This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What can I do about bringing a year’s supply of medication into Thailand with a Non Immigrant visa?
Non Immigrant VisaThailand ImmigrationMedication ImportationVeteran BenefitsPrescription DrugsCustoms RegulationsHealth Care in Thailand
Nov 30, 2025
5 months ago
Zalif *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI 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?
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?
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
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.
Hans *********
I've been toThailand 40 timesover 30 years at least I've never been checked , ever for Anything
Joseph ****
@Hans ********
OP, I hope you are noticing the recurring theme in most of these replies.🙈🙉🙊Hans *********
@Joseph ***
yepReply to
Hans *********
Reply
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.
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
And BTW, it wasn’t a stupid question
Eddie ****
I have the same problem, I am taking Rybelsus, Thailand is 700 Baht a pill.
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
Jim *********
@Raymond ********
Joining a gym & eating properly would be cheaper and more beneficial than Ozempic.Raymond *********
@Jim ********
Not if you have type 2 diabeteJim *********
@Raymond ********
Oh so nothing I said would be beneficial?Raymond *********
@Jim ********
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 partอ้วน *********
@Jim ********
maybe they are already doing those things? That's the problem with half ass advice on social media.Jim *********
@อ้วน ********
I don’t know Skippy;but if they were I’d assume they’d mention something.Reply to
Jim *********
Reply
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.
Thomas ********
@James ***********
Walking into Thailand with a (prison wallet) could get you 16 years at the Hellton if carrying the wrong cash.. or death.อ้วน *********
@Thomas *******
do you remove your prison wallet first ????? *****
5Reply to
อ้วน *********
Reply
Jay ****
They don't check when u land. Keep in carryon.
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.
Jim **********
@Phyf ***
insulin can also be expensiveRandy ********
@Jim *********
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.Ralph *******
@Randy *******
I gain weight in Thailand because they keep feeding me!And I don’t think their food is particularly healthy or organic.
Phyf ****
McDonald’s and Taco Bell aren’t Thai food Ralphie. Eat the street food. It’s both organic and healthy.
Reply to
Phyf ****
Reply
Daniel **********
Not all meds are that cheap. I once needed antibiotics that were 400 Baht/pill.
Ralph *******
@Phyf ***
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.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.
Reply to
Phyf ****
Reply
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
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
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
Dawn **********
@Lester ********
I bring in a years supply of multiple pills and have never been questioned.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.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).Reply to
Dawn **********
Reply
Zalif *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lester ********
thank you! I was about to have a meltdown after being so close to this goal.Reply to
Zalif *******
Reply
1 comments
7 months ago
27 comments
8 months ago
38 comments
a year ago
97 comments
a year ago
1 comments
a year ago
21 comments
2 years ago
4 comments
2 years ago
41 comments
2 years ago
68 comments
2 years ago
15 comments
2 years ago
71 comments
2 years ago
103 comments
2 years ago
25 comments
3 years ago
10 comments
4 years ago
16 comments
4 years ago
24 comments
4 years ago
34 comments
5 years ago
65 comments
6 years ago
10 comments
6 years ago
25 comments
6 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
40 comments
8 years ago
0 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.