Stay Healthy in Pattaya

It's not easy to stay healthy in Pattaya.

You start your trip exhausted from the flight and working too hard at your job in the weeks beforehand.  

You've been exposed to thousands of people at the airports and hundreds on the plane.

You will arrive in Pattaya, hot, sweaty, dirty, confused and disoriented.

After the first few days your feet will be blistered from walking too much, your head will be red from too much sun, and pounding from the drinks.  Your belly will be touchy from too much food and your bowels will be suspect.

You will run yourself ragged jumping on and off the baht bus, walking another block to see what is there, having one more drink, trying one more snack and meeting one more lady.

But your face will hurt from smiling all the time and it will feel glorious having more fun than you ever thought possible.

Key Ways to Stay Healthy in Pattaya

Avoid the Following Things in Pattaya

Very hot, very sunny afternoon on my August 2024 trip spent at Pattaya Beach

Excessive Sun - Enjoy the Sun but Be Careful

The sun is intense in Thailand.  Usually full on sun from 8:00 am until sundown at 6:30 pm.  Even with some clouds, the sun just seems to beat right through.  By late morning it is hot, continuing to cook and get hotter until sundown.

I don't use sunscreen, I use the timer on my phone to help limit my exposure. 

I go to the pool in the morning and start with 10 minutes facing up, then 10 minutes facing down on the first day, then build up over the trip.

I wear a hat and t-shirt covering my shoulders and upper arms during the day when out walking and exploring.

I get in the sun regularly at home.  You may need to follow some other protocol using sunscreen or more full-body covering.

Tap Water

Drink bottled water, not tap water.  My hotel provides 2 bottles of water everyday.  I supplement that by buying a case of bottled water in the nearest mini-mart and keep it in my hotel room refrigerator.  Plus, I buy bottled water when I am out and need it.

On my first trip I kept a bottle of water and glass to brush my teeth and rinse.  It was a real PITA.  Decades of my teeth brushing protocol to unlearn.  As I settled into being in Pattaya and found my stride with an ok tummy and minimal digestive issues, I just started using tap water from the bathroom sink.  Easy, quick and efficient. 

Be careful with this if you have digestive issues.

Excessive Walking

I try not to walk too far or very fast. This is very difficult as walking is free and there is so much to explore.  I always want to go a little farther and see a little more. 

I have torn my feet to shreds with blisters by walking too much.

I try to be efficient and do some planning during the day and use the baht bus strategically.

Central Pattaya is a condensed area, but it is large and you can end up walking a lot

Food & Drink Considerations

Nice Guinness at Beer Hub

Delicious Tropical Drink at Pattaya Beer Garden

Be Aware of Your Drinking Limits to Stay Healthy in Pattaya

I've been partying on and off for 40+ years.  I know my limits and try not to overdo it.  It helps that I don't really like the Thai beers that much.  But I like them enough to have my share.  Plus, I switch to wine and mixed drinks when I'm full of beer.

Pattaya is an extreme party city with low priced drinks so some nights I have been barely able to stagger back to my hotel.

Minimize Sugary Food & Drinks

With drinks most nights, I try to limit the sweets.  Plus I tend to get a head cold if I eat too many sugary sweets. 

There are donut shops and ice cream parlors available in the malls, food courts and street side shops.  Most of the restaurants offer various deserts, pies, cakes, pastries and ice cream options.  These are super cheap compared to the ridiculously high prices charged in US restaurants and stores for deserts.

There are very inexpensive candy and ice cream options in 7/11’s and other mini-stores. 

Thailand is famous for mango sticky rice and  mango ice cream that are a delicious must try on a Thailand trip.

You will notice some extremely large tourists and ex-pats who over indulge.

Control Volume of Food Intake in General

I try not to eat so much in general to feel a little leaner and give my digestive system a break from all the different and delicious types of food available.

My first meal of the day is around noon. English or American breakfast, a burger or a Thai meal (Penang Chicken curry or Pad Thai are my favorites).

I may get a small snack in the afternoon if the meal was smaller or I am famished.

I rarely eat a large dinner in the evening, preferring to go out for drinks in the evening a little hungry.  I'm in Pattaya for partying every night, I want to avoid feeling bloated from food...lean and mean.  But more importantly, I don't want to feel like I need a BM.

