Thailand to reassess recent reduction in meth penalties

[webfact]

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin affirmed yesterday that the government is open to reevaluating a recently announced policy which reduces penalties for individuals found with five or fewer methamphetamine pills. This statement follows the public disapproval that has arisen in response to the law, signed by Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew on February 9, which determines that anyone found with five or fewer methamphetamine tablets will be considered a user rather than a dealer.

 

The new possession limit has been met with significant criticism on social media, as many have argued that the quantity is excessive considering the country’s ongoing struggle with drug abuse. In response to the backlash, the 61 year old Thai PM has asked the public to remain patient and observe the policy’s effectiveness once it is applied.

 

“People should not possess any quantity of drugs, no matter if it’s five pills or one pill, but we will have to try the new policy and see if it works”

 

Prime Minister Srettha emphasized that the government is working relentlessly to address the drug issue as part of its national agenda. The current strategy involves enhanced efforts to curb drug smuggling across borders while promoting drug abuse rehabilitation.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-13

 

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[flyingtlger]

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin affirmed yesterday that the government is open to reevaluating a recently announced policy which reduces penalties for individuals found with five or fewer methamphetamine pills.

Things are DEFINITELY changing in Thailand.

For the better or for the worse?

[webfact]

Revised regulation on meth pill possession is nothing new – Health Minister

 

The Ministry of Public Health and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) have defended a revised ministerial regulation which treats a person who possesses five meth pills, instead of 15, as a drug abuser who requires rehabilitation.

 

Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said that the revised regulation is nothing new because it was enforced about 20 years ago, but was later amended to increase the number of meth pills, which would be considered possession for distribution, to 15, below which was for self-consumption.

 

He explained that possessing even one meth tablet is illegal, but authorities want to separate the drug users from the drug traders, so that those who possess not more than 5 meth pills will be subject to rehabilitation if they develop psychiatric symptoms. If they do not have symptoms, they can voluntarily undergo rehabilitation, he said.

 

The minister insisted that the government is determined to the tackle the drug problem within a year, by targeting both drug users and traffickers.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-02-13

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[Purdey]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

we will have to try the new policy and see if it works

Brilliant. Don't check if the policy has worked elsewhere in the world first. Reinvent the wheel again.

[Somrak]

I think much better ways worke in Switzerland.

Sick people should not be punished!