Is Malaria a Risk for Expats Living in Thailand?

American in Thailand 27 years. never heard or seen anybody with it

I am an Internal Medicine physician who frequently travels to Thailand.

Yes malaria is a real illness.

However, the risk is low in most parts of the country.

Try to avoid mosquito bites at dawn and dusk to protect your self.

These are from WHO

Dengue and chikungunya are a problem.

I’ve never had it here and I’m all over the place….

I got Dengue in a little village about 15k outside Khosum Pisai. It wasn't fun I can tell you that. Had to spend two days in ICU as I wasn't eating and my blood count was way down. Spent the whole time on an IV and being poked evey 6 hours.

If you plan on spending time in the jungles of Thailand it's a concern.

First time I traveled to Asia (Cambodia), I took antimalarial pills that made sick... Never saw a single bug 🤣 traveled many times and now lived in Asia for many years... Never worried about malaria again.

If you are going some place very remote with know problems maybe it's something to consider.... But if you staying to popular area I would not worry.

My friend lived in Phuket for about 8 years rarely left the island got both Dengue Fever and Chikungunya within 2 months of each other spent over a week in hospital each time.

Worry more about the Thai hookers 🤣🤣🤣

Malaria no, dengue yes had it twice now

Along the Cambodian and Laos borders malaria is fairly common, the clinics and hospitals all got posters about it, malaria and snakebites! 😂

Why not get a blood test from your GP ? Simple ?

If you look on the Internet , you can can find a map which details Malarial areas in Thailand . I did some research before my many trips to Thailand

Malaria is endemic, but any outbreaks are immediately rectified, and publicised. The bigger problem is Dengue Fever, that is a daytime mosquito, and pretty widespread, even in Bangkok. There are four strains of Dengue with only one strain deadly, so your chances of having serious problems are real slim. With about a 12million population Bangkok averages about 40,000 reported cases every year. Unfortunately last year one of those cases was my cousin's wife, who died from Dengue.

I've had dengue in Koh lanta... Bizarrest thing ever. 4 days of horrid sweating, sleeping, googling symptoms, writing a new will and laying in air con room. Couldn't eat but would crave food. All I could do was go very slowly out in the dark at 1am to 711 and get more water and a magnum ice cream and come back to bed and keep sweating and hallucinating from being delirious.. Day 5 I go to Dr's and she looks at me and says "you no gooooo" Gives me blood test and says yes.. Its Dengue. She even knew today was day 5.. Says everyone comes day 5.. 🤣 Couldn't do anything for me. Just said drink water and rest and don't cut yourself as your blood won't clot and you could bleed and not stop. Day 5 I was still bad but atleast I could look at the sunshine.

Just beware of those Soi Dogs! Rabies is still present in Thailand

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Unless you're trekking deep inside forests located along the Thai-Myanmar border, northern Thailand such as inside Chae Sorn National Park in Lampang or others jn Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai or maybe Khao Yai and during the rainy season then probably no. Malaria is not found in the cities.

Dengue fever is more of a concern and it's present in the cities too.

I would take the normal precautions regarding protecting yourself from mosquito bites and chances are you won't have any issues at all.

In the unlikely event of developing a fever and accompanied by other symptoms that you believe were caused by a mosquito bite or bites and developed in the aftermath of such, then seek medical attention.

Yes it is. But more so I think, is Dengue. Definitely a good idea to go talk with a doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of mosquito borne diseases

Been coming to Thailand & mainly Phuket & Ao Nang for 18 years,never taken Malaria tablets etc & not heard of anyone getting it,only the odd case up North,but I maybe wrong.

Malaria, no. Dengue Fever, absolutely.

Just be smart about mosquito protection and you shouldn't have much to worry about. Most of the mosquito born diseases are rural more than city also.