Bringing Medication Into Thailand: Rules, Limits and Prescriptions
Medicines can be carried in the amount needed for personal use, up to 30 days. Narcotic medicines in Schedule II or III need a Thai FDA permit at least 15 days ahead. Psychotropic medicines in Schedule II, III or IV need a physician certificate or prescription up to 30 days, and a permit for 31 to 90 days.
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Medicines can be carried in the amount necessary for personal use up to 30 days. Medications that contain Schedule II or III narcotic drugs, or Schedule II, III or IV psychotropic substances, need a permit from the Thai FDA before you travel.
The Thai FDA’s own flyer for travellers puts the permit rule in one sentence.
travelers entering or leaving Thailand with medications containing narcotic drugs in Schedule II or III, or psychotropic substances in Schedule II, III, or IV, must obtain a permit from the Food and Drug Administration before traveling.
Thai FDA flyer, revised 5-2024, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
What you can carry without a permit
Three groups have a quantity limit in the FDA texts.
- Ordinary medicines: the amount necessary for personal use, up to 30 days.
- Psychotropic medicines in Schedule II, III or IV: up to a 30-day supply as prescribed, with a certificate or medical prescription from the prescribing physician.
- Herbal products: quantities for use not exceeding 90 days.
Type I psychotropic substances are not allowed in at all. Herbal products that contain cannabis or hemp may not be brought in.
Medicines that need a Thai FDA permit
The permit rule comes from a Ministerial Regulation under the Narcotics Code, which took effect on 21 September 2024. The table shows who needs a permit and how much supply it covers.
| Medicine | Supply | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Narcotic drugs, Schedule II or III | Up to 90 days as prescribed | Thai FDA permit, at least 15 days ahead |
| Psychotropic substances, Schedule II, III or IV | 31 to 90 days as prescribed | Thai FDA permit, at least 15 days ahead |
| Psychotropic substances, Schedule II, III or IV | Up to 30 days as prescribed | Certificate or prescription from the physician |
Bringing all kinds of narcotics to treat one’s own disease must be licensed by the Narcotics Division of the FDA before importing.
The Narcotics Code names codeine and morphine as examples of category 2 narcotics. The FDA flyer does not name medicines, so check the schedule of each medicine you carry before you book.
How to apply for the permit
- Apply online at the Thai FDA traveller permit site, at least 15 days before your arrival or departure date.
- Gather the details the application needs: the exact date of travel and the exact port of initiation and port of arrival in Thailand.
- Attach the medical prescription or medical document and a copy of your passport.
- Use Form IC-1 to carry medicine into Thailand. Form OC-1 covers carrying out, for patients treated by physicians in Thailand.
- Wait for approval. The FDA issues the permit within approximately 3 working days of a completed online application.
Papers to carry
- The medications themselves, the medical documents and the permit, for Customs on entry.
- For a psychotropic medicine up to 30 days: a certificate or medical prescription from the prescribing physician.
- The medical prescription or medical document that you attached to the application.
Declare at Customs
On entry into Thailand, you present the medications, medical documents and the permit at the Customs Department (Red Channel). On exit, you present them upon request.
Medicine is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration at the border. Restricted goods need a permit from a government agency, shown to Customs.
The green lane is for travellers with no prohibited or restricted goods. At the red channel, prohibited or restricted goods lead to prosecution of the passenger.
What the Narcotics Code sets for importing narcotics
The Narcotics Code sets prison and fines for importing narcotics. Importing a category 2 narcotic carries up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to THB 1,000,000. Importing a category 3 narcotic carries up to 3 years in prison and a fine of up to THB 300,000.
The full table of penalties is in Thailand drug laws and penalties.
Cannabis, hemp extracts and vapes
Herbal products containing cannabis or hemp may not be brought in. Extracts from all parts of the cannabis plant are category 5 narcotics. The listing excepts extracts with THC of not more than 0.2 percent that are licensed to be extracted from cannabis or hemp grown in the country.
E-cigarettes are goods prohibited from import. Prescription cannabis flower sold in Thailand is covered in Thailand cannabis law for tourists, and the import ban in Thailand vape law.
Who to ask
Questions go to the Narcotics Control Division of the FDA by email at tnarcotics@fda.moph.go.th, or by telephone on +66 2590 7346. More border rules, including food and duty-free limits, are in what not to bring into Thailand. The wider rulebook for visitors is in Thailand laws and fines for tourists.
Not confirmed: No official page found lists which named medicines sit in which schedule, so confirm yours with the Thai FDA Narcotics Control Division before booking. The FDA import guideline page names Form IC-2 for a 31 to 90-day psychotropic permit, while the flyer names Form IC-1 for carrying in. Confirm the form when you apply online.
Common questions
How much medicine can I bring into Thailand?
Medicines can be carried in the amount necessary for personal use, up to 30 days. Narcotic medicines in Schedule II or III can reach a 90-day supply as prescribed, with a permit.
Do I need a prescription or doctor's letter?
For psychotropic medicines in Schedule II, III or IV up to a 30-day supply, you carry a certificate or medical prescription from the prescribing physician. For a permit application you attach the medical prescription or medical document.
How early must I apply for a permit?
At least 15 days before you travel to or out of Thailand. Apply online at the Thai FDA traveller permit site.
How long does the permit take?
The permit is issued within approximately 3 working days after a completed online application.
What do I show at the airport?
On entry, you present the medications, the medical documents and the permit to Customs at the Red Channel. On exit, you present them to Customs upon request.
Can I bring a 31 to 90-day supply of psychotropic medicine?
A 31 to 90-day supply needs a Thai FDA permit before you travel, applied for at least 15 days ahead.
Can I bring cannabis or hemp products as medicine?
Herbal products containing cannabis or hemp may not be brought in. Extracts from all parts of the cannabis plant are category 5 narcotics.
Where do I send questions about my medicine?
Email the Narcotics Control Division of the FDA at tnarcotics@fda.moph.go.th, or call +66 2590 7346.
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General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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