You are reading this article, you probably want to know which medicines you can carry for your trip to Thailand, right? Surely, among the many articles you found online, the information provided was, how shall I say, a bit confusing? Okay, perhaps your search could end here and now. Yes, probably, given my many trips to Thailand, I can certainly answer your question: carrying personal medicines without risking problems at customs?

Since you are concerned about this, I must admit that you are an attentive and meticulous traveler. This will help you avoid problems in certain countries, like Thailand.

Importing medicines into Thailand is a very delicate issue. Drugs that are common for us may be prohibited there, as they could contain narcotic substances, which can lead to issues.

But there is nothing to worry about; it all depends on knowing what and how to carry your medications to Thailand.

If you are not undergoing any specific treatment and want to bring some medicine just to be safe, then you should know that aspirin, paracetamol, anti-diarrheal medications, and all other over-the-counter drugs can be brought without any problems. For these types of medications, which you can also easily purchase at pharmacies in Thailand, there are no particular restrictions.

However, the situation is different for those medications that require a prescription.

This does not mean that you cannot bring them, but you will need to follow a precise procedure that will prevent problems by customs authorities.

If you are undergoing a specific treatment, or if you need to take specific medications to feel well, here’s what you need to do.

Procedure for Importing Medications into Thailand

Any medication you must bring with you should be kept in its original box. Remember: bottles and tablets without packaging are not allowed.

Each package must be accompanied by a medical prescription written in English specifying the reason for taking it, the type of medicine, the type of treatment, and the dosage to be taken.

Once you get at the airport, you must formally declare, before passing through customs, the importation of medicines for personal use.

You will need to make the declaration by presenting the medical prescription in English at the local office of the “Food and Drug Administration,” which you can find in all airports in the baggage claim area before customs clearance. At Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, you can find the office near baggage carousel no. 23.

If you do not follow this procedure and you are stopped for a check, undeclared medicines will be seized, and you will have no opportunity to appeal.

What medicines can you buy at pharmacies in Thailand?

Pharmacies in Thailand are always well-stocked; of course, there are some medications that you can easily purchase and others that you cannot.

Most medications for treating diarrhea, fever, nausea, insect bites, etc., are available over the counter and can be purchased easily.

The contraceptive pill, if needed, is sold without a prescription.

Of course, for illnesses that require more specific medications, a medical prescription is absolutely necessary, and to obtain it, one must go to a hospital or private clinic.

Hospitals, especially private ones, work quite well, but of course, they have a very high cost. Even if you go to public facilities, you will still have to pay.

To avoid taking risks, I suggest you to subscrive a good travel health insurance that offers comprehensive coverage. The insurance you go for should guarantee many things, including the prescription of medical prescriptions.

During my trips, especially those lasting three to four weeks, I always activate SafetyWing. Have you ever heard of it? If you’re not familiar with it, know that it is one of the best insurances out there, especially for digital nomads. But don’t be fooled by the name; even if you are not a digital nomad, you can still activate it easily

SafetyWing is a true guarantee. Designed and created by people like us who love traveling the world, it really offers a lot.

With 24/7 assistance via chat, traveling has never been so safe.

SafetyWing also covers expenses for Covid-19 and much more.

Asking for a quote is quite easy and does not require any commitment. Activating it is equally simple, and deactivating or suspending coverage is just as easy.

If you want, you can activate it even if you are already abroad without any issues, and this is a great advantage. With SafetyWing, you won’t have to inform in advance about your destination; once the travel health insurance policy is activated, you will be covered wherever you go.

If you are between 18 and 39 years old, the cost for four weeks of coverage is really affordable. To enjoy your vacation without worries, you will only need to pay $56.28.

Do you want to pay for your travel health insurance in a currency other than euros without being charged high exchange fees? Discover Wise and the many advantages it offers.

In short you won’t have any problems bringing over-the-counter medications to Thailand. For specific medicines, you will need to follow a simple procedure that I had to go through out of necessity, and I can tell you that it was quite easy to do. To be safe and sleep well, even if you have your medications, don’t forget to activate a good travel health insurance policy. If you don’t know which one to choose, click on this link and sign up for a policy with SafetyWing now.

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