Bringing Controlled Pharmaceutical Drugs into Thailand

If you’re bringing Controlled Pharmaceutical Drugs into Thailand, or or need to fill a prescription for some, then read this post and follow the instructions below very, very carefully. If you do not, you will go to jail and stay there for a considerable time.

“The traveler is allowed to carry for his personal treatment medications which contain substance classified in Category II, III, IV, provided, however, that the quantity of which shall not exceed 30 days of usage. The traveler is required to obtain a permit “Form IC-2” issued by the Food and Drug Administration.The traveler is also required to do the following:

1. Submit the application form (see the links below this list).
2. Carry a medical prescription issued by a Doctor identifying the medical condition of the patient as well as the necessity of the medical treatment, the total amount of the dosage and the name, address, license number of the doctor.
3. Carry a certificate issued by the competent authority that the patient has authority to carry the medication.
4. The traveler is required to declare the medication he is carrying into or out of Thailand. He is also required to present the document or medical certificate upon entry to the Red Channel and upon exit to the Custom VAT Refund.
5. The medical certificate should be kept by the traveler all through his stay in the country.
6. The medication is required to be kept in the original prescription bottle with the contents clearly marked.
7. The traveler is not allowed to sell nor supply medications to another.
8. The guidelines are ever-evolving, and therefore it is necessary stay on top of new developments to Thai drug laws concerning prescriptions and the use of drugs inside the country”.

Guidance for Travellers to Thailand under Treatment Carrying Personal Medications Containing Narcotic Drugs/Psychotropic Substances into Thailand

This guidance issued by the Narcotics Control Division, Food and Drug Administration, provides travellers to Thailand under medical treatment with current regulations concerning the transport of personal medications containing narcotic drugs of Category 2, or psychotropic substances of Categories 2, 3, and 4.

The transport of any medications into/out of Thailand for personal use may be subject to a range of stringent import and export controls. The import and export of narcotics and/or psychotropic substances into/out of Thailand are general prohibited. Those travellers to Thailand under treatment who need to carry medications containing narcotic drugs and/or psychotropic substances into/out of Thailand must follow the applicable regulations strictly.

With the exception of medications containing narcotic drugs of Category 2 under the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979), or psychotropic substances of Categories 2, 3, and 4 under the Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518 (1975), the importation/exportation of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances into/out of Thailand is prohibited. 1. Carrying Personal Medications into Thailand A. Medications containing narcotic drugs of category 2 The Ministry of Public Health issued the Ministerial Regulation B.E. 2552 (2009) under the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979), amended by the Narcotics Act B.E. 2545 (2002).

It became effective on September 29, 2009. According to the new regulation, travellers to Thailand under medical treatment are allowed to carry medications containing narcotic drugs of Category 2 for personal treatment in a quantity not exceeding 30 days of prescribed usage and must follow the applicable regulations strictly. Travellers to Thailand under treatment of these medications are required to obtain a permit (Form IC-2) issued by the Food and Drug Administration before travelling to Thailand.

The quantity of the medication transported into Thailand must not exceed 30 days of prescribed usage. To request for the permit, please apply using online service on http://permitfortraveler.fda.moph.go.th/ at least two weeks before the arrival date.

The original copies of the documents must still be sent by post – airmail if possible The following documents must be submitted: 1.1 Application form (Form IC-1) 1.2 Copy of passport 1.3 Medical prescription written by the physician who provided the medical treatment, which must contain the following:  the name and address of the patient  the identified medical condition  the name of the medications and the reason that those medications were prescribed for the patient’s treatment  the posology and total amount of medications prescribed  the name, address, and license number of the prescribing physician and/or 1.4 Certificate issued by a competent authority of the country of departure to confirm the patient’s legal authorization to carry those medications for personal use. [see Appendix A. Model Form of the Certificate for the Carrying by Travellers under Treatment of Medications Containing Narcotic Drugs and/or Psychotropic Substances]

The category of substances can be searched from http://permitfortraveler.fda.moph.go.th/

Examples of narcotic drugs in Category 2 according to The Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979),:

• Codeine,
• Dextropropoxyphene,
• Dihydrocodeine,
• Fentanyl,
• Hydrocodone,
• Hydromorphone,
• Methadone,
• Morphine,
• Oxycodone and,
• Pethidine.

B. Medications containing psychotropic substances of categories 2, 3, and 4 According to the Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518 (1975), Travellers to Thailand under treatment are allowed to transport medications containing psychotropic substances of Categories 2, 3, and 4 for personal treatment in a quantity not exceeding 30 days of prescribed usage when accompanied by a certificate/medical prescription from the prescribing physician.

