Opioid Pain Medication Thailand: Permits & Access

Quick reference

Drug class: Opioid analgesics: six Schedule II narcotic ingredients and one specially controlled non-narcotic (tramadol)
Controlled substance: Oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, tapentadol, fentanyl: yes, Schedule II narcotics under Thailand's Narcotics Code. Tramadol: not a narcotic, but a specially controlled drug.
Prescription required: Yes for all seven. Tramadol is dispensed only on a doctor's prescription.
Available locally: Brand-level availability not verified for any ingredient; the catalog lists no Thai brands. Tramadol is sold on prescription with retail quantity caps. Narcotic ingredients: confirm stock with a hospital pharmacy.
Storage: Original pharmacy packaging, away from heat and humidity. Follow the temperature limit on your product leaflet.
Max supply to carry: Narcotic ingredients: 90 days with a Thai FDA permit. Tramadol alone: 30 days.
Key document: Thai FDA permit (Form IC-2), doctor's certificate and original prescription for narcotic ingredients.
Emergency alternative: A Thai-licensed doctor decides any alternative; do not swap ingredients yourself.

Opioid pain medication options in Thailand

Active ingredient	Available locally?	Local brand(s)	Controlled status	Prescription required?	Max supply
Oxycodone	Verify with a hospital pharmacy	No Thai brand verified (global: OxyContin, Percocet)	Schedule II narcotic (Narcotics Code)	Yes	90 days, Thai FDA permit
Hydrocodone	Verify with a hospital pharmacy	No Thai brand verified (global: Vicodin, Norco)	Schedule II narcotic (Narcotics Code)	Yes	90 days, Thai FDA permit
Morphine	Verify with a hospital pharmacy	No Thai brand verified (global: MS Contin, Oramorph)	Schedule II narcotic (Narcotics Code)	Yes	90 days, Thai FDA permit
Codeine	Verify with a hospital pharmacy	No Thai brand verified (global: Solpadeine, Panadeine)	Schedule II narcotic (Narcotics Code); some preparations Schedule III	Yes	90 days, Thai FDA permit
Tramadol	Yes, on prescription	No Thai brand verified (global: Tramal, Ultram)	Not a narcotic; specially controlled drug	Yes, doctor's prescription	30 days (non-narcotic rule); retail sales capped
Tapentadol	Verify with a hospital pharmacy	No Thai brand verified (global: Nucynta, Palexia)	Schedule II narcotic (Narcotics Code)	Yes	90 days, Thai FDA permit
Fentanyl	Verify with a hospital pharmacy	No Thai brand verified (global: Duragesic, Actiq)	Schedule II narcotic (Narcotics Code)	Yes	90 days, Thai FDA permit

Opioid pain medication in Thailand: what changes when you travel

Thailand regulates oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, tapentadol and fentanyl as Schedule II narcotics^[2], so OxyContin, Percocet, MS Contin and Nucynta need advance permission. Tramadol (Tramal, Ultram) follows separate drug-law controls.

The highest-stakes catch is the permit. Without it, the personal-use exemption does not cover Schedule II narcotics, and a doctor's letter alone is not enough. See medication import rules and Thailand travel guide for wider context.

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 opioid pain medication

For any Schedule II narcotic on your list, apply to the Thai FDA for a permit at least 15 days before you arrive^[1]. The permit (Form IC-2) arrives by email^[3], usually within about 3 working days of a complete online application.

Customs also expects a doctor's certificate on arrival^[4], so carry the original prescription alongside it.

What your doctor's letter must include

Your full name, each medication by generic name and brand, dose and frequency, and the total quantity you carry. Add the reason for prescription in one word, the doctor's signature and registration number, and the clinic letterhead. If you take more than one opioid, list each ingredient separately so the letter matches your permit.

If you take only tramadol, the permit step does not apply. Check every product, including combination products, in the Thai FDA online drug checker^[3] before you pack.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Bring this list to your appointment.

Can you write the letter with generic names and brands for every opioid I carry, plus daily dose and total quantity?
If my medication is not stocked in Thailand, can you provide a backup plan or a prescription for a sibling ingredient in this class?
Who decides any dose adjustment if a Thai doctor prescribes a different product, and how do I reach you to agree it?
Is my total supply, including a delay buffer, within the quantity that the permit application will state?
Can you supply a signed letter on clinic letterhead with your registration number?
How can I reach you or your clinic from Thailand if I need to confirm my regimen to a local doctor?

How much opioid pain medication to bring

Thai FDA allows up to a 90-day supply as prescribed^[1] for Schedule II narcotics. Request the permit for your full trip length, because the permit sets the ceiling. Add any delay buffer inside that total, not on top of it.

If you take only tramadol, the 30-day rule for non-narcotic drugs^[5] applies instead.

Splitting your supply

Carry the full permitted quantity in hand luggage with your permit and prescriptions. If you pack a backup portion in checked luggage, state both portions on the permit application. Declare everything you carry at customs.

Packing and storing opioid pain medication for travel

Keep every product in its original pharmacy packaging with the label intact. Thailand's heat and humidity can degrade tablets, capsules and patches left in a bag, so check your product leaflet for its maximum storage temperature. Use an insulated pouch for the journey from the airport, and never leave medication in a parked car or on a beach.

Airport security with opioid pain medication

Carry all opioid medication in hand luggage, in original packaging, with the permit and doctor's letter in the same bag. Security staff at your departure airport and in Bangkok may ask to inspect it. Liquid and quantity rules come from your departure airport's security agency, so check its website before you pack. Our dedicated guides for flying with prescription medication and flying with liquid medication also cover practical airport and security rules.

