Bitten by a dog in Thailand – what to do and how to get rabies treatment
Stray dogs are everywhere in Thailand. Temples, beaches, markets, outside your hotel – you’ll see them daily. Most are honestly harmless and very familiar with people. Many bark, but that’s it.
Some are friendly enough that you’ll end up with a favorite one by the end of your trip. With that said, dog bites happen – it’s not that rare. If you get bitten by a dog in Thailand, you need to act fast because of one word: rabies (โรคพิษสุนัขบ้า).
Rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear. There is no cure. But it’s also nearly 100% preventable if you get treatment quickly. Thailand has cheap, widely available rabies treatment at hospitals across the country, and the whole process is straightforward.
Step 1: Wash the wound immediately
This is the single most important thing you can do, and you should do it before anything else.
Wash the bite under running water with soap for at least 15 minutes. We know that sounds like a long time – it is. Time it. This alone can reduce the risk of rabies infection significantly. Use any soap you have. Hand soap, shower gel, dish soap – it doesn’t matter.
After washing, apply an antiseptic. Betadine (เบตาดีน, povidone-iodine) is available at every pharmacy and most 7-Elevens in Thailand for about 40-60 baht (~$1.20-$1.75 USD). Rubbing alcohol (แอลกอฮอล์, 70%) works too. Do not cover the wound tightly – let it breathe.
If you’re not alone, or you can employ help of a stranger, have them find Betadine for you while you’re washing the bite and calling a Grab or taxi.
Warning: Do not try to close the wound with butterfly strips or stitches. Dog bite wounds need to drain. A doctor will assess whether it needs closing later.
Step 2: Get to a hospital (โรงพยาบาล)
Don’t wait. Go to a hospital the same day you’re bitten ((ideally immediately), or if you’re very remote, as soon as possible the next morning. You’re going for two things: wound care and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Where to go:
- Any government or private hospital – most hospitals in Thailand stock the rabies vaccine. Government hospitals are significantly cheaper if you don’t have insurance (our advice on travel insurance is here).
- Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute (สถานเสาวภา, Thai Red Cross), 1871 Rama IV Road, Bangkok – Thailand’s national rabies centre. Near BTS Sam Yan. This is the specialist facility and the cheapest option in Bangkok.
- Bumrungrad International Hospital, Sukhumvit Soi 3, Bangkok – if you want an international hospital with English-speaking staff. Emergency: 1378. More expensive but very efficient.
- Bangkok Hospital – branches in most major cities and tourist towns.
If you’re on an island: most clinics on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Lipe and similar islands can start the vaccine, but many don’t carry rabies immunoglobulin (RIG). Get the first vaccine dose at the island clinic, then get to a mainland hospital for RIG. Don’t wait until you leave the island to start – get the first dose immediately.
Step 3: understand what treatment you’ll get
The doctor will assess your bite using the WHO exposure categories:
- Category I (you touched or fed the dog, skin intact) – wash the area, no vaccine needed
- Category II (scratches or scrapes that didn’t bleed) – wash + rabies vaccine course
- Category III (bite broke the skin, or lick on broken skin) – wash + rabies vaccine + rabies immunoglobulin (RIG)
Most dog bites fall into Category III.
The vaccine course is 4 doses given on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 (some protocols add day 28). Thailand widely uses the intradermal method – smaller doses injected into the skin rather than the muscle. It’s WHO-approved and 60-80% cheaper. You’ll need to return to a hospital for each dose, but they don’t have to be at the same hospital.
Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is injected around the wound site on day 0. It provides immediate protection while the vaccine kicks in. RIG is the expensive part, and the part that’s hardest to find on islands or in rural areas.
If you’ve had the pre-exposure rabies vaccine before travelling, you only need 2 booster doses (days 0 and 3) and no RIG at all. This is a strong argument for getting vaccinated before your trip – check our vaccinations and health guide for more on that.
How much rabies treatment costs in Thailand
Treatment is dramatically cheaper here than in most Western countries.
Government hospitals:
- Vaccine course (4 doses, intradermal): 800-1,600 baht (~$23-$46 USD)
- RIG: 2,000-8,000 baht (~$58-$230 USD)
- Total with RIG: 3,000-10,000 baht (~$86-$290 USD)
Private hospitals:
- Vaccine course (4 doses, intramuscular): 2,000-6,000 baht (~$58-$175 USD)
- RIG: 5,000-20,000 baht (~$145-$580 USD)
- Total with RIG: 8,000-25,000 baht (~$230-$725 USD)
International hospitals (Bumrungrad, etc):
- Total with RIG: 15,000-40,000 baht (~$435-$1,160 USD)
Even the most expensive option in Thailand is much less than back home.
