What can and can't you take with you to Thailand?
Are you going to Thailand by plane soon? Then it is important to know which items you can and cannot take with you. From personal belongings and medications to strict restrictions on drugs, weapons and more; this guide will help you prepare for a worry-free trip. Discover the essential do's and don'ts here!
Illegal trade in medicines threatens public health
The Thai government has issued a stern warning against the illegal sale of medicines from the 30-Baht Healthcare Scheme. This trade not only undermines confidence in the healthcare system, but also carries serious legal risks. By improving monitoring and warnings, the government hopes to prevent abuse and ensure fair distribution of healthcare resources.
In Thailand, antibiotics are handed out like candy: a pill for every ailment, no prescription required. No one thinks about the disastrous consequences for the microbiome or the growing resistance. As bacteria grow stronger, the population becomes dependent on pills that were once supposed to be our last resort. A medicine party with a dark edge.
The Thai Healthcare System (Reader Submission)
During our recent stay in Thailand, my wife and I faced several health issues. While I recovered quickly from a cold, my wife required more medical care. Her treatment included multiple injections and bags full of medications. This brought us to the conclusion that in Thailand treatment is only taken seriously with injections and many medications.
Elderly people who use medication are more likely to suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Elderly people who use many medications are at greater risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. These deficiencies are often not recognized, leading to unnecessary medication use and side effects. The PanDeMics study by Wout van Orten-Luiten, Wageningen University & Research, shows how important it is to pay attention to the nutritional status of patients in polypharmacy.
Question for GP Maarten: Regularly recurring bursitis
My question, I have had a regularly recurring bursitis in the head of the right arm 5 cm below the shoulder for years. Previously, I took paracetamol + diclofenac for severe pain and that helped immensely. Now I only take paracetamol because I am afraid that the diclofenac will cause a problem with the new medicines that I have been given, namely cardiprin100 and atorvastatin.
From the editor: General practitioner Maarten no longer answers questions about the availability of medicines in Thailand
From now on, Maarten will no longer answer questions about the availability of medicines in Thailand.
Question to family doctor Maarten: Are these medicines available here in Thailand or is there a replacement product available?
I would like to know if I can buy these medicines here in Thailand and if there is a substitute product.
Question to GP Maarten: Medicines after a stroke
My ex-partner has been back to Thailand since December 2023. However, she was struck by a so-called Young Stroke (stroke) in 2022 and is now on lifelong medication of Clopidrogel and Atorvastatin, each one tablet once a day. She currently still has stock from the Netherlands, but at the end of February she will have to purchase this herself in Thailand.
Since switching to Enalapril I have been suffering from tickly cough, but in recent months it has become really severe attacks of cough, several times a day/night, which cannot be stopped with lubricants and licorice-like dragees.
Going to Thailand with medicines that fall under the Opium Act?
Just a question: we are going to Thailand on January 30 and have medicines that fall under the opium law. I have an English statement from the GP with signature and stamps from the CAK. Do I still have to visit the Thai embassy for more stamps?
I live in Jomtien and I am looking for Ozempic, preferably in Pattaya. I am at least 25 kg overweight and therefore have high blood pressure. I would like to lose some weight and that can be achieved with Ozempic. A friend of mine in Denmark got it from a doctor and his weight flew off.
Are all medicines freely available in Thailand?
I read here that you can get medicines quite easily in Thailand. You just go to the pharmacy and you don't need a prescription from your GP. But my question is, does that apply to all medications?
Question to general practitioner Maarten: Availability etc. of certain medicines in Thailand?
In connection with the latter cerebral infarction, thyroid 'problem' and epileptic seizures, she now uses the following medicines on a daily basis. Are the last five medicines, or similar ones with the same effect, also available in Thailand?
Ask general practitioner Maarten: Pneumonia and bronchitis, are these the right medicines?
Emailed earlier that after visiting a clinic here in Laos I was diagnosed with pneumonia. I had myself re-examined at a private hospital in Thailand with the diagnosis: bronchitis. Lung capacity now 55%, but should be a lot better within one or two weeks. Received the next medication for 1 month and then take another picture, test lung capacity and determine medication.
Ask general practitioner Maarten: Alternative to Perindopril
Because my Dutch medicines had run out, I went looking in Khon Kaen. I found aspect 81 for the ascal, the amlodipine was well available, but the Perindopril 8 mg was not. Is there a Thai alternative to this?
Question to general practitioner Maarten: Is Tadalafil Sandoz 20 mg available in Thailand?
During my last visit to Belgium, my GP prescribed Tadalafil Sandoz 20 mg, now my question is whether this medicine is also available in Thailand or whether there is a similar medicine with the same effect?
In the Netherlands I was ill about 20 years ago and the diagnosis was collagenous colitis. For this I was given medication that solved the problem after a few weeks.
Thailand question: Sending medicines to Thailand?
My plan is to stay (live) in Thailand for a minimum of 6 months but a maximum of 8 months per year from October and I have about 25 kg of medicines / medical devices to send / ship.
I am a man of 72 years, 178 cm, and 91 kg heavy. I don't smoke, an occasional drink, no beer or wine. I like to drink coffee (filter, cups) no tea, but water again. Exercise moderately, but still a half to full hour of fitness a few times a week.
Ask your GP Maarten: Combo antihypertensive agent
I normally take 100mg of prenolol (atenolol) per day. However, my systolic pressure rarely falls below 170, the negative pressure stays around 90.
Sometimes I increase the atenolol to 150 mg. This hardly helps. Fatigue prevails.
Question to GP Maarten: I'm almost out of Sotalol 40 mg
In October 2020 I underwent an ablation at the AZG in Groningen due to cardiac arrhythmias, also known as pulmonary vein isolation in medical jargon. Since then I haven't had any problems. However, many drugs were prescribed