If I could afford it I would fly any class but economy. In fact, even just being able to secure the front row seat in the middle of the plane so I could outstretch my legs would be blissful. At 6.2 and fairly broad-shouldered, the long haul flight to and from Bangkok would be a nightmare if it wasn’t for my little ‘purple pills’.

I have no shame in admitting that I take half (0.25mg) a Xanex pill (on a night flight) to help me gently slip off into 4-5 hours of undisturbed sleep. This helps to pass some of the 11 and a half hour duration, and also helps with not feeling so jet-lagged on arrival.

Unfortunately, it would seem my little magic sweets are about to disappear in the wake of legal hypocrisy. I have always bought my pills over the counter at a local pharmacy with no apparent problem, but the arrest of 17 year old New Zealander, Taylor Laird, for possession of diazepam without a prescription last month, has left me thinking that what used to be a privileged buy outside of the UK, is now a recipe for trouble with the boys in blue. Apparently, the Psychotropic Substances Act of 1974 makes it illegal to possess diazepam and a number of other 'Schedule IV' drugs without a doctor's prescription; this includes alprozolam (Xanex).

On the southern island of Phuket where Taylor Laird was arrested, a Phuket Public Health official said the department allowed small amounts of the drugs to be sold. The source stated, “It is illegal to possess these drugs without a prescription, but in Phuket we're not very strict as this is a tourist destination… we grant permission to pharmacies to sell the drugs.”

"Unfortunately, it would seem my little magic sweets are about to disappear in the wake of legal hypocrisy."

The fact that Taylor Laird was prosecuted and the pharmacy wasn’t stinks of inconsistency and hypocrisy. It would seem certain parts of Thailand are allowed to pick and choose how they enforce the law.

Thailand is a country targeted by tourists who want to purchase medicines which are not available over the counter in their home country, and because pharmacies are so willing to make sales on such products, the consumer has been left unaware that the sale of these drugs over the counter is illegal without prescription.

In the case of Taylor Laird there has been no mention of prosecuting the pharmacy, and the police have been quick to point out that there have been a number of arrests in the past year for similar offences. It is immoral for pharmacies to promote an image of legality to unwitting foreigners, and then for the police to arrest, fine and potentially imprison holiday makers for committing an offence.

Words: Alfred James. Alfred is a freelance writer currently residing in Bangkok.