Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a list in English of Controlled substances in Thailand?
I am taking prescribed dexamphetamine tablets as treatment for my ADHD. Is my medication legal in Thailand?
I am currently in the methadone program in Australia. Could you please tell me if I am allowed to bring my medication into Thailand?
Do you have guidelines for Travellers to Thailand under treatment with controlled drugs?
If my medications are not listed as controlled drugs, what steps should I take/whom should I contact?
I am taking a medicine called Zopiclone. Do I need to submit Form IC-1?
My son has ADHD and takes methylphenidate hydrochloride to manage this condition. I have the original prescription and packaging and a letter from our doctor stating the required information as listed on your website. Is there any thing else I need to do to ensure that I follow the correct procedures?
I plan to travel in Asia and have already bought a round-trip ticket to Bangkok for a two-month trip. I use buprenorphine and clonazepam for chronic pain, and I have read that I can only carry into Thailand a dosage to last me for 30 days. I plan to stay in Thailand for about one month, and spend another month in other countries. When I arrive in Thailand I have to carry a two-month supply of medication. My question is: what should I do in this case?
Is it possible to find a doctor in Bangkok to prescribe medications for me that are classified as narcotics or psychotropic substances?
I am writing to ask if the anti-depressant Escitalopram is a restricted medicine in Thailand.
If I would like to apply to carry medications containing narcotic drugs of category 2 into Thailand for personal use, do I need to submit both application forms IC-1 and OC-1?
We are planning to arrive in Thailand within the next two weeks, and my husband needs to use medication for his back pain. I would like to know if it is enough for us to have the prescription from his doctor to accompany the medication, or do we need a permit (Form IC-2) from the Thai FDA for Tramadol, which is not found on your list of narcotic drugs. We intend to bring into Thailand a one-week dosage of this medication.
Is there a list in English of Controlled substances in Thailand?
Answer :
The list of Controlled substances:
The table of Narcotics
The table of Psychotropic Substances
The table of Restriction on Narcotics
The table of Restriction on Psychotropic Substances
I am taking prescribed dexamphetamine tablets as treatment for my ADHD. Is my medication legal in Thailand?
Answer :
Dexamphetamine is classified as a narcotic drug of category 1 according to the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979) of Thailand, amended by the Narcotics Act B.E. 2545 (2002). The importation into Thailand of narcotic drugs in category 1 (such as dexamphetamine) is prohibited (except for the approved use by a government agency). This prohibition includes those cases in which patients wish to carry those medications for personal medical treatment during visits to Thailand. Therefore, the FDA is not authorized to issue a permit for travellers to Thailand to carry narcotic drugs in category 1 (such as dexamphetamine) for personal use.
Furthermore, dexamphetamine is not available in Thailand. In this case, please consult your physician as to whether you can use an alternative medication such as methylphenidate for treatment of ADHD or narcolepsy.
Methylphenidate is classified as a psychotropic substance in category 2 according to the Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518 (1975). A patient under treatment is allowed to bring Methylphenidate into Thailand for personal use in a quantity NOT EXCEEDING 30 DAYS OF PRESCRIBED USAGE when accompanied by a valid prescription and/or medical document from the prescribing physician.
I am currently in the methadone program in Australia. Could you please tell me if I am allowed to bring my medication into Thailand?
Answer :
Methadone is classified as a narcotic preparation of category 2 according to the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979). Travellers under treatment are allowed to carry medications containing narcotic drugs of Category 2 into of Thailand for personal treatment in a quantity NOT EXCEEDING 30 DAYS OF PRESCRIBED USAGE when accompanied by a valid prescription and/or medical document from the prescribing physician, and must follow all the applicable regulations strictly.
A traveller to Thailand under treatment of a narcotic such as methadone in category 2 of the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979) must submit the following documents:
1) Application for Carry In (Form IC-1) as attached.
2) Prescription written by the physician who provided the medical treatment.
3) Certificate issued by a competent authority of the country of departure to confirm the patient’s legal authorization to transport those medications for personal use.
The Certificate of Authorization must be issued by a competent authority in the country of departure, such as a local Health Authority or the relevant Government Department. Certificates may either be produced by the issuing government authority, or completed on a suitable form by the prescribing physician, and presented to a competent authority for confirmation (stamp, seal, and signature), depending on the applicable regulations in the country of departure.
The competent authorities responsible for issuing such Certificates of Authorization may be different from country to country. For Australia, please contact the Office of Chemical Safety and Environmental Health, Treaties and Compliance (MDP88) GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Telephone number 02 6289 2686 Fax: 02 6289 2500.
We are pleased to provide you with an example of a Certificate of Authorization issued by the Australian Government, which is attached for your convenience.
When all the required documents are completed (Application form IC-1, Prescription, and Certificate of Authorization issued by a competent authority), please fax all documents to our fax number (66) 2591-8471, or send scanned copies by email, or mail the original copies to:
Narcotics Control Division
Food and Drug Administration
Ministry of Public Health
Nonthaburi 11000, THAILAND
Email: tnarcotics@fda.moph.go.th
In case the documents are sent via fax or email, the applicant is required to mail all original documents (via airmail if possible) to the address above. The application must list both the generic name and the trade name of the medication, which must be transported in the original container with the label intact and legible.
Upon approval of the application, the Thai FDA will issue a certificate (Form IC-2) authorizing the visitor to import the approved category 2 narcotics for personal medical treatment in a quantity NOT EXCEEDING 30 DAYS OF PRESCRIBED USAGE. You will receive the certificate (Form IC-2) by email, and the original documents will be sent to you by airmail.
For more information, please refer to the Guidance for Travellers in the pdf file as attached.
Do you have guidelines for Travellers to Thailand under treatment with controlled drugs?
Answer :
Yes, please follow the link to the Guidance for Travellers under Treatment Carrying Personal Medications Containing Narcotic Drugs/Psychotropic Substances into/out of Thailand
If my medications are not listed as controlled drugs, what steps should I take/whom should I contact?
Answer :
In that case, your medications are likely be classified as medication preparations according to the Drug Act B.E. 2510. A patient under treatment of medications in that category is allowed to transport for personal use medications in a quantity NOT EXCEEDING 30 DAYS OF PRESCRIBED USAGE.
However, such medications fall under the responsibility of the Bureau of Drug Control, Thai FDA. You can consult that office directly by sending an email to the Director of the Bureau of Drug Control: vinit@fda.moph.go.th Please also send a cc copy of that email to drug@fda.moph.go.th
I am taking a medicine called Zopiclone. Do I need to submit Form IC-1?
Answer :
No, you don’t need to submit Form IC-1. Zopiclone is classified as a psychotropic substance in category 2 according to the Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518 (1975). A patient under treatment of medications in that category such as Zopiclone is allowed to transport those medications into Thailand for personal use in a quantity NOT EXCEEDING 30 DAYS OF PRESCRIBED USAGE when accompanied by a valid prescription and/or medical document from the prescribing physician.
My son has ADHD and takes methylphenidate hydrochloride to manage this condition. I have the original prescription and packaging and a letter from our doctor stating the required information as listed on your website. Is there any thing else I need to do to ensure that I follow the correct procedures?
Answer :
You have properly fulfilled the FDA requirements to legally carry that medication into Thailand. Methylphenidate is classified as a psychotropic substance according to the Psychotrop