By Nop Meechukhun

 

Bangkok – Suphachai Jaismut, Bhumjaithai party-listed MP and member of the Cannabis Act Drafting Committee, insisted that the decriminalization of cannabis and hemp will become a new tourism trend for Thailand rather than a negative soft power.

 

He wrote his statement online yesterday, July 14th, that marijuana will definitely become a soft power for the country and a new kind of tourist attraction.

 

He stated: “The proof is that despite pushing the legalization of cannabis that the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand expects about 430,000 flights to Thailand by the end of the year. This indicates that tourists are not concerned about the cannabis policy. They must have studied what one can and cannot do whilst in Thailand before traveling here. They must already be aware of marijuana and they must already know where its usage limit is.”

 

Suphachai also mentioned ‘Cannabis Tourism’ previously applied in several countries and the ‘2020 MMGY Travel Intelligence and Enlighten Strategies’ survey which revealed that 29 percent of leisure travelers are interested in cannabis-related tourism.

 

Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/07/15/cannabis-and-hemp-will-become-a-top-new-tourism-trend-in-thailand-and-a-positive-soft-power-bhumjaithai-mp-says/

 

-- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-07-16

 

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What could possibly go wrong

I agree. This is the best thing for Thailand branding since sliced rice. Keep it up. Don't stop. Same sex marriage next? Also I think the government should try to stimulate the film industry to create some products targeted more internationally than domestically (maybe even two versions of the same movies). Look what Korea did. There is a lot of talent here.

11 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

What could possibly go wrong

Affluenza? 

All the high value multi millionaire tourists packing their bongs into  LV luggage as we speak .

3 minutes ago, Willy Wombat said:

All the high value multi millionaire tourists packing their bongs into  LV luggage as we speak .

And why wouldn't they?

Thailand is out Amsterdamning Amsterdam with better weather and better food.

"I paid 3000 Tb to become lawman! Now, you cut me out of brick-weed deal!"

Jump back in the alley with Sally. The Pol's became fed-up with working for criminals. So they've joined-up with them, instead. 

2 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

What could possibly go wrong

You maybe able to go for extra happy ending with Bong 

TAT new slogan " Come to Thailand, enjoy our cheap booz, food and the abundece of recently legalized weeds, all the while in the companey of our young ladie, stone throw away from cheap hotels and beutiful beaches"...

Yep, new tourism draw card for all the wrong reasons.

 

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I agree. This is the best thing for Thailand branding since sliced rice. Keep it up. Don't stop. Same sex marriage next? Also I think the government should try to stimulate the film industry to create some products targeted more internationally than domestically (maybe even two versions of the same movies). Look what Korea did. There is a lot of talent here.

And if they legalise bestiality too then all the soi dogs could become another attraction to those so inclined. Yep there are still so many levels for them to sink too, if only they put their minds to it ????

Yes, now it will be full of back backing, weed loving hippies - and not the elite high rollers. 

 

Personally if Thailand becomes a weed hub and I had big money - I'd avoid Thailand like the plague

 

From this to this in one generation .

   

Help me break this down. Having trouble fleshing out the target demographic for cannabis tourism.

 

Digital nomads, kids traveling abroad for the first time, Full Moon party aficionados? Connoisseurs of sensual pleasures [polite euphemism for party animals]? People from European, Islamic and other countries with super strict marijuana laws? If that's who's going to ultimately be attracted to Thailand, is there any risk that tourists who aren't interested in marijuana will be alienated from coming to Thailand because of the perceived image that Thailand has become the pot-head capital of Asia?

 

In my opinion it's doubtful that millennials with young families, high-end tourists, aging baby boomers, tourists from neighboring ASEAN countries, China, India, etc. are going to be flocking to Thailand because of the legalization of marijuana. Most baby-boomers I know, even though most have done more than their fair share of smoking weed in their younger years, are far too protective of their respiratory, cardio-vascular and cognitive health to jump back heavily into that lifestyle.

 

I also don't understand how this fits in with Thailand's stated aspiration to become an attractive high-end destination, or how it will further Thailand's academic advancement, or help to improve traffic safety. Again, all of which are claimed as goals by the Thai government.

 

I frankly doubt this is going to be a positive for Thailand's overall tourism image. Once again, Thailand's almost all-male government has failed to appreciate that it is the underlying charm and warmth of the Thai people which have made Thailand the attractive destination it is renowned for being. Looking beyond the excesses of the red-light districts, it is the friendliness and openness of the Thai people which has attracted visitors from around the world.

