The short answer
It is legal when it is done by a doctor with a licence to practise medicine, in a facility licensed by the Ministry of Public Health, with a filler registered as a medical device with the Thai FDA, and the patient has been informed and has given consent. It becomes illegal the moment any one of these is missing, for example injection by someone who is not a doctor, injection outside a licensed facility, or use of an unregistered substance.
What off-label means, and why it is not wrong
Most HA fillers are registered with an indication for the face or the body in general, not the genitals specifically. Using a product outside its stated indication is called off-label use. It is a legal exercise of medical judgement and common in every field of medicine, for example many drugs used in children. The conditions are that the doctor must have a sound scientific reason, explain it so the patient understands, and record consent. Dr. Kate explains this on every consultation day and states it on the consent form.
Who is allowed to inject
Only a medical doctor (M.D.) licensed by the Thai Medical Council. Nurses, assistants, beauticians and people who have taken an injection course are not permitted, whatever certificates they hold. Letting a non-doctor inject is an offence for both the injector and the owner of the premises, and the patient has no protection of any kind when something goes wrong.
Check for yourself in 10 minutes
- The doctor: look up the licence number on the Thai Medical Council's verification website (checkmd.tmc.or.th). The name and photo must match the person injecting.
- The facility: ask to see the medical facility operating licence (Sor.Por.7) and the practice licence (Sor.Por.19), which must be displayed at the clinic.
- The product: ask to see the box before it is opened, check the medical device registration number on the Thai FDA website, and check the expiry date.
- Advertising: a clinic advertising legally must have an advertising approval number (Khor.Sor.Por.). Adverts that make exaggerated claims or push you to decide with a discount usually have not been approved.
Your rights as a patient
You have the right to know the doctor's name, the type and brand of product, the volume, the risks, the alternatives and the price before you decide. You have the right to a copy of your medical record and the lot number record. You have the right to refuse or postpone at any stage before injection. And you have the right to file a complaint with the Department of Health Service Support (hotline 1426) if you encounter wrongdoing.
Can foreigners have it done in Thailand?
Yes. The same rules apply and no special documents are needed. We recommend asking for a treatment summary in English for your doctor at home, and staying in Thailand for at least 2–3 days after injection for follow-up.
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