Thailand moves to recriminalise cannabis, shaking $1 billion industry
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Thailand moves to recriminalize cannabis, shaking $1 billion industry
Thailand’s health ministry issued an order prohibiting the sale of cannabis for recreational use. It comes after the Bhumjaithai Party, which championed its legalization, withdrew from the ruling coalition last week. The new rules will come into effect once they are published in the Royal Gazette, which could happen within days. The Thai Chamber of Commerce previously estimated the industry could be worth $1.2 billion by 2025.
It comes after the Bhumjaithai Party, which championed its legalization, withdrew from the ruling coalition last week.
Thailand’s health ministry late on Tuesday issued an order prohibiting the sale of cannabis for recreational use, making it mandatory for any retail purchase to require a doctor’s prescription.
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The new rules will come into effect once they are published in the Royal Gazette, which could happen within days.
The recriminalization push has left some in the cannabis industry stunned, like this dispensary employee in Bangkok.
“I feel a bit shocked because this is my main source of income. It’s affecting me a little, actually, not just a little, it’s really hitting me. And it will probably affect many shops; many shops are probably just as shocked because a lot of them invested heavily.”
:: June 13, 2022
Thailand became one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalize the recreational use of cannabis, but it lacked any comprehensive rules to govern the sector.
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Tens of thousands of shops and businesses selling cannabis have sprung up across Thailand, many of them located in the country’s tourism hubs.
A government spokesperson said unregulated access to cannabis has created serious social problems, particularly for children and young people.
Cannabis activists argue the industry could have transformed Thai agriculture, medicine and tourism.
The Thai Chamber of Commerce previously estimated the industry could be worth $1.2 billion by 2025.
Thailand moves to recriminalise cannabis, shaking $1 billion industry
Thailand’s government is moving to recriminalise cannabis, plunging into limbo an industry estimated to be worth over $1 billion. The push to impose new controls on recreational use of cannabis comes after the Bhumjaithai Party, which championed its legalisation, withdrew from the ruling coalition. The new rules will come into effect once they are published in the Royal Gazette, which could happen within days. Three years ago, Thailand became one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalise the recreationalUse of cannabis, but without any comprehensive rules to govern the sector. The cannabis sector could have transformed Thai agriculture, medicine and tourism, but uncertainty and policy reversals have stymied any sustainable growth, said cannabis activist Chokwan Kitty Chopaka.
Item 1 of 5 Customers buy cannabis at a cannabis shop on Sukhumvit Road, one of the most popular tourist spots in Bangkok, Thailand, June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
BANGKOK, June 25 (Reuters) – Thailand’s government is moving to recriminalise cannabis, plunging into limbo an industry estimated to be worth over $1 billion that has boomed since the substance was taken off the country’s narcotics list in 2022.
The push to impose new controls on recreational use of cannabis comes after the Bhumjaithai Party, which championed its legalisation, withdrew from the ruling coalition last week following Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s apparent mishandling of a border row with Cambodia
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Late on Tuesday, Thailand’s health ministry issued an order prohibiting the sale of cannabis for recreational use and making it mandatory for any retail purchase to require a doctor’s prescription.
The new rules will come into effect once they are published in the Royal Gazette, which could happen within days.
“Cannabis will be classified as a narcotic in the future,” Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said on Tuesday.
Three years ago, Thailand became one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalise the recreational use of cannabis, but without any comprehensive rules to govern the sector.
Since then, tens of thousands of shops and businesses selling cannabis have sprung up across Thailand, many of them located in the country’s tourism hubs.
Thai Chamber of Commerce previously estimated the industry, which includes medicinal products, could be worth $1.2 billion by 2025.
Unregulated access to cannabis has created serious social problems, particularly for children and young people, said government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub.
“The policy must return to its original goal of controlling cannabis for medical use only,” Jirayu said in a statement.
The recriminalisation push has left some cannabis industry members like Punnathat Phutthisawong, who works at the Green House Thailand dispensary in Bangkok, stunned.
“This is my main source of income,” Punnathat, 25, told Reuters. “Many shops are probably just as shocked because a lot of them invested heavily.”
The cannabis sector could have transformed Thai agriculture, medicine and tourism, but uncertainty and policy reversals have stymied any sustainable growth, said cannabis activist Chokwan Kitty Chopaka.
“The cannabis industry has become a hostage to politics,” she said.
On Wednesday, there was still a steady trickle of customers – mainly tourists – coming into cannabis shops in Bangkok’s Khao San Road area, among them Daniel Wolf, who is visiting from Australia.
