Dexamfetamine in Thailand: Import Rules & Availability

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes, Category 1 narcotic under Thailand's Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979)
Prescription required: Yes
Available locally: No known registered brand in Thailand. Do not rely on local supply.
Storage: Room temperature, below 25°C, away from heat and moisture
Max supply to carry: Zero. The Thai FDA cannot issue a traveller permit for Category 1 narcotics under any circumstances. The 30 day personal supply allowance applies to Schedule II to IV psychotropic substances such as methylphenidate, and does not extend to dexamfetamine.
Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead, original prescription, completed Thai customs declaration form
Emergency alternative: Contact your nearest embassy and a private hospital psychiatrist in Bangkok or Chiang Mai; a local prescription is theoretically possible but not guaranteed.

Taking dexamfetamine to Thailand: what changes

Dexamfetamine, sold globally as Dexedrine and Zenzedi (US and Canada), Amfexa (UK and Ireland), and Attentin (Germany), is also known as dextroamphetamine in North America and dexamfetamine sulfate in Australia and New Zealand. In Thailand, amphetamine-type stimulants are classified as Category 1 narcotics^[1] under the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979), carrying strict import controls and no registered local brand.

This guide covers what documentation you need before you fly, how to cross the Thai border without your medication being confiscated, and what to do if your supply runs short.

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.

Before you travel

Documentation for travelling to Thailand with dexamfetamine

Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) govern narcotic imports. Because dexamfetamine falls under Category 1, you must carry a physician's letter confirming your diagnosis and prescription^[2], the original pharmacy-labelled packaging, and a completed customs declaration.

The ONCB can issue a personal-import certificate for travellers; allow at least two to three weeks to process. Read our guide for travelling to Thailand with ADHD for the full preparation checklist.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescriber to obtain a fresh doctor's letter on clinic letterhead confirming your condition, medication name (INN and brand), dose, frequency, and quantity to be carried.Prescriber letter
T-14 days
Apply to Thailand's Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) for a personal-import certificate. Applications can be submitted via the ONCB or through the Royal Thai Embassy in your country of residence. Processing takes 7 to 14 working days.ONCB personal-import certificate
Submit by email or in person at the Thai Embassy; include the prescriber letter, copy of passport, and itinerary.
T-7 days
Have the doctor's letter translated into Thai by a certified translator, then stamped by the issuing clinic. Keep both the original and the translation.Translated letter
T-1 day
Print all documents: ONCB certificate, prescriber letter (original and translated), and passport copy. Do not rely on digital copies alone. Pack medication in original pharmacy packaging with the label visible.
T-0 (border)
Declare the medication proactively on the Thai customs arrival form. Present your ONCB certificate and doctor's letter together at the narcotics declaration channel if directed.

Carry every doc to the border

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What your doctor's letter must include

Your letter needs: your full legal name, the medication's INN (dexamfetamine) and brand name, prescribed dose and frequency, total quantity you are carrying, your diagnosis (one-word condition name is sufficient), the doctor's signature and medical registration number, and clinic letterhead with contact details. For Thailand, include a Thai-language translation stamped by the issuing clinic. Notarisation is not typically required, but the ONCB may request it if the letter is from a non-English-speaking country.

A certified Thai translation is strongly advisable; customs officers may not accept an English-only document for a Category 1 substance. Notarisation is not a standard requirement but confirm with the ONCB or the Thai Embassy before you travel.

How much dexamfetamine to bring

Thailand's ONCB allows travellers to import a personal supply not exceeding 30 days for controlled substances^[2] when accompanied by the required documentation. Because no local brand is available, this 30-day ceiling is a hard limit: you cannot extend your supply in-country. If your trip exceeds 30 days, consult the ONCB about obtaining a longer-stay certificate before departure.

Carry your exact prescribed quantity; exceeding the authorised amount, even by a few tablets, can trigger a narcotics violation under Thai law. Travel insurance policies rarely cover replacement costs for controlled-substance prescriptions abroad, so do not rely on insurance to bridge a supply gap.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a small backup portion in checked luggage, each in original packaging with pharmacy labels. If one bag is lost or delayed, you retain access to part of your supply. Note that both portions combined must not exceed your ONCB-authorised quantity.

Packing and storing dexamfetamine for travel

Dexamfetamine tablets should be stored at room temperature not exceeding 25°C, protected from light and moisture^[5]. Thailand's tropical climate regularly exceeds 35°C from March through May; keep your medication in an insulated pouch away from direct sunlight during transfers and excursions.

Keep tablets in their original blister packaging inside your hand luggage. During long layovers in hot transit airports, avoid leaving medication in a car or locker where temperatures can spike significantly above ambient levels.

At the airport and border

Airport security with dexamfetamine

At the airport of departure, keep your dexamfetamine in hand luggage in its original pharmacy-labelled container. Security officers at most airports will ask you to remove medication from your bag for screening; having documents ready speeds this process.

Dexamfetamine tablets are a solid form, so standard liquid restrictions do not apply. Your prescriber letter and ONCB certificate should be in the same bag as the medication, accessible without unpacking your hold luggage.

Customs and medication import rules for Thailand

Thailand's Customs Department requires travellers to declare all narcotics at the border, including personal-use quantities. Tick the relevant box on the Thai customs arrival card^[3] and proceed to the red channel. Present your ONCB personal-import certificate together with the prescriber letter and original packaging.

