Urgent - Legal To Cross A Thai Border With Codeine?

[nicolas18]

Hi guys,

I plan to go to Lao tomorrow.

I currently have major back problems and they cause an important amount of pain in my lower back and legs.

I have tried about every over-the-counter pain killer in Thailand, including Tramadol and Voltaren but they don't quite work. I don't have a lot of cash right now and going to a hospital to get treatment or drugs is not possible.

Therefore, I was thinking of buying one or two packages of Codalgin Forte in Lao and taking them back to Thailand, since it is available OTC there.

I searched on the Internet for border regulations about importing Codeine to Thailand but couldn't find any. It is illegal to import Morphine, and Codeine is a derivative of Morphine, so I don't know if that rule applies. If it does, then it would be illegal to cross the Thai border with Imodium as well, since it is also synthetised from Morphine.

Could someone please give me more infos ASAP?

Thanks

[ktamp]

Hi guys,

I plan to go to Lao tomorrow.

I currently have major back problems and they cause an important amount of pain in my lower back and legs.

I have tried about every over-the-counter pain killer in Thailand, including Tramadol and Voltaren but they don't quite work. I don't have a lot of cash right now and going to a hospital to get treatment or drugs is not possible.

Therefore, I was thinking of buying one or two packages of Codalgin Forte in Lao and taking them back to Thailand, since it is available OTC there.

I searched on the Internet for border regulations about importing Codeine to Thailand but couldn't find any. It is illegal to import Morphine, and Codeine is a derivative of Morphine, so I don't know if that rule applies. If it does, then it would be illegal to cross the Thai border with Imodium as well, since it is also synthetised from Morphine.

Could someone please give me more infos ASAP?

Thanks

I wouldn't risk it. I'm pretty sure codeine is as controlled here as other narcotics. I brought darvocet into thailand but I made sure it was in the bottle from the pharmacy and I also brought a copy of the original prescription.

Immodium is sold otc here under the generic name so I doubt it is illegal to bring it into the country. I always travel with immodium. You never know when you might need it.

[somefellow]

Dont know if this web page is accurate, but according to this web page you can import a 30-day supply of codeine to Thailand with a prescription.

http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/law/co..._thailand.shtml

[syd barrett]

Codeine phosphate isn't really a long term solution to spinal stenosis and the pain resulting from it.

A few years ago they clamped down on morphine and its derivatives even the OTC and popular paracetamol/codeine phosphate tablets.

If you brought some painkillers over the border (enough for personal use) (not a suitcase full) I am sure that if you were searched, they wouldn't take much interest.

However be aware that this type of medication is absolutely banned in the Emirates even if you are transferring flights within the airport.

[Sheryl]

Codeine is a controlled substance and possession of it in Thailand without prescription is illegal. Doesn't matter that you bought it in a place where prescription not required.

To safely bring in this or any other controlled drugs need proof they were prescribed by a doctor. Generally advised to have a doctor's letter as well as a prescription. Also cannot bring in more than is consistent with a 30 day supply.

A simple one page "to whom it may concern" on a clinic or hospital letter head signed by a doctor in Laos stated that you have been prescribed this drug for a back condition should suffice. If it is possible to also get the medication labelled with your name, all the better but if Laos is like Cambodia that may not be possible.

This may solve the bringing-codeine-into-Thailand problem but it is unlikely that it will help your medical problem.

Back pain so severe it needs narcotics, and with radiation of the pain into the legs, needs medical evaluation. The radiation of pain down the legs suggest nerve root compression. The only thing codeine is going to do is at best give very temprary relief followed by being back wehere you started pain-wise. Plus likely to become very constipated from it and can become addicted if you take it too often.

Medical care options given limited funds:

- back to your own country if it has a national health system or you have insurance cover there

- government hospital (Bangkok, not out in the sticks)

- one of the nonprofits in Bkk: St Louis, Bkk Christian, Camellian

- Viet Nam. Quality of care there is good and costs much lower than in Thailand. The "Cho Ray" (?sp?) hospital in Ho Chi Minh is a private wing of a government hospital and heavily patronized by the Cambodian middle class when they need surgery. Over the years I've seen many go there for treatment, including orthopedic surgery, and from all I can see the care given was quite good at about 1/3 what it would cost in Thailand.

[futureexpat10]

Codeine thread revisited.

I bought a 10 pack of para/codeine during a visa run and used one. (Splitting headaches once in a while.) My question is would there be a problem bringing the 9 tablets into Thailand? I don't have a prescription or a doctors letter, but I would think that it's obviously for my own use and not to sell. Then again it's better to know than to make assumptions.

What is the likely and the worst case scenario?

[richard_smith237]

It is my understanding that ever though its readily available in the UK, anything containing even a small percentage of Codeine is illegal in Thailand.

If you wished to be safe, ensure you have a prescription.

That said: the likelihood of it being picked up is negligible. For example: i've never been questioned about or had my paracetamol checked.

Likely scenario: nothing happens and it won't get checked.

Worst case scenario: A switched on customs official recognizes the codeine in a random search, decides to pursue charges and arrests you. You find yourself on a very sticky wicket facing drugs charges the penalties for which are rather severe.

[Sheryl]

what he said.

It is illegal to have it period (in Thailand) if you don't have a prescription for it.

[Sheryl]

[quote name='Sheryl' timestamp='1320587325' post='4827098'

what he said.

It is illegal to have it period (in Thailand) if you don't have a prescription for it.

See a doctor in Laos and get a letter from him stating diagnosis and that this has been prescribed. Shouldn't be that hard to do.

Then you can bring in up to 30 days worth.