Health in Pattaya
Thailand is generally a much safer destination than many countries in South East Asia, and in the large majority of areas you may visit you can relax happily and safely and enjoy the easy going attitude of the local people no matter what your gender.
Health care in Pattaya is generally good, with the quality and quantity of hospitals and clinics being exceptionally high, mainly due to the large influx of visitors, many of whom come for cheaper treatment than they can receive in their own countries. The Thais are exceptionally talented at nursing, though specialist knowledge may not be quite as extensive here. Tropical diseases are found here, although cases are small. Most Western tourists, and indeed ex-pats living here, ensure they keep their inoculations up to date. Your local doctor at home will be able to give you a list of advisable injections required before you travel, and most countries’ health ministries produce a ‘health brief’ for visiting foreign countries.
The Thai police, the Tourist Police and their volunteers are around in large numbers, particularly when it’s busy at night, and are remarkably efficient and quick should anything occur, which is rare. Do guard your pockets or bag in busy spots though, as there are a few pick-pockets around and the occasional ‘snatch and run’ motor cyclists.
While the vast majority of visitors to Pattaya encounter no problems at all, it is worth bearing in mind one or two safety risks. These include: caution against reckless driving (in or out of the city); ensuring that any risky activities are insured and are undertaken safely; fake gem scams (visit nearby Chantaburi for real rubies or sapphires); food prepared with a lack of hygiene (rare in Pattaya); and the sexually transmitted diseases which are particularly present here, but well contained if you are sensible. The violence in the southern three provinces of Thailand has not affected this part of the country, and the strong police presence has minimised any risk to Pattaya from terrorists.
Health in Pattaya
The following are common diseases and maladies that might be harmful while you are visiting Thailand.
Avian influenza: There has been a lot of press coverage of this disease, but it appears to have receded from its frenzy in 2003. The only known cases in humans so far have involved people who are in daily contact with infected poultry. There is, as yet, no proof that avian ‘flu’ can be spread between humans, although scientists are carefully monitoring the situation. Chicken products across Thailand are considered safe to eat and Pattaya Council has a large staff in their Environmental Health Department carrying out regular checks. Thailand has taken the threat very seriously and the situation is being closely monitored by local and international health experts. Unless you have been advised otherwise by your foreign travel advisory bureau, there is no need to be alarmed by this or refrain from eating chicken (cooking chicken kills any bacteria that may have existed). However, the situation is constantly changing and we advise you to consult one of the sites listed at the bottom of this page.
Dehydration: is an often forgotten problem in Pattaya. Thailand is a hot tropical country that can easily drain you, especially if you have been drinking all afternoon. The temperatures in the cold season here (from November to March) are above 30C for much of the day, and it’s not much cooler at night, so you need to keep taking in liquids. If you’re out in the sun for long periods or pursuing outdoor activities, take plenty of water with you, and wear a hat, particularly during the two hours either side of midday when the sun is at its strongest. This will avoid heatstroke. The symptoms of dehydration include fever, breathing difficulty, fatigue and a very dry mouth. The best remedy is rehydration with salts and drinks, and these are widely available from pharmacies (ask for ‘O’ lyte), but the local hospital is the better option.
Dengue Fever: this is a nasty illness with symptoms similar to malaria but often worse and frequently fatal. It is spread by mosquitoes in the same way as malaria, but these particular insects occupy stagnant water pools in more urban areas. They proliferate in unused rubbish dumps and swamps. Although there have been (unreported) incidences around the Pattaya area, the local council has successfully undertaken major projects in the area to eradicate this untreatable disease.
Diarrhoea: is a complaint most non-Asians have at some time if they visit Thailand. This often results from eating unusual food, maybe too much chilli and unfamiliar spices, or just the change of water. The quality of hygiene in Pattaya is high however both in restaurants and food stalls and you may well avoid this problem if you’re lucky. It’s a good idea though to always carry a small supply of tissues with you wherever you are in Thailand, as not all toilets provide toilet paper. At restaurants look out for the ‘Good taste, clean food’ sign outside, indicating that they have passed a health inspection for food preparation.
Drinking water: tap water in Thailand is not safe for drinking. Bottled water is available wherever you are and is very cheap. Lorries, trucks, and motorbikes with side-cars deliver all over Pattaya, and every shop you go in will have a supply of drinking water. If you’re offered free water from a street stall where you’re eating, it will always be safe drinking water. In restaurants in Pattaya, free water treated by reverse osmosis process or chemicals will be offered and it’s perfectly healthy, but you can order bottle spring water if you prefer. Ice is always made from drinking water wherever you are. It is also very cheap (5 baht per kilo) and is available even from the smallest shops and on the beach.
