Calls to make Khao San Road a "Marijuana Hub of Thailand" - but hawker leader disagrees

[webfact]

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported on the visit of Suphachai Jaisamut to Khao San Road in Bangkok last night. Suphachai heads the committee looking into the provisions of the Cannabis Act that is due to specify the law regarding marijuana in the coming months.

 

The drug and hemp was legalized on June 9th and since then dispensaries, street stall and vans have popped up in many places not least of all the popular tourist area of Khao San Road.

 

But as Suphachai made his tour of places selling marijuana and putting it in food he was confronted by Yada Pornpetchrampha who heads the Khao San Road Hawkers' Association.

 

She said that she disagreed with the head of the Khao San Traders' Association Sanga Reuangrattanakul who reportedly stated that he wants the area to be a "Ganja Hub" of Thailand. 

 

Suphachai assured her that the new law will look into all aspects of "Free Marijuana" throughout the country and that creating a hub "would not be easy".

 

Earlier the committee chairman had said that the laws being formulated would satisfy all concerns expressed by people in Thai society and foreigners looking in from abroad. 

 

He stressed that nothing is free of regulation. He pointed to the smoking of regular cigarettes  that are banned in many places and whose sale is restricted to the under 20s. 

 

"You even need to use a Zebra crossing to cross the road," he observed. 

 

That off-the-cuff analogy may not have been the best in the circumstances, suggests ASEAN NOW. Zebra crossing laws are almost universally flouted in Thailand. 

 

He said that total marijuana freedom was a misnomer as he advised businesses in the area that they must not sell to teens or pregnant women and those putting the drug in food need to clearly state what they are doing with signage. 

 

The overriding message from Suphachai, for now at least, was not to abuse the new freedoms surrounding marijuana, not to rock the boat and be sensible. 

 

He suggested that one of the laws is likely to be specific licences for "marijuana vans" selling the drug on the streets. 

 

He continued with the rhetoric that marijuana is for medical and economic reasons in Thailand. 

 

 

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[OneMoreFarang]

Good idea!

I never liked that backpacker Soi.

Hopefully all the stoned people will stay there.

[EVENKEEL]

They underestimated the public's enthusiasm for marijuana and (police) are now scrambling to get in on the action. Can't have the public making money without us (police) getting their cut.

[steven100]

24 minutes ago, webfact said:

"Free Marijuana" throughout the country

oh please  !       this has to be a joke .....     have they gone mad.

[Henryford]

Will really help attract quality tourists, make Thailand the pothead capital of the world.

[grain]

Ganja Hub of Thailand. Really? It was only a couple months ago they were babbling on about luring quality tourists. 

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He stressed that nothing is free of regulation. He pointed to the smoking of regular cigarettes  that are banned in many places and whose sale is restricted to the under 20s. 

 

"You even need to use a Zebra crossing to cross the road," he observed. 

Then get killed by a policeman on a m/c ...............

[ChrisY1]

Great....hundreds of stoned tourists....dozens of stone weed sellers....nothing to see here!

[aussiebrian]

1 hour ago, ChrisY1 said:

Great....hundreds of stoned tourists....dozens of stone weed sellers....nothing to see here!

A lot safer walking through there with hundreds of stoned tourists rather than hundreds of drunk tourists. 

 

[Denim]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He pointed to the smoking of regular cigarettes  that are banned in many places and whose sale is restricted to the under 20s. 

Yup ,  can't legally smoke a cigarette once you hit 21.   Until then no problemo.

[WinterGael]

This makes no sense.  My neighbour's son is a policeman.  This is what he told me:

 

1. Cannabis for recreational use is still illegal.  Thai or tourist, you caught using recreational (smoking or edibles above 0.02% THC), you will likely be arrested.

 

2.  The sale of consumables must show a THC content of no more than 0.02%.  If proven to be more than that, seller will be arrested.

 

3. Legalisation is for medical purposes only AND does not include foreigners, either resident or tourist.  If you have a medical condition whereby Cannabis can help, before you can legally use you need to get a license from Thai FDA.  If caught purchasing without a license, both buyer and seller can be arrested.

 

4.  Legalisation laws only pertain to Thai citizens with regard to growing, pension of plants, production, and sale.  The only exception is that a Thai startup may apply for a foreign partner whose stake is no more than 33% ownership if said foreign partner can be shown to have knowledge and expertise that Thai owner does not have.

 

These issues have also been addressed in Western news reports warning their citizens to be wary of using and/or purchasing Cannabis products in Thailand.

