Bringing a 12 month supply of Oral Contraceptives

[shelly711]

I will be in Thailand for one year teaching, and would like to bring my 12 month supply of my oral contraceptive. The boxes have my name on them because in the U.S., oral contraceptives can only be obtained with a prescription. I have tried researching but am not having much luck. According to the Thai Embassy site, "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". I am wondering if oral contraceptives align with this regulation/if I will be okay to bring a 12 month supply. This may seem like a silly question but I am trying to avoid any potential issues. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Oxx]

I'm not sure why you'd want to do this.  Contraceptive pills are readily available at any pharmacy in Thailand without prescription and are very cheap.  (Unless, perhaps you're getting them free?)

 

Anyway, it would be illegal to bring in such a large supply.  However, you are most unlikely to have any problem with customs, even if you are stopped and searched (an exceedingly rare occurrence if you're decently dressed, behave modestly, are white*, and aren't coming from a "dodgy" country).

 

 

* Yes, it's facial profiling, but that's just how things are here.

[NancyL]

Resident expats routinely bring in many months supply of medications and nutritional supplements when they return from overseas trips and if the meds are packaged in such a way that they appear to be for personal use and not resale and if you fit the profile described in the previous post, there shouldn't be a problem.  If there is, the worst that will happen is that your meds will be taken and then you'll probably discover that they're cheaper and more readily available here than in the U.S. when you go to replace them.

 

Many years ago, when Hubby and I were still tourists and not yet residents of Thailand, we were on a flight coming to Thailand for a wedding anniversary trip.  We told the Thai flight attendant about this and she gave us an unopened bottle of wine (free!) as an anniversary gift.  We told her we'd have to refuse her gift because we already had packed the legal limit of alcohol to bring into the country in our luggage and she looked at us like we were nuts!  "Nobody looks in your luggage" she said.

[Sheryl]

Technically not allowed more than 30 days but they are usually not strict on that as long as amounts look consistent with personal use.

 

However as other poster mentioned wide range of BC pills available here quite inexpensive and without presecription. Unless you are on an unusual  formulation, would advise just buying your pills here. If you indicate what brand you are on I will tell you if there is a local generic equivalent.