Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has warned that the country’s cannabis industry could be shut down if authorities conclude it is causing more harm than benefit, following a series of major international cannabis smuggling cases linked to Thailand.
Thaicultural experiences
Get today's headlines by email 
Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, promoting it as a medical crop with significant economic potential. Four years later, however, lawmakers are still debating cannabis control legislation, while recreational dispensaries have expanded and falling prices have pushed some growers towards illegal export markets.
Speaking to reporters, Anutin said the government must reassess its approach if cannabis continues to be smuggled abroad despite stricter enforcement. “No matter how strict our measures are, if people can still smuggle drugs out, we need to go back and reassess our approach,” he said. He added that Thailand must prevent other countries from blaming it as “the weak link” and said he was prepared to “shut down” the industry if necessary.
His comments follow several high-profile seizures. On 2 July, German customs announced they had dismantled a smuggling route transporting Thai cannabis to Europe by sea, seizing two shipments totalling 1.2 tonnes with an estimated street value of more than US$13 million. Investigators said the cannabis had been hidden inside containers of building materials and linked the operation to a German-Polish criminal group.
SoutheastAsians & Pacific Islanders
The same day, Indonesian authorities revealed they had seized 3.37 tonnes of cannabis buds from Thailand in East Java. The shipment was allegedly intended for cannabis vape products destined for Jakarta and Bali. Twelve suspects, including several Thai nationals, were arrested.
Authorities have also reported increasing numbers of British nationals arrested after attempting to fly home carrying cannabis in their luggage. Investigators say organised crime groups have recruited couriers through Telegram chat app, offering free holidays to Thailand in exchange for transporting drugs.
The UK Embassy in Thailand last week repeated its warning that travellers should never carry cannabis or packages for others, noting that those caught leaving Thailand with cannabis face fines of 30,000 baht per kilogram seized, with prison sentences possible if fines cannot be paid.
Hong Kong customs also arrested two travellers arriving from Thailand last week carrying suspected cannabis buds weighing 13kg and 10kg respectively. Thaicultural experiences
Thailand has already tightened domestic regulations by requiring cannabis dispensaries to hold licences and buyers to present medical certificates. Hundreds of dispensaries have reportedly closed, although recreational use remains widespread and the proposed Cannabis Bill is still progressing through parliament.
Some growers say the expected financial benefits never materialised. One former grower, identified only as Noi, said collapsing prices and criminal involvement had driven legitimate producers out of the market. She said cannabis prices had fallen from more than 10,000 baht per kilogram to around half that level and argued that the drug should be made illegal again.
ScMP reported that the government’s next steps are likely to depend on whether tighter controls and the proposed legislation can reduce illegal exports while preserving the legal medical cannabis sector.
Pictures courtesy of SCMP
Join the discussion? 
Adapted by ASEAN Now SCMP 8 July 2026
-
1
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment