Benzodiazepines in Thailand: Controls & Pharmacy Access

Quick reference

Drug class: Benzodiazepines; all members are psychotropic controlled substances under Thailand's Narcotics Code B.E. 2564 (2021)
Controlled substance: Yes, all 8 active ingredients are controlled psychotropics under Thailand's Narcotics Code. Alprazolam, temazepam, midazolam and triazolam are Category 2; diazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam and oxazepam are Category 4.
Prescription required: Yes, all benzodiazepines in Thailand require a prescription from a licensed physician. No benzodiazepine is available over the counter.
Available locally: Diazepam: widely available (generics, Valium brand). Alprazolam: available (generics). Clonazepam: available (Rivotril). Lorazepam: available (generics, Ativan). Midazolam: available in hospital settings. Temazepam, oxazepam, triazolam: limited or not stocked at most community pharmacies; verify availability before arrival.
Storage: Room temperature (15–30 °C / 59–86 °F), away from heat and humidity. Thailand's high ambient temperatures and humidity require air-conditioned storage.
Max supply to carry: Up to 30 days of prescribed use with a prescription or doctor's letter; 31 to 90 days with a Thai FDA permit (Form IC-2) applied for at least 15 days ahead.
Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead listing each medication by INN and brand name, dose, frequency, quantity, and your prescriber's registration number. Thai Customs or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA Thailand) may request this at entry.
Emergency alternative: If your specific benzodiazepine is unavailable, consult a local psychiatrist or physician. Do not self-substitute between active ingredients without medical supervision.

Benzodiazepine options in Thailand

Active ingredient	Available locally?	Local brand(s)	Controlled status	Prescription required?	Max supply
Alprazolam	Yes	Generics; Xanax (limited)	Category 2 psychotropic	Yes	30 days; 31 to 90 days with permit
Diazepam	Yes	Generics; Valium	Category 4 psychotropic	Yes	30 days; 31 to 90 days with permit
Clonazepam	Yes	Rivotril; generics	Category 4 psychotropic	Yes	30 days; 31 to 90 days with permit
Lorazepam	Yes	Generics; Ativan (hospital)	Category 4 psychotropic	Yes	30 days; 31 to 90 days with permit
Temazepam	Limited	Not widely stocked	Category 2 psychotropic	Yes	30 days; 31 to 90 days with permit
Midazolam	Hospital only	Dormicum; generics (hospital)	Category 2 psychotropic	Yes: hospital dispensing only	30 days; 31 to 90 days with permit
Oxazepam	Limited	Not widely stocked	Category 4 psychotropic	Yes	30 days; 31 to 90 days with permit
Triazolam	Limited	Halcion (limited)	Category 2 psychotropic	Yes	30 days; 31 to 90 days with permit

Taking benzodiazepines to Thailand: what changes

Thailand classifies every benzodiazepine, including alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Rivotril), lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam, midazolam, oxazepam, and triazolam, as controlled psychotropic substances under the Narcotics Code B.E. 2564 (2021). Alprazolam, temazepam, midazolam and triazolam are Category 2; diazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam and oxazepam are Category 4, according to the Thai FDA's traveller checker. All require a prescription to dispense locally.

Diazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam are the members most reliably found at hospital pharmacies and large community chains. Temazepam, oxazepam, and triazolam have limited local availability and should be sourced entirely from home before departure.

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling with medication, particularly regarding supply quantities, storage requirements, and import documentation.

Documentation for travelling to Thailand with benzodiazepines

Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA Thailand) requires that psychotropic drugs for personal use be accompanied by a physician's certificate^[2]. The certificate must cover every active ingredient you carry, listed individually. Thai customs officers have authority to confiscate undocumented psychotropics at the border.

What your doctor's letter must include

Your full legal name. Each medication's INN (e.g. 'diazepam') and brand name (e.g. 'Valium'). Dose and frequency. Total quantity carried. The condition for which it is prescribed (one word or short phrase is sufficient). Your prescriber's full name, signature, and registration number. The clinic's official letterhead. If you take more than one benzodiazepine, list each on the same letter.

Thailand does not require a separate government import permit for up to 30 days of prescribed use, provided the physician's letter or prescription accompanies the supply. For 31 to 90 days you need a Thai FDA permit (Form IC-2)^[8], applied for at least 15 days before you travel. The letter does not need notarisation or official translation into Thai for tourist quantities, though having a Thai translation improves clearance at land border crossings.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Bring this list to your appointment at least two weeks before departure.

If my usual benzodiazepine (e.g. temazepam or oxazepam) is unavailable in Thailand, can you write a backup letter noting a clinically appropriate alternative for a Thai physician to evaluate?
Should my dose or frequency be adjusted given the time-zone shift and change in daily schedule, and if so, what is the revised dosing plan?
Can you include all active ingredients I take in a single physician's letter, with each listed by both INN and brand name, for Thai customs?
For a trip longer than 30 days, can you write the prescription or medical document I need for a Thai FDA permit application?
What is the best way to reach you or a covering colleague if I need a prescription query resolved from Thailand, including time-zone considerations?

