Hi, me and my mate are going on holiday to Thailand next week, and I was just wondering a couple of things about over-the-counter drugs. Couple of things:

a) My mate's planning to bring some Proplus (caffeine pills) with him - these are sold over-the-counter without prescription in most pharmacies in the UK, and over here loads of different people use them (as a replacement for coffee I assume) on a regular basis. However when I came here last yr I noticed you couldn't buy them in any shops, and I remember reading online that their sale had been banned - in that case, will it still be ok for my mate to bring in a packet or two for personal use?

b - Last month I was involved in a car accident and I now get a bit of bad back pain from time to time - when it flares up I tend to take paracodol, which is paracetomol with a small amount of codeine (8mg per 500mg paracetomol tablet) in it - again, over the counter and v. commonly available in the UK without any kind of prescription, however I know that other countries are much more restrictive on codeine use. Is it still ok for me to bring a packet of this in for personal use?

Just asking as have read about Thailand's horrendous prisons for drug smugglers lol, me and my friend don't want to get banged up for inadvertently bringing over some prohibited substances lol! Is it best not to take these things (even if they are OTC over here) or will Thai customs not bat an eyelid?

Thanks in advance

Edited June 11, 201016 yr by studenttraveller

Shouldn't be a problem especially at the quantity you mention. I wouldn't think anything about it, but if you are really concerned you could get a note from your pharmacist and stash it with the the codeine and caffeine. Pharmacist here carry a lot of weight. If I take any medication etc back to the US, I write a note addressed to customs in Thailand, Japan and the US and put it with pills so at least they know I'm not trying to hide anything. And you can always call the Thai Embassy in London or Thai Immigration and I would imagine they could tell you point blank.

I would say their are no strict rules-only bad luck. However I have been coming to Thailand for 8 yrs and I always bring my medication with me and do not declare it. I have never been checked. Walk out the 'Nothing to declare gate"

My observations in the street and thru hearsay would suggest carrying the physician's note every day with you. And, you are even more likely to get searched on the street, if you are alone, and young. All of this my subjective report. No note, and you can be in touble.

I carried a bunch back last year for a friend. I was really nervous...went through the "green" lane....got all my bags scanned...nothing. Did the same a few weeks ago, had everything scanned...no worries. They did question a HIFI amp I had in my carryon suitcase....told them it was an amp and that was it. I had hard drives, speakers, meds, vitamins in bulk, tools, etc. Between me and my wife, we had 6 suitcases!

I am not sure what they are looking for....maybe too much booze or too many cigs? We never use to get scanned, but do all the time now. Not that it matters!