A Minor Pot Bust Can Get You Permenantly Banned From Thailand?

[bkkmadness]

Yep, us proud British made a lot of money drug dealing.

In response to the OP, if you get caught with drugs you might get off with a fine, you might go to jail and/or you might get deported. I expect it depends on the circumstances of your arrest.

[Jet Gorgon]

Anyone who has anything to do with drugs in Thailand or SEA is stupid.

I believe that Britmaverick has the TKO in this match.

Do not do drugs here! I never allow people to smoke ganga in my house, balcony or garden. Don't tarnish my sterling reputation with my neighbours! My dog tries to do that by chasing their chickens.

Also, if someone dislikes you enough, they will ring the police and tell them when you are toking, and, it's so long, it's been nice to know ya.

[terry57]

Anyone who has anything to do with drugs in Thailand or SEA is stupid.

I believe that Britmaverick has the TKO in this match.

Do not do drugs here! I never allow people to smoke ganga in my house, balcony or garden. Don't tarnish my sterling reputation with my neighbours! My dog tries to do that by chasing their chickens.

Also, if someone dislikes you enough, they will ring the police and tell them when you are toking, and, it's so long, it's been nice to know ya.

thats a good idea Miss Gordon,

the law in thailand states, that if someone is toking on in your garden and you are only having a cup of tea you also are guilty of the same crime.

this is called guilty by association and one must be very careful if they have a drug taking friend.

[Jet Gorgon]

thats a good idea Miss Gordon,

the law in thailand states, that if someone is toking on in your garden and you are only having a cup of tea you also are guilty of the same crime.

this is called guilty by association and one must be very careful if they have a drug taking friend.

Yo, Terry, wanna be my neighbour?

What you say is true. Also, I know people will plant stuff at your house if you are an undesirable and then call the boys to come getcha. They will wave goodbye and then rifle your home for new decorations.

Don't forget, Terry dear, my name is GorGon not gorDon. Like my great to the 15th power auntie, Medusa. One more slip and I will be forced to deliver a Nong Toom to your head.

[terry57]

thats a good idea Miss Gordon,

the law in thailand states, that if someone is toking on in your garden and you are only having a cup of tea you also are guilty of the same crime.

this is called guilty by association and one must be very careful if they have a drug taking friend.

Yo, Terry, wanna be my neighbour?

What you say is true. Also, I know people will plant stuff at your house if you are an undesirable and then call the boys to come getcha. They will wave goodbye and then rifle your home for new decorations.

Don't forget, Terry dear, my name is GorGon not gorDon. Like my great to the 15th power auntie, Medusa. One more slip and I will be forced to deliver a Nong Toom to your head.

sorry about that mate. :D

dont want to tackle with the all powerful auntie madusa.

[Jet Gorgon]

mEdusa, Terry, mEdusa. Medusa. That's two. Have you been dipping into the sangsom already?

[kiakaha]

Someone told me that even a minor pot bust can get one banned from the country for life. Is this true?

1 microgram or 1 pound of pot...both quantitys are illegal.

AFAIC, you are plain stupid to do anything illegal in Thailand.

But that is one of the differences between those that suceed and those that fail in their Thailand related ambitions.

[DeathbyDurian]

How come the only people who ever seem to get busted for drugs are either:

A: Koh Phangan ravers

or

B: People trying to smuggle large quantities through the airport/elsewhere.

I've been here over two years and have never even heard one story of a 'regular ex-pat' getting busted for possession. Perhaps it's mostly newbies caught in the web?

[mogoso]

But maybe you do not come from a modern society and therefore have difficulties to understand the concept of human rights and due process, and its advantages.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your probably right I don't come from a modern society, I come from the US and as most western euros will tell you we're a backwater third world country. But I didn't say summarily executed, just that they should be, you put the human rights due process in there. But then again as English may not be your native tongue or maybe the your schools don't have good english departments, I'll certainly over look the interpretation

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And basically, no, hill tribes are not allowed to grow these substances and use them. They do that clandestinely, and get punished when caught. It is not just hill tribes who traditionally use Ganja, ethnic Thais do as well.

Opium was a relatively recent introduction into the area. It was introduced by the British who made lots of money by selling it to China in exchange for tea. Two wars in the mid 19th century were fought over this issue with China, which tried to refuse the British policy of selling opium. China lost the opium wars.

_____________________________________________________________________

I thought that Thailand a few years back changed the laws on this, but as I've seen it in several villiages in years past, including the touristy one at Doi Setup in Chiang Mai, it hasn't been more than 10 years ago. I did take photos and have them somewhere in my boxes of photos.