How much benzodiazepine to bring

FDA Thailand's guidance allows up to 30 days' supply of psychotropic medications with a prescription, and 31 to 90 days with a Thai FDA permit (Form IC-2) applied for at least 15 days before travel. A supporting letter alone does not cover more than 30 days. For temazepam, oxazepam, and triazolam, bring your entire supply from home. Local community pharmacies rarely stock these.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup portion in checked luggage. Keep both in original pharmacy packaging with the dispensing label intact. If one bag is lost, the other remains accessible and documented.

Packing and storing benzodiazepines for travel

All oral benzodiazepines are stable at room temperature, typically 15–30 °C (59–86 °F), and do not require refrigeration. Thailand's ambient temperatures regularly exceed 35 °C in low-season months, so keep tablets in a cool bag or an air-conditioned bag compartment during transit. Avoid leaving medication in a car, by a hotel pool, or near a window in direct sun. Keep tablets in their original blister packs; loose pills are harder to document at customs.

Airport security with benzodiazepines

Oral benzodiazepines in tablet or capsule form are not subject to liquid restrictions at security checkpoints. Keep them in your hand luggage and in original packaging. If a security officer queries the medication, present your physician's letter. Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports follow the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand screening rules^[5], which permit personal medication in carry-on bags when accompanied by documentation.

Customs and import rules for benzodiazepines in Thailand

If you carry more than 30 days' supply, you need a Thai FDA permit and must declare the medication with the permit at the customs red channel. Thailand's Narcotics Code B.E. 2564 (2021) governs the import of all scheduled psychotropics. Separately, INCB schedules both the 1961 and 1971 Conventions' psychotropic lists^[3]. All benzodiazepines covered here appear on those international schedules, which gives Thai officers the legal basis to act on undeclared imports.

All benzodiazepines are controlled psychotropics in Thailand

Every active ingredient in this class (alprazolam, diazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam, temazepam, midazolam, oxazepam, and triazolam) is a Category 2 or Category 4 psychotropic under Thailand's Narcotics Code. Importing without a physician's letter and in quantities exceeding personal use can result in detention, confiscation, and criminal referral. Midazolam is mainly a hospital medicine; if you carry it outside a hospital context, carry additional supporting documentation from your prescribing physician.

Benzodiazepine availability in Thailand

Diazepam is the most widely available benzodiazepine in Thailand, sold as generic tablets and as Valium at hospital pharmacies. Alprazolam generics are stocked at major hospital-linked pharmacies, with Xanax available at some private hospital chains. Clonazepam is dispensed as Rivotril and as generics at larger pharmacies. Lorazepam is available as Ativan and generics primarily through hospital outpatient dispensaries. All dispensing requires a valid Thai physician's prescription under FDA Thailand rules^[4]; a foreign prescription alone is not accepted for in-country dispensing.

Temazepam, oxazepam, and triazolam are not routinely stocked at community pharmacies in Thailand. Midazolam (Dormicum) is a hospital-use medication, dispensed only within inpatient or procedural settings. If you rely on any of these four, assume local sourcing is not possible and bring a full supply.

Consultation at a private hospital to obtain a local prescription costs approximately ฿800–1,500 (~$22–$42 / ~€20–€39). Diazepam generics cost around ฿30–80 (~$0.85–$2.25 / ~€0.78–€2.05) per pack at hospital pharmacies. Branded alprazolam or clonazepam runs ฿200–600 (~$5.50–$16.50 / ~€5.10–€15.20) for a 30-tablet pack.

Pharmacy phrases in Thai

Use these phrases at a hospital pharmacy counter when asking about your specific benzodiazepine.

“ฉันกินยากลุ่ม benzodiazepine อยู่: มียาชื่อนี้ที่นี่ไหม?”

I take a benzodiazepine medication. Do you carry it here?

“มียาสามัญสำหรับ [ชื่อยา] ไหม?”

Is there a generic equivalent for [medication name]?

“ฉันต้องพบแพทย์เพื่อรับใบสั่งยาก่อนซื้อยานี้ใช่ไหม?”

Do I need to see a doctor to get a prescription before buying this medication?

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Finding a doctor who can prescribe benzodiazepines in Thailand

Psychiatrists and neurologists at private hospitals in Bangkok (Bumrungrad International, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej) routinely see international patients and can prescribe benzodiazepines after a consultation. In Chiang Mai and Phuket, private hospitals with international departments offer the same pathway. A consultation with a psychiatrist costs approximately ฿1,500–3,000 (~$42–$83 / ~€39–€76).

