Diazepam in Thailand: Controls, Import Rules & Brands

Quick reference

Drug class: Benzodiazepine
Controlled substance: Yes, Category 4 psychotropic substance under Thailand's Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518 (1975)
Prescription required: Yes
Available locally: Yes, generic diazepam is available at hospital pharmacies; verify brand availability locally
Storage: Room temperature, below 30°C, protect from light and humidity
Max supply to carry: 30 days personal supply with a physician certificate; no advance import permit required
Key document: Physician certificate or doctor's letter in English stating the medication, dose, quantity, and diagnosis
Emergency alternative: Go to a hospital pharmacy in Bangkok or a major city with your doctor's letter and passport; a local psychiatrist or physician can assess and prescribe generics.

Travelling to Thailand with diazepam: what changes

Diazepam, sold internationally as Valium, Diastat, Valpam, and Stesolid, is a Category 4 psychotropic substance under Thailand's Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518.^[2] You may bring a personal supply of up to 30 days with a physician certificate; no advance import permit is required, but the documentation requirements are strict.

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 diazepam

Thailand's Food and Drug Administration requires travellers carrying psychotropic substances to hold a physician certificate naming the drug, dose, quantity, and the patient's condition.

The certificate must be in English or Thai, signed by your prescribing doctor, and include the clinic's letterhead and the doctor's registration number. No additional import permit from Thai authorities is needed for a personal supply of 30 days or fewer.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescribing doctor to renew your prescription and request a physician certificate for travel with a controlled psychotropic substance.Physician certificate
T-14 days
Confirm the certificate includes: your full name, diazepam by INN and brand, dose and frequency, quantity being carried, diagnosis (by condition name), doctor's signature, registration number, and clinic letterhead. No Thai authority permit is required for a 30-day personal supply, but confirm this has not changed with the Thai FDA before departure.Completed physician certificate
No processing time at Thai FDA for personal quantities; allow 1-2 weeks for your doctor to prepare the letter if they are unfamiliar with the format.
T-7 days
If your certificate is only in English, request a Thai translation from a certified medical translator. Have the original letter signed and stamped by the clinic.Translated letter (if required)
T-1 day
Print all documents. Place medication in original packaging with the pharmacy dispensing label visible. Do not decant tablets into a pill organiser without keeping the labelled box alongside.
T-0 (border)
Declare diazepam proactively at Thai customs. Present your physician certificate and passport together. Keep documents accessible in your carry-on, not buried in checked luggage.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full name, diazepam by INN and brand name, dose and frequency, quantity carried, diagnosis (condition name), doctor's signature and registration number, clinic letterhead. English is acceptable; a Thai translation adds an extra layer of assurance at customs. Notarisation is not currently required by Thai customs for personal supplies, but check with the Thai Embassy in your departure country before travelling.

Notarisation or apostille is not required by Thai customs for a personal 30-day supply. An English-language letter is generally accepted, though carrying a Thai translation reduces the chance of delays at the border.

How much diazepam to bring

Thai regulations permit a personal supply of up to 30 days for Category 4 psychotropics. Bring exactly the quantity documented in your physician certificate; carrying more than the certified amount creates a discrepancy customs officers can act on. If your trip exceeds 30 days, discuss options with your doctor before departure, as extending supply in-country requires a local prescription from a Thai physician.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a small backup portion in checked luggage, both in original packaging with pharmacy labels. If one bag is delayed or lost, you retain medication for the immediate days ahead while you seek a local replacement.

Packing and storing diazepam for travel

Diazepam tablets should be stored below 30°C, protected from light and moisture.^[3] Thailand's tropical climate regularly exceeds 35°C outdoors, so keep your supply in an air-conditioned bag or hotel room rather than in a car glove compartment or beach bag. Original blister packs provide better light and moisture protection than decanted pill organisers; keep tablets in their original packaging throughout your trip.

At the airport and border

Airport security with diazepam

Diazepam tablets are solid-dose and not subject to liquid restrictions at security screening. Keep your medication in your carry-on bag rather than checked luggage where possible, and have your physician certificate ready if a security officer asks about the contents of your bag.

At your departure airport, security procedures are set by the national aviation authority of that country, not by Thai customs. Declare diazepam proactively if asked about prescription medications; keep all packaging and documentation together in one easily accessible pouch.

Customs and medication import rules for Thailand

Thailand's Customs Department requires travellers to declare all psychotropic substances on entry. Diazepam falls under the Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518, Schedule 4.^[5] Present your physician certificate alongside your passport at the customs declaration point; a Thai customs officer may compare the quantity in your bags against the amount documented in the letter.

No advance import permit from the Thai FDA is required for a personal 30-day supply carried by the patient, but exceeding the 30-day personal allowance requires prior authorisation from the Thai FDA.^[4] Carrying diazepam without documentation or in quantities above the certified amount risks confiscation and possible criminal charges.

Controlled substance warning

Diazepam is a Category 4 psychotropic substance in Thailand. Possession without valid documentation (a physician certificate matching the quantity carried) can result in confiscation, questioning by Thai authorities, and potential prosecution under the Psychotropic Substances Act. Always carry original packaging with pharmacy labels, and present your certificate at customs proactively.

