Do you guys currently use mosquito repellent in Pattaya, I mean when you’re actually in the city itself? What’s the dengue situation there at the moment?

I don’t; mosquitoes tend to not bother me.  However, if you’re prone to attract mosquitoes then a decent repellent would be a good idea.  Dengue is present throughout Thailand and there have been outbreaks in urban areas as well; particularly a concern during the rainy season. 

I spray my legs every time I go out in the evening.

As for dengue, a friend and his wife both came down with it a couple of weeks ago. So yes, it's an issue here.

I caught Dengue fever many years ago when I was on Koh Samet, not sure if I was bitten in BKK before I went there or on the island as it was ripe with mosquitoes back then.

Nowadays I never bother with repellent as I seldom encounter any mossies in Pattaya as I mostly visit aircon gogo bars only. I do use long trousers when out at night as well.

If you visit open beerbars a lot I would recommend to use repellent though!

I have from time to time purchased insect repellent and sun screen when in Thailand, but my resolve to use them has never lasted more than a few days. Nowadays I don’t bother. 

I avoid going out in the hottest part of the day, and cover up which helps for both sun and mosquitos, tho I don’t seem to be bothered much by the latter anyway. Dengue seems to thrive in urban situations, so the powers that be spray for the mosquito that carries it from time to time in some places and seasons. That beastie is most active around dawn and dusk, so it can be an idea to stay inside at those times.

I have had all four strains of dengue. The last time I was in hospital for a week. Having had all the strains I am now immune, but it is a nasty disease I would not wish on anybody. It take a week or so to run its course, and leave you fairly run down for several weeks after the fever is gone. Avoid it if you can.

If you're concerned about getting dengue, then yes I would use repellent (as this is more precisely your question).  Worse concern would be if you have had it before and get it again from another serotype/ strain.  This can result in fatal forms of dengue hemorragic fever.  DM me for further questions. 

Dengue is prevalent in all of Thailand, and we're currently in the peak season, though cases are reported throughout the year .   Even Bangkok has pockets of dengue here/ there-- closer to stagant water, obviously.  

Dengue vaccine is available in BKK at Tropical Medicine clinic of Mahidol Faculty of Tropical medicine*.  Foreigners welcome.  Well worth it if you plan to come / stay here a long time/ repeatedly.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/T8uF2h9TNFgg6rzq9

https://www.tm.mahidol.ac.th/bstm/tm-hospital-care/

*also available through some private hospitals, just with a HUGE markup...

Edited November 13, 2025Nov 13 by hormone

Thanks for the info. I’ll make sure to use repellent regularly this time. During my first stay I was a bit careless about that.

I’ve read up on it: the newer vaccine from Takeda (Qdenga) is the only one approved for people who haven’t had dengue before. It’s given in two doses three months apart, and full protection only develops after the second shot. 

If I were staying in Asia for a longer period, it would be worth getting vaccinated, since the risk of a severe case increases significantly with age – hospitalization is required in about 5 to 10% of cases from age 60 onwards.

Hi I think you should definitely carry repellent with you , dengue mosquitos named as aedes aegypti lives in clean water and stagnant water ,have strips so it’s easy to identify it still prevention is better than cure I guess

2 hours ago, Wilhelm II said:

I’ve read up on it: the newer vaccine from Takeda (Qdenga) is the only one approved for people who haven’t had dengue before. It’s given in two doses three months apart, and full protection only develops after the second shot. 

If I were staying in Asia for a longer period, it would be worth getting vaccinated, since the risk of a severe case increases significantly with age – hospitalization is required in about 5 to 10% of cases from age 60 onwards.

For anyone who knows they will come to SEA regularly for more than a few weeks at a time, I would still recommend the dengue vaccine if you can afford it.  So easy, so cheap and well tolerated. 

You bring an interesting point about age >60.   In general, patients in the extremes of age (<5 yo and >65-70 yo) are always the most fragile ones for any disease.    But when one reads general information about dengue, the hospitalization, complication and mortality rates are always at their peak for the younger age groups (10-25 yo).  
The contrast is explained because to get severe dengue (dengue hemorragic or dengue shock syndrome) , you need to be infected with a different serotype of the virus than the one you previously had (so basically you need to be having at least your 2nd infection).  In countries where dengue is endemic, such as TH, people are exposed from a young age, hence the greater concentration of bad cases in younger individuals.  Foreigners who stay here long term (or come frequently) are starting their dengue exposure much older, hence the high risk happens later in life. 

If you like to avoid spraying a chemical (DEET) on your body, I found this product is effective as a mosquito repellent, and a lot cheaper than the bottles of Soffell (13% DEET) you can buy at 7-11. Of course buying jugs of the stuff is only practical if you're living here. I had some empty Soffell spray bottles that I've repurposed for spraying the  lemongrass and eucalyptus extract (green formula) on my legs.

