Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines in Chiang Mai
After an animal bite, wash the wound with soap and water for at least 10 minutes, apply an antiseptic and see a doctor promptly. The DDC travel poster lists Japanese encephalitis vaccine for travellers staying more than 1 month in countries where the disease is common.
A street dog licks a scratch on your hand. The first minutes matter, and the DDC steps start at the tap, not at the clinic.
After an animal bite: the first minutes
Wash the wound with soap and water for at least 10 minutes, apply povidone-iodine after washing, and never cover it. Confine the animal, see a doctor and finish the vaccine course.
DDC steps after an animal bite, from the DDC rabies page and the DDC news of 4 October 2019, checked 13 October 2026.Tap to enlarge diagram ↗
A bite wound should not be stitched, because stitches make it easier for the virus to reach the nerve endings. If stitching is needed, it is done loosely and only after immune globulin has gone into the wound.
Every person bitten or scratched by an animal must see a doctor quickly to consider the rabies vaccine and tetanus protection. A lick on skin with a graze or scratch, or on the lips or eyes, can pass the virus.
Rabies immune globulin is given as soon as possible, followed by the vaccine. The standard course is 5 intramuscular shots on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 30. An intradermal option uses 2 sites on days 0, 3, 7 and 1 site on days 30 and 90.
Whether to give it at once or wait depends on the animal. Observe the animal at 10 days; if a dog or cat is still normal, the later shots stop. If unsure, give protection at once, especially for a child or a severe wound.
The Thai Red Cross Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute uses two programmes, intramuscular and intradermal, and a patient must come for every appointment. That clinic is in Bangkok; in Chiang Mai, go to an emergency room or a clinic below.
Rabies vaccine before you are bitten
Official Thai texts disagree on the course. The DDC travel poster of August 2020 lists 2 shots, 1 week apart, finished before leaving. The newest dated DDC text found, a rabies guideline printed in July 2021, counts a completed pre-exposure course as 3 shots. A late visit does not restart the course.
The DDC rabies page also gives 3 shots, on days 0, 7 and 28.
Treat 3 shots as the Thai default and ask the clinic whether it gives the shorter 2-shot course. A Chiang Mai clinic gives 3 shots: the second 7 days after the first and the third 21 days after the first.
The poster’s target group is travellers to places where rabies persists in pets and who do outdoor activities near animals, with Thailand named. Without a new risk no booster is needed, but a mammal bite after the course needs one.
Prices at Chiang Mai clinics
Hugsa Clinic charges THB 890 per dose for rabies vaccine Speeda and THB 1,200 per dose for Verolab. A 3-shot course is three doses.
The clinic is open Monday to Friday 10:00 to 20:00 and Saturday to Sunday 10:00 to 18:00. CM Mediclinic offers a rabies course but publishes no price. Chiangmai Ram Hospital’s online vaccine shop has no rabies item.
The poster lists a course of 2 shots, with the gap set by the brand: 3 months for one brand and 12 months for another. The target group is people not vaccinated before and travellers staying more than 1 month in countries where the disease is common.
Have at least the first shot 2 to 4 weeks before travel. The second follows after the brand’s gap. The vaccine must not be given in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
CM Mediclinic charges THB 1,200 for the Imojev vaccine. Ask whether that is per dose.
The 2022 DDC list names the Sridonchai travel medicine clinic of the Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 1 as the regional unit for the Chiang Mai area. The clinic gives Japanese encephalitis vaccine among others. Rabies is not in that list.
Hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 11.30am and 1pm to 3pm, closed weekends and public holidays. The clinic is in the former District Tuberculosis Centre, Chang Khlan, opposite Sriwong Book Centre.
Chiangmai Ram Hospital
The hospital is at 8 Boonruangrit Road, Si Phum, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200, tel. 052-004699. Its emergency line is 052-004601. The vaccine category of its online shop lists 14 items.
