The picturesque landscape of Thailand has become entangled in the international anabolic steroid trade. The country’s burgeoning pharmaceutical industry attracts legitimate manufacturers and illicit operations, and its strategic geographical position makes it an ideal transit point for drug trafficking. The complex interplay of these factors has led to a situation where anabolic steroids are manufactured in Thailand, exported around the world, and end up in the hands of bodybuilders and athletes. The global problem resulting from the trade reflects a combination of societal dynamics, regulatory challenges, and the dynamic nature of international criminal networks.

PHUKET: Anabolic steroids are synthetic variants of the naturally occurring male sex hormone testosterone, and they increase muscle mass by increasing natural levels of the hormone. The drugs advertised on the shelves of the pharmacy on Soi 7 are often combined with other substances _ including dangerous weight-loss pills _ in a practice known as stacking. This can cause serious side effects such as alopecia, hepatitis, or infertility. In addition, long-term use of steroids can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Many bodybuilders from Australia and further afield visit Pattaya and the islands of the South for what is called a “steroid holiday”. One Australian, Jarrad Fisher, admitted last year that he used to take holidays to the region every two months while on a cycle. He stayed in Thailand for up to two months, taking combinations of the drugs in an attempt to bulk up until he was ready to return home. Steroids Thailand