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/i4808460638-s20140719636.html

Edited November 13, 2025Nov 13 by forcebwithu

I'm seriously considering getting the vaccine.  Costs around 4-5000b and lasts for around 5 years.  I have a friend that got dengue. The way he describes what he went through sounds like hell.  He's older and his symptoms persisted for months.  Apparently it doesn't affect younger people nearly as bad.

Edited November 14, 2025Nov 14 by Kale

Hi everyone!
A bit of an odd place for a first post within this thread, but I can actually contribute quite a bit when it comes to dengue.

I’m not entirely sure whether I had it once or twice, but the second time on Koh Phangan in 2018 really knocked me out. I felt genuinely awful and struggled with the after-effects for more  than two weeks.  

Regarding vaccinations,  In Bangkok, you’ll usually only find Dengvaxia by Sanofi. It’s an older vaccine and it’s really only recommended for people who have already had dengue before.

For someone coming from Europe, like me, I’d recommend the newer Q-Dengue vaccine. It offers better protection percentage-wise, doesn’t cost more than in Thailand, and comes with far fewer severe side effects. That said, it also makes the most sense mainly for people who have had dengue at least once.

I’ve received two doses now and feel somewhat protected. It’s not a 100% shield, but it does significantly reduce the risk of severe hospital-level cases. Important to keep in mind: it takes about two weeks after the second dose for full protection to kick in.

Hope this helps someone!

On 17/11/2025 at 03:31, zaltzam said:

In Bangkok, you’ll usually only find Dengvaxia by Sanofi. It’s an older vaccine and it’s really only recommended for people who have already had dengue before.

For someone coming from Europe, like me, I’d recommend the newer Q-Dengue vaccine. It offers better protection percentage-wise, doesn’t cost more than in Thailand, and comes with far fewer severe side effects. That said, it also makes the most sense mainly for people who have had dengue at least once.

I’ve received two doses now and feel somewhat protected. It’s not a 100% shield, but it does significantly reduce the risk of severe hospital-level cases. Important to keep in mind: it takes about two weeks after the second dose for full protection to kick in.

Hope this helps someone!

Hmmmm ... the way you word your post could mislead some people, allow me to clarify:
1- Both dengue vaccines are easily available in Bangkok.  Not only Dengvaxia, but Qdenga too.  Dengvaxia (2015) is not so much older than Q-denga (2022)... so people should not think "older" = less good...
2- Dengvaxia's efficacy is about 65% protection against all dengue viruses (= prevent dengue) but 80% decrease in very severe* form.  Q-denga's efficacy (= prevent dengue) is around 80%, while it prevents hospitalization (for severe forms) by about 90%.
3- Q-denga is the only vaccine available for people with no prior dengue history, so you don't have a choice unless you want to have serological tests done if you suspect you had it.  Dengvaxia is contra-indicated in people who have never had dengue (here we talk about serologically confirmed, so if you don't know, they would test you before giving you this vaccine).  The reason is because people who receive dengvaxia who have never had dengue before seem to develop more severe disease. 
4- Some studies show immunity wanes after 5 years with dengvaxia -- though this is not 100% clear.   Q-denga's efficacy to prevent dengue goes down also at 5 years, but it still prevents hospitalization/ severe forms. 

*by severe I don't mean you feel like shit/ worn out, I mean dengue hemorragic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS).  

On 14/11/2025 at 10:12, Kale said:

I'm seriously considering getting the vaccine.  Costs around 4-5000b and lasts for around 5 years.  I have a friend that got dengue. The way he describes what he went through sounds like hell.  He's older and his symptoms persisted for months.  Apparently it doesn't affect younger people nearly as bad.

A LLT of mine has a 15-year old daughter currently hospitalized with severe dengue (Surin province). She developed pulmonary edema yesterday, so she was really fighting for her life. Luckily, I was told today she's doing better and out of danger now. But she will be in hospital for a long time.

It got me thinking too, I'm pretty careless when it comes to mosquito repellent, even though I always bring DEET with me. I just never think about using it.

On 12/11/2025 at 21:51, Wilhelm II said:

Do you guys currently use mosquito repellent in Pattaya, I mean when you’re actually in the city itself? What’s the dengue situation there at the moment?

I do not, but..Ive had Dengue.

I got it in Singapore when I was staying in Little India. love the food and colorful vibe there.

You have to get bit by an infected 'sqito, the right kind of squito, who bit an infected person..and then bite you,,and then you get infected...every step is a set of odds...

A VERY VERY people packed large spare (little india) with a population from a carrier area (Little india)..raises the odds.

Make makes Dengue deadly, is that there are 4 types. TWO of them, if you get either them once, and then TWICE, the 2nd time can put you down hard. You may not even know you had it the first time, you're just SUPER tired for a week or so...then its gone. That poo girl...the odds were NOT in her favor -twice-. :(.

There is a vax for this now!!

Dengvaxia (3 doses, requires prior infection testing, ages 6–45) and the newer Qdenga (2 doses given 3 months apart, no blood test required, ages 4–60). Private hospitals and travel clinics across Thailand offer Qdenga for roughly 1,600 to 4,800+ Baht per dose.