‘It’s easy to get steroids in Thailand – they’re all over the place. There are pharmacies that advertise them and clinics that will write you a prescription for them for a fee,’ said Chris, an Australian bodybuilder who splits his time between Thailand and Brisbane. He says many bodybuilders use Thailand to take’steroid holidays’ _ staying there for up to two months and taking combinations of drugs called “cycles” to bulk up before returning home.

In Australia, the importing, selling or possessing of performance and image-enhancing drugs is illegal and can attract substantial fines and jail terms. The latest figures from the Australian Crime Commission show a significant spike in seizures, detections and arrests for steroid-related offences. Many professional sports teams have been rocked by revelations of players using banned steroid drugs, including Essendon in the AFL and Cronulla in the NRL.

A recent News Corp investigation found backyard cooks blending powdered drugs from Asia with benzyl alcohol and making steroids in their garages. It also revealed steroid-related deaths of young people and a spike in the number of Australians being caught at border detections for importing the drug.

Using steroids for prolonged periods can cause damage to the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems. Oral steroids can also cause a condition known as ‘glue ear’, in which fluid collects in the middle ear, leading to hearing impairment. It can also lead to behavioural difficulties and delayed speech development in children. Steroids Thailand