Here’s what tourists need to know about using weed in Thailand under new proposals.
Less than two years after Thailand opened the floodgates by legalising cannabis, the country’s new conservative coalition government is seeking to slam them shut.
Neon weed signs have become ubiquitous in Bangkok’s busy tourist area, with dispensaries cropping up on every corner. Hundreds of food and drink vendors advertise cannabis-infused menus.
But this could all change under new proposals to strictly regulate marijuana use and restrict it for medicinal purposes.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin renewed calls to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic on Wednesday 8 May, saying in a post on X – formerly Twitter – “I would like to ask the Ministry of Public Health to… hasten to issue regulations allowing its use for medical and health purposes only.”
He also ordered local authorities to suppress criminal activities linked to the illegal drug trade and demanded to see progress within 90 days.
Why are Thailand’s cannabis rules changing so soon?
Following the general election in May last year, Thailand came under new leadership in September.
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 his latest post on X, Thavisin reiterated this stance, saying “Drugs are a problem that destroys the future of the nation.”
Anutin Charnvirakul, the former Health Minister who oversaw the drug’s legalisation in the previous military-run government, has now risen the ranks to Deputy Prime Minister. He is the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, part of the new government coalition.
source: euronews