Prescription medicine in Thailand

The Thai legal classes

Every registered medicine in Thailand has a legal class under the Drugs Act B.E. 2510 (1967). You can see it on the Thai FDA register and on every medicine page on DrugsThailand.

What our data shows

Across the 1,293 active Thai registrations in our database:

• 85% are dangerous drugs (pharmacist, no prescription needed),
• 15% are specially controlled (prescription only), and
• 0% are household remedies or ready-packed medicines.

Our database covers selected medicines, not the whole register, so these figures describe the medicines people most often look up.

Same ingredient, different rules

The legal class belongs to each product, not the ingredient. One ingredient can be prescription-only in one form and pharmacist-only in another:

For example, semaglutide injections (Ozempic, Wegovy) are specially controlled, while semaglutide tablets (Rybelsus) are dangerous drugs.

Common brands and their class

Tips for buying medicine in Thailand

• Know the generic name. Thai brand names often differ from those at home. Search DrugsThailand by active ingredient to see the Thai products.
• Use a licensed pharmacy with a pharmacist on duty, especially for dangerous drugs, where the pharmacist is responsible for advising you.
• Bring your prescription or doctor’s letter. It helps the pharmacist or a Thai doctor identify the right product and strength.
• See a doctor for prescription-only medicines. Hospitals and clinics in Thailand can assess you and prescribe.
• Avoid unlicensed online sellers. Medicines cannot legally be posted into Thailand without an import licence.

Common questions

Can I buy prescription medicine at a Thai pharmacy without a prescription?

It depends on the medicine’s legal class. “Dangerous drugs” (ยาอันตราย) can be sold by a pharmacist without a doctor’s prescription. “Specially controlled drugs” (ยาควบคุมพิเศษ) and narcotic or psychotropic medicines need a prescription.

Will a Thai pharmacy accept my prescription from home?

There is no guarantee. For medicines that legally need a prescription, a Thai pharmacist may ask you to see a doctor in Thailand. Carry your prescription with the generic (active ingredient) name either way. It makes it much easier for a pharmacist or doctor to find the Thai equivalent.

Is it safe to buy medicines online in Thailand?

Buy only from licensed pharmacies and hospitals. Medicines from unlicensed sellers may be fake or substandard, and importing medicines by post without a licence is not allowed.

Sources

• Thai FDA medicine register (legal class of each product)
• Thai FDA: FAQs on medicines (Drugs Act B.E. 2510, s.13(4))

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