Lorazepam in Thailand: Controls, Import Rules & Access

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 lorazepam is available at hospital pharmacies; branded Ativan availability is limited. A Thai prescription is required.
Storage: Room temperature, below 25°C, away from direct light and humidity
Max supply to carry: 30-day personal supply with valid documentation; larger supplies require prior Thai FDA approval
Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead stating medication name, dose, frequency, and diagnosis; carry a translated copy in Thai
Emergency alternative: Visit a private hospital psychiatry or internal medicine department for emergency reassessment; do not stop abruptly.

Travelling to Thailand with lorazepam: what changes

Lorazepam, sold as Ativan in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and Japan, Loreev XR in the US, Tavor in Germany and Italy, Temesta in France, and Orfidal in Spain, is classified as a Category 4 psychotropic substance under Thailand's Psychotropic Substances Act^[1]. All benzodiazepines are tightly controlled in Thailand, and you must carry a physician's letter plus your original prescription to bring any personal supply across the border.

This guide covers documentation, customs rules, local pharmacy access, and what to do if your supply is lost or runs out while you are in Thailand.

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 lorazepam

Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) requires travellers carrying psychotropic substances to hold a physician's certificate and the original prescription^[2] for any quantity they bring into the country. The letter must state your full name, the medication name (lorazepam), the dose, the frequency, the quantity, and the prescribing doctor's registration number and clinic letterhead. A 30-day supply is the standard personal-use threshold; quantities above that require prior Thai FDA written approval.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescribing doctor to renew your prescription and request a formal physician's letter on clinic letterhead, covering the full duration of your trip.Prescriber letter
T-14 days
If you plan to carry more than a 30-day supply, apply in writing to the Thai FDA for prior import approval. Attach your physician's letter, prescription, and travel itinerary. Processing typically takes 7-10 working days.Thai FDA import approval letter
Apply via the Thai FDA Medical Sciences portal or through your country's Thai embassy. Email contact: one.stop@fda.moph.go.th
T-7 days
Arrange a certified Thai translation of your physician's letter and prescription. Many private clinics with international departments offer this service, or use a certified legal translator.Translated letter (Thai)
T-1 day
Print all documents and keep them in your carry-on. Ensure all medication is in original pharmacy-labelled packaging. Do not decant tablets into unmarked containers.
T-0 (border)
Declare lorazepam proactively on your arrival customs declaration form under 'medicines / controlled substances'. Present your physician's letter, prescription, and Thai FDA approval letter (if applicable) together if asked.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Your letter should state: your full legal name, the medication name (lorazepam), dose and frequency, total quantity being carried, your diagnosis (one word or ICD code is sufficient), the doctor's signature and medical registration number, and the clinic's official letterhead. Have the letter stamped by the clinic if possible. Bring both the original and a certified Thai translation.

A Thai translation is strongly advisable, though an apostille is not required for medical documentation at Thai customs. Notarisation is not mandatory but adds a layer of credibility if customs officers question your documents.

How much lorazepam to bring

The Thai FDA's personal-use threshold for psychotropic medicines is a 30-day supply with supporting documentation^[2]. Bring at least 20% more than you expect to use, to account for delays or itinerary changes. Local replacement of lorazepam is possible but requires a Thai doctor's consultation, which takes time and costs money. Do not rely on an in-country refill as your primary plan.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup dose in checked luggage. If one bag is lost or delayed, you still have medication. Keep both portions in original pharmacy-labelled packaging.

Packing and storing lorazepam for travel

Lorazepam tablets should be stored below 25°C and protected from light and moisture^[5]. Thailand's tropical climate regularly exceeds 30°C, so keep your medication in an air-conditioned environment at all times and avoid leaving it in a car or unventilated bag. Keep tablets in their original blister packs or pharmacy bottle with the label intact, and store them in your carry-on during flights rather than in the hold where temperatures can fluctuate.

At the airport and border

Airport security with lorazepam

Keep lorazepam in your carry-on bag in its original pharmacy-labelled packaging. If a security officer asks about the medication, present your physician's letter calmly. Tablets do not trigger liquid restrictions, so there is no exemption process required at the X-ray point for standard oral tablets.

During long layovers, keep your medication accessible and stored away from direct heat. Do not pack it into a checked bag to pass through security more quickly. Having it in checked luggage makes customs inspection at your destination more complex.

Customs and medication import rules for Thailand

Thailand's Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518 (1975) governs the import of lorazepam. Travellers must declare psychotropic substances on arrival^[2] using the customs declaration form and present a valid physician's letter and prescription on request. Quantities above a 30-day personal supply require prior written approval from the Thai FDA^[3]. Undeclared or undocumented psychotropic substances are subject to seizure and may result in criminal charges.

Controlled substance warning

Lorazepam is a Category 4 psychotropic substance under Thai law. Importing it without documentation, or in quantities exceeding a 30-day personal supply without prior Thai FDA approval, can result in confiscation of your medication and potential prosecution under the Psychotropic Substances Act. Always declare, always carry your physician's letter, and secure Thai FDA approval before travelling with more than a 30-day supply.

