My daughter is coming over in April for a holiday.

 

She's on a veritable pharmacy of pills: -

• Codine
• Pregabalin
• Topiramate
• Setraline

All will be in original packaging and she'll bring a copy of her scrip.

 

Any possible issues??

 

A letter from her doc, just to be 100% sure.

 

 

Just now, Bacon1 said:

A letter from her doc, just to be 100% sure.

 

Better get it typed, or nobody will be able to read it!

According to AI a licence is required for codeine - even for individual use.

AI Overview

 

Codeine is

not banned in Thailand, but it is a controlled substance classified as a Category 2 narcotic. It is available for medical use with strict regulations, not over-the-counter. 

 

 

For Travelers Bringing Medication

 

If you are a traveler under treatment and need to bring medication containing codeine into Thailand, you must follow strict procedures: 

 

• Obtain a Permit: You are required to obtain a permit from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before your travel. The application must be submitted online at least 15 days in advance of your travel date.
• Quantity Limits: You are permitted to carry a quantity not exceeding a 90-day supply for personal use.
• Required Documents: You must carry the FDA permit, a copy of your passport, and a valid medical prescription or medical document from your physician with you when traveling.
• Customs Declaration: Upon arrival in Thailand, you must use the "red channel" at customs to declare your medication and present your permit and documents if requested. 

Also, wasn't there some problem a few years ago with codeine being found in hand baggage during stop-overs in Middle East airports.

 

Edit: Not just stop-overs, transit too.

13 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

Also, wasn't there some problem a few years ago with codeine being found in hand baggage during stop-overs in Middle East airports.

 

Yeah, I remember that and something about poppy seeds off a bread roll in trouser turnups!

 

They're coming direct, her boyfriend had some, er, issues, in Dubai when he was doing private security so he's avoiding any Middle-East countries 

This is what Chatgpt has to say on this issue:

 

Key legal/regulatory points you must meet

• If the medication is not a controlled narcotic/psychotropic substance, you may bring it for personal use in a quantity up to 30 days of prescribed usage. สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงลอนดอน+2ROYAL THAI EMBASSY, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK+2

• If the medication is a controlled substance category (narcotic or psychotropic), you may need a permit in advance (for e.g., narcotic Category 2) and must declare upon arrival. MFA Thailand+1

• The meds must clearly indicate they are for your personal use, accompanied by a prescription/certificate from your physician including name, dosage, duration, etc. MFA Thailand+1

• The rules may vary depending on the category of drug (narcotic vs psychotropic vs regular). ROYAL THAI EMBASSY, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK+1

---

🔍 Applying to your specific list

Let’s run through each med:

• Codeine: This is listed as an example of a narcotic drug of Category 2 under Thailand’s regulations. MFA Thailand+1

  • Implication: You likely need a permit from the Food and Drug Administration (Thailand) ahead of travel.

  • You will need to apply at least 14 days in advance. ROYAL THAI EMBASSY, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK+1

  • If you don’t have the permit, you risk seizure or refusal of the medication.

• Pregabalin: This one is less clear from the standard lists provided. It is often a controlled medicine in many countries. You need to check whether Thailand treats pregabalin as a psychotropic or regular prescription drug under local law. If it is treated as controlled (psychotropic) you will need the certificate.

• Topiramate: Generally an anti-epileptic medication. It doesn’t appear on the sample controlled lists given in the guidance. Thus it likely counts as a “regular prescription medicine” (not narcotic/psychotropic category) provided it’s for personal use and up to 30 days.

• Sertraline: An antidepressant (SSR I). Usually treated as a regular prescription medicine, not narcotic or psychotropic controlled category in this context. So likely okay under the “not listed as controlled” rules — up to 30 days and with prescription.

---

📝 Chatgpt advice

• For codeine, get a permit from Thai FDA before travelling. Don’t rely just on bringing prescription; the rules require an application for narcotic category 2.

• For pregabalin, check exactly how Thai authorities classify it. If you find it’s controlled, treat it like codeine (permit + certificate).

• For topiramate and sertraline: bring them in original packaging, with prescription, in quantity covering your stay (preferably under 30 days).

• Carry all docs: your name, doctor’s name, diagnosis, dosage, number of days.

• Keep meds for personal use only. Do not supply or distribute.

• Check current Thai law close to your travel date — rules can change.

• When you arrive, if required, be prepared to declare at customs (especially for narcotics).

 

 

make of that what you will 😀

I've sent her the link to the licence application site.

 

She will have a hyperactive / autistic 10 year old with her after a 12 hour flight in cattle-class.

I expect customs will want to get rid of them ASAP

 

I'm stocking up on my meds already!!

5 hours ago, Crossy said:

She will have a hyperactive / autistic 10 year old with her after a 12 hour flight in cattle-class.

I expect customs will want to get rid of them ASAP

 

I'm stocking up on my meds already!!

