For most visitors the short answer is that nobody checks vaccinations at the border. A certificate is only requested from people arriving from a yellow fever country. Everything else is medical advice, not a Thai entry rule. The details below were checked against the Thai embassy, the CDC, the WHO and Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health on 17 October 2026.
Which vaccinations are required for entry
Just one, yellow fever, and only for some travellers. Section 12 (5) of the Immigration Act lets Thailand refuse entry to foreigners without the vaccinations the health ministry requires. According to the Thai embassy notice of 6 August 2025, you need a certificate if you have travelled from or through a yellow fever country. The shot must be at least 10 days old when you arrive, and you show the certificate to immigration.
- Who needs it: anyone who has been in one of the 45 countries on Thailand’s list, mostly sub-Saharan Africa and South America (Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria and others)
- From what age: the CDC says the requirement applies from 9 months
- Transits: the CDC adds that an airport transit of more than 12 hours in such a country counts
- Citizens of listed countries who have not been there recently do not need the certificate but should be able to show they live outside an infected area
If you fly in from Europe, North America, Australia or most of Asia, directly or via Dubai, Istanbul or Doha, you do not need it.
What doctors recommend before the trip
These are the CDC’s recommendations for Thailand, reviewed on 8 October 2026. Talk to your doctor about a month before departure, since some vaccines need time.
| Vaccine | Who the CDC recommends it for |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | unvaccinated travellers from age 1, extra dose for infants 6-11 months |
| Hepatitis B | unvaccinated travellers under 60 |
| Typhoid | most travellers |
| Measles (MMR) | all travellers, early dose for babies 6-11 months |
| Japanese encephalitis | people moving there, staying a month or more, visiting often or spending lots of time outdoors |
| Rabies before travel | decided with your doctor based on itinerary and activities |
| Chikungunya | may be considered for stays of 6 months or more |
| Cholera | not needed, the CDC says there is no active transmission |
| Yellow fever | not needed, except for the certificate rule above |
The CDC also advises being up to date on routine vaccines such as tetanus, polio, flu and COVID-19.
Dengue: no vaccine in the advice, so avoid bites
Dengue is spread by mosquitoes that bite during the day. The CDC’s Thailand page lists no dengue vaccine, only bite prevention.
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control reported on 15 September 2026 that the country had 25,026 dengue cases and 39 deaths so far that year. That is 1.8 times fewer than in 2025, but cases were still rising, especially in the south, where Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui are.
- During the day, use repellent and wear light long sleeves in green areas
- Where you stay, look for window screens or air conditioning
- For a high fever, take paracetamol and avoid ibuprofen, aspirin and diclofenac, as the Department of Disease Control advises
- If the fever lasts, or you have a headache or rash, get a blood test at a hospital
Rabies: what to do after a bite
Rabies is present in Thailand. According to the WHO, dogs cause up to 99% of human cases, but cats and monkeys can carry it too. The WHO advises washing any bite or scratch with soap and water for at least 15 minutes straight away and seeing a doctor. Once symptoms appear the disease is fatal in 100% of cases, so treatment starts immediately, not after you fly home.
A rabies vaccine before the trip does not replace treatment after a bite: the WHO is clear that exposure still needs care. The CDC suggests deciding on a pre-trip shot with your doctor based on your plans.
Travelling with children or pets
For car seats, sun and national park tickets for kids, see our guide to Thailand with kids. Dogs and cats need their own vaccinations, explained in the guide to bringing pets to Thailand. For buying medicine locally, see pharmacies in Thailand.
FAQ
Do I need a yellow fever shot if I connect through Addis Ababa or Nairobi?
Only if the layover is longer than 12 hours. The CDC notes that Thailand's requirement covers airport transits of more than 12 hours in a yellow fever country, and both Ethiopia and Kenya are on Thailand's list of 45 countries. For a short connection you usually do not need one, but confirm with the Thai embassy before you fly.
Which vaccines should my child have before Thailand?
The CDC recommends hepatitis A for everyone from age 1, plus an extra dose for infants aged 6-11 months that does not count toward the routine schedule. It also advises a full measles (MMR) course for all travellers, with an early dose for babies aged 6-11 months. Discuss the rest, such as Japanese encephalitis for long stays, with your paediatrician about a month before departure.
Is there malaria in Phuket? Do I need tablets?
The CDC recommends antimalarial tablets only for certain provinces along the borders with Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia. For other areas with some transmission it does not recommend them, and bite prevention is enough. If you plan jungle trips near the borders, ask a doctor before you go.
What should I do if a dog or monkey bites me?
The WHO says to wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes straight away and see a doctor the same day for rabies shots. Do not wait until you get home: once symptoms appear, rabies is fatal in 100% of cases. A pre-trip rabies vaccine does not replace treatment after a bite.
What should I take for a fever if it might be dengue?
Thailand's Department of Disease Control advises paracetamol and warns against NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, aspirin and diclofenac. If you have a headache, weakness or a red rash, see a doctor and get a blood test. Our pharmacy guide explains how to buy medicine locally.
Sources
- Royal Thai Embassy Buenos Aires. Announcement on Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement (2025-08-06), list of 45 countries
- Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health. Seasonal disease press release, 2026-09-15 (Thai)
- Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979), section 12 (5), unofficial translation by the Office of the Council of State
- CDC. Thailand: Traveler view (reviewed 2026-10-08)
- WHO. Rabies fact sheet (2026-09-17)
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