Hepatitis: affects the liver and is found in various strains. The symptoms are roughly the same but the seriousness and methods of transmission differ markedly. Hepatitis A is usually spread through food and drink which are contaminated. This results in a fever, headaches, chills and fatigue. The best remedy is to eat properly, have plenty of rest and just wait for the symptoms to pass. It is pretty rare in Pattaya due to basic cleanliness being practised, particularly in the city.
Hepatitis B: is much more serious, however, the “yellowing” of the skin being an obvious sign, with long-term liver problems likely. Sexual activity or contaminated blood are the usual methods of contracting this. Hepatitis C, D and E are rarer but can be lethal, with no known vaccinations. Due to its effect on the liver, drinking alcohol during the long recovery period is seriously discouraged. The incidence of these isn’t abnormally high in Thailand.
HIV: the spread of HIV and AIDS in Thailand has been successfully checked by the government’s widespread campaign encouraging condom use. This is also the case for Pattaya, and although the estimate of infection in the population is about five percent, there is likely to be a higher prevalence in Pattaya due to its sex industry. Help groups among sex workers have reported a surprisingly high level of awareness among prostitutes of the importance of safe sex. Other methods of transmission are low risk here, and hygiene levels in hospitals and other risk areas for contact with blood are generally of a high standard. Syringe-sharing is known to occur among drug users, though this is not considered widespread.
Malaria: Pattaya is a malaria-free area so you needn’t worry about tablets if you come here. In this tropical weather however, mosquitoes are a pesky annoyance and they generally strike at dusk. Covering yourself with white clothing is the best preventative measure or using some ‘deet’ based sprays (natural deet-free products are also readily available in supermarkets and pharmacies). However, if you plan a trip over the Cambodian border, you should take precautions as the WHO consider this area as non-malaria-free zone. Some malarial strains have been found to be immune to many Western drugs so consult your doctor before you come, or consult a doctor here before you go to western or southern Cambodia.
Pesticides: are widely used in Thailand, particularly by the poorer farmers who have no education as to the harm they can cause. Many vegetables receive several types of toxic spray both to repel insects and to make them look better, in some cases by the use of dyes. Actual poisoning is rare, but minor stomach problems can result. Restaurants in Pattaya and the eating stalls are careful to buy fresh, healthy vegetables which are plentiful here, and will also take care to throw away anything dubious. Organic vegetables are available in the larger supermarkets but are comparatively expensive. Naturally, the cheaper the restaurant you are eating at, the less care that may have been taken in procuring healthy ingredients.
Rabies: generally it is best to avoid dogs in Thailand unless you know their owner. There are many ‘street dogs’ in Pattaya and indeed across Thailand. Bites are not infrequent if you try to get too close and you may well catch fleas. Rabies is not uncommon in the Thailand, and infected dogs usually display symptoms of aggression, madness and in later stages foaming at the mouth. Rabies is carried in the saliva of the animal and can prove fatal, even in cases of the licking of open wounds.
Venereal disease: the sex industry is a reality in Thailand, particularly in Pattaya. Due to the practice of safe sex resulting from the fear of AIDS from both partners, the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases has been reduced but has by no means disappeared. Herpes is a common complaint here and syphilis and gonorrhoea are still a significant threat. If you use a condom, you’re unlikely to suffer from any of these. There are a large number of clinics in Pattaya specialising in STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) should you be unlucky or careless.
The large number of pharmacies in Pattaya means that you’re never far from medicine. Most pharmacists speak good English here and will advise you as to the best anti-diarrhoeal medicine, and ensure you re-hydrate and rest. It’s rare for an attack to last for more than 24 hours. If you have a severe case, or have been vomiting, then go straight to the hospital.
Vaccines are available but not generally suggested unless you are going to country districts, where wild animals are occasionally infected as well. Should you get bitten, any open wounds should be immediately cleaned with iodine, or even with any available spirits, before going straight to the hospital for treatment and injections. In Pattaya an effective Dog Warden scheme minimises the risk in the city.
Up to date health advisory sites:
- CDC - Center for Disease Control (US Government) - Asia
- UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Website - Thailand travel advice