If a customs officer is uncertain about your documentation, ask calmly to speak with a supervisor and do not allow the medication to be confiscated without a written receipt. Contact your embassy if the situation escalates.

Category 1 narcotic warning

Dexamfetamine (amphetamine) is a Category 1 narcotic under Thailand's Narcotics Act B.E. 2522. Importing it without an ONCB personal-import certificate and supporting documentation is a criminal offence. Penalties under Thai law include imprisonment of one to ten years and substantial fines. Do not enter Thailand with dexamfetamine unless you have obtained prior authorisation from the ONCB.

While in country

Dexamfetamine availability in Thailand

Brands of dexamfetamine sold in Thailand

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
No registered brand	Not applicable	Not available	Dexamfetamine is not registered with the Thai FDA under any brand name. Do not plan for local procurement.

Dexamfetamine has no registered product in the Thai FDA drug database^[4]. Methylphenidate is the stimulant more commonly prescribed at specialist hospitals in Thailand, but it is a different molecule and cannot substitute for dexamfetamine. Bring your entire supply from home.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe dexamfetamine in Thailand

Because dexamfetamine is not registered in Thailand, no Thai physician can legally prescribe it for local dispensing. In an emergency, large private hospitals in Bangkok such as Bumrungrad International and Bangkok Hospital have psychiatry departments with English-speaking doctors who can assess your situation and advise on alternatives.

A private psychiatry consultation in Bangkok costs approximately 1,500 to 3,000 THB (~$42 to $84 / ~€38 to €77). Telemedicine with your home prescriber is the most practical option if you need documentation updated mid-trip.

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Use Nomedic's provider search to find doctors and pharmacies in Thailand.

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Storing dexamfetamine while in Thailand

Store dexamfetamine tablets below 25°C, away from direct light and humidity^[5]. Most air-conditioned hotel rooms in Thailand maintain 20 to 23°C, which is within range. Request an in-room safe or use a cool drawer rather than leaving medication on a windowsill or in a bag left in a hot vehicle.

During island trips or outdoor activities, carry only the dose you need for that day in a small insulated pouch. If there is a power outage affecting air conditioning for an extended period, prioritise moving your medication to a cooler environment such as a hotel lobby.

Emergencies

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

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a police report immediately at the nearest tourist police station (dial 1155 in Thailand). Carry a copy of the report to your nearest embassy, which can assist with emergency repatriation if you need to return home to obtain a replacement supply.

If you run out unexpectedly, dexamfetamine cannot be dispensed locally. Your options are: contact your prescriber for a telemedicine consultation to manage your care remotely, seek assessment at a private hospital psychiatry department for documented symptom management, or arrange early repatriation.

Do not attempt to purchase dexamfetamine or any amphetamine-type substance through informal channels in Thailand. Possession of an unregistered Category 1 narcotic without valid documentation carries severe criminal penalties.

“ฉันต้องการยาของฉัน (ฉันมีใบสั่งยา) กรุณาโทรหาหมอ, ร้านขายยาที่ใกล้ที่สุดอยู่ที่ไหน”

I need my medication. (I have a prescription.) Please call a doctor., Where is the nearest pharmacy?

Thailand's general emergency number is 1669 for ambulance and 191 for police. For a medical emergency related to your controlled substance situation, the tourist police (1155) can also assist with language barriers and directing you to appropriate hospital care.

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Frequently asked questions

Is dexamfetamine legal in Thailand?

No. Dexamfetamine is a Category 1 narcotic under Thailand's Narcotics Act, and the Thai FDA cannot issue a traveller permit for Category 1 substances under any circumstances. The 30 day personal supply allowance that covers methylphenidate and other Schedule II to IV psychotropics does not extend to dexamfetamine, and it is not registered or available in Thailand.

Can I bring dexamfetamine into Thailand legally?

You can bring dexamfetamine into Thailand only if you hold an ONCB personal-import certificate obtained before departure^[2], alongside a prescriber's letter and original pharmacy packaging. Without this certificate, importing dexamfetamine as a Category 1 narcotic is a criminal offence under Thai law.

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

Yes. A prescriber's letter on clinic letterhead is required for both departure-country security and Thai customs. For Thailand specifically, the letter should be accompanied by an ONCB personal-import certificate, which you must obtain from Thai authorities before you travel.

Is dexamfetamine available in Thai pharmacies?

No. Dexamfetamine is not registered with the Thai FDA under any brand name and is not available at Thai pharmacies. Bring your entire trip supply from home, as no local replacement exists.

What happens if I run out of dexamfetamine while in Thailand?

Because dexamfetamine is unregistered in Thailand, local procurement is not possible. Contact your prescriber via telemedicine for remote support, or attend a private hospital psychiatry department in Bangkok or Chiang Mai for assessed symptom management. Arranging early repatriation is often the most practical route.

Is Dexedrine available in Thailand?

Dexedrine, the US and Canadian brand name for dexamfetamine, is not registered or sold in Thailand under that name or any other brand. Travellers who use Dexedrine, Amfexa (UK and Ireland), or Zenzedi (US) must bring their full supply before entering the country.

How much does an ADHD psychiatry consultation cost in Thailand?

A private psychiatry consultation at a major Bangkok hospital typically costs 1,500 to 3,000 THB (~$42 to $84 / ~€38 to €77). English-speaking psychiatrists are available at Bumrungrad International and Bangkok Hospital, but note that they cannot prescribe dexamfetamine locally.

Dexamfetamine in Thailand: Controls and Import Rules