Customs and import rules for opioid pain medication in Thailand

Thailand prohibits importing narcotics outside the traveller exemption^[2]. On arrival, present the medication, medical documents and permit at the Red Channel^[6]. The same logic applies when you leave. If a Thai doctor prescribed the narcotic, you need a permit to travel out of Thailand^[1] with it.

Schedule II narcotic warning

Oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, tapentadol and fentanyl are Schedule II narcotics under Thailand's Narcotics Code. Without the Thai FDA permit, the personal-use exemption does not apply. Confirm each product in the Thai FDA drug checker, or email the Narcotics Control Division at tnarcotics@fda.moph.go.th with questions.

Opioid pain medication availability in Thailand

Oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, tapentadol and fentanyl are all Schedule II narcotics, so any local dispensing follows narcotic rules. Nomedic's catalog lists no verified Thai brand for any of the seven ingredients, so we name none. Ask a hospital pharmacy which registered products it stocks.

Tramadol is classed as a specially controlled drug, dispensed only on a doctor's prescription^[7]. Retail sales are capped at 20 tablets or capsules per transaction^[8], and sales to under-17s are prohibited. The Ministry's announcement dated 14 July 2025 set a 180-day lead time, so confirm the rule is in force when you travel.

Global names such as OxyContin, Percocet, MS Contin, Nucynta, Palexia and Duragesic may not match Thai-registered products. We could not verify current prices, so ask for a written quote before accepting a prescription.

Pharmacy phrases in Thai

Useful at the pharmacy counter when asking about opioid pain medication options.

“ฉันกินยาแก้ปวดกลุ่มโอปิออยด์อยู่ ที่นี่มียาอะไรให้เลือกบ้างคะ/ครับ”

I take opioid pain medication. What options do you have here?

“มียาชื่อสามัญของยาตัวนี้ไหมคะ/ครับ”

Is there a generic version of this medicine?

“โรงพยาบาลหรือร้านขายยานี้มียาตัวนี้ไหมคะ/ครับ”

Does this hospital or pharmacy stock this medicine?

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Finding a doctor who can prescribe opioid pain medication in Thailand

Start with a hospital pain or palliative care service rather than a walk-in clinic, and ask whether it has an international patient department. Only a Thai-licensed doctor can write a local prescription, and you should not assume a Thai pharmacy will fill a foreign one. We could not verify consultation fees, so ask the hospital for a quote when you book. Our Bangkok health guide lists private facilities and specialist options for visitors.

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Storing opioid pain medication while in Thailand

Keep your medication in the hotel room safe, not in an unattended bag or a shared fridge. Carry only the day's doses when you go out, in original packaging. Photograph the permit, letter and labels, and store copies separately from the medication.

What to do if something goes wrong with your opioid pain medication in Thailand

If medication is lost or stolen, report it to the police on 191 and get a written report. Contact your embassy, then email the Thai FDA Narcotics Control Division at tnarcotics@fda.moph.go.th^[9], quoting your permit number, because the permit lists exact quantities.

Never swap one ingredient for another yourself. A Thai-licensed doctor decides any alternative, and tramadol is the ingredient you are most likely to find stocked. Whether it suits you is the doctor's call. A narcotic prescribed in Thailand also needs a permit to take out of the country.

Emergency phrases in Thai

“ฉันต้องการยาแก้ปวดของฉัน”

I need my pain medication.

“ฉันกินยานี้ทุกวันเพราะอาการปวดเรื้อรัง”

I take this medicine every day for chronic pain.

“กรุณาเรียกแพทย์ให้หน่อยค่ะ/ครับ”

Please call a doctor.

“โรงพยาบาลหรือร้านขายยา 24 ชั่วโมงที่ใกล้ที่สุดอยู่ที่ไหนคะ/ครับ”

Where is the nearest hospital or 24-hour pharmacy?

Call 1669 for an ambulance anywhere in Thailand. Police are on 191.

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Frequently asked questions

Is opioid pain medication legal in Thailand?

Yes, with a prescription. Oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, tapentadol and fentanyl are Schedule II narcotics, which travellers may carry only with Thai FDA permission. Tramadol is a prescription-only, specially controlled drug.

Can I bring morphine or oxycodone into Thailand?

Yes, if you apply online to the Thai FDA before you fly and carry the permit, prescription and doctor's certificate. Present all of them at customs, and carry the medication in its original packaging.

Can I bring OxyContin or Percocet to Thailand?

Both contain oxycodone, a Schedule II narcotic, so you need a Thai FDA permit. List the generic name beside the brand on your letter and permit, because Thai-registered products may carry different names.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with opioid pain medication?

Yes. Customs expects a doctor's certificate for narcotics, and the original prescription supports it. For tramadol alone, carry the prescription and packaging so the quantity and your name are visible.

Which opioid pain medications are available in Thailand?

Tramadol is sold on prescription with retail caps. Oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, tapentadol and fentanyl follow narcotic rules, and Nomedic's catalog lists no verified Thai brands for them. Ask a hospital pharmacy to confirm stock.

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

Ask a Thai-licensed doctor what to do. They decide whether any alternative suits you, and a different ingredient can change the permit rules for leaving. Do not swap ingredients yourself.

What if I run out of opioid pain medication in Thailand?

See a Thai-licensed doctor at a hospital as soon as you can, and bring your letter and permit copies. Do not buy opioids from unlicensed sellers. Emergency care is available by calling 1669.

Related practical guide

Opioid Pain Medication Abroad: Strict Countries, Required Paperwork and What to Do When You Run Out

Carrying opioid pain medication across borders is legal in most countries, but the paperwork gap between 'legal' and 'detained at customs' is razor thin.

Opioid Pain Medication in Thailand: Permits, Brands, Access