“There are shops everywhere, so how do they reverse this? I don’t think they can,” he said, ” It’s absolutely insane.”
Reporting by Napat Wesshasartar, Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Devjyot Ghoshal and Raju Gopalakrishnan
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Thailand Caught in Cannabis Crossfire: Legalization U-Turn Shakes Booming Industry
Thailand’s move to recriminalise cannabis throws a thriving industry, estimated at over $1 billion, into uncertainty. Initially removed from the narcotics list in 2022, cannabis shops sprouted across the nation. The health ministry has announced an upcoming order requiring a doctor’s prescription for cannabis purchases.
The policy change follows political upheaval, notably the Bhumjaithai Party’s exit from the ruling coalition, amidst criticism of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s handling of a Cambodia border dispute. The health ministry has announced an upcoming order requiring a doctor’s prescription for cannabis purchases, with further classifications anticipated in the Royal Gazette shortly.
This decision has caught the cannabis sector off-guard, with business owners and activists expressing concern over the potential impact on agriculture, medicine, and tourism. While tourists continue to frequent cannabis shops, many are puzzled over how the government plans to reverse the widespread availability of the substance.
(With inputs from agencies.)
Thailand moves to re-criminalise cannabis, shaking US$1bil industry
Thailand’s health ministry issued an order prohibiting the sale of cannabis for recreational use. The move plunges into limbo an industry estimated to be worth over US$1 billion that has boomed since the substance was taken off the country’s narcotics list in 2022. The push to impose new controls on recreational use of cannabis comes after the Bhumjaithai Party, which championed its legalisation, withdrew from the ruling coalition last week. The new rules will come into effect once they are published in the royal gazette, which could happen within days, health minister Somsak Thepsuthin said.
BANGKOK : Thailand’s government is moving to re-criminalise cannabis, plunging into limbo an industry estimated to be worth over US$1 billion that has boomed since the substance was taken off the country’s narcotics list in 2022.
The push to impose new controls on recreational use of cannabis comes after the Bhumjaithai Party, which championed its legalisation, withdrew from the ruling coalition last week following Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s apparent mishandling of a border row with Cambodia.
Late yesterday, Thailand’s health ministry issued an order prohibiting the sale of cannabis for recreational use and making it mandatory for any retail purchase to require a doctor’s prescription.
The new rules will come into effect once they are published in the royal gazette, which could happen within days.
“Cannabis will be classified as a narcotic in the future,” health minister Somsak Thepsuthin said yesterday.
Three years ago, Thailand became one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalise the recreational use of cannabis, but without any comprehensive rules to govern the sector.
Since then, tens of thousands of shops and businesses selling cannabis have sprung up across Thailand, many of them located in the country’s tourism hubs.
Thai Chamber of Commerce previously estimated the industry, which includes medicinal products, could be worth US$1.2 billion by 2025.
Unregulated access to cannabis has created serious social problems, particularly for children and young people, said government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub.
“The policy must return to its original goal of controlling cannabis for medical use only,” Jirayu said in a statement.
The re-criminalisation push has left some cannabis industry members like Punnathat Phutthisawong, who works at the Green House Thailand dispensary in Bangkok, stunned.
“This is my main source of income,” Punnathat, 25, told Reuters.
“Many shops are probably just as shocked because a lot of them invested heavily.”
The cannabis sector could have transformed Thai agriculture, medicine and tourism, but uncertainty and policy reversals have stymied any sustainable growth, said cannabis activist Chokwan Kitty Chopaka.
“The cannabis industry has become a hostage to politics,” she said.
Today, there was still a steady trickle of customers – mainly tourists – coming into cannabis shops in Bangkok’s Khao San Road area, among them Daniel Wolf, who is visiting from Australia.
“There are shops everywhere, so how do they reverse this? I don’t think they can,” he said.
“It’s absolutely insane.”
Thai cannabis stores fear for their future
Move by the government to recriminalise cannabis is shaking up $1-billion industry. An estimated 18,000 weed shops have opened in the country since cannabis was decriminalised in June 2022. The move by the Pheu Thai government is expected to plunge into limbo an industry estimated to be worth over $1 billion. The new rules will come into effect once they are published in the Royal Gazette, which could happen within days. The push for new controls on recreational use of cannabis comes just days after the Bhumjaithai Party, which had championed its legalisation, withdrew from the ruling coalition amid a long-running political dispute. It is not necessary to put cannabis back on the narcotics list to drive the wellness and medical industry, said a manager of a cannabis store in Phuket. Instead, the government should focus on regulating shops that do not have licences or standard measures. If possible, it should also consider relief measures for affected operators, who have already invested in the business, said Mr Pongchanok.
