Morphine and Amphetamine Test’s now required for Retirement Visa

[Chrisillingworth]

Went to Immigration today for my retirement visa and was given an envelope with a red form which had to be taken to a hospital for a blood test looking for those two drugs specificity. Apparently this new order came into affect as of this Monday, a pain because of the 3 hours it takes, what next I wonder?

[Crossy]

Which immigration office was this?

[Chrisillingworth]

Nathon Imigration on Koa Samui

[Briggsy]

I suspect a tie-up between immigration and the hospital. Was any particular hospital or hospitals specified?

If not, one immigration office has completely gone off the plantation in a fit of illogical, irrational, racially-charged paranoia.

[HeijoshinCool]

So, are you actually going to get tested?

EDIT: Tell us you're not going to do this ….

Edited November 14, 2014 by HeijoshinCool

[KED]

I went to Bangkok last week for my one year extension and there was no such requirement.

[ubonjoe]

Nathon Imigration on Koa Samui

That explains a lot.

They have been known to ask for strange things.

[Chrisillingworth]

I have had the test done this morning, they did not say that I should go to any particular hospital, I went to the Nathon hospital and paid 700 Baht, have put the forms into imigration and waiting to go back and get my passport, it's something new every day

[wayned]

Do you know if it is a requirement for all extensions? IMHO there could be some that will have real problems if it is for any extension!

[Chrisillingworth]

As far as I know and am led to understand from the staff and a couple of others it only applies to retirment visa's but who knows where it will go from there.

[terry Meltham]

Which immigration office was this?

Went this week to Kap Choeng just normal requirments

[wayned]

So, are you actually going to get tested?

EDIT: Tell us you're not going to do this ….

If he chose not to do the test and it's a requirement of the Samui Immigration "boss", I guess he wouldn't be able to extend his permission to stay at Samu Immigration.

What other options do you recommend?

The Thai Police have the authority to randomly stop you on the street an ask you to "pee" in a cup. What's the difference? The Immigration Office is a Branch of the Royal Thai Police and therefore you are being asked by a police officer to take a drug test. I guess that they could require you to "pee in a cup" then and there, but they are a least giving you an out by sending you to a hospital for a blood test.

I really don't think that it is a strange request as random drug tests are common and required in many countries as a condition of employment and if the applicant does know in advance that it's a real possibility that he/she will be tested it a heads.

Edited November 14, 2014 by wayned

[Colabamumbai]

That is the most ridiculous thing I have read in 5 years here. Why not a pot test, or an aids test. or a D.N.A. test while your at it.

[Briggsy]

That is the most ridiculous thing I have read in 5 years here. Why not a pot test, or an aids test. or a D.N.A. test while your at it.

Or a syphilis test to get a work permit. Oh, hold on! They instituted that already.

[nisakiman]

Morphine and amphetamine tests for retirees? I would have thought that of all people applying for visas, retirees would be the least likely to test positive for these drugs.

What a complete and utter waste of time (everyone's) and resources.

[mca]

Morphine and amphetamine tests for retirees? I would have thought that of all people applying for visas, retirees would be the least likely to test positive for these drugs.

Actually reading some of the posts from our senior members on TVF....

[mrtoad]

bizarre, but nothing surprises me. just seems like a very random idea

[noahvail]

Morphine and amphetamine tests for retirees? I would have thought that of all people applying for visas, retirees would be the least likely to test positive for these drugs.

What a complete and utter waste of time (everyone's) and resources.

Morphine and other opioids are illegal in Thailand except for post-op pain, so the docs tell me. If you're dealing with chronic pain, Paracetamol and Ibuptofen offer no help at all, nor does Tramadol. For me the only thing that stops the pain but doesn't slow the reflexes is Demerol, a semi-synthetic opioid, available only in syringes for immediate pre-op patients here.

There's the letter of the law, the spirit of the law, and selective enforcement of the law. I've had no opioids since I've been in Thailand, and I have gotten to the point of needing assistance with even small chores on most days. Still, it's worth the pain to be in somwhere warm all year with a wife who cares about me in peaceful surroundings.

[paz]

I can only imagine that the twisted logic behind this is to go e fishing for users the most common drug in Thailand.

