FOOD AND WATER INFORMATION FOR THAILAND

Water Thailand: Tap water in Thailand should not be consumed unless it has been boiled, filtered, or chemically disinfected. In the major cities, water comes from water purification plants, but may be contaminated due to inadequate sewage facilities. This is especially common during times of flooding. Avoid unpasteurized milk and any products that might have been made from unpasteurized milk, such as ice cream. Fruits and vegetables should not be eaten unless they have been peeled or cooked.

Food Thailand: Foods that have been cooked but left at room temperature, such as buffets, should be avoided, as well as raw or undercooked meat or fish. Most of us think ‘Do not buy food or beverages from street vendors’ but this is far from true. The street vendors in Thailand make the food in front of you and is as fresh as can be. If you want to be extra safe, eat where the Thai people eat .

All travelers should bring along an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug to be started promptly if significant diarrhea occurs, defined as three or more loose stools in an 8-hour period or five or more loose stools in a 24-hour period, especially if accompanied by nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever or blood in the stool.