While in country

Lorazepam availability in Thailand

Brands of lorazepam available in Thailand

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
Lorazepam (generic)	Anxiety, sedation	Tablet (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg)	Available at hospital pharmacies; community pharmacy access limited
Ativan	Anxiety, sedation	Tablet	Availability is limited; confirm with individual hospital pharmacy before attending

Generic lorazepam is dispensed at hospital pharmacies across Thailand, including at major private hospitals in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. A valid Thai prescription from a registered Thai physician is required^[4] to obtain lorazepam locally; community pharmacies do not dispense it without a prescription.

Prices at private hospital pharmacies typically range from approximately ฿50 to ฿200 (~$1.50 to ~$6 / ~€1.40 to ~€5.50) per blister pack of 10 tablets, depending on the facility. For broader context on Thailand's healthcare system, see Thailand's travel guide.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe lorazepam in Thailand

Private hospitals in Bangkok such as Bumrungrad International and Samitivej Hospital have psychiatry and internal medicine departments with English-speaking physicians^[6] who can assess your case and issue a Thai prescription if clinically appropriate. Walk-in consultations are available at most private hospitals without a referral.

A psychiatric consultation at a private Bangkok hospital typically costs ฿1,500 to ฿3,500 (~$43 to ~$100 / ~€40 to ~€93). Telemedicine platforms operating in Thailand can facilitate initial triage, but controlled psychotropics generally require an in-person assessment for prescribing.

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Storing lorazepam while in Thailand

Lorazepam tablets must be stored at controlled room temperature, ideally between 15°C and 25°C, protected from light and moisture^[5]. Thailand's ambient temperature regularly exceeds 30°C outdoors, so store your medication in a hotel room with air conditioning, not in a beach bag or outdoor locker.

Do not store tablets in a bathroom, where humidity accelerates degradation. If your accommodation loses power for an extended period, move your medication to a cool, dry location such as a cooled bag with a reusable ice pack wrapped in a cloth, avoiding direct ice contact with the packaging.

Emergencies

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

If your lorazepam is lost or stolen, file a police report immediately at the nearest police station, as many hospitals and insurance providers will require this. Contact your travel insurer's emergency line and then go directly to a private hospital psychiatry or internal medicine department with your physician's letter, original prescription, and the police report.

If your supply runs out unexpectedly, do not stop lorazepam abruptly. Go to the nearest private hospital and present your original prescription and physician's letter to the duty psychiatrist or physician. They can assess whether a bridge prescription is clinically appropriate. Bumrungrad International Hospital (Bangkok) and Bangkok Hospital both operate 24-hour emergency departments with psychiatric cover.

“ฉันต้องการยาโลราซีแพม (Chan tong kan ya lo-ra-si-paem), I need lorazepam. ฉันมีใบสั่งยา (Chan mi bai sang ya), I have a prescription. กรุณาเรียกหมอให้ฉัน (Ga-ru-na riak mor hai chan): Please call a doctor for me. ร้านขายยาที่ใกล้ที่สุดอยู่ที่ไหน (Ran kai ya thi klai thi sut yu thi nai). Where is the nearest pharmacy?”

I need lorazepam. / I have a prescription. / Please call a doctor for me. / Where is the nearest pharmacy?

Thailand's national emergency number is 1669 (medical) or 191 (police). For non-emergency urgent care, Tourist Police can be reached on 1155 and often assist with language barriers and hospital navigation.

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Frequently asked questions

Is lorazepam legal in Thailand?

Yes, with documentation. Lorazepam is a Category 4 psychotropic substance under Thailand's Psychotropic Substances Act B.E. 2518, so declare it on your customs declaration form on arrival and present a physician's letter and prescription on request. Quantities above a 30-day personal supply require prior written approval from the Thai FDA, and a Thai translation of the letter is advisable.

Can I bring lorazepam into Thailand?

Yes, but lorazepam is a Category 4 psychotropic under Thai law, so you must carry a physician's letter and original prescription^[2]. A personal supply of up to 30 days is permitted with documentation; larger quantities require prior written approval from the Thai FDA.

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

Yes. A physician's letter on clinic letterhead, stating your name, the medication, dose, quantity, and your doctor's registration number, is required to declare and import lorazepam into Thailand. Carry a certified Thai translation alongside the original.

Is lorazepam available at Thai pharmacies without a prescription?

No. Lorazepam is a prescription-only controlled substance in Thailand and is not sold over the counter at community pharmacies. It is dispensed at hospital pharmacies following a consultation with a registered Thai physician.

What if I run out of lorazepam while in Thailand?

Go to a private hospital with a psychiatry or internal medicine department, such as Bumrungrad International or Bangkok Hospital, and present your original prescription and physician's letter. A Thai doctor can assess whether a bridge prescription is appropriate; do not stop lorazepam abruptly.

Is Ativan available in Thailand?

Ativan (the brand name for lorazepam widely used in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia) has limited availability in Thailand. Generic lorazepam is the form most likely to be stocked at hospital pharmacies in Bangkok and major cities. Always confirm with the specific hospital pharmacy before attending.

How much does a psychiatrist consultation cost in Thailand to get a lorazepam prescription?

A psychiatric or internal medicine consultation at a private hospital in Bangkok typically costs ฿1,500 to ฿3,500 (~$43 to ~$100 / ~€40 to ~€93). The cost varies by hospital and whether a specialist or general physician conducts the assessment. Check whether your travel insurer covers the consultation before attending.

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.

Lorazepam in Thailand: Controls, Import Rules and Pharmacy Access