I did know of the opium wars, but really the illegalization of drugs began in the 1930's in the US and grew very quickly throughout the world.

Samuel Clemens in the 1800's liked cocaine so much he thought of going to South America to become an importer, but instead turned to literature.

[terry57]

mEdusa, Terry, mEdusa. Medusa. That's two. Have you been dipping into the sangsom already?

sorry Miss Gorgon,

urr, umm, no i have not had a drink yet, but sinse you mentioned it.

thanks mate.

[PhilHarries]

Regarding long term residents and regular user not being busted I can vaguely recall a couple of cases but, agreed, they are few and far between. However it has to be understood that doing drugs anywhere in the world means dealing with pretty well the dregs of society and in Thailand that includes the police. The police control the drugs trade and pick up bonusses for the drugs siezed during raids so it aint rocket science to make the connection. Add to that the regular p1ss tests in nightclubs, should you frequent such places , there is always a risk of getting caught plus, as mentioned, for regular users there is the risk of being grassed up (pun intended) by someone with a grudge.

If you do drugs in Thailand acknowledge and accept the risk, if you get caught take the rap and don't come back whinging about your situation as sympathy doesn't appear to be in plentyful supply on TV.

[dblaisde]

Thanks to the people who simply tried to answer the question, rather than moralise. I just wanted to know what the possible consequences were, and there seems to be a range of opinions, and of course enforcement varies depending on where you are--none on some of the islands and a very bad time in Bangkok. From what I've heard from people who know, the official penalties are not those in practice. A bust in Samui gets you a trip to the Surat jail. After a 50,000B bail (which you never get back), there's a 5,000 or so baht fine, and that's it. I don't know what your visa status will be after this though, which is why I asked the question. IMO there's no moral justification for these laws (alcohol is a more dangerous drug--look the drunk driving death stats for Thailand), but you can't ignore the laws either.

[Briggsy]

I think the reason that you hear about so few cases is that they normally end with large unreceipted payments being made to the police. That is not going to be reported.

You probably sensibly don't hang out with drug users thus you get no grapevine news.

Just in the last week, I was on a regular inter-city bus. The police came on and urine tested one well-dressed ethnic hill tribe. He had a Thai ID card. The test was conducted in full view of all bus passengers at the side of the road. There were no metabolites of amphetamines (?) in his urine so, 30 minutes later, he reboarded the bus and on we went.

In addition, police routinely stop and search around the Khao San area, particularly people smoking rollies.

[dantilley]

Yep, us proud British made a lot of money drug dealing.

In response to the OP, if you get caught with drugs you might get off with a fine, you might go to jail and/or you might get deported. I expect it depends on the circumstances of your arrest.

That just about sums it up. It depends on where you are smoking and upon the police office who catches you.

E.g. smoking on the streets of central Bangkok is pretty stupid and you can be sure to be arrested and dealt with harshly. But you can smoke pretty much freely with little risk of being caught on some islands such as Koh Tao, Koh Chang and Koh Lanta, some Koh Pha Ngan beaches (not Haad Rin though) and a few in-land places such as Pai in Mae Hong Son.

I'm pretty sure you can't be banned from Thailand for life for just a joint though.

[meadish_sweetball]

%

[tuky]

It wasn't that long ago that the police would shoot you on site.

I wonder if anyone will ever be held accountable for that.

On site or on sight ?

Same thing I suppose.

It should have been sight, but you are right, both work. The english language is weird like that.

[LivinLOS]

I am surprised to see Krathom included at the same level as weed and shrooms.. I thought that Krathom was a Thai thing and pretty much tolerated as long as discretely ??

I know that I jokingly asked in the local veggie / fruit shop and he happily said he had some out back and went and got a big cluster to proudly show me grinning away.. When I really didnt want any he tried to give me a free sample (what a pusher !!) to test.. There were other Thais in the shop and they all thought it hilarious..

My personal opinion is making plants and naturally occurring flora illegal or prohibited is pretty bizarre move for humanity but if you choose to live or visit a country you gotta understand their rules for crime and punishment.. Dont do the crime, unless.. etc..

[girlx]

the law in thailand states, that if someone is toking on in your garden and you are only having a cup of tea you also are guilty of the same crime. this is called guilty by association and one must be very careful if they have a drug taking friend.

is that right? ###### i'd better move out of my village!

The police came on and urine tested one well-dressed ethnic hill tribe. He had a Thai ID card. The test was conducted in full view of all bus passengers at the side of the road.

incredibly racist but i am not surprised.

I am surprised to see Krathom included at the same level as weed and shrooms..

all the old people, taxi drivers, and laborers chew kratom regularly around here. not to mention selling weed.

