The death of amateur Australian bodybuilder Jarrad Fisher last year highlighted a growing trend of “steroid holidays” in which gym-goers travel to Asia to bulk up using supplements that are illegal in Australia. A Fairfax Media investigation found it is relatively easy to obtain performance-enhancing drugs in Thailand, which are sold for a fraction of their Australian black market price. This is attracting young athletes from across the globe, fuelling a burgeoning black market, and creating serious health risks.
Despite laws that require a prescription for the purchase of steroids in Australia, it is not uncommon for pharmacies in Pattaya to sell them without one. At the Charoen Pharmacy on Sukhumvit Road between sois 2 and 4, a Spectrum reporter was able to buy anabolic-androgenic steroids (synthetic variants of the naturally occurring male sex hormone testosterone) and a dangerous weight-loss drug in a matter of minutes _ all for about 2,000 baht ($60).
Oral steroids are often combined with other medicines, including glucocorticoids and anti-depressants. This practice, known as’stacking’, can increase the risk of side effects, such as liver and kidney problems. They can also lead to osteoporosis and a condition called glue ear, in which fluid collects in the middle ear and causes hearing loss.
In addition to the risk of serious health problems, steroid use can also damage the lungs and the heart. It is illegal in Australia to possess steroids without a licence, and possession of large quantities can result in up to $110,000 in fines or five years in prison. Steroids Thailand