 

Yes, nowadays, everybody has their head buried in their smart-phone, and social media has done tremendous damage to Thai society and culture, but encouraging and promoting pot smoking is not going to help reverse these already pronounced anti-social and social alienation trends.

 

Finally, it also undermines Buddhist and Islamic values, which play an important role in social and cultural cohesion and identity.

 

So, yes, I do think finding contradictions and hypocrisy here is a bit like shooting fish in a barrel.

 

Edited July 16, 20223 yr by Gecko123

And let’s keep those types of high quality tourists coming.  
 

Never saw anyone that looked like the top photo in Thailand.

 

That's the guy on the right.

 

Most of the Farangs I've seen look like the guy on the left.

 

Which yacht club do you spend 100% of your time at? ????

 

Edited July 16, 20223 yr by SiSePuede419

17 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

Help me break this down. Having trouble fleshing out the target demographic for cannabis tourism.

 

Digital nomads, kids traveling abroad for the first time, Full Moon party aficionados? Connoisseurs of sensual pleasures [polite euphemism for party animals]? People from European, Arab and other countries with super strict marijuana laws? If that's who's going to ultimately be attracted to Thailand, is there any risk that tourists who aren't interested in marijuana will be alienated from coming to Thailand because of the perceived image that Thailand has become the pot-head capital of Asia?

 

In my opinion it's doubtful that millennials with young families, high-end tourists, aging baby boomers, tourists from neighboring ASEAN countries, China, India, etc. are going to be flocking to Thailand because of the legalization of marijuana. Most baby-boomers I know, even though most have done more than their fair share of smoking weed, are too protective of their respiratory, cardio-vascular and cognitive health to jump back heavily into that lifestyle.

 

I also don't understand how this fits in with Thailand's stated aspiration to become an attractive high-end destination, or how it will further Thailand's academic advancement, or help to improve traffic safety. Again, all of which are claimed as goals by the Thai government.

 

I frankly doubt this is going to be a positive for Thailand's overall tourism image. Once again, Thailand's almost all-male government has failed to appreciate that it is the underlying charm and warmth of the Thai people which has made Thailand the attractive destination it is renowned for being. Looking beyond the excesses of the red-light districts, it is the friendliness and openness of the Thai people which has attracted visitors from around the world.

 

Yes, nowadays, everybody has their head buried in their smart-phone, and social media has done tremendous damage to Thai society and culture, but encouraging and promoting pot smoking is not going to help reverse these already pronounced anti-social and social alienation trends.

 

Finally, it also undermines Buddhist and Islamic values, which play an important role in social and cultural cohesion and identity.

 

So, yes, I do think finding contradictions and hypocrisy here is a bit like shooting fish in a barrel.

 

While I agree with a lot you say, numbers and stats show a different trend.  I saw a 2018 stat on Thai tourism that pegged 60+% males from the west cine here for the girls, beer, and partying.  If that trend continues, pot will just add to that demographic.  

 

And yes, Thai people can be friendly and welcoming in tourist orientated towns.  Their livelihood depends on it.  But in all my years listening to friends and family who traveled here, few talk about the Thai people as being a big draw.  Some truthfully felt Thai were rude and discriminatory.   But for the men, and from what I've seen, I agree with the stats, Thai women are the big draw.

"top tourism trend" ha ha yes for potheads and back packers. You are welcome to them Thailand.

5 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

What could possibly go wrong

Can just see the new slogan for "Travel Thailand, sex AND drugs now" dont forget your wallet.

Yes, the pot heads fits nicely into the strategic intent of moving from a low cost tourism backpacker segment to a more affluent premium traveller and wealthy family segment ....... or have I misunderstood. With recent changes, Singaporeans have already been warned if that if they test positive for drugs on return to SG from Thailand, they will be fined and imprisoned.     

4 hours ago, Jingthing said:

And why wouldn't they?

Thailand is out Amsterdamning Amsterdam with better weather and better food.

Yeah look how it's turned out for Amsterdam???? 

5 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Affluenza? 

Affluenza for who? not the masses that's sure

6 hours ago, webfact said:

They must have studied what one can and cannot do whilst in Thailand before traveling here

Not even the government has a clue how to handle it... Let alone any tourist that comes to Thailand.
I expect major flaws. 

".............the decriminalization of cannabis and hemp will become a new tourism trend for Thailand rather than a negative soft power."

 

Next paragraph:-

"He wrote his statement online yesterday, July 14th, that marijuana will definitely become a soft power for the country"

 

Think he's been smoking it already - must be the quickest turnaraounds on record!!!

 

 

like there was no cannabis in Thailand before 9 June? LOL. And I am sure most turists know that, so not much has change, expect it is legal now ????