FYI more info on the Narcotics Act can be found here (click on the Narcotics Act link to read the PDF).

Personally, I think most of the world is realizing that weed is relatively harmless. Thailand has a much bigger problem with alcohol, and I would say secondarily, yaba.

Edited January 13, 2007 by girlx

[jbowman1993]

Someone told me that even a minor pot bust can get one banned from the country for life. Is this true?

Not sure about Thailand, but I am permanently banning you from my TV account, because you are such a TROLL! Bye Bye!

[sriracha john]

Posted on: 2006-09-15

Mr. Ward was previously arrested for drugs offences back in September 2005 where he was caught with Marijuana and Cialis tablets which he intended to export to customers in America and Australia.

This case is still pending.

The quantity of marijuana involved from his arrest the YEAR before?

Posted on: 2005-09-21

Thai police have arrested two Britons. Martin Ward, 39, and Paul Bangle, 42, were arrested with 10 kilograms of marijuana at Ward's home in Pattaya.

The need to say that court proceedings, punishments, and/or permanent banishments from Thailand in regards to marijuana are arbitrarily conducted is superfluous.

[Jimjim]

Anyone who has anything to do with drugs in Thailand or SEA is stupid.

That's a bit harsh. Perhaps just ignorant. But yeah, if you know what the consequences can be, then it's stupid. But many are just ignorant.

To respond to the original poster's question, I think it'd be a rare case that was banned from Thailand for a minor pot bust.

We all know drugs can get you in big trouble in Thailand, or should, and it does happen. However, a Thai friend of mine got caught at one of those club raids where they test everyone's urine. She had taken ecstacy. Finally, five years later she had to serve about 20 days in a drug rehab place and that was it. She had a good lawyer, though.

Just saying you're not always going to get the short end of the stick. The law in writing is often more harsh than the actual application in Thailand.

[Mid]

Anyone who has anything to do with drugs in Thailand or SEA is stupid.

I believe that Britmaverick has the TKO in this match.

Do not do drugs here! I never allow people to smoke ganga in my house, balcony or garden. Don't tarnish my sterling reputation with my neighbours! My dog tries to do that by chasing their chickens.

Also, if someone dislikes you enough, they will ring the police and tell them when you are toking, and, it's so long, it's been nice to know ya.

Alchol , tabacco are drugs , no ?

[dantilley]

Anyone who has anything to do with drugs in Thailand or SEA is stupid.

I believe that Britmaverick has the TKO in this match.

Do not do drugs here! I never allow people to smoke ganga in my house, balcony or garden. Don't tarnish my sterling reputation with my neighbours! My dog tries to do that by chasing their chickens.

Also, if someone dislikes you enough, they will ring the police and tell them when you are toking, and, it's so long, it's been nice to know ya.

Alchol , tabacco are drugs , no ?

Yes. Your point?

[Mid]

fallacies of generalizations ................................

carry on

[Robski]

Alchol , tabacco are drugs , no ?

No. They're misspelt words.

[Mid]

good point , never trust IE spell check .........................

never claimed to be able to spell either ...............

alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol

tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco

that enough teach ...........................

[Robski]

good point , never trust IE spell check .........................

never claimed to be able to spell either ...............

alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol alcohol

tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco tobacco

that enough teach ...........................

Much better. You just passed your first drug test...

[Mid]

[Jet Gorgon]

Re: "that enough teach"

Hmmm, grammar could use a good brushup, too.

[terry57]

Yep, us proud British made a lot of money drug dealing.

In response to the OP, if you get caught with drugs you might get off with a fine, you might go to jail and/or you might get deported. I expect it depends on the circumstances of your arrest.

That just about sums it up. It depends on where you are smoking and upon the police office who catches you.

E.g. smoking on the streets of central Bangkok is pretty stupid and you can be sure to be arrested and dealt with harshly. But you can smoke pretty much freely with little risk of being caught on some islands such as Koh Tao, Koh Chang and Koh Lanta, some Koh Pha Ngan beaches (not Haad Rin though) and a few in-land places such as Pai in Mae Hong Son.

I'm pretty sure you can't be banned from Thailand for life for just a joint though.

mate, i would love to see you pull out a joint on these islands and toke on in public.

many a time ive walked past the police station on koh tao and theres some farang banged up for getting caught.

there's plenty of smoke available, but one must still be very carefull where he lights up, as if a cop sees you its party time.

there are certain places that the cops stay away from as they have been payed off but outside these places farang are fair game.

get caught and you pay 60,000 baht to walk.