 

Life is full of challenges.

 

Wishing both you and your family well, and the best.

 

Somehow, in almost every case....eventually....

We overcome...

 

But, don't ask me how.

 

18 hours ago, Bacon1 said:

A letter from her doc, just to be 100% sure.

 

 

A letter from the DOC, to be presented at the customs.

A translation if necessary.

On 11/12/2025 at 3:42 PM, Crossy said:

her boyfriend had some, er, issues, in Dubai when he was doing private security

 

Ah, one of those, eh?

 

On 11/12/2025 at 4:16 PM, Crossy said:

She will have a hyperactive / autistic 10 year old with her after a 12 hour flight in cattle-class.

 

Do you have their flight info and seat numbers?

 

Asking for a friend.

 

More seriously, I hope the permitting process and subsequent declaration on arrival all goes well.

 

On 11/12/2025 at 3:58 PM, CharlieH said:

This is what Chatgpt has to say on this issue:

 

Key legal/regulatory points you must meet

• If the medication is not a controlled narcotic/psychotropic substance, you may bring it for personal use in a quantity up to 30 days of prescribed usage. สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงลอนดอน+2ROYAL THAI EMBASSY, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK+2

• If the medication is a controlled substance category (narcotic or psychotropic), you may need a permit in advance (for e.g., narcotic Category 2) and must declare upon arrival. MFA Thailand+1

• The meds must clearly indicate they are for your personal use, accompanied by a prescription/certificate from your physician including name, dosage, duration, etc. MFA Thailand+1

• The rules may vary depending on the category of drug (narcotic vs psychotropic vs regular). ROYAL THAI EMBASSY, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK+1

---

🔍 Applying to your specific list

Let’s run through each med:

• Codeine: This is listed as an example of a narcotic drug of Category 2 under Thailand’s regulations. MFA Thailand+1

  • Implication: You likely need a permit from the Food and Drug Administration (Thailand) ahead of travel.

  • You will need to apply at least 14 days in advance. ROYAL THAI EMBASSY, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK+1

  • If you don’t have the permit, you risk seizure or refusal of the medication.

• Pregabalin: This one is less clear from the standard lists provided. It is often a controlled medicine in many countries. You need to check whether Thailand treats pregabalin as a psychotropic or regular prescription drug under local law. If it is treated as controlled (psychotropic) you will need the certificate.

• Topiramate: Generally an anti-epileptic medication. It doesn’t appear on the sample controlled lists given in the guidance. Thus it likely counts as a “regular prescription medicine” (not narcotic/psychotropic category) provided it’s for personal use and up to 30 days.

• Sertraline: An antidepressant (SSR I). Usually treated as a regular prescription medicine, not narcotic or psychotropic controlled category in this context. So likely okay under the “not listed as controlled” rules — up to 30 days and with prescription.

---

📝 Chatgpt advice

• For codeine, get a permit from Thai FDA before travelling. Don’t rely just on bringing prescription; the rules require an application for narcotic category 2.

• For pregabalin, check exactly how Thai authorities classify it. If you find it’s controlled, treat it like codeine (permit + certificate).

• For topiramate and sertraline: bring them in original packaging, with prescription, in quantity covering your stay (preferably under 30 days).

• Carry all docs: your name, doctor’s name, diagnosis, dosage, number of days.

• Keep meds for personal use only. Do not supply or distribute.

• Check current Thai law close to your travel date — rules can change.

• When you arrive, if required, be prepared to declare at customs (especially for narcotics).

 

 

make of that what you will 😀

"Lyrica, known generically as pregabalin, isn’t just available over the counter in Thailand. It’s classified as a controlled substance, meaning you absolutely need a prescription from a licensed medical professional to get it. This regulation is in place to prevent misuse and ensure patient safety."

 

https://phuketislandrehab.com/exploring-lyrica-thailand-navigating-prescription-and-treatment-options/#:~:text=Lyrica%2C known generically as pregabalin%2C isn’t just available,place to prevent misuse and ensure patient safety.

Pregabalin  75 mg is available at my local pharmacy, over the counter. 299 Baht for strip of 14 tablets. So, no need to bring. 

8 hours ago, JAN said:

Pregabalin  75 mg is available at my local pharmacy, over the counter. 299 Baht for strip of 14 tablets. So, no need to bring. 

Correct.

Pregabalin is OTC in Thailand,  other posts and ChatGPT are wrong. It is easily available, any real pharmacy in Bangkok has it, and even many of those whole-in-the-wall operations. 

(There is currently another thread about this)

The local generics are usually a bit cheaper than Lyrica. The price @JAN quoted is a very good price. 

 

As for Codeine, it's not difficult to get it prescribed in a hospital,  and it's cheap. It may not be worth the hassle to get a FDA permit if she doesn't really need it every day. Discuss with your Thai doctor.