While in country

Diazepam availability in Thailand

Diazepam brands and generics available in Thailand

Brand / generic	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
Diazepam (generic)	Anxiety, muscle spasm, seizures	Tablet (2 mg, 5 mg)	Available at hospital pharmacies; retail pharmacy availability varies; requires local prescription

Generic diazepam is stocked at hospital pharmacies in Bangkok and major cities, but dispensing requires a valid Thai prescription from a licensed physician. Branded Valium is not reliably available in Thai retail pharmacies; the generic is the standard dispensed form. A 30-tablet supply of generic diazepam 5 mg at a hospital pharmacy costs approximately ฿100-฿300 (~$3-$9 / ~€3-€8) before consultation fees.

Community pharmacies (ร้านยา) sell many prescription medications over the counter in practice, but diazepam's psychotropic status means responsible pharmacies will require a prescription. Relying on a community pharmacy for diazepam without a prescription carries legal risk for both you and the pharmacist.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe diazepam in Thailand

Private hospitals in Bangkok such as Bumrungrad International, Bangkok Hospital, and Samitivej Hospital have English-speaking psychiatrists and neurologists who can assess and prescribe diazepam. A private outpatient consultation costs approximately ฿1,500-฿3,000 (~$46-$92 / ~€43-€86). Bring your home prescription, physician certificate, and any relevant medical history to the appointment.

Telemedicine platforms operating in Thailand can provide general consultations, but prescribing a psychotropic substance remotely requires a licensed Thai physician. In-person consultation at a hospital is the most reliable pathway to a local prescription. See our Thailand healthcare guide for more context on prescriber options.

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Storing diazepam while in Thailand

Diazepam tablets are stable at room temperature but should be kept below 30°C, away from light and humidity. Thailand's average daily temperatures range from 28-38°C outdoors, and humidity regularly exceeds 70%. Store your supply in an air-conditioned hotel room or guesthouse; avoid leaving tablets in a bag in direct sunlight, a parked vehicle, or an outdoor locker.

In the event of a power outage affecting air conditioning, move your medication to the coolest part of the room and away from windows. Blister packs provide better humidity protection than open bottles; keep tablets in original packaging until you take them.

Emergencies

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

If your diazepam is lost or stolen, file a police report immediately (dial 191 or go to the nearest police station) and keep a copy of the report. Contact your travel insurer's emergency assistance line, then go to the nearest private hospital emergency department with your physician certificate, passport, and the police report.

If you run out of diazepam unexpectedly, go directly to a private hospital in the nearest city rather than a community pharmacy. Explain that you are an existing patient and present your home prescription and physician certificate; a Thai physician can assess you and issue a local prescription for generic diazepam.

Do not stop diazepam abruptly without medical supervision. If you cannot access a replacement supply, attend the nearest hospital emergency department and explain the situation to a doctor; sudden discontinuation after regular use carries a clinical risk that Thai emergency physicians are trained to manage.

“ฉันต้องการไดอะซีแพม (ฉันมีใบสั่งยาจากแพทย์) กรุณาเรียกแพทย์ให้ฉันด้วย, ร้านขายยาที่ใกล้ที่สุดอยู่ที่ไหน”

I need diazepam (I have a doctor's prescription) Please call a doctor for me, Where is the nearest pharmacy?

Thailand's medical emergency number is 1669 (ambulance). For police, dial 191.^[6] Private hospital emergency departments in Bangkok typically have English-speaking staff available around the clock.

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Frequently asked questions

Is diazepam legal in Thailand?

Diazepam is legal in Thailand for personal medical use when accompanied by a valid physician certificate. It is classified as a Category 4 psychotropic substance under the Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518, so possession without proper documentation is a criminal offence.

Can I bring diazepam into Thailand?

Yes, you can bring a personal supply of up to 30 days into Thailand without an advance import permit, provided you carry a physician certificate from your prescribing doctor and keep the medication in original packaging. You must declare it at Thai customs on arrival.

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

Yes. Thailand requires a physician certificate for travellers carrying psychotropic substances, and most departure countries also recommend one for controlled medications. The letter must name the medication by INN and brand, state the dose, quantity, and your diagnosis, and carry your doctor's signature and registration number.

Is diazepam available in Thailand pharmacies?

Generic diazepam is stocked at hospital pharmacies in Bangkok and major Thai cities, but dispensing requires a valid Thai prescription from a licensed local physician. Branded Valium is not reliably available; generic tablets at 2 mg and 5 mg strengths are the standard form dispensed.

Is Valium available in Thailand?

Branded Valium is not reliably stocked in Thai pharmacies. The active ingredient diazepam is available as a generic at hospital pharmacies in Bangkok and major cities, dispensed with a valid Thai prescription. If you normally take Valium, a Thai physician can prescribe the generic equivalent.

What if I run out of diazepam in Thailand?

Go to a private hospital emergency department in the nearest city, present your home prescription and physician certificate, and ask to see a physician or psychiatrist. A Thai doctor can assess you and issue a local prescription for generic diazepam; do not stop the medication abruptly without medical supervision.

Can I get a diazepam prescription from a doctor in Thailand as a tourist?

Yes. Private hospitals in Bangkok such as Bumrungrad International and Samitivej have English-speaking psychiatrists and physicians who can assess you and prescribe diazepam generics locally. Bring your home prescription, physician certificate, and any relevant medical records; an outpatient consultation costs approximately ฿1,500-฿3,000 (~$46-$92 / ~€43-€86).

Related practical guide

Benzodiazepines Abroad: Why Customs Can Seize Your Prescription

A valid prescription does not protect your benzodiazepines at every border. Here is what customs officers actually check, and what happens when supply runs out abroad.

Read the practical guide →

Sources

More guides in Thailand

Diazepam in other countries

Medication🇬🇧 United Kingdom

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Diazepam in Thailand: Controls, Import Rules and Brands