- Ordinary prescription medicines that are not controlled: up to 30 days' supply, in original packaging, with a doctor's letter or prescription.
- Psychotropic medicines in Categories 2 to 4, such as many sleeping tablets and anxiety medicines: up to 30 days with a doctor's certificate; 31 to 90 days needs a Thai FDA permit.
- Narcotic medicines such as codeine, morphine and oxycodone: a Thai FDA permit is needed, for up to 90 days' supply under the FDA's current guidance.
- Some substances, including amphetamine and dexamphetamine, are prohibited altogether.
- Rules have changed several times; check every medicine on the Thai FDA's traveller site before each trip.
| Type of medicine | Quantity | Permit | Paperwork |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prescription medicine not on a controlled list | Up to 30 days | None | Original labelled containers; doctor's letter or prescription |
| Psychotropic, Categories 2–4 | Up to 30 days | None | Doctor's certificate or prescription |
| Psychotropic, Categories 2–4 | 31 to 90 days | Thai FDA permit, at least 15 days before travel | Doctor's certificate; permit |
| Narcotic, Schedules II and III | Up to 90 days | Thai FDA permit, at least 15 days before travel | Doctor's certificate; permit; declare at the Red Channel |
| Narcotic Categories 1 and 5; psychotropic Category 1 | None | Not allowed | — |
Start with the generic name
Thai rules depend on the active ingredient in a medicine, not its brand. Before you do anything else, list every medicine you take by its generic name and strength. Then search each one on the Thai FDA's traveller site, permitfortraveler.fda.moph.go.th, using the Check the Drug tool. The FDA's guidance says to type the generic name, pick the best match and check the list.
Repeat this before every trip. The Thai FDA says requirements may change and asks travellers to check before each visit. Our pharmacies guide covers buying medicines once you are in Thailand.
Ordinary prescription medicines
The Royal Thai Embassy in London explains that prescription medicines not on a controlled list are likely to be treated as medication preparations under the Drug Act B.E. 2510 (1967). Travellers can bring a personal supply of no more than 30 days of prescribed use, in original containers with proper labels, together with a doctor's letter or prescription.
If you need more than 30 days, for example for a long stay, the embassy directs questions to the Bureau of Drug Control at the Thai FDA. Ask before you travel rather than at the airport. The UK government also suggests carrying a copy of your prescription, which can help doctors in Thailand find the same or a similar medicine.
Psychotropic medicines
Psychotropic substances include many benzodiazepines, some sleeping tablets and methylphenidate. The Thai FDA's current guidance says travellers under treatment may carry Category 2, 3 and 4 psychotropics up to a 30-day supply as prescribed, with a certificate or prescription from the prescribing doctor, and without a permit. For a 31 to 90-day supply, a permit from the Thai FDA is needed, obtained at least 15 days before travel.
The doctor's certificate should give your name and address, your condition, each medicine's name, strength, instructions and reason, the dose and total amount, and the doctor's name, address and licence number. The FDA's 2020 guidance says travellers carrying psychotropics within the 30-day limit with this paperwork do not need to declare them at customs.
Narcotic medicines and the permit process
Narcotic medicines include strong painkillers. The Thai FDA's 2020 guidance gives codeine, dihydrocodeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, pethidine and tapentadol as examples. Its current guidance says travellers may carry narcotic medicines in Schedules II and III up to a 90-day supply, with a permit obtained at least 15 days before travel.
Apply online on the traveller site using a computer; the Royal Thai Embassy in London says phones are not supported. The FDA's how-to guide says permits are free, are usually issued about three working days after a complete application, and cover one arrival only. You will need your travel dates and airports, a copy of your passport and a doctor's document issued no more than six months before travel. Print the permit, and declare narcotic medicines at the Red Channel on arrival.
The FDA's 2022 how-to guide also describes a customs bond: if you arrive with more than the permitted amount and are staying no longer than 90 days, the excess can be deposited at the airport and collected when you leave through the same airport. Ask customs about this before relying on it.
Where the official sources disagree
The Royal Thai Embassies in London and Stockholm say only Category 2 narcotics can be brought in with a permit, while the Thai FDA's current guidance refers to Schedules II and III. The Stockholm page limits psychotropics to 30 days and does not mention the 90-day permit route. Lead times are given as two weeks (London), 14 days (Stockholm) and 15 days (Thai FDA).
The likely reason is timing: the London page was last updated in March 2024, before the regulation that took effect on 21 September 2024. When in doubt, apply on the longest lead time, carry the smallest amount you need, and confirm with the Thai FDA's Narcotics Control Division or your nearest Thai embassy.
What you cannot bring
The Thai FDA's traveller guidance lists narcotic drugs in Categories 1 and 5, such as amphetamine and dexamphetamine, and psychotropic substances in Category 1, such as cathinone, dronabinol and GHB, as prohibited. The same guidance said that importing medicinal products made from cannabis or hemp was prohibited. Travellers must not sell or give their medicines to anyone else.
Medication checklist for Thailand
- List every medicine by generic name, strength and dose.
- Search each one on the Thai FDA's Check the Drug tool.
- Ask your doctor for a signed certificate with all the details the Thai FDA requires.
- Apply for any permit at least 15 days before you fly, on a computer.
- Pack medicines in original labelled containers in your hand luggage.
- Declare narcotic medicines at the Red Channel on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of medication can I bring to Thailand?
Up to 30 days for ordinary prescription medicines and for psychotropic medicines without a permit. With a Thai FDA permit, the current guidance allows up to 90 days of psychotropic or Schedule II and III narcotic medicines.
Do I need a permit for codeine?
Codeine is listed by the Thai FDA as a narcotic, so a permit is needed. Apply on the FDA's traveller site at least 15 days before travel.
Does the permit cost anything?
The Thai FDA's how-to guide says there is no fee.
Can I post medicines to myself in Thailand?
The traveller rules cover medicines you carry. Ask the Thai FDA's Bureau of Drug Control before sending any medicine by post or courier.
Which source should I trust if they disagree?
The Thai FDA is the authority. Embassy pages can lag behind changes, so confirm with the FDA or a Thai embassy and allow the longest lead time.
Sources
- Thai FDA — Guidance for travellers under treatment carrying personal medications (Ministerial Regulation B.E. 2567)
- Thai FDA, Narcotics Control Division — Permits for travellers (Check the Drug, permit requests)
- Thai FDA — Guidance for travellers carrying medications containing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances into Thailand (version 3, June 2020; hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Thai FDA — How to submit an online permit application (version 3, August 2022; hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Royal Thai Embassy, London — Bringing medications to Thailand
- Royal Thai Embassy, Stockholm — Restricted medicine
- GOV.UK — Healthcare and medical services in Thailand
- GOV.UK — Thailand travel advice: Health
