Is weed still legal in Thailand? Here’s what tourists need to know as government u-turns

11.11.2024 - 01:41 / euronews.com / Angela Symons

After months of uncertainty over the future of cannabis in Thailand, the government released a proposal to restrict it mainly to health and medical purposes.

Published in September, shortly after Thailand's new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took office, the draft legislation does not explicitly ban the recreational use of weed nor does it uphold previous plans to reclassify the substance as a narcotic.

But it does lay out fines and punishments for those selling or consuming cannabis for purposes not laid out in the bill.

Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022 for medical purposes, but in practice the market appears virtually unregulated.

Neon weed signs have become ubiquitous in Bangkok’s busy tourist areas, with dispensaries cropping up on every corner. Hundreds of food and drink vendors advertise cannabis-infused menus.

It became a hot topic in last year's election, as public backlash and concerns over misuse and crime grew. But weed also has its advocates: in July 2023, hundreds of people took to Bangkok's streets to protest a possible ban on general use

Following the general election in May last year, Thailand came under new leadership in September 2023.

The conservative coalition government headed by the Pheu Thai Party is behind the calls for a crackdown on cannabis, which has been poorly regulated since its legalisation.

Pheu Thai campaigned on banning the recreational use of marijuana, saying it poses health risks and could cause substance abuse issues among young people.

In a post on X calling for the plant to be relisted earlier this year, former PM Srettha Thavisin reiterated this stance, saying "Drugs are a problem that destroys the future of the nation."

In August, Thavisin was removed from office in a shock ruling that saw Paetongtarn take his place - bringing a slightly softer stance on the issue.

Anutin Charnvirakul, the former Health Minister who oversaw the drug’s legalisation in the previous military-run government, rose the ranks to Deputy Prime Minister in the 2023 election. He is the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, part of the current government coalition.

When backing the legalisation of marijuana in 2022, he said it would ease overcrowding in Thailand’s prisons and help boost the rural economy.

On the day of legalisation, more than 3,000 inmates held on cannabis charges were released. Within the year, the country’s weed industry was worth 28 billion Thai baht (€728 million) and by 2030 it was projected to reach 336 billion baht (€8.7 billion).

Anutin had promised that cannabis would be allowed only for medical use, but in practise the market was nearly unregulated.

The Health Ministry issued regulations that made cannabis a 'controlled herb'