What are the rules for bringing prescription medication into Thailand for expats?

@Jimmy *****

Walk into a pharmacy and ask for what you want. Most prescription medications are available over the counter but some might require you to see a doctor.

@David *********

Get a letter from your doctor saying you take the Tramadol for pain. Don't produce it unless you have to which would be about 1 chance in 100 -no one gets their bags checked on arrival. Don't listen to people who say you can buy them over the counter. Tramadol used to be available and perhaps still is in some places, but I personally tried to buy it and met with no success. Codeine products you can't buy. Bezodiazepam was aavailable ove the counter 30 years ago, but now would be a drug you would only get through a hospital. Thailand is really down on the heavier pain and sedative medications, while antibiotics etc are freely available over the counter. Bring it with you. You won't have a problem. No one will look at your stuff, but if they do, you have your doctor's letter and the pills are in their containers with prescription details attached.

@Bart *************

yes they are rightly very hot in this stuff these days. Good advice.

@Graham *****

Not the heavy stuff. A friend of mine tried to buy it. I’m pretty sure he was a drug addict as he came with none and I suspect his American doctor(s??) had cut him off. He asked at a pharmacy and they said sorry you have to go to a hospital and see a doctor for that. The doctor said no. I was rather impressed actually. It seems these days that it’s the US, not Thailand, that hands them out like candies. Anyway to answer your question. Don’t check them. That looks like drug smuggling. Make sure it’s very clear that this stuff was prescribed by a genuine doctor. You could call him the Bangkok Hospital near to where you are staying and ask them for very specific requirements.