Bringing or acquiring ADHD medications in Thailand?

[solun]

I just discovered that my dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) prescription is majorly illegal in Thailand. although I haven't had issues taking it with me during my stays, it could land me in a Thai prison.

I had for some reason thought I could bring in 30 days supply and be fine - turns out that isn't the case.

Is it possible to get Dexedrine prescribed from a hospital while in Thailand?

Can you ask for a Thai hospital to prescribe it before your travel so you can bring it with you?

[FunkMaster]

AFAIK all amphetamines are completely banned, no medicinal usage, no exemptions.  You may be able to get a prescription for methylphenidate (Ritalin) from a Thai doctor or be able to bring in a 30 day supply, but I'm assuming that since you're taking amphetamines for ADHD then methylphenidate isn't a good fit for you.

[solun]

Where would be the best place to reach out to and ask?

I have sent an email out to Bumrungrad hospital in Bangkok to ask. Will provide the reply if/when they send one.

I have just read that police have been known to do random stop drug tests along Sukhumvit Road, around Asoke. Is that really a thing?

[little_me]

8 minutes ago, solun said:

I have just read that police have been known to do random stop drug tests along Sukhumvit Road, around Asoke. Is that really a thing?

I have read news stories about them shutting down bars and performing drug tests, but was never clear if the only tested staff or customers also.  I guess it's pretty much up to them?

[solun]

Not sure if trustworthy but:

To [email protected]

https://www.psychologistbangkok.com/psychotropic-medications-thailand/

> I have been prescribed Dexedrine (dexamphetamine) for ADHD in Australia and am planning a trip to Thailand for several months.

Is it legal for me to bring a month's supply with me on the plane? If not, am I able to go to a local hospital (like yours) and have a new prescription issued?

Reply

> Yes, you can. Just bring documentation proving that this is your prescription and keep it in its original packaging   Best Regards,  Eric  **Please kindly confirm your appointment 24 hours in advance**  Dr. Eric K. Mason, PhD, LCMHC, LCAS  Registered Psychologist Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist

[FunkMaster]

That sound like terrible advice.  He directly contradicts what he has already written on that page, i.e. all amphetamines are banned.  I'm 99.9% certain that if you get caught with any type of amphetamine you are in deep shit and a prescription ain't gonna help you.

Also bear in mind that if you get piss tested (in a club or on the street near Asoke) then it will come up positive if you're taking any kind of amphetamine, and the police won't give a shit if it was legally prescribe in another country.

17 hours ago, little_me said:

I have read news stories about them shutting down bars and performing drug tests, but was never clear if the only tested staff or customers also.  I guess it's pretty much up to them?

I've never heard of Western customers in a gogo being piss tested.  However if you get caught in a Thai club then you can and will be piss tested.  There are some underground electronic music clubs for Thais for example that are more like raves than regular clubs, i.e. everyone is on drugs rather than drinking.  They get raided every so often (normally when the donation to the local PD doesn't arrive) and everyone gets tested.  Also I know that there have been raids at some of the bars in soi 3 that are aimed at Africans and arabs, and they piss tested all the customers.

Also Thonglor police (basically everywhere east of Asoke up to about Ekkamai) are notorious assholes and yes they do piss test foreigners on the street from time to time.  You're given a cup right there on the street and they try to make you do it right then and there.

I have never been drug tested, but I have been randomly pulled off the back of a motosai, turning off Petchburi onto soi 1 on the way to Nana.  They frisked me, turned my pockets inside out etc. and were obviously looking for drugs.

[solun]

What the heck. Bangkok is so fun, it's a real shame they are such sticklers on something like this.

I mean, I'll obviously respect their laws but it's pretty disheartening.

27 minutes ago, FunkMaster said:

Also bear in mind that if you get piss tested (in a club or on the street near Asoke) then it will come up positive if you're taking any kind of amphetamine, and the police won't give a shit if it was legally prescribe in another country.

Interesting, so it's illegal to have it in your system, rather than how it is in the west where it's okay to have in your system as long as you're not in possession?

[FunkMaster]

Yep, if you do a drug in a country where's it completely legal, and then fly to Thailand with traces of it still in your system, the Thai police can theoretically lock you up.

[solun]

Are there any official sources I can read up on this?

I'm seeing comments that Vyvanse (dexamphetamine slow release) is now class 2 in Thailand - meaning you can bring 30 days worth with a script, but you'd test positive on a urine test and these are just random online comments

[e11bkk]

You will not get that prescription locally. Ritalin is readily available however (16b a pill) for 5mg. Go to Bumrungrad behaviour dept and explain you have it already etc an they'll whisk up a prescription easily. Just get enough in one go so you don't have to come back and pay the doctor fee.

[FunkMaster]

14 hours ago, e11bkk said:

You will not get that prescription locally. Ritalin is readily available however (16b a pill) for 5mg. Go to Bumrungrad behaviour dept and explain you have it already etc an they'll whisk up a prescription easily. Just get enough in one go so you don't have to come back and pay the doctor fee.

Can you explain a bit more about how all that works?  Do you see a doctor and explain about your symptoms?  Or have to show them an overseas prescription?  What's the consultation fee like?

[e11bkk]

1 hour ago, FunkMaster said:

Can you explain a bit more about how all that works?  Do you see a doctor and explain about your symptoms?  Or have to show them an overseas prescription?  What's the consultation fee like?

If you have an existing ADHD med prescription then just show that and say you need Ritalin here. Should do the trick. 

If not just explain you can't focus etc, and your friends have gotten prescriptions and it's helped them immensely and you want to try. They ran me through a 21 question test (I failed) and they let me have a go at low dosages anyway.

5mg for me works fine personally split into 2 pills although it will vary for everyone.