Pre-exposure vaccination (before you get bitten): This can be considered. We don’t find it necessary for most people, but it’s up to you. 3 doses at a private hospital costs 2,400-6,000 baht (~$70-$175 USD) total. Worth considering if you’re spending extended time here or travelling to rural areas.
Does travel insurance cover rabies treatment?
Emergency rabies PEP is typically covered under the medical expenses section of travel insurance policies. SafetyWing, which we recommend for travel insurance, covers emergency medical treatment including rabies PEP.
Two things to know: Thai hospitals usually require upfront payment (insurance reimburses you later), and treatment here is cheap enough that it might fall within your excess/deductible anyway. Keep all receipts and medical documentation.
Pre-exposure vaccination is generally not covered by travel insurance – that’s considered preventive care.
How common is rabies in Thailand?
This is worth taking seriously. Rabies deaths in Thailand tripled in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 – 7 confirmed deaths across multiple provinces including Chonburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Rayong. In early 2026, a 36-year-old man died in Rayong after being bitten by a puppy and not seeking treatment. A puppy.
In September 2025, Bangkok itself issued a rabies alert in Prawet district. This isn’t just a rural problem.
Between January and February 2026, 50 animals tested positive for rabies across Thailand. The WHO estimates 59,000 people die from rabies globally each year, with dogs responsible for 99% of human cases. Children under 15 account for 40% of victims worldwide.
The point isn’t to scare you. It is to make sure you understand that “it was just a puppy” or “the dog seemed healthy” is not a reason to skip treatment. The incubation period for rabies is typically 2 weeks to 2 months but can extend up to a year – by the time you have symptoms, it’s too late.
How to avoid dog bites in Thailand
Most bites happen because someone tried to pet a stray, got between a mother and her puppies, or startled a sleeping dog. It’s one of those risks that’s easy to avoid once you’re aware of it – like the common scams we write about. A few simple rules:
- Don’t touch strays – even if they look friendly. You don’t know their history.
- Don’t run from an aggressive dog – stand still, avoid eye contact, and back away slowly. Running triggers a chase instinct.
- Watch for temple dogs at night – temple dogs are usually docile during the day but can be territorial after dark.
- Be careful around food – dogs that guard food scraps or territory around restaurants can be aggressive.
- Motorbike riders, watch your ankles – dogs love to chase motorbikes. Speed up, don’t swerve.
Emergency contacts
- Thai DDC hotline (กรมควบคุมโรค): 1422 (24 hours, 7 days)
- EMS / ambulance: 1669
- Tourist police: 1155
- Bumrungrad Emergency: 1378
Save 1422 in your phone. It’s the number to call for any animal bite or disease exposure question.
Frequently asked questions
How much does rabies treatment cost in Thailand?
At a government hospital, the full vaccine course costs 800-1,600 baht (~$23-$46 USD). If you need RIG, add 2,000-8,000 baht (~$58-$230 USD). Private hospitals charge 2,000-6,000 baht for the vaccine and 5,000-20,000 baht for RIG. International hospitals like Bumrungrad charge 15,000-40,000 baht total – still far cheaper than the USA.
Do I need rabies shots after a dog bite in Thailand?
If the bite broke your skin, yes. Rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear, and there is no cure. Get post-exposure prophylaxis as soon as possible – ideally the same day. Even a scratch that drew blood warrants treatment. Don’t wait to see if the dog “seemed healthy” – you can’t tell by looking.
Can I get rabies treatment on Thai islands?
Most island clinics can start the vaccine, but many don’t stock RIG. If you’re bitten on Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, Koh Lipe or similar small islands, get the first vaccine dose at the local clinic and then travel to a provincial hospital on the mainland for RIG. Don’t delay the first dose waiting for the ferry.
Is rabies common in Thailand?
Thailand has an active rabies problem. Deaths tripled in 2025 compared to 2024. In early 2026, a man died after a puppy bite in Rayong. Bangkok had a rabies alert in September 2025. The risk is real, but treatment is cheap and widely available if you act quickly.
Should I get the rabies vaccine before travelling to Thailand?
It costs 2,400-6,000 baht (~$70-$175 USD) for 3 doses at a private hospital in Thailand. It doesn’t mean you can skip treatment after a bite, but it simplifies things – just 2 booster shots, no RIG needed. Worth it if you plan to be around animals, travel rural, or visit islands where RIG might not be available. Check our vaccinations guide for the full picture.
If you’re reading this because you’ve actually just been bitten – stop reading and go wash the wound. Fifteen minutes under running water with soap. Then get to a hospital. Everything else can wait.
For more on staying healthy and safe in Thailand, check out our beginner tips guide and our emergency numbers page.