Dexamfetamine in Thailand: Import Rules & Availability

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Yes, Category 1 narcotic under Thailand's Narcotics Code B.E. 2564 (2021). No medical exemption exists. Import is prohibited.
Prescription required: Yes, but no legal pathway exists for foreign import
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: No import permit exists for dexamfetamine in Thailand; consult your prescriber about alternatives before travel
Emergency alternative: Contact your nearest embassy and a private hospital psychiatrist in Bangkok or Chiang Mai; dexamfetamine cannot be prescribed locally.

Dexamfetamine and 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 Code B.E. 2564 (2021). Import is prohibited for travellers and there is no registered local brand.

This guide covers why you cannot bring dexamfetamine into Thailand, how to plan an alternative with your prescriber before you fly, and what to do if you need ADHD care while there.

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.

Planning travel to Thailand if you take 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, no permit, letter or declaration makes it legal to bring in. Agree an alternative for the trip with your prescriber, and carry a physician's letter confirming your diagnosis and prescription^[2] for whatever you do bring, in its original pharmacy-labelled packaging.

Methylphenidate, a Category 2 psychotropic in Thailand, can usually be carried for up to 30 days with a doctor's letter if your prescriber agrees it suits you. 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 discuss the Thai legal position and agree an alternative for the trip. Ask for a fresh doctor's letter on clinic letterhead confirming your condition and the alternative medication's name (INN and brand), dose, frequency, and quantity to be carried.Prescriber letter
T-14 days
Check the Thai FDA traveller rules for your alternative medication and apply for a Form IC-2 permit if it needs one (needed for any psychotropic above 30 days' supply, and for narcotics). No permit is available for dexamfetamine, which is a Category 1 narcotic.Thai FDA permit (alternative medication, if required)
Apply online at least 15 days before travel with a copy of your passport and the signed prescription or medical document. The Thai FDA says it issues permits within about 3 working days.
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: any Thai FDA permit, prescriber letter (original and translated), and passport copy. Do not rely on digital copies alone. Pack your alternative medication in original pharmacy packaging with the label visible, and leave dexamfetamine at home.
T-0 (border)
If you hold a permit for the alternative, present the medication, permit and doctor's letter together at the customs red channel. Up to 30 days of a psychotropic such as methylphenidate does not need to be declared, but keep the letter with you.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Your letter needs: your full legal name, the INN and brand name of the alternative medication you are carrying, 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 Thai authorities 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 controlled medication. Notarisation is not a standard requirement but confirm with the Thai FDA or the Thai Embassy before you travel.

How much dexamfetamine to bring

None. Thailand allows travellers to import a personal supply of up to 30 days for some controlled medicines, such as Category 2 psychotropics^[6], with the required documentation, but Category 1 narcotics such as dexamfetamine are excluded. If you switch to an alternative, bring enough for the whole trip within that limit, as you cannot extend your supply in-country.

For any alternative, carry your exact prescribed quantity; exceeding the authorised amount, even by a few tablets, can trigger a 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 alternative supply

Carry your main supply of any prescribed alternative 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. Both portions combined must not exceed your authorised quantity.

Packing and storing medication for travel

Most ADHD tablets, including dexamfetamine, 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.

Airport security with dexamfetamine

Do not pack dexamfetamine in any luggage bound for Thailand, including for a transit stop. If you are travelling with a prescribed alternative, keep it 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.

Tablets are a solid form, so standard liquid restrictions do not apply. Keep your prescriber letter and any Thai FDA permit for your alternative medication in the same bag, accessible without unpacking your hold luggage.

Customs and medication import rules for Thailand

The Thai FDA requires travellers carrying permitted narcotics, or psychotropics above a 30-day supply, to present the medication, permit and medical documents at the customs red channel. Psychotropics for up to 30 days, such as methylphenidate, need not be declared if you carry a prescriber's certificate or prescription. Dexamfetamine cannot be declared into the country: no certificate authorises Category 1 narcotics.

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 Code B.E. 2564 (2021). Travellers cannot import it: no ONCB or Thai FDA certificate exists for Category 1 substances, and a foreign prescription provides no legal protection. Penalties under Thai law include imprisonment and substantial fines. Do not enter Thailand with dexamfetamine.

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. Agree any alternative with your prescriber before you travel.

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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Storing your medication while in Thailand

Store your 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.

What to do if something goes wrong with your ADHD medication 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 a Category 1 narcotic 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 Code, 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?

No. Dexamfetamine is a Category 1 narcotic, and no ONCB or Thai FDA certificate authorises travellers to import it^[7]. A prescriber's letter and original packaging do not change this, and importing it is a criminal offence under Thai law.

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

You should not fly to Thailand with dexamfetamine at all, as no letter or certificate makes import legal. For any alternative you carry, a prescriber's letter on clinic letterhead is needed for both departure-country security and Thai customs, together with any Thai FDA permit that medication requires.

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. Plan an alternative with your prescriber before you travel, 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) cannot bring it in either, so they need to agree an alternative with their prescriber before travel.

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