Rabies Vaccination in Pattaya

Pre-travel rabies vaccines and same-day post-bite treatment at a walk-in clinic on South Pattaya Road.
Reviewed by Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan, Takecare Medical Clinic Pattaya.

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Why rabies vaccination matters in Pattaya

Rabies is a viral infection carried in the saliva of infected mammals, and it is still present in Thailand. Around Pattaya and Jomtien, the animals most often involved are street dogs and cats — including the friendly soi dogs that gather near beaches, markets and temples — though any mammal bite or scratch deserves proper attention. Once symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal. That is not written to alarm you: it simply explains why doctors treat even small wounds seriously, and why modern rabies vaccines, which are safe and highly effective when given on time, matter so much for travellers here.

There are two situations in which people come to us. The first is planned, pre-exposure vaccination — a sensible step if you are staying in Thailand for a longer period, riding a motorbike, travelling with children or heading into rural areas. The second is post-exposure treatment after a bite, a scratch that breaks the skin, or an animal lick on broken skin. If an animal has just injured you, treat it as a same-day matter and read our guidance on animal and cat bite treatment in Pattaya as well.

Pre-exposure and post-exposure vaccination at our clinic

Pre-exposure vaccination is straightforward: it is usually given as two doses about one week apart, which fits easily into the start of a longer stay. Being vaccinated in advance does not remove the need to see a doctor after a bite, but it greatly simplifies treatment — fewer follow-up doses are needed and rabies immunoglobulin is no longer required. Walk in for your first dose on any day, at any hour. We record each dose in writing so the rest of the course can be completed here or at another clinic if you travel on.

If you come in after an animal contact, the doctor first grades the exposure, then cleans the wound thoroughly and dresses it — see our wound dressing service — checks whether your tetanus protection is current, and starts the rabies vaccine series in the same visit. A typical post-exposure course involves four to five visits spread over roughly one month, and deeper or higher-risk wounds may also need rabies immunoglobulin placed around the wound on the first day. If you have completed a rabies course before, you will usually need only two booster doses a few days apart. Your first visit generally takes under an hour; follow-up injections take only a few minutes each.

What to do straight after an animal bite or scratch

First aid genuinely changes outcomes. Wash the wound immediately with soap and plenty of running water for around 15 minutes, apply an antiseptic if one is available, and do not close or cover the wound tightly. Try to note what kind of animal was involved and whether it belongs to someone who can observe it. Then come to the clinic the same day — do not wait to see whether the animal “looks healthy”, because assessment and first aid should never be delayed.

Seek urgent care immediately if the bleeding will not stop, the wound is deep or located on your face, hands or near a joint, or if you notice spreading redness, swelling or fever in the days after a bite. Our urgent medical care team works at the same address, 24 hours a day, so wound repair and rabies protection can be handled in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a rabies vaccination after a dog bite in Pattaya?

Yes — any bite or scratch from a dog, cat, monkey or other mammal in Thailand should be assessed the same day. Rabies cannot be treated once symptoms develop, so doctors treat every unprovoked or unverifiable animal contact as a potential exposure. Walk in, let our doctor examine the wound, and if vaccination is needed we start it immediately.

How soon after a bite should I start the rabies vaccine?

As soon as possible, ideally the same day. Wash the wound with soap and running water for about 15 minutes, then come to the clinic. Post-exposure treatment is highly effective when started promptly, and we are open 24 hours so there is never a reason to wait until morning.

How many rabies injections will I need?

A typical post-exposure course involves four to five visits spread over about one month, and higher-risk wounds may also need rabies immunoglobulin on the first day. If you have previously completed a rabies vaccine course, you usually need only two booster doses a few days apart. The doctor confirms your exact schedule at the first visit and gives it to you in writing.

Should I get a rabies vaccine before travelling around Thailand?

Pre-exposure vaccination is worth considering if you will spend time around street dogs, visit rural areas, ride motorbikes or travel with children. It is usually given as two doses about one week apart, so it fits easily into the start of a longer stay. It does not remove the need for medical care after a bite, but it simplifies treatment and removes the need for immunoglobulin.

What if I was only scratched or licked, not bitten?

Scratches that break the skin, and licks on broken skin or on the eyes, nose or mouth, are also treated as possible rabies exposures. The safest course is to wash the area and let a doctor grade the contact. The assessment takes only a few minutes, and it is far better than guessing wrong.

Can I walk in for a rabies vaccination without an appointment?

Yes. Takecare Medical Clinic Pattaya is a walk-in clinic on South Pattaya Road, open 24/7 every day of the year. We keep rabies vaccines in stock, our team speaks English, and both pre-exposure courses and post-bite treatment can begin on your first visit.

Explore more

Browse our full range of walk-in medical services, or find out how to reach the clinic from your part of town on our South Pattaya doctor page.

Takecare Medical Clinic Pattaya, 9 South Pattaya Road, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri 20150. Open 24/7. English-speaking walk-in medical clinic.