Morphine and Amphetamine Test’s now required for Retirement Visa

[Minnehaha]

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.

I concur. You just need to find a doctor who gets it.

If you are want to solve it quickly, take your medical history documents and go to some of the big name hospitals in Bangkok which have 'Chronic Pain' specialists. Prescribing opiates is not illegal, but it is a class of drugs that is very highly restricted. And for which you should get a letter from your doctor saying that you have been prescribed these meds, in case you find yourself needing to explain this to police, or traveling abroad.

[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.

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.

I concur. You just need to find a doctor who gets it.

If you are want to solve it quickly, take your medical history documents and go to some of the big name hospitals in Bangkok which have 'Chronic Pain' specialists. Prescribing opiates is not illegal, but it is a class of drugs that is very highly restricted. And for which you should get a letter from your doctor saying that you have been prescribed these meds, in case you find yourself needing to explain this to police, or traveling abroad.

Thanks. With the info gleaned from this thread, that's the plan! Obviously, the 5 docs I've seen here either don't want to prescribe or don't want scripts to show up in audits. New plan, Chronic Pain Specialist!

[Tchooptip]

Last month for my one year retirement extension in Nathon, I was not asked for, so brand new request, plus not sure already ask to every one ?

I guess if people know in advance they will abstain to ingest any subtance, but I have no idea how long before it shoud be done?

[Amavel]

I have been prescribed Morphine for Chronic Pain by a Thai doctor for 3 years. I am on Retirement Visa and have never been asked for this.

[brianp0803]

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.

Don't forget also need to be check for elephantitus and leprosy to get work permit for teaching.

Syphilis is ok if it hasn't reached 3rd stage where it effects the mind. But the simplest test is basic syphilis.

I would not personally object to drug tests for teachers, but for retirement visa?

I think unecessary unless there has been a problem with people on retirement visas doing drugs.

I think unlikely

[Fullstop]

Migrated from Thailand to Cambodia a week and a half ago. When I read this sort of crap from my TV Newsletter everyday I think... "Thank God I'm outta there!" It's just getting crazier on a daily basis now.

[humqdpf]

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.

What happens if the retiree is on medication - morphine for bone cancer, for instance? Or another med that can give a positive of amphetamine in the basic test that they do.

The difference between an on-the-spot urine test and this hospital test is that it is dead easy to fake the latter. Find someone who is approximately your age, who is clean and who is prepared to take the test. Since your passport is with immigration anyway, you don't have to produce your original passport. Another pointless exercise.

[sambum]

Nathon Imigration on Koa Samui

That explains a lot.

They have been known to ask for strange things.

Like - Copy of own housebook, copy of landlord/landlady's housebook and telephone number as proof of residence not good enough - want Google Earth map with grid locations of where you live. (You could give them a Google Earth map with a grid location of anywhere on Samui - they wouldn't know if it was your house or the local 711!)

[harrry]

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.

Possibly the person could be taking completly legal medication from a hospital which shows positive on these tests. Wouls a visa then be refused? This is possibly more likely with older people who have various chronic illnesses.,

[sambum]

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.

Condition of employment is probably for safety reasons e.g. operating machinery etc The poster is retired, and apart from not being very likely to be a "druggie", why make it a condition of a retirement extension when by your own words, you could lay off the drugs for a few days before your extension is due. Anyway, am I right in thinking that it is not illegal to be under the influence of drugs, but illegal to be in possession of them? (Unless you are driving a motor vehicle or motor bike, for instance)

[ubonjoe]

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.

Possibly the person could be taking completly legal medication from a hospital which shows positive on these tests. Wouls a visa then be refused? This is possibly more likely with older people who have various chronic illnesses.,

A person that is taking medication that has been prescribed it by a doctor would have to excused if it was appear on the blood test,

I have had drug tests back in my working days and they asked you if you were taking any medication that would effect the test.

If a person is asked to do one and is on medication they should make sure the hospital is aware of that fact.

[sambum]

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.

Agree entirely - that is one of the reasons for so much corruption. They not only seem to make up their own rules, but change their interpretation of their own rules when it suits them - and that usually means there's (your) money involved.

[Jimbolai]

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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.

Random drug test for retirement visa? NUTS.

[soalbundy]

Which immigration office was this?