Incidentally it is the only for which test kits are available in large quantity for road use. A big business for manufacturers.

However who has to take these with a prescription should not have a problem, I hope.

[alfieconn]

Regarding the test for Amphetamine's, I think everyone is barking up the wrong tree, it's not that they are going to penalize you if you are found with it in your system, it's more a case that if your found to have not taken any that they will advise you that you should take it, to enable all the OAP's to be a bit more active and lively in keeping with a party island

[NancyL]

I wonder if they're requiring this of all applicants for retirement visas at Nathon Imigration on Koa Samui or just slecting individuals based on (what?), nationality, appearance, past history, .....

[inbangkok]

Morphine and amphetamine tests for retirees? I would have thought that of all people applying for visas, retirees would be the least likely to test positive for these drugs.

What a complete and utter waste of time (everyone's) and resources.

Morphine and other opioids are illegal in Thailand except for post-op pain, so the docs tell me. If you're dealing with chronic pain, Paracetamol and Ibuptofen offer no help at all, nor does Tramadol. For me the only thing that stops the pain but doesn't slow the reflexes is Demerol, a semi-synthetic opioid, available only in syringes for immediate pre-op patients here.

There's the letter of the law, the spirit of the law, and selective enforcement of the law. I've had no opioids since I've been in Thailand, and I have gotten to the point of needing assistance with even small chores on most days. Still, it's worth the pain to be in somwhere warm all year with a wife who cares about me in peaceful surroundings.

100% not true. Anesthesiologists can prescribe morphine and other opioids if they see fit for chronic pain. Whoever told you this is simply wrong.......

Oncologists also routinely prescribe morphine for cancer patients...... Whether surgery is involved or not.

As for your statement being "the letter of the law" as you say...... Well..... Far from it.

By the way.... If you are in as much pain as you say and have trouble doing household chores.... I suggest you get to a new hospital and a new Dr right away so you can start getting the care and treatment you need.

Edited November 14, 2014 by inbangkok

[mgjackson69]

So, are you actually going to get tested?

EDIT: Tell us you're not going to do this ….

If he chose not to do the test and it's a requirement of the Samui Immigration "boss", I guess he wouldn't be able to extend his permission to stay at Samu Immigration.

What other options do you recommend?

The Thai Police have the authority to randomly stop you on the street an ask you to "pee" in a cup. What's the difference? The Immigration Office is a Branch of the Royal Thai Police and therefore you are being asked by a police officer to take a drug test. I guess that they could require you to "pee in a cup" then and there, but they are a least giving you an out by sending you to a hospital for a blood test.

I really don't think that it is a strange request as random drug tests are common and required in many countries as a condition of employment and if the applicant does know in advance that it's a real possibility that he/she will be tested it a heads.

The drug tests that are required "in many countries" as a condition of employment are typically a condition set by the prospective employer, not by the government.

Apples and oranges...

[phuketrichard]

better those two than pot which stays in ur system up to 1 month

[wpcoe]

There seems to be confusion about opioids and opiates in the discussion above. Morphine is an opiate. Tramadol (Tramal) is an opioid. Different tests to detect them. Any "routine" drug test would check for opioids, not opiates.

Edited November 14, 2014 by wpcoe

[Pattaya46]

The drug tests that are required "in many countries" as a condition of employment

are typically a condition set by the prospective employer, not by the government.

Depends certainly of these "many countries"...

For all European countries by example, the employer can ask for such a drug-test

only if drug usage could become dangerous for employees or customers of the company.

So for most of jobs - by far - employers can't require a drug-test for employment.

[moe666]

guess the OP could move.

[FireMedic]

I got popped for a pee test at World Medical Center for my Work Permit. That was a first.

[Gonsalviz]

That is the most ridiculous thing I have read in 5 years here. Why not a pot test, or an aids test. or a D.N.A. test while your at it.

AIDS test is verboten. Don't know why you need a DNA test unless you have been accused of a crime.

[Suradit69]

Went to Immigration today for my retirement visa and was given an envelope with a red form which had to be taken to a hospital for a blood test looking for those two drugs specificity.

If your avatar is a photo of you, that could explain it (and yes, I am kidding).

Edited November 14, 2014 by Suradit69