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What can I do about bringing a year’s supply of medication into Thailand with a Non Immigrant visa?

Non Immigrant Visa Thailand Immigration Medication Importation Veteran Benefits Prescription Drugs Customs Regulations Health Care in Thailand

Nov 30, 2025

6 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am getting my Non Immigrant visa but I’ve just found a problem.

As a veteran, I get a very expensive oncology pill for free that I’ve been taking for 6 years now. But, Thailand FDA website says that I’m only allowed to bring 30 day supply with me? There has to be a way around this? I can’t go 11 months without my pills and I can’t afford to pay $2k a month to buy them.

Suggestions? Anyone?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A veteran facing difficulties in bringing their necessary oncology medication into Thailand on a Non Immigrant visa asked for advice. The FDA regulations allow a maximum of a 30-day supply, but the user requires medication for 11 months due to financial constraints. Responses suggested carrying a doctor's letter and prescription, as medications not listed as restricted might not be checked upon arrival. Some veterans shared their experiences bringing larger quantities of medication without issues, underscoring the importance of being discreet during customs checks.

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Ronald *********

I bring a 3 month supply every 3 month trip,but that is the maximum my UK doctor will give me at any one time.

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Hans *********

I've been toThailand 40 timesover 30 years at least I've never been checked , ever for Anything

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Joseph ****

OP, I hope you are noticing the recurring theme in most of these replies.🙈🙉🙊

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Hans *********

yep

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Hans *********

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Julian *******

I brought a years meds with me and nobody checked. Just have a medical certificate from your doctor. If your trip is 11 months then bring 11 months of meds.

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Knowledgeab************

I asked the VA for a years worth of meds and was approved. I placed a copy of medications in each piece of luggage. I walked through customs no problem as usual.

And BTW, it wasn’t a stupid question

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Eddie ****

I have the same problem, I am taking Rybelsus, Thailand is 700 Baht a pill.

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Raymond *********

How many pulls à week or month do you have to take? I am on Ozempic and the cost is about 10 000 thb/ month. Might be worth switching since it is the same molecule

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Jim *********

@Raymond ********

Joining a gym & eating properly would be cheaper and more beneficial than Ozempic.

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Raymond *********

Not if you have type 2 diabete

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Jim *********

@Raymond ********

Oh so nothing I said would be beneficial?

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Raymond *********

Sorry if I misunderstood you. Of course you are 100% right. Ozempic will help me regulate my blood sugar level but it cannot do the whole job. Healty eating habits and exercise are also an unavoidable part

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อ้วน *********

maybe they are already doing those things? That's the problem with half ass advice on social media.

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Jim *********

@อ้วน ********

I don’t know Skippy;but if they were I’d assume they’d mention something.

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Jim *********

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James ************

I've never been searched. Live in Thailand. I would just bring 12 months worth in your carry on. Or of youre feeling paranoid, use the old prison wallet.

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Thomas ********

@James ***********

Walking into Thailand with a (prison wallet) could get you 16 years at the Hellton if carrying the wrong cash.. or death.

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อ้วน *********

@Thomas *******

do you remove your prison wallet first ?????

*****

5

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อ้วน *********

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Jay ****

They don't check when u land. Keep in carryon.

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Phyf ****

Only opiates and adhd meds. Those type meds aren’t restricted. You can probably buy them over the counter in Thailand for $5 a month.

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Jim **********

insulin can also be expensive

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Randy ********

insulin is more expensive in Thailand than it was in the United States. I decided not to take the insulin. I lost weight when I was in Thailand for 3 months. Healthy organic food was the key.

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Ralph *******

I gain weight in Thailand because they keep feeding me!

And I don’t think their food is particularly healthy or organic.

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Phyf ****

McDonald’s and Taco Bell aren’t Thai food Ralphie. Eat the street food. It’s both organic and healthy.

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Phyf ****

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Daniel **********

Not all meds are that cheap. I once needed antibiotics that were 400 Baht/pill.

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Ralph *******

They are not always that cheap in Thailand. I take a medicine (not an opioid or anything restricted), I need a doctor’s prescription to buy it, it can be 80 baht a tablet - I take two a day, so it starts getting expensive.

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Phyf ****

You can get a letter from you doctor that has all his medical information on it that states you have been prescribed it. They usually don’t even check but it’d give you some reassurance.

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Phyf ****

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Jeremy ********

Sign up for the FMP if you use the VA

If it’s part of you service connected disabilities the FMP will fully reimburse you in super fast VA speed of 120-250 days, once you submit your invoices…also join the VFW as they have resources

With FMP you can use any medical clinic or hospital of your choice in Thailand

Sign up for the FMP via the VA website

If you’re a retiree use your tricare

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Lester *********

I had the same problem with mine. As long as they are not on the restricted list and need a permit then you will be fine with a doctors letter and a copy of the prescription. I still went through nothing to declare also

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Dawn **********

@Lester ********

I bring in a years supply of multiple pills and have never been questioned.

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Lester *********

@Dawn *********

Nor me but it doesn’t mean that they don’t or never will question you but the response I got from the FDA was that 30 days is the norm but not a strict regulation. As long as you have supporting documentation then all will be ok if you are ever stopped. It’s 90 days for controlled drugs on a permit.

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Dawn **********

@Lester ********

I had an interesting interaction with Singapore immigrations. A supervisor was called because they are not able to scan my fingers. I had asked them about the medications I had with me. His response was they they are not educated to determine the medication needs of a customer so they’d rather ignore it. Only if they are doing open searches of your belongings would it be an issue, and then only an issue if it was more than your typical passport traveling (ie. I go to the US once a year to stock up on my meds).

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Dawn **********

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Zalif *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lester ********

thank you! I was about to have a meltdown after being so close to this goal.

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Zalif *******

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