All we need now are opium dens and we'll be back to the good old daze ????

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

Yes, now it will be full of back backing, weed loving hippies - and not the elite high rollers. 

 

Personally if Thailand becomes a weed hub and I had big money - I'd avoid Thailand like the plague

 

From this to this in one generation .

   

Well done you! post a picture of Neil from a mid eighties sitcom. You anti weed people are so annoying, you know <deleted> all about the subject and post these ridiculous outdated stereotypes. Plenty of people with money smoking pot. 

5 hours ago, Willy Wombat said:

All the high value multi millionaire tourists packing their bongs into  LV luggage as we speak .

I think they can afford expensive vaping devices so they can enjoy their 5 star hotel holidays on the balcony. Some posters are so behind the times when it comes to marijuana.

 

Rooster

I wonder now if Sheesha is going to be included into the government line of approved-logic...??

2 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

Help me break this down. Having trouble fleshing out the target demographic for cannabis tourism.

 

Digital nomads, kids traveling abroad for the first time, Full Moon party aficionados? Connoisseurs of sensual pleasures [polite euphemism for party animals]? People from European, Islamic and other countries with super strict marijuana laws? If that's who's going to ultimately be attracted to Thailand, is there any risk that tourists who aren't interested in marijuana will be alienated from coming to Thailand because of the perceived image that Thailand has become the pot-head capital of Asia?

 

In my opinion it's doubtful that millennials with young families, high-end tourists, aging baby boomers, tourists from neighboring ASEAN countries, China, India, etc. are going to be flocking to Thailand because of the legalization of marijuana. Most baby-boomers I know, even though most have done more than their fair share of smoking weed in their younger years, are far too protective of their respiratory, cardio-vascular and cognitive health to jump back heavily into that lifestyle.

 

I also don't understand how this fits in with Thailand's stated aspiration to become an attractive high-end destination, or how it will further Thailand's academic advancement, or help to improve traffic safety. Again, all of which are claimed as goals by the Thai government.

 

I frankly doubt this is going to be a positive for Thailand's overall tourism image. Once again, Thailand's almost all-male government has failed to appreciate that it is the underlying charm and warmth of the Thai people which have made Thailand the attractive destination it is renowned for being. Looking beyond the excesses of the red-light districts, it is the friendliness and openness of the Thai people which has attracted visitors from around the world.

 

Yes, nowadays, everybody has their head buried in their smart-phone, and social media has done tremendous damage to Thai society and culture, but encouraging and promoting pot smoking is not going to help reverse these already pronounced anti-social and social alienation trends.

 

Finally, it also undermines Buddhist and Islamic values, which play an important role in social and cultural cohesion and identity.

 

So, yes, I do think finding contradictions and hypocrisy here is a bit like shooting fish in a barrel.

 

Don't you realise, Its not going to be compulsory to smoke cannabis, Just as its not compulsory to drink alcohol. nobody is going to be alienated, and nothing will change. What are you so worried about?

                    Don't you  also think that the availability of alcohol may well attract some "undesirables" along with alienating families, upsetting Muslim and Buddist sensitivities,  increasing road accidents and compromising the academic development of the young ?

                     I would imagine the target demographic would be responsible users who enjoy cannabis ,along with others who maybe don't.  The idea of a "Pothead" Sodom and Gomorrah exists only in the warped imagination of people like you who really don't have a clue what they are talking about

                     So social media is also detrimental to Thai culture and here you are posting your usual  whinge on....social media  ! Some might consider that a little hypocritical  How exactly is the use of cannabis going to increase " these already pronounced anti-social and social alienation trends."

                      Next in your sights for a whinge is the "almost all male government"  what are you a feminist ? Why on earth would a foreigner be in the least concerned about the gender make up of a countries government  nothing to do with you and more than a little bit arrogant like most of your post (s)

Maybe Thailand should just ban any sort of fun, like Saudi Arabia for example  and become a haven for you and your "cardio vascular" aware friends  that would be fun wouldn't it?

                      To be honest if the relaxation of cannabis laws discourages just one puritanical dinosaur like you (  and your "cardio vascular" aware friends )  from  from coming then it is definitely all been worth while   as far as I am concerned

8 hours ago, webfact said:

He stated: “The proof is that despite pushing the legalization of cannabis that the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand expects about 430,000 flights to Thailand by the end of the year. This indicates that tourists are not concerned about the cannabis policy. They must have studied what one can and cannot do whilst in Thailand before traveling here. They must already be aware of marijuana and they must already know where its usage limit is.”

La la land... they must be smokin already, or vaping?