Carrying medications into Thailand

[MEL_Traveller]

If you have the permit, what’s the need to further declare? Does the permit have to be validated?

 

[I love to travel]

For Thailand the doctor needs to complete a form unlike other country's "permits".

See post #1 & 2 upthread @Ilovetotravel

I printed it out from memory, had all the answers ready for GP so she didn't have to think too much about it.
I am away in Vietnam but can check my Thailand travel stuff when home later next week.

Thanks any data points helpful. Would be great if @RooFlyer or someone else could provide any data points - also are you able to start the application and then save it and submit later? The problem I have is I am away for 6 weeks and therefore will need GP to action before I leave when they state it should be no earlier than a month before entry. Of course Thailand is the last place not the list. All this for codeine!!!

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm a bit reluctant to contribute here, as memory is hazy.

I registered, but made a mistake in my DoB would you believe. I e-mailed [email protected] asking for assistance and they replied almost immediately (effectively, 'don't worry' (!) ).

I recall I printed out the 'Application for inbound traveller ...' form 1C-1 - its pretty straight forward. I showed my doctor the language of what was required and he wrote a letter, listing medications, strengths, dose and reason (condition). Just a bit more than what I regularly get as my 'doctors travel letter'. Per the guidance (not prescriptions, a letter)



I then scanned the (hand written-in) permit 1C-1 and doctors letter and passport and e-mailed them in, and within a day the permit came (PDF attachment).

On arrival at BKK, I went to the red lane, bailed up the guy there, showed him the medication and the permit. He seemed a bit puzzled at what it was about (I don't think many people do it ) but glanced at the letter and waived me on.

If you have the permit, what’s the need to further declare? Does the permit have to be validated?

Permit doesn't need to be validated (other than sighted), but just that the rules say:

 

[I love to travel]

I'm a bit reluctant to contribute here, as memory is hazy.

I registered, but made a mistake in my DoB would you believe. I e-mailed [email protected] asking for assistance and they replied almost immediately (effectively, 'don't worry' (!) ).

I recall I printed out the 'Application for inbound traveller ...' form 1C-1 - its pretty straight forward. I showed my doctor the language of what was required and he wrote a letter, listing medications, strengths, dose and reason (condition). Just a bit more than what I regularly get as my 'doctors travel letter'. Per the guidance (not prescriptions, a letter)

View attachment 460305

I then scanned the (hand written-in) permit 1C-1 and doctors letter and passport and e-mailed them in, and within a day the permit came (PDF attachment).

On arrival at BKK, I went to the red lane, bailed up the guy there, showed him the medication and the permit. He seemed a bit puzzled at what it was about (I don't think many people do it ) but glanced at the letter and waived me on.



Permit doesn't need to be validated (other than sighted), but just that the rules say:

View attachment 460306

Thanks it was the ability of the doctor to write a letter that was important for me to know. I can submit closer to the time. Thanks again

 

[AuSammy]

Thanks any data points helpful. Would be great if @RooFlyer or someone else could provide any data points - also are you able to start the application and then save it and submit later? The problem I have is I am away for 6 weeks and therefore will need GP to action before I leave when they state it should be no earlier than a month before entry. Of course Thailand is the last place not the list. All this for codeine!!!

Been to Thailand several times (entries via BKK & HKT) and 75+ other countries including multiple entries to Vietnam via 4 entry points.

When I travel I only take sufficient medication for the prescribed dose x number of days +2 (in case of a delay)

I carry a generic letter from my GP which says I have prescribed the following (list of everything) to Sammy.

Never been stopped or queried anywhere in the world yet.

Unlike others above I don't carry oxycodone or mood enhancing drugs. But do carry panadeine forte and other medications with codeine etc, muscle relaxants etc

Maybe I am taking a risk but my reasoning is I’m only carrying what the dr prescribed in the quantities necessary for the duration of my trip and there is no spares to sell or donate for anyone else.

 

[Flyfrequently]

If you have the permit, what’s the need to further declare? Does the permit have to be validated?

Permit does not need to be validated @MEL_Traveller but need (should) declare as per their instructions and to go through red channel.
Like @RooFlyer @Seat0B and others, when getting permit, going to red channel to declare, staff seem not to know/understand. My experience was USM.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thanks any data points helpful. Would be great if @RooFlyer or someone else could provide any data points - also are you able to start the application and then save it and submit later? The problem I have is I am away for 6 weeks and therefore will need GP to action before I leave when they state it should be no earlier than a month before entry. Of course Thailand is the last place not the list. All this for codeine!!!

Thanks @RooFlyer in outlining it all so well.
From what I have read on this and other forums for codeine and other meds, some don't bother to get the permits required for many countries ( UAE, Indonesia, Singapore to name a few)

@Ilovetotravel my logic (as a catastrophiser!) was that as I had the Thai permit - could I be flagged at some stage at BP if I didn't produce it with said meds?
I just never want to be "the one".

 

[RooFlyer]

When I travel I only take sufficient medication for the prescribed dose x number of days +2 (in case of a delay)

I carry a generic letter from my GP which says I have prescribed the following (list of everything) to Sammy.

Never been stopped or queried anywhere in the world yet.

Ditto for me for all of those points. But once @Flyfrequently pointed out the regulations for Thailand, I thought it foolish not to comply.

 

[AuSammy]

Ditto for me for all of those points. But once @Flyfrequently pointed out the regulations for Thailand, I thought it foolish not to comply.

[OT]

The one time I had second thoughts was traveling to North America for an extended holiday and I had to take enough medical supplies for 3+ months.

However, nobody seemed interested even with a bag search.

The immigration officer (YYZ) was more focussed on asking me more than 5 times the exact same question “why are you coming to the US for so long, I need the purpose of the trip”.

Apparently “I’m here on an extended holiday to explore the country and here is my full itinerary and the companies Ive booked tours with in several states” was insufficient reason and he went on and on and on as I gave the same answer over and over and over. Eventually he gave up, stamped and then threw my passport at me.

Not sure if there is some special code word or phrase he was looking for?

Welcome to US immigration!!!!

 

[DC3]

The immigration officer (YYZ) was more focussed on asking me more than 5 times the exact same question “why are you coming to the US for so long, I need the purpose of the trip”.

Answer: “leisure” (or, “holiday”). Keep it to a one-word answer if possible. They are not interested in tours/itineraries. The purpose of the trip is a common question.