The certificate/medical prescription from the prescribing physician must indicate:  the name and address of the patient  the identified medical condition  the name of the medications and the reason that those medications were prescribed for the patient’s treatment  the posology and total amount of medications prescribed  the name, address, and license number of the prescribing physician The quantity of the medications carried into Thailand must not exceed 30 days of prescribed usage. The permit from Thai FDA is not required.

Examples of psychotropic substances in Categories 2, 3, and 4 according to the Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518 (1975):

Category 2:

• Buprenorphine,
• Methylphenidate,
• Midazolam,
• Nitrazepam,
• Phentermine,
• Temazepam,
• Triazolam,
• Zolpidem.

Category 3:

• Pentazocine.

Category 4:

• Bromazepam,
• Chlordiazepoxide,
• Clonazepam,
• Clorazepate,
• Diazepam,
• Oxazepam,
• Lorazepam,
• Phenobarbital.

2. Prohibited Medications Containing Narcotic Drugs/ Psychotropic Substances in Thailand With the exception of medications containing narcotic drugs of Category 2 under the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979) or psychotropic substances of Categories 2, 3, and 4 under the Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518 (1975) described above, the importation/exportation of medications containing narcotic drugs/psychotropic substances into/out of Thailand is prohibited.

Examples of the medications that Travellers to Thailand are forbidden from transporting into/out of Thailand: Narcotic drugs: Narcotic drugs of Category 1 and 5 under The Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979), e.g. Amphetamine, Dexamphetamine, Cannabis, etc. These substances are prohibited and have been determined to have no medical use in Thailand. Psychotropic substances: Psychotropic substances of Category 1 under The Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518 (1975) e.g. Cathinone, Dronabinol, GHB. These substances are prohibited and have been determined to have no medical use in Thailand.

4. Advice for Travellers to Thailand carrying Medications  Those travellers carrying medications containing narcotics of category 2 are required to declare the medications they are carrying into/out of Thailand. Please have all medications and documents prepared and available for inspection: – Entry into Thailand: you must present the medications/documents at the Customs Dept. Red Channel – Exit from Thailand: you must present the medications/documents at the Customs Dept. official upon request All related documents should be kept with the traveller throughout their stay in Thailand. 

Those travellers carrying all other medications into Thailand (including medications containing psychotropic substances of Categories 2, 3, and 4) do not have to declare their medications at the Customs Dept. Red Channel if the medication is for personal treatment in a quantity not exceeding 30 days of prescribed usage and accompanied by a certificate/medical prescription from the prescribing physician. Those medications are then considered personal belongings. The prescription/certificate should be kept with the traveller throughout their stay in Thailand.  The medications must be kept in the original prescription bottles with the contents clearly marked.  Travellers to Thailand are forbidden to sell or supply their medications to others.  Travellers must not assume that medications which are legal in foreign countries are also approved for use in Thailand. Those products may be illegal in Thailand. In the case that a traveller’s medications are prohibited from import into Thailand, the traveller should consult their doctor to determine alternate medications.  As requirements concerning medications may change, travellers should check the requirements on http://permitfortraveler.fda.moph.go.th/ for the importation/exportation of medications prior to each visit.

5.) For more information The information here provides general guidance for Travellers to Thailand carrying personal medications containing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. The travellers can find more information from the website below. http://permitfortraveler.fda.moph.go.th/

If you have any questions, please email your inquiry to the Narcotics Control Division, Food and Drug Administration, or contact us as follows: Email: tnarcotics@fda.moph.go.th Fax: (66) 2591 8471 Telephone: (66) 2590 7346
Appendix A: Model Form of a Certificate for the Carrying by Travellers under Treatment of Medical Preparations Containing Narcotic Drugs and/or Psychotropic Substances [according to International guidelines for national regulations concerning travellers under treatment with internationally controlled drugs] A. Country and place of Issue Country: Place of issue: Date of issue: Period of validity: [A three month period of validity from the date of issue is recommended.] B. Prescribing physician Last name, first name: Address: Phone: country code, local code, number Number of license: C. Patient Last name, first name: Sex: Place of birth: Date of birth: Home address: Number of passport or of identity card: Intended country of destination: D. Prescribed medical preparation Trade name of drug (or its composition): Dosage form: Number of units (tablets, ampoules etc.): International name of the active substance: Concentration of active substance: Total quantity of active substance: Instructions for use: Duration of prescription in days: Remarks: E. Issuing authority Official designation (name) of the authority: Address: Phone: country code, local code, number Official seal of the authority: Signature of responsible officer: