a pure visual feast. However, Thailand is not just a visual delight. The country's renowned

gastronomy provides a literal culinary feast as well.

The famous Thai cuisine known for its freshness and savory combination of flavors is sure

to delight the pallets of global travelers, and it's one of the best ways to immerse yourself

in the local culture. Dishes such as Pad Thai or spicy curries are sure to please, but be

sure to use proper judgment with your food choices.

Hygiene and sanitation standards are likely to be different in Thailand from what you

are used to at home, especially among Thailand's popular street food vendors. Travel health

specialists advise that you avoid eating food stalls on the street, but if you do choose

to indulge it's best to avoid things like raw foods in favor of fully cooked items and

to only eat fruits and vegetables that you've peeled yourself. In case your culinary escapades

take you off road and take a toll on your stomach, be sure to pack a traveler's diarrhea

kit so your adventures don't lead you off track and you don't end up dehydrated.

As you're wandering through the streets of Thailand's cities, relaxing on the beaches,

or trekking through the lush landscape in search of that idyllic retreat or perfect

next stop on your culinary tourism tour, remember that insect-borne viruses like dengue fever

and chikungunya are endemic to Thailand and the application of mosquito repellents containing

Deet is highly recommended.

Travel to Thailand brings with it a host of other considerations of which the average

traveler or guidebook maybe unaware. However, a visit with the travel health specialist

will help you to tailor your precautions to your specific situation and medical history.

For example, during the dry season, travelers with respiratory or pulmonary conditions may

find their symptoms aggravated by agricultural burning. It's best to consult the air quality

index and plan your trip accordingly so your breath is taken away by the natural beauty

and delicious cuisine rather than a lack of oxygen.

As any cautious traveler knows, vaccines are a crucial pre-travel preparatory measure.

CDC highly recommends all travelers to Thailand receive both hepatitis A and B vaccines. Hepatitis

A protection is especially important if you plan on taking a culinary tour of the country

since exposure to the virus often occurs via contaminated food and water. For the same

reason, the typhoid vaccine is recommended as well, especially if you plan to travel

through small villages and rural areas where sanitation may be lacking. If you plan to

travel outside of Bangkok and visit some of the more rural farming communities, then Japanese

encephalitis vaccine is recommended as well since this is where mosquitoes that carry

the disease thrive.

Make the most of your time in Thailand. Consult with the Passport Health travel medicine specialists

to determine your strategy for staying well abroad. Call 1-888-499-PASS or just visit

www.passporthealthusa.com to find the Passport Health clinic nearest you.