carries the risk of not obtaining the original medications or receiving packaging that matches but not the contents.
If you still need assistance in packing your backpack for Thailand, you can find our Thailand packing list here.
At the end of the article, you'll also find more helpful travel and safety tips for your vacation in Thailand!
Table of Content
1. Medication for Nausea, Diarrhea, and Stomach Issues
Traveling to distant lands with different hygiene standards than in Germany or experiencing unfamiliar cuisine can quickly upset the stomach while on vacation. To avoid this, it's best not to drink tap water, eat unwashed fruits, etc.
For emergencies, we always have the following medications on hand:
Perenterol for mild diarrhea
Imodium akut for severe diarrhea
Motion sickness pills (for diarrhea & vomiting)
Vomex for nausea (also helpful for motion sickness on shaky boat rides)
2. Medications for Headaches, Fever, and Sore Throat
A long flight in a heavily air-conditioned plane can lead to a sore throat - even more annoying if you're already sick before you even arrive at your destination! That's why we always pack lozenges in our carry-on luggage as a precaution.
Additionally, you should also remember:
Pain relievers (such as Ibuprofen 400))
Lozenges for sore throat
3. Disinfectant, Plasters, and Bandaging Materials
What we definitely need on every trip are blister plasters. However, we are always prepared for minor injuries that you can quickly pick up on the go.
Blister plasters (to prevent blisters from forming in the first place: Anti-Blister Stick)
Wound & healing ointment (e.g., Bepanthen)
Pain relief gel (e.g., Voltaren)
4. Sun Protection
The sun can be quite strong in Thailand, so good sun protection (sunscreen and headgear) is essential.
Sunscreen with SPF 50
Headgear
Sunglasses
Optionally, After-Sun Lotion
5. Insect Protection
Protection against insect bites is crucial when traveling to Thailand, as they can transmit serious diseases such as malaria.
Since Thailand is a malaria-endemic country, you should (depending on your travel route) separately inquire about the risk in specific regions and take appropriate precautions accordingly.
Central areas in the northern half of the country, such as Bangkok, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pattaya, Phuket, Samet, Ko Samui, and the islands of the Krabi Province, are considered malaria-free, for example.
According to the German Tropical Institute, there is a low risk of malaria in border areas of the northern half, including tourist areas in the Golden Triangle, as well as the southern half of the country (including the coast), Khao Sok National Park, and most islands, such as Ko Chang, Ko Mak, Ko Phangan, or Ko Tao.
To protect yourself against insect bites, it's worth using special sprays. In areas with an increased risk of malaria, wearing light-colored, long-sleeved clothing and sleeping under a mosquito net is advisable. Nowadays, there are also insect-repellent clothing options available (for men / women), which are super practical.
6. Important Vaccinations for Thailand
If you're traveling to Thailand, there are a few vaccinations that may be advisable depending on your travel route. Especially if you plan to stay further away from major cities, you should pay special attention to protection because the nearest hospital may not be nearby.
Before getting vaccinated, it's advisable to consult your general practitioner or a tropical medicine specialist with your vaccination record. This way, you can clarify exactly what is necessary for you.
Some of the vaccinations listed below you may already have, so don't be discouraged by the long list :-)
According to the Tropical Institute, the following vaccinations are recommended for travel to Thailand:
Typhoid fever vaccination
Diphtheria vaccination
Yellow fever vaccination
Hepatitis A and B
Tetanus vaccination
Poliomyelitis
Japanese encephalitis
Measles
Optionally, rabies vaccination
Since there are no vaccinations available for some diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, or the Zika virus, it is even more important to protect yourself well against mosquito bites.
You need more information for your travel planning? The following articles will help you plan your dream vacation in Thailand.
If you want more insights into our travels, feel free to check out our Instagram channels tom_rbg_ and anna_mser! If you have any questions about the routes, you can always contact us through these channels.
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