When I take the bus in Thailand, I am afraid and stress of the police check-up

[Danielsiam]

Yesterday I took the bus from Bangkok to somewhere in Isaan part, I used to use the Nakhonchair Air, First Class.

During the trip, the bus almost stop 4 or 5 times, for police check-up. The police don't enter at the passagers compartment.

But I remember that time ago, when I took the bus from Udon Thani, or Buriram to Bangkok, the police entered & even wake-up the passengers for ID check.

At the Udon Thani - Bangkok trip, the army entered & checked my passport and dates, normally..

At the Buriram - Bangkok trip, the police entered & check my passport & asking also to my girlfriend, what I am doing & if she's my girlfriend etc.. just few questions ( I am just thinking why he's asked that questions )

Well, tomorrow I've to back to Bangkok from somewhere in Isaan part.

I am just quite paranoid and stressed everytime I see the police man coming & wanted to check.

What I am afraid ? is they will eventually check my body & even luggages to found any narcotics.. but what I'm afraid is that I've 4 months medications (antidepressant, xanax, etc.)

I know I was allowed to bring only 30 days medication to Thailand, but I bring for 5 months medication & don't have check at Customs in airport of BKK. They're so expensive in Thailand, especially the Effexor, don't have generic here.

So I am scared of two things, if the police check my luggages and found that I've XANAX ( Alprazolam ) and alot of qty of drugs for 4 months or another things, they plant some narcotics in my bag.. I've a prescription with me, from the Doctor, but it's not in English, it's on another language of EU countries.

[1FinickyOne]

So, if I am reading this correctly, you have knowingly broken the law - but you are afraid that the police are going to plant something on you and falsely accuse you of breaking a different law...

And what sort of advice are you seeking here?

[manarak]

OP, your meds aren't expensive at all in Thailand.

Get a prescription in your home country and then visit a government hospital to continue treatment there at the psychiatric health ward.

Bigger government hospitals (for example located in provincial capitals) certainly have all the meds you need.

Edited June 18, 2016 by manarak

[roamer]

Doesn't look like the Xanax is working very well.

[MissAndry]

Just been on a

local bus, Udon Thani to Sakon Nakhon top speed 70Km/hr.

VIP transit Sakon Nakhon to Mukdahan top speed 140Km/hr on a narrow road, truly frightening.

VIP Bus Mukdahan to Khon Kaen, VIP bus Khon Khen to Chiang Mai, around 100Km/hr on dual carriageways.

Passed two serious accidents, one must have been fatal, the car was a compressed mass of twisted metal in the central drainage ditch.

Nobody was slowing down despite repeated torrential rain and deeply flooded roads.

No police or army anywhere to be seen.

[Sheryl]

Here is no point stressing about this, and it is extremely (very) unlikely police will "plant" anything on you.

As for the medication, having a prescription is your best defense and it seems you do - however it would be better, if possible, not to travel with such large quantities at a time.

The anti-depressants are a non-issue as these are not controlled drugs in Thailand. But the xanax is a controlled pyschotropic (not, however, a narcotic).

Beyond this I don't know what to tell you. It is extremely rare for them to check the bags of a foreign tourist on these buses, but your state of anxiety may increase the small odds of that happening as police have a sort of sixth sense for that.

BTW there is a locally made generic equivalent to Effexor - but as mentioned, that is not going to be an issue as it is an over the counter drug here.

[Pib]

Here in Bangkok I drive through several police checkpoints per day....it's just common...try to worry about other things. Plus you can get most any med without subscription at Thai drug stores.

[Jdiddy]

If i can tear around isaan and the north doing 200km/h on a bike with no plates all the time and so far never been stopped then i think youll be ok.

Though i dont stress, i passed a civilian looking guy on a moped with an M16a1 slung over his shoulder near Mae Ai a few weeks ago, i found it more funny then anything, i bet he never gets any road rage lol

Edited June 18, 2016 by Jdiddy

[tandor]

...increase your dosage then they won't be there.

[Kabula]

Relax.....

You’re in Paradise....

Go to a Public Hospital; show them all your prior prescriptions.

Describe your present condition to a specialist and ask them their opinion.

Get all the prescriptions required for Thailand and any meds that can save you money.

Be sure to ask the doctor if you want to stop taking any of the psychotropic drugs, how you should get off them safely.

If you look scared, the Police will head directly to you.

Then no concerns, except the girlfriend and her family!

[mamypoko]

Bottom shelf?

[jobsworth]

in india the police like to set up foreigners with drugs usually ganga because that is where the money is.

in thailand and cambodia it is the ngo's who give money to the police to set up foreigners as pedophiles because that is where the money is.

you will not be set up for drugs in thailand.

you will not be set up as a pedophile in india.

do look frightened if you are. you have only one life so enjoy it.

if the police try to talk to you just don't answer. your answers can only make matters worse.

especially questions like "is she your girlfriend?" and "is she good lady?". it is none of their business. they only do that to titillate themselves.

Edited June 19, 2016 by jobsworth

[sanukjim]

So, if I am reading this correctly, you have knowingly broken the law - but you are afraid that the police are going to plant something on you and falsely accuse you of breaking a different law...

