How critical are "recommended" vaccines when traveling to SE Asia?

I will be traveling to SE Asia: Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. I am opposed to vaccines in general but was wondering if anyone has traveled there without vaccines? What was your experience?

From what I can tell, none of the potential diseases are life threatening and can be treated. They recommend Hep-A and Typhoid.

How risky is it to go without vaccines? I can only base my information on what I know about the u.s.a., is it an entire different story over there? What are the statistics of westerners getting Hep-A, Typhoid, or Encephalitis?

I go all the time without any current vaccines but I've been all over the world and had all kinds of vaccines before. A vaccine actually gives you a small case of that disease so your body will fight off the newcomer (why give up the good life). If you have never been outside of the U.S, I'd recommend you get the vaccines, especially if you are going to be outside of the typical tourist areas. If you eat any of the local foods or drink tap water expect to spend a considerable amount of time on the thrown, especially if you only eat at McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut and drink only bottled water. There's nothing wrong with local food, some people just react differently to food they aren't use to.

I can only offer anecdotal evidence, but I've been to South East Asia a dozen times and traveled to some pretty remote places. I've also eaten food off the streets, and in some really 'humble' establishments and I've never had a problem.

I know many people who've also done like me the only problems I was aware of in one of my friends got a rash on his arm, and another got the clap (Gonorrhea). Both were cleared up with some antibiotics and neither would have been prevented with vaccines.

So, I'm not telling you not to get them, but if you don't, just use common sense and sanitary practices (like avoiding sketchy women) and you should be fine.

P.S.
I always carry a pack of Antibacterial hand wipes with me. They come in handy when you're in remote places.

I lived there for 3 years and didn't get sick at all but that might just be me.

Nothing is "required." Many doctors and web sites will tell you a wide variety of opinions.

Tetanus update is always important no matter where you are in the world.
Most long term visitors get Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.
Not as many people get Typhoid and Japanese Encephalitis.

If you were just going to tourists spots of Thailand I'd say don't worry about it, but Camodia and Laos get kind of questionable so I'd at least get the Hep A and update your tetanus.

http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/asia/thailand.html

I would highly suggest drinking only bottled water while you are there, and remember this means no ice either! My first trip to SE Asia I was doing fine until I went somewhere and got a soda with ice in it. I was sick with a fever, sweating, chills, and on the throne a good part of the next 2 days. You may also want to get some type of mosquito repellant as well.

Yellow fever is a good vaccine to get.

I never got any before I went and I was there for months in Thailand but they say that if you are going into deep jungle then you should get them. I like to think of myself as Indiana Jones but I never needed to go to deep into any jungles but laos is probably a different story. I dont know anything about that one.