GPs at private clinics can prescribe for short-term needs in some cases, but psychiatry is the standard route for ongoing benzodiazepine prescriptions. Telemedicine platforms operating in Thailand cannot issue a local prescription for controlled substances, meaning an in-person visit is required.

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Storing benzodiazepines while in Thailand

Store tablets in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Hotel room safes or drawers in air-conditioned rooms are suitable. Avoid leaving medication in a beach bag, car glove box, or any unventilated space in Thailand's climate, where ambient temperatures can exceed 38 °C in the hot season. Humidity above 80% can degrade tablets in non-sealed blister packs over time, so keep strips in their foil until use. No refrigeration is required for any oral benzodiazepine.

What to do if something goes wrong with your benzodiazepines in Thailand

If your medication is lost or stolen, report the loss to the local police and obtain a written police report. Take this report, your physician's letter, and any remaining packaging to the nearest private hospital emergency department. The treating physician can assess whether to write a local prescription for a replacement supply from available local alternatives. Do not attempt to purchase benzodiazepines without a Thai prescription; enforcement is active at pharmacy counters.

If your specific active ingredient is unavailable locally, a Thai psychiatrist or physician must make any substitution decision. Diazepam is the most reliably available alternative within the class at Thai hospitals, but whether it is clinically appropriate for your situation is a medical judgement, not a self-care decision. Never stop or switch a benzodiazepine abruptly without physician guidance.

Key phrases in Thai

I take medication for a medical condition: ฉันกินยารักษาโรคอยู่ Please call a doctor: กรุณาโทรเรียกแพทย์ด้วย Where is the nearest pharmacy?: ร้านขายยาที่ใกล้ที่สุดอยู่ที่ไหน? I need to see a psychiatrist: ฉันต้องพบจิตแพทย์

The emergency number in Thailand is 1669 for medical emergencies (ambulance) and 191 for police. Private hospitals such as Bumrungrad International (+66 2 066 8888) and Bangkok Hospital (+66 2 310 3000) have 24-hour emergency departments with English-speaking staff.

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Frequently asked questions

Is benzodiazepine legal in Thailand?

Yes, benzodiazepines are legal in Thailand but are available on prescription only, as all are classified as Category 2 or Category 4 psychotropics under Thailand's Narcotics Code. Travellers bringing a personal supply must carry a doctor's letter on clinic letterhead detailing each medication, and the quantity is limited to 30 days of prescribed use, or up to 90 days with a Thai FDA permit.

Can I bring benzodiazepines into Thailand?

Yes, you can bring a personal supply of benzodiazepines into Thailand, but every member of this class is a controlled psychotropic substance under Thailand's Narcotics Code. You must carry a physician's letter listing each medication by INN and brand name, dose, quantity, and your doctor's registration number. Quantities above 30 days of personal use, up to 90 days, need a Thai FDA permit (Form IC-2).

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with benzodiazepines to Thailand?

Yes. A physician's letter is required for all benzodiazepines entering Thailand, regardless of which active ingredient you carry. The letter should list the medication by INN and brand name, your dose and frequency, the quantity you are carrying, and your prescriber's registration number on official clinic letterhead. This document protects you at both airport security and Thai customs.

Which benzodiazepines are available at pharmacies in Thailand?

Diazepam (generics, Valium), alprazolam (generics, limited Xanax), clonazepam (Rivotril, generics), and lorazepam (generics, Ativan) are available at hospital-linked pharmacies in Thailand with a local prescription. Temazepam, oxazepam, and triazolam are not routinely stocked at community pharmacies. Midazolam (Dormicum) is dispensed only in hospital inpatient settings.

What if I run out of benzodiazepines while in Thailand?

Visit the emergency department or outpatient psychiatry service at a private hospital. Bring your physician's letter, any remaining packaging, and your Nomedic IPS record if available. A Thai-licensed doctor can write a local prescription for whichever benzodiazepine is stocked at that facility. Do not abruptly stop taking your medication while waiting for an appointment.

What if my specific benzodiazepine brand isn't available in Thailand?

Go to the nearest private hospital with international services and consult a psychiatrist or physician. Any switch between active ingredients or brands within the benzodiazepine class is a clinical decision that only a licensed doctor can make based on your full medical history. Do not attempt to self-substitute. Benzodiazepines differ in onset, half-life, and dose equivalence in ways that require professional evaluation.

Is Valium (diazepam) available over the counter in Thailand?

No. Valium (diazepam) is a Category 4 controlled psychotropic in Thailand and requires a prescription from a Thai-licensed physician to dispense. While diazepam is among the most available benzodiazepines in Thai hospital pharmacies, it cannot legally be sold over the counter at any pharmacy.

Benzodiazepines in Thailand: Controls, Brands and Pharmacy Access