Morphine and Amphetamine Test’s now required for Retirement Visa

[AnotherOneAmerican]

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?

In this case 700bht. and 3 hours of your time.

Edited November 15, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican

[ColdSingha]

makes me wonder how long it will be before we have to pass a medical to get a marriage/retirement extension

[technologybytes]

There is another possible explanation.

Perhaps they wanted to test one individual, but felt that it would be improper to test just one guy so they made it a requirement for a few days, that way when the target arrives they can say it's a new requirement and we are asking everyone to do the same.

Just a thought.

[masuk]

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.

That's why they are called "IMMIGRATION POLICE". It says so on their uniforms.

[sawadee1947]

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.

you get tested on HIV when you apply for your hospital card. So what?

[8OA8]

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?

In this case 700bht. and 3 hours of your time.

The 3 hours of a retired person's time was probably considered not too much of a hardship, as for sure they weren't depriving the retiree of 3 hours pay.

The Baht 700 was not the charge made by the Immigration office.

[shaggy28303]

If they will start asking for hemorrhoids and herpes tests I'm in big troubles....

Oh too much information

[connda]

Since when are retired farang expats the primary consumers of opiates and amphetamines. It's more like beer and caffeine for us over-the-hill gang. lmfao

[Mario2008]

1 off topic post removed.

[simondan]

If they will start asking for hemorrhoids and herpes tests I'm in big troubles....

Oh too much information

Its when they ask for character references that you guys need to start worrying. Edited November 15, 2014 by simondan

[Benmart]

guess the OP could move.

Yes, he could. However, I don't believe he asked for relocation information.

He seems to be sharing an experience that may be of interest to others.

[lucifer666]

Just asked my neighbour who works at immigration and he just shook his head and said he has never heard of it.

[camsouth]

Nathon Imigration on Koa Samui

well must be local only i just got my retirement in chiang mai tuesday and no test lol they didnt care about lease or bank book only problem we had they wanted us embassy form for wife to be dependent , had english original marriage document with apostille lol they want that embassy stamp

[NoshowJones]

Nathon Imigration on Koa Samui

That explains a lot.

They have been known to ask for strange things.

I know this can be a crazy country at times Joe, but I can't understand why different Immigration Offices are allowed to make up their own rules. Surely the government should decide what it's bodies can and can't do. I try my hardest not to be a Thai basher, but some things can sure test you.

[NoshowJones]

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

I would assume that the Immigration office is not going to refund you.

[enufsaid]

Think immigration put the wrong visa name, shud be tourist visa's.

[ThaiBob]

I am still not clear if the OP was getting his annual retirement extension or if this was his first retirement visa application. I got a medical certificate for me first Type O visa which then became my annual extension.

[loongdavid]

Perhaps those that have applied for a retirement visa with any other RTIP post and have had similar experiences could post them here so we can all gauge the extent of this new condition. Or is this only peculiar to Nathon Immigration on Ko Samui?

[ubonjoe]

This topic just got 20 posts shorter. Posts removed for trolling, off topic, defamatory, Thai bashing and etc. plus replies to them.

Posts are now being removed without notice. If it falls into the above categories it will be removed.

[Johnmeldrum]

Went to Hua Hin for retirement extension yesterday afternoon took 4 mins everybody smiling , I have never had a problem there they are always very very helpful ,also I have never had to give anybody any bribes some of the things I hear I often wonder is it the way you treat them . Any way Hua Hin immigration gets my vote for being one of the best .

[Liquorice]

OP, I'm sure this was a one off random test, not a general requirement for a retirement Visa.

I would have politely asked for him to put his request in writing, that may have given him reason to think again.

[BlackJack]

what about codiene

I often bring over the counter products from OZ that contain codiene

its in the flu tablets and in panadeine

Also what about cancer patients arent they on Morph

[AnotherOneAmerican]

There is another possible explanation.

Perhaps they wanted to test one individual, but felt that it would be improper to test just one guy so they made it a requirement for a few days, that way when the target arrives they can say it's a new requirement and we are asking everyone to do the same.

Just a thought.

It's more likely someone called Immigration and said OP was a druggie.

OP, had any arguments with gfs lately?

[The Deerhunter]

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.

Only tertiary syphilis, isn't it. Primary & secondary are fine. (TIT).

Re O.P., It is possible I suppose, that some 50+ y/o retirees have been leering up on Samui fired up with ya ba (AKA Crystal Meth, P etc) If one did have a habit it at home & one could rent out the house at home & afford to retire here early. It is dirt cheap & much more available here than in most western countries, and until now, less hassles with law enforcement than at home.

BTW Next thing they might look for could be steroids to keep future potential Queensland Aussie 'roid ragers out. Or deport any already here???????

BTW2 I am going to get my Non-Im retirement extension at Sri Racha next week. Let's see what happens there..... Better not leave it till the last day, eh???

[The Deerhunter]

what about codiene

I often bring over the counter products from OZ that contain codiene

its in the flu tablets and in panadeine

Also what about cancer patients arent they on Morph

A VERY good point re Panadeine & Codral Forte, Codeine & other similar meds!

Re cancer patients. By the time you get onto morphine, overstaying is the least problem you have and it, plus all others are only temporary

[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.

Love your avatar and nickname! Have you tried Celebrex? Or Tylenol 3 or Tylenol for Arthritis....many Tylenol products (maybe not available in LoS).

How about methotrexate? Of no avail?!!

Post-op opioids are only available via prescription in most countries, yes?

Thanks for your kind words and suggestions. Yes, I've tried what I think are all of the standard painkillers. Fifteen years ago I had open heart surgery, causing a staff infection that led to the removal of 90% of my sternum. They weren't able to close the incision, just pack it, and see a plastic surgeon once a week to debrade the dead skin. It took 10 months to close on its own. I took Demerol because it took away the pain but didn't make me groggy. After a month, I asked about addiction. The surgeon's reply: Better to be addicted and out of pain till it heals - if you get addicted, we can deal with that later. At the end of nine months, I just stopped taking them, with no withdrawal. It's the one thing I know that works for me. I'm going to try to find a chronic pain specialist here who can prescribe something of sufficient strength to help.

And yes, of course you're right, one needs a prescription for such things. I'm not drug-seeking, I'm pain-relief seeking. I don't drink or take recreational pharmaceuticals - I want to stay in control of my thoughts and actions.

[The Deerhunter]

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.

you get tested on HIV when you apply for your hospital card. So what?

Obviously depends on the hospital. I got signed up at an expensive BKK private hospital a week ago & was not asked.

[The Deerhunter]

Since when are retired farang expats the primary consumers of opiates and amphetamines. It's more like beer and caffeine for us over-the-hill gang. lmfao

At the fear of too much information, for many of us our recreational drugs of choice are caffeine, alcohol & Kamagra. LOL

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Since when are retired farang expats the primary consumers of opiates and amphetamines. It's more like beer and caffeine for us over-the-hill gang. lmfao

They are actually the easiest drugs to get in Thailand.

Available everywhere, many foreigners and Thais take them.

Almost any bar girl or Tuk Tuk driver will sell them to you.

Also readily available in Thai bars and Karaoke joints (not the glossy Japanese style joints).

Edited November 15, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican

[Tropicalevo]

When I first lived on Koh Samui, I applied for a retirement visa (13 years ago) and had to provide the results for the same tests plus for syphilis, This was also required for extensions as well. The requirement disappeared after a few years.

Also - the test had to be carried out by the government hospital in Nathon. Private hospitals not accepted.

It could be that they are just re-instating the old rules.