Health and safety forum

Hi,

Be sure to check the lists concerning prescription drugs on the Thai embassy. I know for a fact that there are medicine commonly used in the west that under no circumstances (even with a certificate from your doctor) are allowed in Thailand. I guess trying to bring any of those could get you in serious trouble.

Here's the url to the list of narcotic drugs;
http://www.thaiembassy.se/info/Narco2004.htm

and here's the url to the list of psychotropic drugs; http://www.thaiembassy.se/info/PHYCHO2004.htm

The url's are from the Thai embassy Swedish website but the documents are in English so you should be able to read them, but if you can't, they should be available on your local Thai embassy site.

Happy trails.

Hi missis,

I had the exact same painkillers (paracetamol/codeine combo)as you do and i'm afraid it's VERY hard to find anything with codeine in Thailand, i've tried. You're supposed to able to get it but you have to visit a doctor in a public hospital or clinic for a prescription. But even then you can end up without if the clinic or hospital doesn't carry it. It happened to me after visiting Krabi public hospital just the other day.

The solution for me has been to swap codeine for tramadol, which are available without prescription in any pharmacy, (you might have to explain why you need it, the same goes for diazepam) and take those with paracetamol. This works fine for me, but i advice you to speak with you dr. first.


Hope this helps, and good luck.

//

Thanks for your replies, I have a letter from my doctor, everything is in orginal boxes and I will take a note of Tramadol and hope for the best. I am sure I am worried for nothing.

I will also report back in case it helps anyone else.

Thanks again

Missis

Dear Perceheadies: I have been trying to get some official information myself regarding Thailand. I have tried to contact the FDA of Thailand, the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. and in Los Angeles with on avail. Several people who know much more than I do about this matter (outside of Travelfish) have recommended just having the proper medicine in the properly labeled bottle with a letter from the doctor explaining the diagnosis and use, carrying only the amount of medicine you need for your trip and just bringing it in my carry-on luggage. I am very cautious with regards to medications and the legal system, so I have been in somewhat of a quandry as to what to do. It does seem reasonable that given the above guidelines, the worst that the authorities would do is to destroy the medication. I am certainly not trying to import or export any medications for illegal or inappropriate use. I have emailed a hospital in Bangkok about the availability of Dexedrine SR and they said it was not available in Thailand. Not sure what Thai physicians use to treat ADHD/ADD.
Lee

Hello

Reporting back...

No problems at all and seemingly no interest at all from any border in searching any of our party of 5 bags. We picked up our suitcases from the baggage claim in Thailand and walked out as usual. I had put most of the drugs over two suitcase in case of loss and carried just what I needed for the journey in my pill tin.

Thailand to Laos - crossed the border by bus from Ubon Ratchathani to Pakse and no interest to check/search bags.

Laos to Cambodia - crossed by bus and no interest to check/search bags.

Cambodia to Thailand - by bus and no interest in checking/searching bags.

Hope this helps

Missis

Hi,

I can see that you need a letter from the docs for taking in medication but does this equally apply to anti-malarials (about 3 months' worth of either Malarone or Doxycycline) and the pill (about 10 months' worth of Cilest to last me my round the world trip)?

Thanks!

Lara

Hi LizzyJane: I have been to Thailand 3 times since January 2010. Carried my meds in my carry-on baggage. I had Rx documentation and original bottles from the pharmacy.
Never even been asked about anything. I hope I am just a low profile person.

I doubt you will have any problems, but I would be prepared to show documentation and perhaps to have the meds destroyed.

Enjoy the Land of Smiles