Medication for 60 days in Thailand

Hi there, I’ve read that medication supplies shouldn’t exceed 30 days. How can I handle a two-month stay?

Thanks for your tips!

Bring the prescription. There are quite a few countries where medications are cheaper.

I’ve almost never seen arrival checks. I’d say 2 months—especially considering the flight ticket—isn’t the same as 6 months or a year.

Exactly, luggage is never searched. Put medications in your checked baggage, NOT in your carry-on. That said, there are high-quality pharmacies in Bangkok, and two of the best hospitals. Thailand’s hospital industry is so good that many foreign patients come here for treatment. In Bangkok, two world-class hospitals, Bumrungrad and Samitivej. There are so many foreign visitors that both hospitals have large teams of translators for all major languages.

Bring the prescription. There are quite a few countries where medications are cheaper.

I’ve almost never seen arrival checks. I’d say 2 months—especially with the flight ticket involved—isn’t the same as 6 months or a year.

Thanks so much, Jojoone1. Your message reassures me....

Excat, luggage is never searched. Put medications in your checked baggage, NOT in your carry-on. That said, there are high-quality pharmacies in Bangkok, and two of the best hospitals. Thailand's hospital industry is so good that many foreign patients come here for treatment. In Bangkok, two world-class hospitals, Bumrungrad and Samitivej. There are so many foreign visitors that both hospitals have large teams of translators in all major languages.

Thanks so much... Nothing like firsthand accounts from people who know. Thank you!

Hi,

Personally, I take my medication for 3 months in my checked luggage. I bring my prescription just in case. Be careful—pharmacies don’t always dispense medication for long periods, and you’ll need to sign a sworn statement for long-term travel with your social security.

After that, I can confirm what’s already been said: you can find most medications locally, but not always.

thanks Luan.... Your info is really helpful. Thanks! !

Hi,

I don’t quite understand the idea of putting medication in the hold. Checked luggage still goes through customs—from a customs standpoint, hold or cabin, it doesn’t make any difference. Thinking about it, I see two possible reasons: either to avoid having slightly sensitive medication with you during transit in airports that subject personal cabin items to customs checks (some airports in the Gulf, Singapore, though I think they don’t do this anymore), or to carry medication in liquid, paste, or gel form in large volumes. I’d appreciate some insight.

Michel

Check the Thai embassy’s website in Paris—you’ll find the list of medications banned in Thailand there. Also, you can find the same meds in pharmacies or private hospitals under different brands. Double-check the dosage, and if you're unsure, call your doctor to see what they think. Don’t forget your prescription, and make sure it’s legible! :)

Hi, I don’t wanna get hassled at security—three months’ worth of meds is a whole stack. So far I’ve never had any issues, never been checked, and that’s been the case for 38 years 😉

Hello,

If you're talking about the security filter, there are no security restrictions for medication—it’s treated the same as other belongings and possessions. Medication poses no danger to air travel safety. Still, it’s much wiser to keep medication in your carry-on, along with valuables, currency, and payment methods. This is the general recommendation from airlines.

Michel

Thanks Lazare... Thanks, I’ve prepared the doses with a prescription... Your message reassures me that everything will go smoothly at customs. Have a great day!

As I mentioned before, you’ll need either approval from the French social security system or to work it out with your pharmacist so they can give you a 2-month supply of your meds and send the paperwork to social security in two batches.

Hello I read that the medication supply shouldn’t exceed 30 days. What should I do for a 2-month stay?

Thanks for your answers

Hi No worries, especially if you have a prescription. Plus, many medications come in packs of 90 capsules

Excat, luggage is never searched. Put medications in checked baggage, NOT in carry-on. That said, there are high-quality pharmacies in Bangkok, and two of the best h. Thailand’s hospital industry is so good that many foreign patients come here for treatment. In Bangkok, two world-class hospitals, Bumrungrad and Samitivej. There are so many foreign visitors that both hospitals have large teams of translators for all major world languages.

Hi, It’s reckless to put medications in checked baggage. What do you do if your luggage doesn’t arrive? Medications in Thailand are very expensive. Sure, you can find whatever you need, but at what price? For example, I’m on a treatment with two types of medication, 90-pill boxes. In France, the price is 30 €. In Thailand, it’s 180 €.

Thanks for the details. Nice!

Hi Aroythai, Thanks for reassuring me. Indeed, I always carry my 60-day supply of medication in my carry-on luggage. I’ve sometimes had delays or lost checked baggage, but never with carry-on. I bring my prescription, along with a sworn statement for dispensing medication for up to 60 days if needed. However, the hospital advised me—and I do this—to include the generic name of the medication on the prescription, as generic names are more commonly used abroad. For me as well: no customs checks. Safe travels to the original poster! Eric

Hi Henon21, Thanks for your advice... I think I’ll keep about a month’s worth in my carry-on and the rest in my checked luggage. Thanks! 🙂

Hi there,

Well, you do you, but I can’t find a single good reason not to take everything in your carry-on, following the usual advice from the airlines themselves. What’s the deciding factor in your choice?

Michel

With conflicting advice, he’s splitting the difference.

Never check in medication you need for the duration of your stay. That's a basic rule.

Hi there, You should never put all your eggs in one basket... Follow that advice and pack in your carry-on luggage what you need for the trip plus enough to tide you over while you find a doctor to get a refill if needed. Put the rest in your checked baggage. Of course, if you're only going for a week, the question doesn't even come up. 😉

Hello,

You should never put all your eggs in one basket....

I’ll admit there’s some wisdom in that old saying, but in this case, you’re not letting your carry-on luggage out of your sight, so there’s zero risk of losing it along the way. Checking it in is always riskier and doesn’t offer any real upside—what’s the hassle of carrying it?

Michel

"I read that the medication supply shouldn't exceed 30 days."

Could you tell us exactly where you read that? Thanks!

Hi there, I have a rule that’s probably shared by most travelers:

In my carry-on (with me): - My passport and other ID documents - My keys and access to my accommodation - All my medications (with prescriptions in my name), even for stays longer than 90 days - And of course, my money - My laptop, tablet, and smartphones, plus all the chargers

Hi there,

That’s also how I do it—packing a change of clothes. I only see downsides to putting medication in the hold. But in the end, everyone does what they prefer.

hi cgus, you still haven’t answered me: where did you read that you can’t take more than 30 days’ worth of medication? thanks in advance

For example, it says "You can only bring medication for a maximum of 90 days use." on this site: https://thaiembassy.se/en/tourism/restricted-medicine/ But this applies to the "Narcotic List."

It also states "You can only bring medication for a maximum of 30 days use." for medications on the "Psychotropic List."

Further down, there’s this: "If the prescription medicine not listed as controlled drugs. The medications are likely to 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."

thanks