What precautions should I take for peanut allergies while traveling to Thailand?

May 9, 2023
2 years ago
Jasmine *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, I hope this is allowed as the group name is ‘everything else’.

Thanks to the help of admin and members of the group my visa got approved. Can somebody who speaks Thai please double check this allergy card for me? I’m allergic to peanuts and I’ll be arriving in Thailand in a few weeks time.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around the experiences and advice of individuals regarding managing peanut allergies while traveling in Thailand. A visitor expressed concern about their allergy and sought help to verify an allergy card in Thai. Respondents shared tips on the potential risks of cross-contamination in restaurants and food stalls, how to communicate allergies effectively in Thai, and personal anecdotes of living with allergies in Thailand. The general consensus was to exercise caution, prepare allergy awareness cards, and to always have necessary medication like EpiPens on hand. Additionally, there were discussions on the growing awareness of food allergies in Thailand.
Jasmine *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just wanted to say, I’ve been here for 16 days and it has been fine! I had one minor reaction in Bangkok- had an antihistamine with epi pens on standby just Incase.

Restaurants have been very accommodating, some think I mean- I do want peanuts but they’re quick to understand when I explain to them.

Hope this helps any other suffers
Nick *********
A lot of Thai people can't read but will pretend they can to save face .
Vicki **********
I have severe nut and sesame allergies and have been lucky to only have 2 incidents in the 8 years I've lived here (hoping I haven't jinxed myself now).

My own rule is that if it looks suspicious l don't eat it. If just peanuts, you should be ok to avoid....make yourself aware of thai foods which contain them as an ingredient and double check that anything sprinkled on top is garlic, not peanuts!

If in doubt, over exaggerate your allergy.....'no peanuts, I die' usually works well for me!

Maybe a bit ott, but I am usually aware of where the nearest hospital is whereever I am.....just in case!!
Jack *********
Judging by all these comments, you would think that Thai people do not have food allergies. 🙄
Paul *******
@Jack ********
And yet they clearly do. Some people are just ridiculous. Food allergies first became prominent in the west but Thailand is catching up in this regard too. For many of the same reasons why they became so common in the west.
Paul *******
Awareness in Thailand is increasing of peanut and nut allergies, as well as food allergies in general, as more and more Thai children are becoming allergic to different kinds of food.
Jeremy ********
@Paul ******
that’s not doing anything to make the food stall sellers change pans, utensils, cross contamination, etc….
Paul *******
@Jeremy *******
They're ignorant. Restaurants can deal with such things though.
Jeremy ********
@Paul ******
some will most won’t
Paul *******
@Jeremy *******
Depends on the type of restaurant
Jeremy ********
@Paul ******
even 5 star restaurants cook like they’re in a food stall…plus you never know what kind of ingredients they use to include cooking oil
Paul *******
@Jeremy *******
Not really. Unless you've inspected every kitchen that's a claim you can't make.
Jeremy ********
@Paul ******
all kitchens skimp on cooking supplies and ingredients due to razor thin margins in the restaurant business…it’s a worldwide phenomenon
Tulip ********
Stay out of Thailand or live on rice and fish and never any sauces or dips
Jasmine *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tulip *******
bit late to stay out.. rice it is
Tulip ********
@Jasmine ******
seriously good luck and take absolutely nothing for granted.
Stew *********
Can you get a epipen before you travel?
Jasmine *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stew ********
I have lots!
Jasmine *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for your help. They’re all in date 🙂
Stew *********
You should be good to go then.... your sign and epipen
Stew *********
@Jasmine ******
just make sure that they are not expired
Jeremy ********
good luck eating street food, food court food, restaurant food, etc, they don't use separate pans for cooking...I see a bunch of Kebabs in your future along with burgers for your stay in Thailand
Jasmine *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
Hahhaha, Thankyou
Jeremy ********
@Jas****
welcome to Thailand
Jeffrey **********
Most restaurants and street food use 1 pan to cook. they don't, and won't clean in-between

Card is nice, assuming they can read and understand. Be careful
Paul *******
@Jeffrey *********
Should be fine if it's a reputable restaurant or chain restaurant.
Umami *********
yes, sure is, headlines are in English. Food Allergy, I have got a peanut allergy, does this food contain peanuts, caution, as said above reply
Jasmine *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Umami ********
amazing Thankyou
Umami *********
@Jasmine ******
some other lines just say which food can contain peanuts - caution says use clean coking ware, and clean/not reused frying oil, while fix my meal, thank you
Brandon ************
Sent this to one of my Thai friends. He said it's correct and sounds natural but you should still prepare for the worst as sometimes the cooks don't know that some of the products contain peanuts
Jasmine *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
that’s great, thanks very much for the help!
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