Educational Information Only
The content on this page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every legal situation is unique. For matters involving investigation, arrest, litigation, or formal proceedings, consult a qualified legal professional.
Drug Act
พระราชบัญญัติยา · Drug Act · B.E. 2510 (1967)
Overview
The Drug Act B.E. 2510 (1967) regulates medicinal drug registration, manufacture, import, and sale in Thailand. The Thai FDA administers. Drugs are classified (modern household, ready-packed, dangerous, special-controlled) with different licensing and sale rules. The Act is distinct from the Narcotics Code B.E. 2564 (2021) covering controlled-substance criminal offences.
- Promulgating authority
- Parliament
- พระราชบัญญัติ
- Enacted
- B.E. 2510 (1967)
- Official text
- https://www.ocs.go.th/searchlaw
Key Sections9
The 9 sections most frequently cited in practice or relevant to foreigners. Click any section for a deep-linkable page suitable for sharing.
Section 12
— Licence to produce, sell or importNo one may produce, sell or import modern medicines without an FDA licence; limited exemptions in section 13, including a traveller's 30-day personal supply.
Section 4
— Drug classesDefines classes fixed by ministerial notification: household remedies (sold freely), dangerous drugs (ยาอันตราย, sold at a pharmacy with a pharmacist present) and specially-controlled drugs (ยาควบคุมพิเศษ, the most restricted).
Section 72
— Prohibited medicinesBans producing, selling or importing counterfeit, substandard, deteriorated, unregistered or cancelled-registration medicines.
Section 79
— Drug-formula registrationLicensed producers and importers must register each medicine's formula with the FDA before marketing, subject to the section 79 bis exceptions (pharmaceutical chemicals, herbal drugs, samples).
Section 101
— Penalty — operating without a licenceProducing, selling or importing medicines without a licence: up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine up to THB 10,000.
Section 117
— Penalty — making counterfeit medicineManufacturing counterfeit medicine: 3 years to life imprisonment and a fine of THB 10,000–50,000.
Section 119
— Penalty — selling counterfeit medicineSelling or importing counterfeit medicine: 1 to 20 years and a fine of THB 2,000–10,000 (a lower fine if the seller did not know).
Section 122
— Penalty — unregistered medicineProducing, selling or importing an unregistered medicine: up to 3 years or a fine up to THB 5,000, or both.
Section 124
— Penalty — illegal advertisingAdvertising medicines without approval or with false or exaggerated claims: fine up to THB 100,000.
The summaries on this page are plain-English educational paraphrases — not authoritative translations. For the binding wording you must consult the Royal Gazette publication or the consolidated text at the Office of the Council of State. Educational use only — not a substitute for advice from a Thai-qualified lawyer.
Professional Legal Assistance
When a matter involves investigation, arrest, detention, litigation, or regulatory action, professional legal representation becomes essential.
Anglo Siam Legal provides experienced legal services across Thailand for both Thai nationals and foreigners.
feedback.wasThisHelpful