Can I bring a supply of my diabetes medicine to HH?

Post by **Bardic** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:47 am

I am non-insulin dependent, but I do have to take a series of pills for my diabetes and my blood pressure. I read in other threads that the pharmacies there are sufficient for most purposes, but I have been caught without my medicines before and I really don't care to repeat the experience.

Post by **chelsea** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:04 am

In relation to getting caught short of your medicine, on the main road into HH, there is a very good English speaking chemist.
I had occasion to have to go there to try and get some blood pressure tablets that my partner had run out of.

I went previously to most of the other chemists in town and none of the others had any idea what they were doing, I showed him the box, explained what I wanted them for and he had them on the shelf. Only problem, was that they were not cheap.

I would suggest that you get more than enough to take with you and perhaps get your local GP to do a letter on his official letterhead listing exeactly what you have, exactly what they are for and the ramifications that you could suffer if you are not allowed to take them into the country.

It is better to over prepared in this situation than under prepared.
If you want the address, I will try and find it for you.

Post by **Bardic** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:39 am

Thank you. The address would be most helpful.
I will be visiting HH soon, (within 3 months) to make arrangements for a much longer stay. This website and these forums have been very helpful and informative, making planning of my trip much easier.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:47 am

If it's any help -

I have a hereditary cholestorol problem and have suffered from hypertension (high blood pressure).

I now have this well under control with exercise & diet + a little help from my doctor.

I would thoroughly recomend this guy - Dr. Sumet.

He and his wife (also a Dr.) run the Sumet Clinic and Pharmacy opposite the Hot Pot restaurant on Petchkasem Rd just south of the main traffic lights.

He speaks good english, is available 6 days a week and works his butt off!!!

Be warned though - he is a pediatrician (not sure that's spelt right) - so his surgery is always full of children.

Anyway - he's damn good and I would recommend him to anyone.

So - if you get a problem WHILST you are here - pay him a visit.

Hope you don't have to

Post by **chelsea** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:12 am

Terry, is that the place on the LH Side of Petchkasem Rd going towards Chan Am not far before the Soi where the mini buses stop. If not this is where the place was that I went to.
I seem to remember going into a surgery and then being taken into the chemists to buy the tablets.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:22 am

Chelsea

No

As I said - Dr. Sumet's clinic is heading South of the main traffic lights on LHS opposite 'Hot Pot' restaurant.

Post by **chelsea** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:30 am

Sorry Terry, was not sure where the Hot Pot was, never did manage to find it while I was there. Will have to try harder next time.

Anyway the one that I am on about is also very good, and they guy there was most helpful.

I am trying to find the exact location at present, but the pace does advertise the fact in the all the local papers that I read, that they do speak good English there.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:09 am

Chelsea

Forget Hot Pot

Now that MK have opened a branch in Market Village - I don't have to go all the way to Petchaburi for some decent Suki

Post by **Big Boy** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 2:59 pm

Bardic,

Seems as if I share a similar set of medication as you, although as with Terry, everything is well under control.

Earlier this year I had to go to San Paulo Hospital with a minor injury - quite understandably, they needed to know what medication I was on. They were au fait with everything except my Blood Pressure tablet.

Getting back to your OP, I always bring a sufficient supply with me. I also carry a doctor's prescription to prove that I am entitled to the medication. I've been questioned at several airports, but the prescription always seems to do the trick.

JW · Post by JW » Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:08 pm

Bardic,

I have a very good friend who lives here who has diabetes, pm any questions you have and i will contact him for you - he is not a board user.

Cheers

Post by **Big Boy** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:42 pm

Bardic,

I think the doctor's prescription or something similar is key if you run out of your medication. I remember my wife ran out of her medication several years ago in Pattaya. The pharmacies would not provide her with what she needed, and we were forced to go to hospital.

After charging us excessive fees for the consultation, it turns out that they did not believe her either - when we showed the tablets to her specialist in the UK, he said that they were of no use either - placebo's.

Depending on the category of your medication, you could have problems obtaining it, if you can't prove your need.

Post by **PeteC** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 4:50 pm

I have a friend here who actually brings his insulin with him as hand carry from the USA, in a cooler as it's some type that has to be kept under refrigeration at all times. He's never been stopped going through customs with cooler box in hand. He also has the paper prescription to back everything up just in case. Pete

Post by **Bardic** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:47 am

Thanks for all the useful advice friends.
I am back in the US after a far too brief visit to Hua Hin, but I am coming back soon for a much longer stay.
Before I made my recent trip to Thailand, my diabetes took a downturn and I now require insulin. The only trouble I had when traveling with my insulin was here in the US where some fool homeland security guy was convinced that my vials of insulin were part of some sinister plot. I finally got though that mess and thanks to all of the great advice from everyone I had no further problems for the rest of my visit.