Chiangmai Ram Hospital 8 Bunrueang Rit Rd, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)The street front of Chiangmai Ram Hospital.
Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai
The address is 88/8-9 Moo 6, Nong Pa Khrang, Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai 50000, and the number is 1719 for local calls only. Its Trauma Center of Excellence is open 24 hours, 7 days a week on +66 (0)52 089 888. It offers health check-up and treatment packages under Packages & Promotions.
Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai 88/8-9 Lampang - Chiang Mai Superhighway, Tambon Nong Pa Khrang, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)The lobby of Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai.
Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital
The hospital is at 110 Inthawarorot Rd., Sri Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200. Its Emergency Room is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The EMS service line is +6653-938-777.
Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital 110 Intrawarorot Rd, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital and its pavilion.
Other hospitals to call
Rajavej Chiang Mai Hospital: 316/1 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road, Wat Ket, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50000, tel 052-011999.
Lanna Hospital: Customer Relation Department tel (052) 134-777.
McCormick Hospital: 133 Kaew Nawarat Road, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50000, tel. 053-921777, Emergency Department 053-921-777 ext. 1338, 1339 and a direct line 053-921-799.
1Wash the wound at onceWash with soap and water for at least 10 minutes, apply povidone-iodine and do not cover the wound.
2Do not stitch itA bite wound should not be stitched.
3See a doctor promptlyEvery person bitten or scratched by an animal needs a doctor to consider the rabies vaccine and tetanus protection.
4Follow the courseThe standard course is 5 shots on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 30.
5Plan travel vaccines earlyThe poster says to have at least 1 Japanese encephalitis shot 2 to 4 weeks before travel. For rabies, ask the clinic whether it gives 2 or 3 shots, and finish them before departure.
Not confirmed: The DDC texts differ on the pre-exposure rabies course: 2 shots on the 2020 poster, 3 shots in the newest guideline found. Ask the clinic which it gives. Hospitals do not publish rabies immune globulin stock, so go to an emergency room after a bite. Hospital prices for rabies and Japanese encephalitis shots were not found.
What do I do right after a dog bite in Chiang Mai?
Wash the wound with soap and water for at least 10 minutes and apply povidone-iodine, and do not cover it. DDC also says to confine the animal, see a doctor and finish the vaccine course.
Should a bite wound be stitched?
It should not be stitched, because stitches make it easier for the virus to reach the nerve endings.
What is the standard rabies vaccine course after a bite?
The course is 5 intramuscular shots on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 30, or an intradermal alternative.
Can a lick give rabies?
A lick on skin with a graze or scratch, or on the lips or eyes, can pass the virus.
Is the pre-exposure rabies course 2 shots or 3?
The newest dated DDC text found, a guideline printed in 2021, counts 3 shots. The 2020 DDC poster says 2 shots a week apart. A Chiang Mai clinic gives 3 shots: the second 7 days after the first and the third 21 days after the first. Ask the clinic.
What does a rabies or Japanese encephalitis shot cost in Chiang Mai?
Rabies vaccine is THB 890 or THB 1,200 per dose at Hugsa Clinic. Imojev is THB 1,200 at CM Mediclinic. Both prices were checked on 13 October 2026, so confirm before you go.
Is the rabies vaccine given before travel?
The DDC poster lists it for travellers to places where rabies persists in pets and who do outdoor activities, and names Thailand.
Who should have Japanese encephalitis vaccine?
The DDC poster lists people not vaccinated before and travellers staying more than 1 month where the disease is common, such as South-East Asia.
How early should I have the Japanese encephalitis shot?
The poster says at least 1 shot, 2 to 4 weeks before travel. A full course is 2 shots, spaced by brand.
Where is the government travel clinic?
The Sridonchai travel medicine clinic of ODPC Region 1 is the regional unit in the DDC list. CityLife places it opposite Sriwong Book Centre in Chang Khlan.
General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
