Antibiotic Resistance & STI Testing in Bangkok | BLEZ CLINIC
Introduction
In Thailand, it’s common for people to buy medicine directly from a pharmacy when they feel unwell.
Antibiotics are often available without a prescription, leading many people to take them without consulting a doctor.
While this may seem convenient, it contributes to a serious problem:
antimicrobial resistance (AMR) — when bacteria no longer respond to treatment.
The World Health Organization (WHO)
warns that AMR is a global health threat, and Thailand is one of the countries most affected.
Unlike most countries, certain antibiotics in Thailand can still be dispensed without a doctor’s prescription.
This places great responsibility on pharmacists, who often serve as the first point of contact when people feel unwell.
For Thai people, pharmacies are not only convenient but also the most accessible form of healthcare.
This makes pharmacists trusted gatekeepers, ensuring that antibiotics are used safely and only when truly necessary.
Antibiotic Misuse in Thailand and Its Risks
Source:
Thai AMR Watch – Antimicrobial Resistance in Humans Dashboard
Example: Over 35% of bacteria are resistant to Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, making it less effective in treatment.
Antibiotic misuse includes, but is not limited to:
- ➤ Unnecessary consumption
- ➤ Improper antibiotic choice
- ➤ Incorrect dose and duration
- ➤ Improper route of administration
A BMJ Open study (2024) revealed that many Thai citizens wrongly believe
antibiotics can cure colds or influenza, leading to unnecessary consumption.
Furthermore, a Nature report (2025) showed that antibiotic use increased after COVID-19,
raising the risk of resistant bacteria spreading.
⚠️ Once resistance develops:
- • Standard treatments stop working
- • Stronger alternative antibiotics will have to be used
- • Hospital stays become longer
- • Healthcare costs rise significantly
👉 At BLEZ CLINIC, we recommend consultation and testing before starting any medication, to ensure you receive the right treatment.
➡️ Book an STI test at BLEZ CLINIC
This is why the knowledge and judgment of pharmacists are crucial —
distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections, advising on correct dose and duration,
and guiding patients on when to see a doctor instead of self-medicating.
At BLEZ Pharmacy and BLEZ Clinic, we take this responsibility seriously:
our pharmacists provide careful guidance at the counter, while our clinic ensures proper testing and medical consultation for safe antibiotic use.
STIs and Antibiotic Resistance: Why Testing First Matters
Most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be treated with antibiotics. However, the greatest risk is
taking antibiotics without testing or consulting a physician:
- ➤ The wrong medication won’t cure the infection
- ➤ Surviving bacteria may become resistant
- ➤ Partners may still be exposed and infected
Gonorrhea, for example, has already developed resistance to multiple antibiotics.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report on gonorrhea resistance (2024)
warns that treatment failures are rising globally.
👉 If you’re unsure about your symptoms, a simple test can provide peace of mind.
➡️ Chat with us on LINE to book your test:
The Importance of Post-Treatment “Test of Cure”
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can sometimes improve symptomatically before the infection is fully cleared.
The infection may still be present even if you no longer have any symptoms.
That’s why follow-up testing is just as important as the initial diagnosis:
- ➤ To ensure the infection is fully cleared
- ➤ To detect and treat resistant, persistent, or recurrent infections
- ➤ To reduce the risk of transmission to partners and community spread
- ➤ To prevent resistant infections from spreading
The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2023)
emphasizes that follow-up testing is essential to confirm treatment success.
👉 At BLEZ CLINIC, we support you through the entire process: initial testing → treatment → follow-up testing.
Our Role at BLEZ Pharmacy & Clinic
At BLEZ Pharmacy, our licensed pharmacists carefully assess your condition before dispensing any antibiotics.
They explain when antibiotics are effective, when they are not, and guide you on the safe use of medications.
At BLEZ Clinic, we go one step further: offering laboratory testing, medical consultations,
and follow-up care to ensure that treatment is appropriate and effective.
Together, our pharmacy and clinic provide a complete system — from first advice at the counter to
professional medical management.
👉 By combining pharmacist expertise with clinical testing, BLEZ helps protect both individual patients and the wider community from the risks of antibiotic misuse.
Protect Yourself and Your Community
In Thailand, antibiotic misuse fuels antimicrobial resistance. This makes infections harder and more expensive to treat.
For STIs, the correct process is: testing → right antibiotics → follow-up test.
Without this, you may not only harm yourself but also spread resistant bacteria to others.
👉 If you have symptoms or are worried about your partner’s health, don’t rely on self-medication. Start with a test.
