What Thai Pharmacies Sell That Yours Does Not
01The seven things worth knowing
| Product | Use it for | Strength | Rating | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ya dom (inhaler stick) | Blocked nose, alertness | Mild | 4.6 | Sniff. Cabin OK |
| Counterpain Cool | Post-exercise, acute | Medium | 4.5 | Cream |
| Counterpain Hot | Chronic stiffness | Strong | 4.4 | Cream |
| Ya mong (herbal balm) | Insect bites, aches | Strong | 4.3 | Jar. Cabin OK |
| Hong Thai (red) | Heavy congestion | Strong | 4.3 | Inhaler + liquid |
| Tiger Balm White | Headache, congestion | Medium | 4.0 | Ointment |
| Tiger Balm Red | Muscles, joints | Medium | 4.1 | Ointment (warming) |
02Ya dom, the one everyone brings home
A slim plastic tube of menthol, camphor and herbs. You hold it to one nostril and breathe in.
Thai people use it constantly — in traffic, in meetings, on buses. It clears your head, it helps in heat, and it costs so little that buying fifteen as gifts is a reasonable thing to do.
It weighs nothing, it is solid rather than liquid so it travels in hand luggage, and it is the single best value item in any Thai pharmacy.
03Counterpain, the one nobody tells you about
This is the genuine find. It is a muscle cream sold in every Thai pharmacy and owned by most Thai households, and visitors almost never hear about it.
Cool is the version for straight after exercise or an acute strain. It feels cold.
Hot is for old, stiff, chronic aches. It feels genuinely hot, and the first time you use it you will be surprised. Start with a small amount.
If you have been walking fifteen kilometres a day around temples and markets, this is what your legs want in the evening.
04Ya mong and the balms
Ya mong is a thick herbal balm, usually in a small glass jar, stronger and more aromatic than Tiger Balm. Thai people use it for insect bites, bruises and muscle aches. In a country with mosquitoes, it earns its place.
Tiger Balm White is the milder one and is used for headaches and congestion — a small dab at the temples. Tiger Balm Red is warming and is for muscles and joints.
Both Tiger Balms are sold internationally, but they are considerably cheaper here.
Keep every one of these away from your eyes, and wash your hands after applying. Do not use them on broken skin, wounds or mucous membranes. Do not use adult-strength products on young children without asking a pharmacist. If you are pregnant, ask first. If a treated area burns badly or reddens, wash it off and stop. This is product information, not medical advice — persistent pain needs a doctor, not a balm.
05Where to buy and what it costs
Independent pharmacies are cheapest. They are on every other street, they usually have a green cross, and the pharmacist typically speaks enough English.
Boots and Watsons stock the popular items at somewhat higher prices, with the advantage of English labelling and staff.
7-Eleven carries ya dom and Tiger Balm. Convenient, slightly dearer, perfectly fine for a single inhaler.
The airport charges several times the pharmacy price for the same small tin. Buy these in town.
06Getting them home
| Item | Hand luggage | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ya dom inhaler | Yes | Tiny and solid |
| Tiger Balm, ya mong | Yes | Solid ointment |
| Counterpain tube | If under 100ml | Otherwise hold |
| Hong Thai | Hold | Has a liquid component |
| Any liquid medicine | Hold | Keep original packaging |
Two general points. Keep anything medicinal in its original box with the label intact — it makes any question at customs a short conversation. And check your own country's rules on importing medicines, because they vary far more than people expect and some common ingredients are restricted in some places.
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