Report American Tourist Held in Phuket for ADHD Drug Possession

[webfact]

Photo courtesy of Kamala police station via Bangkok Post

A holiday in paradise took a wrong turn for a 27-year-old American tourist in sunny Phuket, Thailand, as he was nabbed by local authorities for carrying five pills of a controlled substance.

 

On Sunday, Kamala police stopped him while he was riding a motorcycle with no licence plate in the Kathu district. Upon inspection, the officers discovered methyphenidate pills hidden in the man's shoulder bag.

 

This medical drug, commonly used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is closely regulated under Thai law.

 

It falls into the Category 2 list of psychotropic substances, meaning production, use, import, and export are intensely monitored and require specific authorisation by the Ministry of Public Health. The tourist, without any such permission, was promptly charged with illegal possession of a psychotropic substance.

 

Methyphenidate is often prescribed to manage ADHD; however, the abuse potential is alarmingly high, according to Thailand's Food and Drug Administration's Narcotics Control Division.

 

This classification reflects an international effort to monitor and control its distribution strictly. In Thailand, its control is especially tight, pointing to zero tolerance for non-compliance.

 

The arrest underscores the importance of understanding local laws, especially for substances controlled globally but regulated differently at the national level. The ongoing investigation will determine any further legal implications for the traveller.

 

As this case highlights, tourists must weigh local regulations heavily when travelling, especially regarding medications. Violating such laws, knowingly or unknowingly, can result in severe consequences, ranging from fines to imprisonment.

 

Meanwhile, Phuket continues to welcome global visitors, reminding everyone to tread carefully when it comes to prescription drugs.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-06

 

 

[ozz1]

This will not help their tourists numbers if this goes viral anyone coming here make sure you have a prescription maybe he's on this medication it's not 5kg of cocaine and he probably didn't want to pay the cops off who knows

[topt]

4 hours ago, ozz1 said:

This will not help their tourists numbers if this goes viral anyone coming here make sure you have a prescription maybe he's on this medication it's not 5kg of cocaine and he probably didn't want to pay the cops off who knows

yet -

6 hours ago, webfact said:

On Sunday, Kamala police stopped him while he was riding a motorcycle with no licence plate

I guess there may have been a perfectly explainable reason for this, however.........

[Gottfrid]

It´s nothing to see here. To consume such things a person must have ADHD or worse condition.

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

On Sunday, Kamala police stopped him while he was riding a motorcycle with no licence plate in the Kathu district. Upon inspection, the officers discovered methyphenidate pills hidden in the man's shoulder bag.

Unlucky dude, probably didn't even realise it.

[Baba Naba]

It just Ritalin and only 5 pills? It's not like he is distributing it!  College kids use it to cram for exams!  He could even have narcolepsy!  Nothing to see here... 🙄

[dddave]

The REDDIT "Thailand Tourism" and "Thailand" forums draw a much younger crowd than this forum.  Questions about ADHD and other drugs like those for depression are common there.  The advice usually given is to get a prescription on the approved international form and only bring enough for the limit of the visit.  I believe 90 days supply is maximum.  There are Psychiatric hospitals in Thailand that can prescribe some meds, at least ones approved for use in Thailand but many common meds are not allowed. 

[BritScot]

4 hours ago, topt said:

yet -

I guess there may have been a perfectly explainable reason for this, however.........

Yes! He walked to a rental shop handed over what was asked for and rode into the sunset! He was obviously wearing a helmet because that would be another charge!!! This stinks of Thai extortion! Poor kid. So many kids now have this ADHD! Yet authorities do nothing to find out why! Anyway, I hope this shakedown goes viral!!!

[VirgoSG]

See Page 3 of this Narcotics Control Division, Food and Drug Administration, Thailand, document regarding importation of personal medications containing narcotic drugs of Category 2, or psychotropic substances of Categories 2, 3, and 4.  Methyphenidate is listed as a Category 2 psychotropic substance, and requires a detailed prescription accompanying the drugs when imported.  There must be thousands of people bringing such medications into Thailand every day without the necessary paperwork I would think, especially travelers from countries where the meds are not as strictly controlled as here, and where the travelers are totally ignorant about the Thai regulations for importation -- as was I until 5 minutes ago

https://permitfortraveler.fda.moph.go.th/nct_permit_main/Upload/Guidance for Travelers who travel into Thailand_10.8.22.pdf

[khunPer]

Simple resolution: Make sure to bring an official prescription with you, if you need to take medicine during your holiday trip. Your embassy or your home country's foreign ministry often have advices about this matter...

[Magictoad]

13 hours ago, webfact said:

Photo courtesy of Kamala police station via Bangkok Post

A holiday in paradise took a wrong turn for a 27-year-old American tourist in sunny Phuket, Thailand, as he was nabbed by local authorities for carrying five pills of a controlled substance.

 

On Sunday, Kamala police stopped him while he was riding a motorcycle with no licence plate in the Kathu district. Upon inspection, the officers discovered methyphenidate pills hidden in the man's shoulder bag.

 

This medical drug, commonly used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is closely regulated under Thai law.

 

It falls into the Category 2 list of psychotropic substances, meaning production, use, import, and export are intensely monitored and require specific authorisation by the Ministry of Public Health. The tourist, without any such permission, was promptly charged with illegal possession of a psychotropic substance.

