Bringing medication to Thailand

The short version

Ordinary medicines: up to 30 days’ supply, in the original container, with your prescription or a doctor’s letter.
Psychotropic medicines (e.g. methylphenidate, alprazolam, zolpidem): up to 30 days with a prescription. 31–90 days needs a Thai FDA permit.
Narcotic medicines (e.g. oxycodone, lisdexamfetamine): always need a Thai FDA permit, for up to 90 days’ supply.
Category 1 substances (e.g. amphetamine, the ingredient in Adderall): not allowed, even with a prescription.

Step 1: find out your medicine’s category

Thai rules depend on the active ingredient, not the brand name. Look up your medicine on DrugsThailand, or use the Thai FDA’s own Permit for Traveller “Check the drug” tool. It lists more than 2,500 substances and their Thai category.

Thai category	What travellers can bring	Permit?
Not controlled (“Others”)	Up to 30 days’ supply	No
Psychotropic, Schedule II–IV	Up to 30 days with a prescription. 31–90 days with a permit.	Only above 30 days
Narcotic, Schedule II–III	Up to 90 days’ supply	Yes, always
Narcotic or psychotropic, Schedule I	Not allowed	Not available

Ordinary medicines: the 30-day rule

Under section 13(4) of the Drugs Act B.E. 2510 (1967), a traveller entering Thailand may bring modern medicines for personal use for no longer than 30 days. The Thai FDA says the medicine should be:

kept in its original container, and
accompanied by the prescription from your doctor.

This covers most everyday medicines, including 26 of the ingredients in our database, such as Amoxicillin, Atomoxetine, Atovaquone, Azithromycin, Dapagliflozin, Desogestrel, Doxycycline, Empagliflozin.

You can’t post medicines into Thailand

The Thai FDA says bringing in or ordering medicines by post is not allowed without an import licence. If you need more than 30 days’ supply of an ordinary medicine, plan to get it from a doctor or pharmacy in Thailand. See prescription medicine in Thailand.

Psychotropic medicines (Schedules II–IV)

Many sleeping tablets, benzodiazepines and stimulant ADHD medicines are psychotropic substances (วัตถุออกฤทธิ์ต่อจิตและประสาท) under the Thai Narcotics Code. Since Ministerial Regulation B.E. 2567 (2024) took effect on 21 September 2024:

Up to 30 days’ supply: allowed with a medical certificate or prescription from the prescribing doctor. No permit is needed.
31 to 90 days’ supply: you need a Thai FDA permit. Apply online at least 15 days before you travel.
More than 90 days: not allowed.

In our database: Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Methylphenidate, Phentermine, Zolpidem, Zopiclone.

Narcotic medicines (Schedules II–III)

Strong opioid painkillers and some other medicines are narcotics (ยาเสพติดให้โทษ). Travellers may carry narcotics in Schedules II and III for personal use, up to 90 days’ supply, but only with a Thai FDA permit, whatever the quantity. Apply at least 15 days before you arrive in or leave Thailand.

In our database: Codeine, Lisdexamfetamine, Oxycodone.

Medicines you cannot bring

Schedule I narcotics and psychotropics are not allowed

The traveller rules only cover narcotics in Schedules II–III and psychotropic substances in Schedules II–IV. Category 1 substances cannot be brought in, and no permit is available. This includes amphetamine, so Adderall is not allowed even with a prescription from home.

If you take a Category 1 medicine, talk to your doctor well before you travel about an alternative that is allowed in Thailand.

How to apply for a permit

Check your medicine’s category on the Permit for Traveller site.
Apply online at least 15 days before your arrival or departure date.
Have ready your exact travel dates and airport, your prescription or medical document, and a copy of your passport. These are the items the Thai FDA’s guidance lists.
The Thai FDA says it usually issues permits within about 3 working days of receiving a complete application.

Questions about permits go to the Thai FDA Narcotics Control Division at tnarcotics@fda.moph.go.th.

At the airport

Keep medicines, prescriptions and any permit in your hand luggage, in the original packaging.
The Thai FDA’s guidance asks travellers with a narcotic medicine permit to present the medicine, medical documents and permit to customs (the Red Channel) on arrival.
Carry a copy of the prescription that shows the generic (active ingredient) name, not just the brand. Thai brands are often different.

Leaving Thailand

The permit rules for narcotic and psychotropic medicines apply to travelling out of Thailand too. Your next destination may also ban medicines that are legal in Thailand. The Thai FDA publishes a list of substances banned by other countries, but always check with the destination country’s embassy.

Common questions

How much medicine can I bring into Thailand?

For ordinary medicines, up to 30 days’ supply for your own use. For psychotropic medicines, up to 30 days with a prescription, or 31 to 90 days with a Thai FDA permit. For narcotic medicines in Schedules II and III, up to 90 days with a permit.

Can someone post or courier my medicine to me in Thailand?

No. The Thai FDA says importing or ordering medicines into Thailand without a licence is not allowed, including by post. The personal-use allowance only covers medicine you carry with you when you travel.

How long does a Thai FDA medicine permit take?

Apply online at least 15 days before you travel. The Thai FDA says it usually issues permits within about 3 working days of receiving a complete application.

Do I need a permit for ADHD medication?

It depends on the medicine. Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) is a psychotropic substance: up to 30 days’ supply needs only a prescription, and 31 to 90 days needs a permit. Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is a narcotic, so it always needs a permit. Amphetamine (Adderall) is a Category 1 narcotic and cannot be brought in at all.

Sources

General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with the Thai FDA before you travel. Spotted an error? Tell us.

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