 

So, the question is, why are so many expats and tourists jumping on the bandwagon.  It seems a bit premature.

[BritManToo]

3 minutes ago, WinterGael said:

So, the question is, why are so many expats and tourists jumping on the bandwagon.  It seems a bit premature.

Because at the moment there's no restrictions of any kind, and there won't be before September/October (if then).

Obviously current smoking laws still apply which is fines for anyone smoking in public.

 

So buy your cannabis, but don't smoke it anywhere you can be seen.

Easy enough to understand and follow.

[phitsanulokjohn]

6 hours ago, Henryford said:

Will really help attract quality tourists, make Thailand the pothead capital of the world.

The marijuana is hardly going to be the quality of Amsterdam.As previously stated it's still illegal if it has a THC content(the ingredient that gets you stoned)higher than 0.2%.So the intake of such a low Thc content will be akin to trying to get drunk on a 0% non alcoholic beer.

[Bert got kinky]

2 minutes ago, phitsanulokjohn said:

The marijuana is hardly going to be the quality of Amsterdam.As previously stated it's still illegal if it has a THC content(the ingredient that gets you stoned)higher than 0.2%.So the intake of such a low Thc content will be akin to trying to get drunk on a 0% non alcoholic beer.

 

Please read the Cannabis threads.

THC of 20% to 30% is easily available here.

The 0.2% is for extracts only and the cannabis flowers are not currently classed as extracts.

 

[Burma Bill]

 Khao San to be Thailand's "Weed Hub"

 

For Japanese Knotweed???????

 

[Lemsta69]

6 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Good idea!

I never liked that backpacker Soi.

Hopefully all the stoned people will stay there.

it's not a Soi it's a Thanon. went there last week to Center Khao San, had a great time. had a lot of fun laughing at my grumpy old man buddy who couldn't handle a bit of Cardi B and Daddy Yankee from the young DJ. 

 

disappointed to see that nobody was openly smoking pot. in fact there were a heap of signs with a marijuana leaf inside a crossed red circle. I "should of" taken a photo to post here so all the "pot is bad mmkay" types could get excited about the young people being deprived of fun.

[daveAustin]

1 hour ago, phitsanulokjohn said:

The marijuana is hardly going to be the quality of Amsterdam.As previously stated it's still illegal if it has a THC content(the ingredient that gets you stoned)higher than 0.2%.So the intake of such a low Thc content will be akin to trying to get drunk on a 0% non alcoholic beer.

Reread the regs. 

[Shocked farang]

1 hour ago, WinterGael said:

This makes no sense.  My neighbour's son is a policeman.  This is what he told me:

 

1. Cannabis for recreational use is still illegal.  Thai or tourist, you caught using recreational (smoking or edibles above 0.02% THC), you will likely be arrested.

 

2.  The sale of consumables must show a THC content of no more than 0.02%.  If proven to be more than that, seller will be arrested.

 

3. Legalisation is for medical purposes only AND does not include foreigners, either resident or tourist.  If you have a medical condition whereby Cannabis can help, before you can legally use you need to get a license from Thai FDA.  If caught purchasing without a license, both buyer and seller can be arrested.

 

4.  Legalisation laws only pertain to Thai citizens with regard to growing, pension of plants, production, and sale.  The only exception is that a Thai startup may apply for a foreign partner whose stake is no more than 33% ownership if said foreign partner can be shown to have knowledge and expertise that Thai owner does not have.

 

These issues have also been addressed in Western news reports warning their citizens to be wary of using and/or purchasing Cannabis products in Thailand.

 

So, the question is, why are so many expats and tourists jumping on the bandwagon.  It seems a bit premature.

Your policeman source is most likely to be flawed as most policemen are high school dropouts with low intelligence levels... 

[KannikaP]

1 hour ago, phitsanulokjohn said:

The marijuana is hardly going to be the quality of Amsterdam.As previously stated it's still illegal if it has a THC content(the ingredient that gets you stoned)higher than 0.2%.So the intake of such a low Thc content will be akin to trying to get drunk on a 0% non alcoholic beer.

Winter gael said 0.02 but you say 0.2......ten times more.

which is it

[Okis]

1 hour ago, WinterGael said:

This makes no sense.  My neighbour's son is a policeman.  This is what he told me:

 

1. Cannabis for recreational use is still illegal.  Thai or tourist, you caught using recreational (smoking or edibles above 0.02% THC), you will likely be arrested.

