Taking Medicines to Phuket

Q: I will be visiting Phuket, Thailand in September, staying at Club Med on Kata Beach. As this my first time travelling, could you kindly advise on some activities for a seven day stay. Also, is the carrying of medicines such as painkillers and immodium allowed and does chronic medication require a doctor's medication? - Joe Fortuin

A: Club Med Phuket is a beautiful resort on a magnificent beach, so make sure you don't book too many excursions on your arrival. You will be pressurised into booking a number of tours and activities, but make sure you leave plenty of time to enjoy the resort. An excursion every second or third day would be fine. I would highly recommend a day cruise to the Phi Phi Islands. Take a speed boat trip to get there faster and ahead of the crowds travelling by ferry. Another must-see is the Fantasea show, a lavish extravaganza at nearby Kamala Beach. Other trips worth considering are an elephant trek, a sunset cruise to James Bond Island (a spectacular rocky outcrop in the sea named after the movie filmed there) and a shopping excursion to Patong Beach. Leaflets advertising all trips are widely available, so you can read up about them and take your time to decide.
Unless you use a medication regularly, there is no need to take a supply with you. Painkillers are available from all the 24-hour convenience stores and all medications, include antibiotics, can be bought at pharmacies without a prescription. There are pharmacies everywhere, including branches of the Boots chain from Britain, and most stay open until late at night. In the light of the free availability of medicines, I have never heard of anyone being asked to produce a doctor's certification for chronic medication. The original or pharmacy packaging should be quite sufficient.