 

Methyphenidate is often prescribed to manage ADHD; however, the abuse potential is alarmingly high, according to Thailand's Food and Drug Administration's Narcotics Control Division.

 

This classification reflects an international effort to monitor and control its distribution strictly. In Thailand, its control is especially tight, pointing to zero tolerance for non-compliance.

 

The arrest underscores the importance of understanding local laws, especially for substances controlled globally but regulated differently at the national level. The ongoing investigation will determine any further legal implications for the traveller.

 

As this case highlights, tourists must weigh local regulations heavily when travelling, especially regarding medications. Violating such laws, knowingly or unknowingly, can result in severe consequences, ranging from fines to imprisonment.

 

Meanwhile, Phuket continues to welcome global visitors, reminding everyone to tread carefully when it comes to prescription drugs.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-06

 

 

Why didn't he get it here on prescription?

[Magictoad]

1 hour ago, VirgoSG said:

See Page 3 of this Narcotics Control Division, Food and Drug Administration, Thailand, document regarding importation of personal medications containing narcotic drugs of Category 2, or psychotropic substances of Categories 2, 3, and 4.  Methyphenidate is listed as a Category 2 psychotropic substance, and requires a detailed prescription accompanying the drugs when imported.  There must be thousands of people bringing such medications into Thailand every day without the necessary paperwork I would think, especially travelers from countries where the meds are not as strictly controlled as here, and where the travelers are totally ignorant about the Thai regulations for importation -- as was I until 5 minutes ago

https://permitfortraveler.fda.moph.go.th/nct_permit_main/Upload/Guidance for Travelers who travel into Thailand_10.8.22.pdf

Alas: there is no such thing as ignorance of the law when it comes to travelling & medicine! That kind of ignorance can lead to death and or incarceration. It's not ignorance its stupidity.

[Magictoad]

2 hours ago, dddave said:

The REDDIT "Thailand Tourism" and "Thailand" forums draw a much younger crowd than this forum.  Questions about ADHD and other drugs like those for depression are common there.  The advice usually given is to get a prescription on the approved international form and only bring enough for the limit of the visit.  I believe 90 days supply is maximum.  There are Psychiatric hospitals in Thailand that can prescribe some meds, at least ones approved for use in Thailand but many common meds are not allowed. 

But Reddit is full of ignorant people.

" Just cos it's been writ don't mean it's true"

Whatever.....Find a source you trust  to get the information you need about the drugs you are travelling with. Otherwise the consequences can be fatal.

[Magictoad]

7 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

It´s nothing to see here. To consume such things a person must have ADHD or worse condition.

It's a hot topic these days.

[Magictoad]

3 hours ago, Baba Naba said:

It just Ritalin and only 5 pills? It's not like he is distributing it!  College kids use it to cram for exams!  He could even have narcolepsy!  Nothing to see here... 🙄

It's illegal- plenty to see. A whole prison cell, court room and then a prison cell again.

[Magictoad]

11 hours ago, ozz1 said:

This will not help their tourists numbers if this goes viral anyone coming here make sure you have a prescription maybe he's on this medication it's not 5kg of cocaine and he probably didn't want to pay the cops off who knows

Who knows- what? 

[Magictoad]

It's also a party drug. I used to take it in Tehran years ago. So maybe his A+ is just a cover and the filth have got it right!

[FlorC]

13 hours ago, webfact said:

Upon inspection, the officers discovered methyphenidate pills hidden in the man's shoulder bag.

Why did the police search his bag ?

Is that legal ?

His bag or what's in it has nothing to do with riding with no license plate.

[Lalo27]

5 pills...!

[Hummin]

2 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Why did the police search his bag ?

Is that legal ?

His bag or what's in it has nothing to do with riding with no license plate.

Where you from? This is Thailand, if they ask you for id, you give them id, or anything else they are asking for. 

 

Even a piss test and search your personal items and your room. 

[NativeBob]

5 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Why did the police search his bag ?

Is that legal ?

His bag or what's in it has nothing to do with riding with no license plate.

This is an Amazing Thailand at full: traffic policeman searches a biker, the whole squad breaks in hotel room of tourist... and more we didn't yet heard about. 

[FlorC]

5 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Where you from? This is Thailand, if they ask you for id, you give them id, or anything else they are asking for. 

 

Even a piss test and search your personal items and your room. 

17 years here , but never got asked those things. 

Except DL or passport.

[Hummin]

2 minutes ago, FlorC said:

17 years here , but never got asked those things. 

Except DL or passport.

Same for me, never had any negative interactions with officials or police, but it comes with certain attitudes and specific areas where there is more common to find such substances. 

 

At koh Phangan they waved me and wife through traffic stops looking for drugs, and also piss tests at night clubs/bars at other places. Quite common at Koh Tao when I lived there.

 

They useally know where to look and who

[Chalong circle]

Good luck it was not five pills of Yaba

[KireB]

4 hours ago, Baba Naba said:

It just Ritalin and only 5 pills? It's not like he is distributing it!  College kids use it to cram for exams!  He could even have narcolepsy!  Nothing to see here... 🙄

 

A lot can go wrong when someone takes Ritalin and have some beers with that.