The steroid epidemic is a worldwide issue, but it is particularly severe in Thailand due to its burgeoning pharmaceutical industry and lax regulations. Thailand has emerged as a significant producer of illicit steroids and a major transit point for their global distribution. This article explores the dynamics of this complex trade and the implications it has for public health.
The easy availability of performance-enhancing drugs in Thailand is luring thousands of bodybuilders and athletes to the country. A recent investigation by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) found that elite sports clubs such as the Essendon Bombers in the AFL and Cronulla Sharks in NRL have been using banned steroid substances.
According to pharmacy sources, the ease of obtaining steroids in Thailand is mainly driven by the existence of clandestine laboratories and the global demand for anabolic steroids. These drugs are smuggled through the country by international criminal networks that exploit the country’s porous borders and bustling trade environment.
Pharmacies in Bangkok and Pattaya are stocked with anabolic steroids. Spectrum visited a pharmacy on Sukhumvit Road between sois 2 and 4 in the city’s downtown area and was able to purchase a full set of pills, ampoules and injectable drugs in less than five minutes — all without having to show identification.
In addition to anabolic steroids, pharmacies in Thailand also sell a variety of other medicines that are used to treat various conditions. These include insulin, a drug commonly abused by diabetics, cortisone, a popular painkiller and various forms of birth control. In addition, many of these medicines have potential side effects that can cause serious harm. Steroids Thailand