Bangkok sexual health guide for travellers and expats

Sexual health in Bangkok: what travellers should know

Bangkok is one of the easiest cities in Asia to look after your sexual health. Pharmacies are everywhere, many clinics have English-speaking staff, and HIV prevention services such as PEP, PrEP and rapid testing are widely available. Whether you are here for a week’s holiday or you have moved here for work, the basics are the same: plan ahead, know where to go, and act quickly if something goes wrong.

This guide is for tourists, business travellers and expats. It is practical rather than medical, and it links to our more detailed guides where you need them.

Before your trip: a sexual health checklist

• Check your vaccinations. Hepatitis B and HPV are both preventable with vaccines. Ask your doctor at home whether you are protected, ideally a few weeks before you go.
• Sort out PrEP if you use it. Take enough for the whole trip, plus a few spare days in case of delays (more on this below).
• Pack condoms and lubricant if you have a brand you prefer, although both are easy to buy in Bangkok.
• Keep a list of your regular medicines, with generic names, in case you need to see a doctor.
• Check your travel insurance to see what it covers for clinic visits, and keep the policy details on your phone.
• Save a clinic’s contact details before you land, so you are not searching in a hurry.

During your trip: staying safe in Bangkok

Condoms

Condoms are sold at convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, at pharmacies and in many hotels. Check the expiry date and store them away from heat, as a hot bag or back pocket can damage them. Used correctly and consistently, condoms remain one of the most effective ways to prevent STIs and HIV.

Alcohol and other substances

Nights out can make it harder to plan, to use condoms properly, or to remember PrEP doses. If you know you will be drinking, set a phone alarm for your PrEP and keep condoms with you.

Consent and safety

Look out for yourself and your friends. If you or someone with you is sexually assaulted, your safety comes first: go somewhere safe and get medical help. A hospital or clinic can offer emergency care, PEP and emergency contraception, and the Tourist Police (1155) can help in English. You can get medical care first, and decide about reporting later.

Where to get help in Bangkok: situation by situation

Situation	What to do / where to go
Condom broke or no condom, within 72 hours	Go to a PEP clinic or hospital today. Don’t wait until you are home.
Possible exposure more than 72 hours ago	PEP is no longer recommended. Plan HIV and STI tests at the right time.
Sexual assault	Get to safety. Call 1669 for emergency medical help or 1155 for the Tourist Police. Seek care for PEP and emergency contraception.
Running low on PrEP	Book a PrEP consultation at a clinic before you run out.
Unusual discharge, pain passing urine, sores or a rash	Book an STI check at a sexual health clinic. Don’t self-treat with antibiotics from a pharmacy.
Want a routine HIV or STI check	Visit a clinic for testing. Many offer anonymous HIV tests.
Serious illness or accident	Call 1669 or go to a hospital emergency department.

Bringing and topping up PrEP when you travel

If you take PrEP at home, the simplest plan is to bring enough for your whole stay, plus a buffer. Keep it in its original packaging with the pharmacy label, carry it in your hand luggage, and bring a copy of your prescription or a doctor’s letter.

If you are staying longer, or you lose your supply, you can continue PrEP in Bangkok. A clinic will usually do an HIV test and a kidney check before prescribing, so bring details of your current PrEP and your most recent results if you have them. At our clinic, PrEP comes with screening and a 30-day supply. If you are thinking about starting PrEP for the first time, our guide to PEP vs PrEP and the different PrEP options explains which might suit you.

Don’t stop and start PrEP casually around a trip. Ask your doctor how to start and stop safely for your type of PrEP.

What if I think I was exposed to HIV while abroad?

The most important thing is not to wait until you get home. PEP works best when it starts as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours and no later than 72 hours after the exposure. A flight home, jet lag and finding a doctor can easily use up that time.

In Bangkok, you can get PEP the same day. At our clinic, walk-ins are welcome, you usually take the first dose within about an hour, and you leave with the full 28-day supply plus a medical letter for your own doctor, so you can continue your care at home. For a step-by-step plan, read what to do after a possible HIV exposure. If you are unsure whether you need PEP at all, try our PEP risk self-check.

Is sexual health care in Bangkok confidential?

Yes. Reputable clinics treat sexual health visits privately. At our clinic, consultations take place in private rooms, you can give your first name only, and anonymous HIV testing is available. Your visit and your results stay confidential.

Language is rarely a barrier in central Bangkok. Many clinics, including ours, have English- and Thai-speaking doctors, and you can usually message in English by LINE or WhatsApp before you arrive. If you prefer to describe what happened in writing, that is fine too.

STIs: why a check-up is worth it

STIs are common everywhere, not just in Bangkok. The World Health Organization’s fact sheet on STIs estimates that more than 1 million curable STIs are acquired every day worldwide among people aged 15–49, and most of them cause no symptoms. That means you can feel completely well and still have an infection you could pass on.

Syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia can all be treated, and hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine. A sexual health screen usually covers:

• HIV
• syphilis
• hepatitis B and hepatitis C
• gonorrhoea and chlamydia

Some infections take time to show on a test, so the timing of your check matters. Our guide on when to test for HIV and STIs after an exposure explains window periods.

After your trip: returning home

• Finish any course you started, such as PEP or antibiotics, even if you feel well.
• Take your medical letter to your own doctor so they can arrange follow-up tests.
• Keep your follow-up test dates, usually around 4–6 weeks and 3 months after an exposure if you took PEP.
• Get an STI check if you had new partners, even without symptoms.
• Tell recent partners if you are diagnosed with an STI, so they can be tested and treated too.

Frequently asked questions about sexual health in Bangkok

Should I take antibiotics from a pharmacy if I have symptoms?

It is better not to. Self-treating can miss the real cause, may not clear the infection and adds to antibiotic resistance. A clinic can test you and, where possible, treat you the same day.

Should I get a hepatitis B vaccine before travelling?

It is worth asking your doctor. Hepatitis B can be passed on through sex, and a safe, effective vaccine is available. The full course takes time, so plan a few weeks ahead.

Can I bring my PrEP through Thai customs?

Personal medicines for your own use are normally carried in hand luggage in their original packaging. Bring your prescription or a doctor’s letter, and check the latest rules before you fly.

Can expats in Bangkok have regular PrEP check-ups?

Yes. If you live here, you can have your PrEP visits in Bangkok, with an HIV test, kidney check, STI screen and a new supply each time.

If you are visiting or living in Bangkok and want PEP, PrEP or a confidential check-up, see our sexual health services for travellers and residents or contact us by LINE, WhatsApp or phone. We are near BTS Asok and MRT Sukhumvit and open every day from 09:00 to 21:00.