The pharmacist is your first doctor

For a cold, a stomach bug or a rash, most people in Thailand go to the ร้านขายยา before any doctor. A licensed pharmacy has a pharmacist (เภสัชกร) on duty who asks a few questions, checks whether you แพ้ยา, and hands over medicine in small bags labelled in Thai with how to take it. Many medicines that need a prescription at home, including some antibiotics, can legally be sold here by the pharmacist. Strong painkillers, sleeping pills and other controlled drugs cannot, and a good pharmacist will send you to a คลินิก or hospital if your symptoms sound serious. Show a photo of the medicine you take at home: brand names differ, active ingredients don't.