Travelling South East Asia with Type 1 Diabetes - pump user

[Ellaraps01]

I think extracting insulin from 3ml cartridges is dangerous and wouldn't be a choice for me, especially when backpacking in a foreign country. Thanks for all the suggestions but it looks like I will have to use pens

 

[lauramwatt]

Hello everyone,

I am travelling to SE Asia for 3 months backpacking in Jan 2025. I use a Medtrum pump with Novo Nordisk Novorapid Insulin, but this insulin is not available in 10ml vials for pump use out there.

The Thai regulations state that I can only take 30 days worth of insulin with me into the country which is far less than I need for my trip.

I am looking for information about accessing insulin for pump use in SE Asia or anyone's experience of taking insulin into Thailand/SE Asia.

Any help would be appreciated as I'm struggling to work out what best to do!

Thanks,
Ella 🙂

Hi Ella,

Wow firstly your trip sounds incredible! I'm so jealous- I hope you have an amazing time 🙂

I'm not sure exactly about Thailand, but I lived in South Korea for 5 years and had to switch to using pens as they didn't have the pump equipment I needed It may be worth taking some extra pens with you just in case.

In the case of the Thai regulations, I wonder if that's something that they can waver with a doctor's note? It might be worth ringing the Thai embassy to see if they can offer any solutions, or if they can at least direct you to the right number to call 🙂

I'm sure you've done a tonne of research already- but I came across this blog post when looking into this and it's full of a lot of useful info about navigating thailand with Diabetes: https://www.t1dwanderer.com/guides/thailand-diabetes-travel-advice/

Also (again I'm sure you're aware of this and have probably already done it) but making sure you have travel insurance for this trip would be best. It's likely to not be that cheap, but it's much better than the alternative of having to shell out full price for a trip to hospital if something does happen (touch wood not!).

Also I'm not sure if your backpacking will exclusively be around Thailand or across a few countries- but let me know if you're travelling to SK! I'd love to share some sightseeing spots 🙂 x

 

[Shaunpaul23]

Hey Ella, I’m actually going to Southeast Asia from February till May and thanks so much for letting me know this as I wasn’t aware. I’m now super stressed on what to do as I’m on the omnipod 5. This might be a silly question but do they search your bags going through to a country as I thought bag searches would be from a London Airport?

 

[Lucyr]

The Thai regulations state that I can only take 30 days worth of insulin with me into the country which is far less than I need for my trip.

Who decides how much insulin you use in 30 days? Can you become insulin resistant and need high doses so have to take more with you or is that not allowed?

 

[Satan’s little helper]

So, wifey & I have plans for travels at some near point. (Talks chats, hopes dreams.) I have insulin requirements. Is there anyone with actual experience on this subject. Not just supposition? Or do I just smuggle in what I need. It’s insulin at the end of the day. “Just personal use.”

 

[dannybgoode]

Or do I just smuggle in what I need. It’s insulin at the end of the day. “Just personal use.”

I would suggest that's a really bad idea. Regardless of what drug it is, drug laws in most S E Asia countries are very tight and it's just not worth finding out what the penalty may be.

Best case they take all you insulin off you, worst case you end up in a jail which would not get many 5* reviews on Trip Advisor.

 

[Ellaraps01]

Hey Ella, I’m actually going to Southeast Asia from February till May and thanks so much for letting me know this as I wasn’t aware. I’m now super stressed on what to do as I’m on the omnipod 5. This might be a silly question but do they search your bags going through to a country as I thought bag searches would be from a London Airport?

Hi Shaun,

So I'm taking my 3 months worth of Insulin in vials for pump use with me. I wouldn't expect a non-diabetic to have a clue how much insulin you would need in a month, so am hoping when they check my medication they will let it through. Even so, I have done a lot of research and am taking a doctors letter saying I need insulin to stay alive etc. I am also taking one month's worth of penfill Insulin in case they confiscate my vials and in case of emergency (lost/stolen etc). I have gotten my prescription of everything I could possibly need (worst case scenario) so if anything does go wrong I can go back onto pens for the rest of my trip.
I have also got Frio bags that keep insulin cool whilst travelling.
I called and emailed the Thai embassy and all I got from them was that is was 30 days. Either way, I am prepapred for best and worst case scenario so I'm less stressed about it haha!
Good luck, I'm sure you'll have a great trip!

 

[Satan’s little helper]

I would suggest that's a really bad idea. Regardless of what drug it is, drug laws in most S E Asia countries are very tight and it's just not worth finding out what the penalty may be.

Best case they take all you insulin off you, worst case you end up in a jail which would not get many 5* reviews on Trip Advisor.

It was a humorous response to the frustrations of catering for this condition as a “when in Rome” law abiding individual on travels. Though I still stand by the fact it’s “just personal use.”