Went this week to Kap Choeng just normal requirments

What ? no bank statement required ? no 2 inch photo instead of the normal passport photo ? When i did mine two weeks ago i had just returned from Bangkok got my brand new passport and a letter from the embassy confirming my income from my pension and then out of the blue they want a never before asked for bank statement, for what,when i have already shown them that i have enough income ?

[sambum]

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 .

We used to get lollipops at Nathon a few years ago! Not any more - more likely a new "requirement" or an order (no, not request) to "come back tomorrow!!!

[sambum]

Which immigration office was this?

Went this week to Kap Choeng just normal requirments

What ? no bank statement required ? no 2 inch photo instead of the normal passport photo ? When i did mine two weeks ago i had just returned from Bangkok got my brand new passport and a letter from the embassy confirming my income from my pension and then out of the blue they want a never before asked for bank statement, for what,when i have already shown them that i have enough income ?

Which Immigration Office?

[merijn]

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

A insanity for marriage extensions would not be a bad idea for some people.

But as said you can expect everything from Kho Samui immigration, Most of the fake immigration stamps came from there.

[ExPratt]

Is there no recourse to their own law for these &lt;deleted&gt; Pirates . What next , a lock of hair and a shit sample ?

[ubonjoe]

A insanity for marriage extensions would not be a bad idea for some people.

What do mean by that? Are you saying people that get them are insane?

I guess that would include me because I have done 7 of them.

[merijn]

A insanity for marriage extensions would not be a bad idea for some people.

What do mean by that? Are you saying people that get them are insane?

I guess that would include me because I have done 7 of them.

That's way i said for some people. And also a little bit sarcastic meant.

Happily married for over 13 years. (included extensions)

[connda]

Just an FYI: If Immigration started to drug test long-term visa holders, anyone who has a valid prescription from a properly licensed doctor or hospital for any drug that falls under the Psychotropic Substances Act or Narcotics Act would not be at risk for any repercussions. You can legally be in possession of prescribed amounts of these drugs, and you can bring them into Thailand from outside the country after declaring them as long as your have the proper paperwork. I can't source this right of the top of my head, but the government published information is out there if you search for it.

[micmichd]

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.

[micmichd]

Racially-charged paranoia.

For a better understanding: please specify your race.

[micmichd]

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.

[micmichd]

Pot test, HIV test, DNA check:

Good idea, if there is enough evidence you are an addict to (1) cannabis (2) unprotected sex or (3) unprotected sex

[arunsakda]

I would be happy to run any "druggies" out of the Kingdom but this cannot work.

I think it is a waste of govt (taxpayer) money but I am subject to random testing as a condition of employment (aviation) in my country. Split samples are sealed in little bottles which I get to sign. The bottles have temp. I get privacy during the urination process but if I flush the dunny by mistake I have to do it again. Temperature of the urine is checked just in case I have smuggled in a clean sample in my shorts. Then we sit at a little table where I get to observe the handling of my pee. The entire process is videotaped. Then the samples are put in an envelope that has double seals which I and the drug test lady signs. Then it goes in a fedex letter. They are then sent off to a third party lab that will reject the samples if all procedures are not followed. All on the up and up. I think in all the years of this they have caught 5 or 6 druggie pilots. No improvemt to safety and resulting only in higher ticket cosrs for all.

However, This kind if thing cannot work here however because of corruption, which is at the same time the result and root cause of basically all the problems here. It will just become another way to extort payments from the unfortunate persons who encounter bent officials and not solve any so called " problem", whether real or fanciful.

Edited November 16, 2014 by arunsakda

[mgjackson69]

Pot test, HIV test, DNA check:

Good idea, if there is enough evidence you are an addict to (1) cannabis (2) unprotected sex or (3) unprotected sex

Because those tests never throw a false positive.

And define ”evidence”....

[evadgib]

If this proves to be factually correct can someone please post a copy of the form/template so that we can add it to the bumff compiled annually on our computers?

Edited November 16, 2014 by evadgib

[paz]

If this proves to be factually correct can someone please post a copy of the form/template so that we can add it to the bumff compiled annually on our computers?

Are you in Kho Samui? If you aren't, it doesn't interest you.

[ubonjoe]

A post attempting to take topic off topic has been removed.