"I want the TRUTH!" ... about the legality of Melatonin in Thailand.

[Krillin]

So basically, is it legal or illegal to order Melatonin online and have it shipped to my address here in Thailand without a prescription? Some on here have said that they were able to do this without any problem, and that the Thai doctor friends they knew said it would be okay. However, if I put the question, "is melatonin legal in Thailand" into the Google search box, I get this:

 

Melatonin is not legal in Thailand as a dietary supplement, but it is legal when prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacist. It is classified as a drug in Thailand and requires medical supervision. Additionally, melatonin is not allowed to be used as a food ingredient in Thailand, according to the Food Act B.E. 2522. 

 

 

 

I do not want to spend any time in a Thai jail or explaining myself to any authorities. So, bottom line, once and for all: can I order Melatonin online legally here in Thailand and have it shipped to my Thai street address? Yes, or no? Thank you. I used to use it every night before I came to Thailand, and I really miss it.

[gtr]

I buy on lazada and have so so for 4 yrs , no prob at all . 

[Trippy]

it's readily available on Lazada, so it's not illegal.

[Gottfrid]

As you can see in the act you have copied and pasted in your post. It´s not legal as dietary supplement. Neither legal to be used as a food ingredient. Must also be prescribed by doctor to be legal. Do you think it´s illegal or legal to order online? Even if it is, according to the act, you can apparently not use it without a prescription? Are you going to stuff it in the drawer?

[JackGats]

Same grey status as DHEA probably.

 

I remember buying some melatonin from Boots in Thailand, but it was the delayed onset formulation, not much use if your problem is falling asleep.

[Sheryl]

What you got from Google is incorrect (or at least, outdated).  It is never wise to go by the AI results that appear at the top if all Goohle searches these days. It simply regurgitates things thst have been posted somewhere on the Web with no check on accuracy and can thus  serve to perpetuate  misinformation. 

 

Melatonin is approved  in Thailand and now classified as a nutritional supplement  though there are no brands of it currently registered in Thailand. 

 

There was previously a Merck brand, Circadin,   marketed here and for some bizzare teason classified as a hypnotic. This is now off market. Melatonin generic is still approved and listed as a Nutritional Supplement. 

 

 

That said, it is illegal to import any pharmaceutical (including supplements) from abroad without an FDA license.  You won't be criminally prosecuted or fined for it, it but package may be seized by customs. (iHerb packages seem to get through however). 

[Sheryl]

4 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

As you can see in the act you have copied and pasted in your post....

 

He did not copy and paste an Act.

 

He copied and padted AI generated text from Google which, as is often the case, contained inaccuracies. 

 

The Food Act makes no mention of melatonin one way or the other, and it's a moot point since not used as a food additive.