 

2.  The sale of consumables must show a THC content of no more than 0.02%.  If proven to be more than that, seller will be arrested.

 

3. Legalisation is for medical purposes only AND does not include foreigners, either resident or tourist.  If you have a medical condition whereby Cannabis can help, before you can legally use you need to get a license from Thai FDA.  If caught purchasing without a license, both buyer and seller can be arrested.

 

4.  Legalisation laws only pertain to Thai citizens with regard to growing, pension of plants, production, and sale.  The only exception is that a Thai startup may apply for a foreign partner whose stake is no more than 33% ownership if said foreign partner can be shown to have knowledge and expertise that Thai owner does not have.

 

These issues have also been addressed in Western news reports warning their citizens to be wary of using and/or purchasing Cannabis products in Thailand.

 

So, the question is, why are so many expats and tourists jumping on the bandwagon.  It seems a bit premature.

Imagine a world full of people with the unbeatable desire to feel important and to satisfy this urge/desire they just make <deleted> up and tell these crazy stories to their fellows without any kind of remorse nor shame. 

 

Yes, that is the reality we live in ????

[phetpeter]

Thailand ceartainly doesn't want or required the backpackers coming to Thailand, and developing the weed hub for them, What is a great idea doesn't need pothead, swarming around. the fact it has made the freedom of use for medical comfort, not for the great unwashed to lay around abusing it. The street is already a disgrace, and doesn't reflect the beauty and benifits of visiting Thaiand. look how Holland handles these people, they are not allowed to hang around puffing in public it is managed in a sensible way, with licensed coffee shops,  and like drunks they are handled in a way that keeps it under control and fined and deported if they fail to keep the respect required. its bad enough having the free for all at the full moon parties.

[MarcusL]

8 hours ago, Henryford said:

Will really help attract quality tourists, make Thailand the pothead capital of the world.

Henry, please define in your own words, what exactly a quality tourist is?

 

 

[jingjai9]

It is hard for me to believe that we will not see vendors selling pot by the joint via word of mouth. I was in Amsterdam in the late 1980s and as I recall pot was not advertised. You found the sellers by word of mouth. I think that is where Thailand is heading once the government devises laws controlling sales, etc. It seemed to work in Amsterdam.

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, Lemsta69 said:

it's not a Soi it's a Thanon. went there last week to Center Khao San, had a great time. had a lot of fun laughing at my grumpy old man buddy who couldn't handle a bit of Cardi B and Daddy Yankee from the young DJ. 

 

disappointed to see that nobody was openly smoking pot. in fact there were a heap of signs with a marijuana leaf inside a crossed red circle. I "should of" taken a photo to post here so all the "pot is bad mmkay" types could get excited about the young people being deprived of fun.

Thanks, you prove my point.

[San Fran Dan]

9 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Good idea!

I never liked that backpacker Soi.

Hopefully all the stoned people will stay there.

Well maybe drink your beer in moobaan NoWhere , better we not observe your odd behavior 

[San Fran Dan]

56 minutes ago, phetpeter said:

Thailand ceartainly doesn't want or required the backpackers coming to Thailand, and developing the weed hub for them, What is a great idea doesn't need pothead, swarming around. the fact it has made the freedom of use for medical comfort, not for the great unwashed to lay around abusing it. The street is already a disgrace, and doesn't reflect the beauty and benifits of visiting Thaiand. look how Holland handles these people, they are not allowed to hang around puffing in public it is managed in a sensible way, with licensed coffee shops,  and like drunks they are handled in a way that keeps it under control and fined and deported if they fail to keep the respect required. its bad enough having the free for all at the full moon parties.

Then stay in your moobaan if that terrified , drink alone 

[San Fran Dan]

44 minutes ago, MarcusL said:

Henry, please define in your own words, what exactly a quality tourist is?

 

 

Well USA already is with Jolland and Germany, hide in your moobaan 

[San Fran Dan]

1 hour ago, Okis said:

Imagine a world full of people with the unbeatable desire to feel important and to satisfy this urge/desire they just make <deleted> up and tell these crazy stories to their fellows without any kind of remorse nor shame. 

 

Yes, that is the reality we live in ????

Go back to your Cave Boomer crack some whiskey you’ll feel better 

[San Fran Dan]

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

Winter gael said 0.02 but you say 0.2......ten times more.

which is it

I’m smoking more than 25% you need to upgrade 

[RichardColeman]

Long haired hippy back-packers and weed hub ?  Sounds like a marriage made in heaven to me - and on the plus side its miles away from me too !