How to avoid getting “Bangkok belly” in Thailand

Assuming you’re a travel enthusiast like me (which you likely are if you’ve landed yourself here), there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself in Thailand at some point.

And that’s great! Thailand is an amazing place with welcoming locals, incredible culture, and most importantly – amazing food.

From the busy streets of Bangkok to the jungle vibes of Chiang Mai, this beautiful country is home to some of the best delicacies on the planet.

However, Thai food can be a little more adventurous than what you’re used to, and if you’re not careful, it can result in an unpleasant experience known as ‘Bangkok belly’ or bac ha.

So how do we avoid getting sick while traveling in Thailand?

Well, first let’s define what Bangkok Belly really is…

What is Bangkok belly?

Bangkok belly, aka food poisoning, is how one experiences the aftermath of eating street food that wasn’t cooked thoroughly.

Most cases of Bangkok Belly are due to meat not being cooked properly (often pork), and bacteria remaining on the surface of the meat, but can also be caused by unhygienic conditions generally.

Symptoms usually begin 12-18 hours after eating contaminated food, and can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and general discomfort.

Bangkok belly is easily avoided by cooking your meat thoroughly (traditionally Thai dishes are cooked at boiling point), avoiding street food where possible, and generally ensuring that the food you are eating is being prepared hygienically.

Is it safe to eat street food in Thailand?

Surprisingly, street food can be some of the best stuff Thailand has to offer.

In fact, some of the best Thai dishes in Thailand can be found being sold on the corner of just about any big city in Thailand, and it tastes amazing.

But it’s how the street food is prepared that can cause problems.

Unless your street vendor is making lots of money, their first priority will probably not be how clean their work area is, so you should always ask how the food is prepared (the vendor should be able to tell you how they prepare their food – if they can’t tell you, don’t eat there).

Other factors that can contribute to how likely you are to get sick include:

• The time of year
• How hot it is outside
• How much alcohol you have consumed recently

These factors don’t seem to affect the severity of your illness, only how likely it is to happen in the first place.

Food and drink to avoid in Thailand

Generally speaking, pork and shellfish are regarded as higher-risk meats in Thailand due to how they’re prepared. Pork often isn’t cooked thoroughly (even when grilled), and shellfish is often eaten raw or not cooked thoroughly.

This is not to say that you should avoid these foods completely, as a lot of tasty traditional Thai dishes are made from pork and shellfish!

Just be aware of how the food is being prepared, and how long it has been sitting out.

What to do if you get sick in Thailand?

The good news is, if you do get sick (and most people who visit Thailand will), it won’t last long and shouldn’t be too severe. Symptoms should resolve themselves within 48-72 hours and you’ll be back on your feet in no time!

If symptoms don’t improve or begin to worsen, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

What to do if you get food poisoning in Thailand

There are a number of steps you can take to help ease your symptoms until they pass. These may not be 100% effective, but they are worth trying!

– Drink plenty of fluids, this will make it easier for your body to flush itself clean – drink water, coconut juice or green tea.

– Try to avoid solid foods and stick to liquids (or at least soft foods) – the easier it is for your body to digest, the better.

– Avoid dairy products – most people find they make their symptoms worse and don’t do anything positive either.

Other than that, take it easy and try not to stress about it.

Tips to avoid getting sick abroad

Other ways to avoid getting sick in Thailand include having a healthy diet before you travel, not going overboard with how much alcohol you have, and staying hydrated throughout your trip.

Unfortunately, getting sick while in Thailand is common for many visitors due to how new and foreign the food and drinks are to your body. Many people find that they will get sick at least once in Thailand, but this is no reason to not enjoy yourself!

Now that you know the basics on how to avoid getting sick in Thailand, you can put your mind at ease and enjoy trying the exotic new cuisine worry-free.

Travelling should be about experiencing new things and overcoming fears – so don’t let something as simple as food poisoning stop you from exploring this amazing country!