Pharmacies in Phuket: Rules for Foreigners
Common household drugs and packaged drugs that are not dangerous or specially controlled can be sold over the counter. Dangerous and specially controlled drugs need a pharmacist present when sold. GLP-1 injection pens became specially controlled drugs from 15 September 2026 and need a doctor's prescription.
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Drug classes and a properly run pharmacy
A shop needs a licence to sell a modern drug. The licence has a category for shops that sell only ready-packed modern drugs that are not dangerous or specially controlled drugs.
- Common household drugs are exempt from the licence requirement.
- Dangerous drugs are drugs the Minister has notified as dangerous. Antibiotics are on that list, except topical ones and those declared specially controlled.
- Specially controlled drugs are drugs the Minister has notified as specially controlled. A second-class pharmacist may not dispense, sell or deliver them.
Boxes carry the class in red: the words “dangerous drug” or “specially controlled drug” in clearly visible red letters. Common household drugs carry their own wording on the label.
How to spot a properly run pharmacy
A shop licensed for modern packaged drugs must have a first or second class pharmacist on duty for the business hours. Look outside for the sign with the name and qualification of the person on duty and the business hours.
A dangerous or specially controlled drug may not be sold while the pharmacist is not present. The fine for breaking that rule is THB 1,000 to THB 5,000.
A pharmacy also has to keep dangerous drugs, specially controlled drugs and other drugs separately. The pharmacist on duty controls the delivery of dangerous or specially controlled drugs.
Pharmacists wear a white coat with the Pharmacy Council badge. The “My Pharmacy” app (ร้านยาของฉัน) shows which nearby pharmacies have a pharmacist available.
If a pharmacy breaks the rules
A pharmacy found trading drugs improperly can have its licence suspended for 120 days or revoked. Report it on the FDA hotline 1556. For sales staff who are not pharmacists, the Consumer Protection Police hotline is 1135.
Painkillers, antibiotics and controlled drugs
Thai FDA material calls NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen dangerous drugs. Use them under the care of a doctor or pharmacist. Tell the pharmacist about any chronic condition before every purchase.
With a high fever, take paracetamol and avoid NSAIDs. See the dengue fever guide for Phuket for why.
Two recent changes affect what is on the shelf:
- GLP-1 injectable drugs became specially controlled drugs from 15 September 2026. A modern-drug pharmacy sale needs a doctor’s prescription and delivery by a pharmacist.
- In June 2025 single-ingredient oral tramadol moved to medical facilities only. Pharmacists still serve the tramadol and paracetamol combination.
Bringing your own medicine into Thailand
Medicines can be carried in the amount necessary for personal use up to 30 days. Rules change with the drug type:
| Medicine type | Limit | Paperwork |
|---|---|---|
| Psychotropic, Schedule II, III, IV | 30-day supply | Certificate or prescription from the prescribing physician |
| Psychotropic, 31 to 90 days | 31 to 90 days | FDA permit (Form IC-2) at least 15 days before travel |
| Narcotic, Schedule II and III | 90-day supply | FDA permit at least 15 days beforehand |
| Herbal products | Up to 90 days | None stated; no cannabis or hemp |
Importing Type I psychotropic substances is not allowed. Do not import herbal products containing cannabis or hemp.
Hospital pharmacies
Bangkok Hospital Phuket is at 2 / 1 Hongyok, Hongyokutis Rd, Taladyai, Muang, Phuket 83000. Its phone number is 076 254 425, and its emergency teams are ready 24/7. For immediate critical care it gives 1719. More options are in the English-speaking hospitals guide.
Photo credits
- A pharmacy shop front in Phuket Town: Wikimedia Commons, Phuket Town pharmacy (Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 4.0) (opens in a new tab) (CC BY-SA 4.0 (Uwe Aranas))
- Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Bangkok Hospital Phuket on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by Google Maps contributor.
Step by step
- Check the signLook for the sign with the name and qualification of the person on duty and the business hours.
- Ask for the pharmacistA pharmacist must be on duty for the business hours.
- Say what you already takeTell the pharmacist about any chronic condition before every purchase.
- Keep your own prescriptionCarry the doctor's certificate or prescription for psychotropic medicines.
Not confirmed: Antibiotic counter sales: the Drug Act text only requires the pharmacist to be present. Ask the pharmacist before you buy. Opening hours: read the shop sign.
Common questions
How do I know a Phuket pharmacy is licensed?
A licensed shop must show a sign with the first name, last name and qualification of the person on duty and the business hours. A pharmacist must be on duty for the business hours.
Can I buy antibiotics without a prescription?
Antibiotics are on the dangerous-drug list, except topical ones and those declared specially controlled. A pharmacist must be present to sell a dangerous drug.
Can I buy ibuprofen or aspirin in Phuket?
Thai FDA material calls NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and diclofenac dangerous drugs. Use them under the care of a doctor or pharmacist.
Can I buy tramadol at a pharmacy?
Single-ingredient oral tramadol moved to medical facilities only in June 2025. Pharmacists still serve the tramadol and paracetamol combination.
How much of my own medicine can I bring into Thailand?
Medicines can be carried in the amount needed for personal use up to 30 days. Narcotic and psychotropic medicines have extra rules.
Can I bring cannabis or hemp products?
No. Herbal products containing cannabis or hemp must not be imported.
Where do I report a pharmacy that sells drugs improperly?
Use the FDA hotline 1556, or the Consumer Protection Police hotline 1135 for sales staff who are not pharmacists.
Read next
General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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Comments (5)
curioussharma-007
Weird Pharmacy Scam? Hey, I’m currently staying in the Patong area and needed two medicines: 1. Otrivin Nasal Spray (1%) 2. Crystaline 600 mg (10 tablets) I had a rough idea of the prices, but the pharmacy attendant charged me 600 baht for both. Since I needed them for a blocked nose and sore throat, I bought them without thinking too much about it. Later, I noticed that neither medicine has an MRP (Maximum Retail Price) or any similar price printed on the packaging. I came back to the hotel and also checked a box of paracetamol that I bought for 100 baht. That also doesn’t have any MRP or retail price printed on it, although it does show the manufacturing and expiry dates. After Googling the price of Crystaline 600 mg (10 tablets), it seems like it should cost no more than around 150 baht. Is this some kind of scam or tourist overcharging? When I asked the pharmacy attendant about the missing price, she told me that medicine boxes don’t have prices printed on them and that this is how they come from the manufacturer. That sounds a bit strange to me, if true. Are pharmacies around Beach Road in Patong generally overpriced or tourist traps? From what I can tell, these two medicines together shouldn’t cost more than around 300 baht, rather than 600. Has anyone else experienced something similar?
shatteredrealm0
Ok well this isn’t India or Portugal, it’s also made in Thailand by Millimer. And I’ve never seen a price printed on any medication here or in Europe except for maybe paracetamol.
Siamswift
No, you weren’t being scammed. Medicines in Thailand don’t have prices printed on them. Relax.
Odd_Kick2517
How you avoid this is when you’re handing the bill, which you know you’re giving 1000 anyways, rather than you making sure you know it’s 1000, make sure THEY see you’re handing 1000. How this scam works is they know you’re giving 1000, specially if you go above like 600 baht. However they will not look at you or the bill when taking it. They will seem like not acknowledging what you’re giving them and just trusting you. That’s why they can then claim they weren’t given a 1000. If you make sure to exchange eye contact or kinda make them look at the bill while you’re handing it, they’ll give up on scamming you.
Unfair_Explanation53
I always say something along the lines of "I only have 1000 baht do you have change?"