And what sort of advice are you seeking here?

He is looking for sympathy which is a word found in the dictionary between Shit and syphilis..Dumb ass, just carry what you need for the time you are away from the home.

Edited June 19, 2016 by sanukjim

[i claudius]

In 25 years i have never once had a bag checked ,

[cruisemonkey]

On any Thai bus, I'd be more afraid of being involved in a horrific accident/crash than police check points.

[Catoni]

There is good advice from other members, re: your medication..

As far as bus checks.... stopped at military checkpoints in north west Thailand mountain areas close to Myanmar and Laos borders.... The soldiers just come on the bus and we show them our papers.... Thai nationals, and me, a farang,,, just show them my passport... all good... smiles and even a handshake, and on our way. They've never checked my small backpack.. I've nothing with me to worry about anyways...

[Monkeyrobot]

Put the medications in your girlfriends bag if your worried.

[NoshowJones]

"I am just quite paranoid and stressed everytime I see the police man coming & wanted to check".

But you shouldn't be, you are a "guest" in this country.

[NoshowJones]

If i can tear around isaan and the north doing 200km/h on a bike with no plates all the time and so far never been stopped then i think youll be ok.

Though i dont stress, i passed a civilian looking guy on a moped with an M16a1 slung over his shoulder near Mae Ai a few weeks ago, i found it more funny then anything, i bet he never gets any road rage lol

If what your saying is true, you are a danger to every road user, and you want to get a grip of yourself.

I have ridden through Isaan a few times and seen many police checks, and never had a problem, but unlike you, I stick to the speed limits.

[tomwct]

Leave all your drugs at home! Then catch your bus to Bangkok. You won't be scared!

[oxo1947]

"I am just quite paranoid....................................OP

My Doctor has told me I'm paranoid.---I wonder who else he's told..........................

[F4UCorsair]

quote Kabula.....

Then no concerns, except the girlfriend and her family!

The greatest threat of all !!!

Edited June 19, 2016 by F4UCorsair

[timber]

If you are going to travel in Thailand there is a chance you are going to get checked. Go to a good clinic in Thailand and get the prescription here.

[kingstonkid]

As someone who has gone through more serious drugs than you have I can only suggest that once you get yourself into Bangkok you immediately go to a large hospital. I use BNH. There are 2 reasons that you bring up.

1. you have a large quantity and need paperwork to make it easiere.

2.It seems that the prescriptions are not doing a good enough job.

I would seek out assistance so that you can get expert advice here on what is happening and get a professional tomake sure that your meds are correct and that the dosages are also correct for you.

Having a check with a professional is a good thing and keeps you more balanced.

Trust me I had medical issues in Canada that they said could not be repaired,. Camme here they rediagnosed me and solved most of my problems (I still have diabetes)

[tandor]

"I am just quite paranoid....................................OP

My Doctor has told me I'm paranoid.---I wonder who else he's told..........................

..now you've told me...why did you do that?

[Khon Kaen Dave]

Just because your not paranoid,it doesn't mean to say that their not after you.

[Kasset Tak]

There are police checks from time to time all over Thailand, I went from Sukhothai to Mae Sot (about 200km) and I had to show my passport 3 times. Going from Mae Sot to BKK they had 1 checkpoint but they did not bother to check my passport as I'm not from Myanmar!

Any medication that you can buy in Thailand wouldn't be a problem, I was stopped with 5,000 amoxicillin capsules with no one even reacting... BUT Xanax/Alprasolam has been moved to the list of medications that you can only get in hospital or approved clinics but still, having enough medications for 2-3 months should not be a problem as that 's what you would get on your prescription.

[Sooo Upto Me]

If i can tear around isaan and the north doing 200km/h on a bike with no plates all the time and so far never been stopped then i think youll be ok.

Though i dont stress, i passed a civilian looking guy on a moped with an M16a1 slung over his shoulder near Mae Ai a few weeks ago, i found it more funny then anything, i bet he never gets any road rage

lol

Oh so ur one of these I don't give a toss bike riders that ride around at 200km/h putting other people's life's at risk.

And u think it's cool do u?

Just another fool on the roads.

[aussiandrew]

From time to time most Westerns staying here long term will return back to home country and then return to Thailand with your personal medications sometime 6/12 months supply. Carry a letter from a from a local medical person be that a large pharmacy company or medical clinic. The letter stating your name and local address plus the medication you are required to take on a regular bases. That should take away all the stress associated with catching local buses. Finally I hope you are carrying you medication on the buses and not putting in the underneath storage just in case.

[watcharacters]

If i can tear around isaan and the north doing 200km/h on a bike with no plates all the time and so far never been stopped then i think youll be ok.

Though i dont stress, i passed a civilian looking guy on a moped with an M16a1 slung over his shoulder near Mae Ai a few weeks ago, i found it more funny then anything, i bet he never gets any road rage lol

"If i can tear around isaan and the north doing 200km/h on a bike with no plates all the time and so far never been stopped" WOW!