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A cannabis shop and bar in Chaweng on the southern Thai tourist island of Koh Samui. An estimated 18,000 weed shops have opened in the country since cannabis was decriminalised in June 2022. (Photo: Per Meistrup via Wikimedia Commons)
Tourism operators expect many cannabis stores across Thailand to be shuttered, especially in urban areas, leaving only those that supply the herb for medical purposes, as the government moves to recriminalise the plant.
The Ministry of Public Health issued an order late on Tuesday prohibiting the sale of cannabis for recreational use and making it mandatory for any retail purchase to require a doctor’s prescription.
The new rules will come into effect once they are published in the Royal Gazette, which could happen within days.
“Cannabis will be classified as a narcotic in the future,” Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin declared on Tuesday.
The move by the Pheu Thai government is expected to plunge into limbo an industry estimated to be worth over $1 billion that has boomed since cannabis was taken off the country’s narcotics list in 2022.
The push for new controls on recreational use of cannabis comes just days after the Bhumjaithai Party, which had championed its legalisation, withdrew from the ruling coalition amid a long-running political dispute.
Unfettered recreational use of cannabis has led to many complaints in some parts of the country, especially in tourist areas like Phuket, where there are an estimated 1,500 weed shops.
Nationwide, there are about 18,000 cannabis shops and a surge in cannabis-related health issues has become noticeable, said Damrongkieat Pinijkarn, secretary of the Pattaya Entertainment Association.
He said the new rules would foster a better tourism and living atmosphere in Pattaya.
Over the past three years, he said, many cannabis stores have exploited the absence of a law or any clear regulations to sell weed in all parts of the seaside resort city, putting locals and children at risk, said Mr Damrongkieat.
Many tourists and locals have complained about weed smoking in public areas, such as on the streets and beaches, disturbing their well-being, he added.
After former prime minister Srettha Thavisin attempted unsuccessfully to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, some cannabis store operators decided to close their shops, said Mr Damrongkieat.
The latest development would prompt more of them to quit, he said, if it is backed up by stricter regulations and enforcement to stop practices that sometimes include bribing police to look the other way.
He said the police can now arrest both operators and smokers who clearly violate the current regulations.
Eventually, Mr Damrongkieat said, the number of cannabis stores is expected to decline to a level that actually matches the demand for medical purposes.
He also stressed that the government should clearly communicate to foreigners how the new stricter rules will be applied. If possible, it should also consider relief measures for affected operators, who have already invested in the business. (Story continues below)
A medical cannabis clinic in the government-run Koh Samui Hospital. (Photo: Per Meistrup via Wikimedia Commons)
Rule deemed ‘unnecessary’
Pongchanok Wisetraksakul, operations manager of a cannabis store in Phuket, said it is not necessary to put cannabis back on the narcotics list to drive the wellness and medical industry.
Instead, he said, the government should focus on regulating shops that do not have licences or standard measures.
Mr Pongchanok said that while his store is ready to comply with the new rules, many others are left frustrated, since no relief measures have been offered if they have to close down.
He said operators of the majority of the stores that have opened in Phuket have yet to recover their investment.
The average budget for a store runs from 500,000 baht up to 10 million baht.
Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, vice-president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said the new regulation should make tourists feel more comfortable, particularly seniors and families with children.
To curb widespread consumption, he said the government could also initiate a proper zoning for cannabis stores.
Unregulated access to cannabis has created serious social problems, particularly for children and young people, said government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub.
“The policy must return to its original goal of controlling cannabis for medical use only,” he said in a statement.
The new push has left some cannabis industry participants, like Punnathat Phutthisawong, who works at the Green House Thailand dispensary in Bangkok, stunned.
“This is my main source of income,” said Punnathat, 25. “Many shops are probably just as shocked because a lot of them invested heavily.”
The cannabis sector could have transformed Thai agriculture, medicine and tourism, but uncertainty and policy reversals have stymied any sustainable growth, said cannabis activist Chokwan “Kitty” Chopaka.
“The cannabis industry has become a hostage to politics,” she said.
On Wednesday, there was still a steady trickle of customers — mainly tourists — coming into cannabis shops in Bangkok’s Khao San Road area, among them Daniel Wolf, who is visiting from Australia.
“There are shops everywhere, so how do they reverse this? I don’t think they can,” he said, “It’s absolutely insane.”