At some point in the evening, after some drinks, I will get a nice evening snack or meal (along the lines of Shrimp Tempura, skewered meat or something Thai). 

Sometimes I end the night with one more late night snack if I am really hungry or had too much to drink (Bronx pizza, Mamaburger, Wursty's, a kebab or a full thai meal).

Watch Out What and Where You Eat

• I’m careful about what and where I eat to avoid having stomach or intestinal issues.  I had a very unpleasant experience with an Indian restaurant meal going right through me on my first trip.
• I don’t stock up on junk food in my room anymore, even though it is inexpensive.  One night I was too tired to go out for a meal, gorged on the cheap junk food I had in my room, and woke up with a severe head cold.
• I rarely get anything from the street food carts, even though it looks and smells delicious and is super cheap.
• I tend to want my vegetables fully cooked, rather than raw.

Even if you are careful, you may have some bowel troubles.

What is Helpful to Stay Healthy in Pattaya

Make Use of the Pharmacies

The Thailand pharmacists are very knowledgeable and helpful.  They are your first choice when you don't feel well.

Describe your ailment and they may have a solution.

I've had an ear infection, been run-down with a heavy cough, plugged ears and diarrhea.

The pharmacist told me what to get, I bought it and got relief.

Things You Can Do to Stay Healthy in Pattaya

If You Do Get Sick, Rest

One of the main reasons I recommend you stay more than a week is to allow yourself time to deal with getting rundown.  I am so excited when I get there...I give her right away, drinking like a fish, staying out late, walking until me feet ache and meeting ladies. 

It hits me a few days later when I am exhausted, rundown, beat, blistered feet, hungover and feeling an illness coming on.

I have spent an entire afternoon in bed recovering before going out for a very brief night out.

Take Your Normal Supplements

I take my full number of vitamins and supplements with me and take them every morning just like I do at home.

With the supplements I take, I rarely get sick at home.

Sleep & Nap as Needed

I try to get enough sleep at night.  And I lay down every late afternoon and nap.  I will go to bed early some nights.  I force myself to stay in bed if I wake up too early.

I find it impossible to sleep more than a few minutes at a time on the flight, so I get to Pattaya totally exhausted.

Be Careful Getting Out of Bed

I’m careful when getting into and out of bed to avoid using my hands and arms too much.  The beds are much lower to the ground than my bed at home.  I am getting into and out of bed multiple times during the evening and am exhausted after enjoying myself. 

It is easy to strain your hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms trying to get out of bed too fast.

Try Not to Overdo Things

I try not to overdo the sun, the walking, the amount of food and extent of liquor.  The only thing I may overdo is the number of ladies😊

Hospitals and Clinics If You Have Troubles

You are supposed to protect yourself if you do happen to meet a lady who you hit it off with.  I have had no issues, but you may. 

Clinics for STD Issues:

• Pulse Clinic.  ON Second Road, close to South Pattaya Road.
• Take Care Clinic.  On Second Road, near Royal Garden Plaza Mall.
• Buakhoa Clinic.  On Soi Buakhao, near LK Metro.
• We Health Medical Technology Clinic.  On Central Pattaya Road, near Third Road.

I have not needed to visit a hospital on my trips.  I have avoided major health problems, just dealing with minor issues by visiting a pharmacy.

Hospitals:

• Bangkok Hospital.  North of Central Pattaya area in Naklua.
• Pattaya International Hospital.  On Second Road, north of Central Pattaya area and north of Soi 6.
• Pattaya City Hospital.  On Soi Buakhao, near Soi Boomerang.
• Pattaya Memorial Hospital.  Near Central Pattaya Road and Second Road.

Just go to the clinics or hospitals if you need it.  Bring plenty of ThB cash and your credit cards.

From my research, the clinics and hospitals are very good, professional, will get you in quickly for treatment and are reasonably priced.

Stay Healthy in Pattaya Wrap Up

I know there are a lot of potential ways for you to not stay healthy in Pattaya. But don't let that slow down your plans.  Go there feeling good, watch out for yourself and even if you get a bit rundown, you can just rest for a day or so and get back to the fun.

And then you will power through your health issues and go on to have the time of your life.