Poll Reveals Majority of Thais Back Reclassifying Marijuana as Illegal

[webfact]

 

A recent National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) poll reveals that most Thais support plans to reclassify marijuana as an illegal drug, though opinions on its benefits vary.

 

Conducted from May 14 to May 15, the NIDA poll surveyed 1,310 individuals aged 15 and over from various backgrounds. The results were somewhat mixed on how respondents view cannabis.

 

Over half, 53.74%, acknowledge marijuana as an illicit narcotic but believe it has medical benefits. Another 33.59% see it as a narcotic with no benefits at all, while 11.60% do not consider it illegal, and 1.07% were unsure.

 

When asked about the government's intention to reclassify marijuana as illegal, 60.38% completely agreed, and 15.27% moderately agreed. Conversely, 14.50% strongly disagreed, 8.93% moderately disagreed, and 0.92% were uncertain or uninterested.

 

 

On the broader cannabis policy, 74.58% believed it is aimed at medical purposes and treating illnesses. Meanwhile, 19.39% argued the government should not back any cannabis-related policies. About 10.53% felt the policy encourages legal cannabis product development, and 7.40% viewed it as a means to boost incomes. A smaller portion, 3.21%, saw it promoting recreational use, and 0.99% were unsure or indifferent.

 

This poll comes in light of Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's recent remarks on the cannabis debate. He expressed support for regulated use, aligning with the government's existing policy allowing cannabis for medical, economic, and research purposes.

 

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin echoed a more cautious approach in a France 24 interview, suggesting reclassification due to perceived harmful effects on Thai society, despite any economic benefits.

 

The differing opinions reflect the complexity of the cannabis issue in Thailand, as the nation grapples with balancing public health and economic opportunities.

 

TOP picture: Pedestrian walk under sign Cannabis shop in Bangkok, Thailand,

Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

 

Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin said Wednesday, May 8, 2024 that he wants cannabis to be officially classified as a narcotic drug, a rollback from the complete decriminalization of the plant two years ago.

 

(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

-- 2024-05-20

 

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[Jingthing]

How about the people that don't like it, just don't use it? Like tobacco and alchohol.

Sorted.

[ezzra]

And this is comes from the the most Legally abiding citizens in the world...

[Pesche]

A poll survey of 1,310 individuals aged 15 and over from various backgrounds does not represent "the majority of Thais"!

So much discussions about a recognised "recreational drug" - so little discussions about Ya Bah, Ice etc.

 

[Skipalongcassidy]

42 minutes ago, Pesche said:

A poll survey of 1,310 individuals aged 15 and over from various backgrounds does not represent "the majority of Thais"!

So much discussions about a recognised "recreational drug" - so little discussions about Ya Bah, Ice etc.

 

You really do not understand the way that polls work do you?  1310 individuals or 131000 or 1310000 will aLl give you the same percent +or -

[Olmate]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

How about the people that don't like it, just don't use it? Like tobacco and alchohol.

Sorted.

How about its fuuurking up their country like tobacco and alcohol! 

[Skeptic7]

Majority of Thais voted for Pita too. Means nothing. 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A recent National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) poll reveals that most Thais support plans to reclassify marijuana as an illegal drug, though opinions on its benefits vary.

Only the sellers and users want it... 

[dinsdale]

Not suprising consindering ALL news articles and government messages are negative, even demonising and based on falsehoods not evidence and that many Thais tend to believe what they are told as truth. This survey just mirrors this. I remember some guy going beserk in Pattaya and it was instantly blamed on dope. My initial thought was ice which it turned out to be but the negative damage to was done. There have been many articles like this.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

When asked about the government's intention to reclassify marijuana as illegal, 60.38% completely agreed, and 15.27% moderately agreed. Conversely, 14.50% strongly disagreed, 8.93% moderately disagreed, and 0.92% were uncertain or uninterested.

 

This, however, shows almost 25%, which represents a large number, do not want dope recriminalised as a narcotic. When taking into account a % of respondents will be anti everything, booze, cigs etc and a large % of respondents will have a complete lack of education about dope and as I stated above will believe what they are told vis a vis complete negative messaging then these results can very well be seen in another light.

[dinsdale]

19 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Only the sellers and users want it... 

A moot point as the same can be said for alcohol and cigarettes which are both more harmful than dope.

[IAMHERE]

I imagine the poll was taken outside a brewery or distillery or liquor store.   Too easy to manipulate what a poll says.

[Geoffggi]

It all depends on how the questions were asked, polls can be manipulated to give the answer required  !!!!

[GrungthepGringo]

The NIDA is part of the department of education. Do they normally conduct polls about people's opinions about the use of drugs in Thailand? Have they also conducted polls about meth, alcohol, cigarettes, etc? The answer is probably no, unless the ruling political party in government asks them to. Meanwhile the ruling political party wants to make cannabis illegal. Conflict of interest? Hard to trust any results from a poll conducted by another part of the government. 

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, Geoffggi said:

It all depends on how the questions were asked, polls can be manipulated to give the answer required  !!!!

As can referendums on changing the constitution. Make questions to suit the required answers.

[AustinRacing]

Was there a poll before it was criminalized? Thaksin hard at work. Go boy. 

[jacko45k]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

 

This, however, shows almost 25%, which represents a large number, do not want dope recriminalised as a narcotic. When taking into account a % of respondents will be anti everything, booze, cigs etc and a large % of respondents will have a complete lack of education about dope and as I stated above will believe what they are told vis a vis complete negative messaging then these results can very well be seen in another light.

Democracy redefined......

[Andre0720]

Society, going downhill again.....

Heads looking down on their mobiles, certainly not about learning anything.

Men, except for the elite, mostly hooked on tobacco.

Now marijuana legalized, oh let's open a shop, space available close to a 7-11.

Or any shop not lucrative enough shut down to be replaced by a cannabis shop.

Let's add a bit of Kratom to the hemp juice, just to get a better kick. I see them getting their bottle of hemp juice, and going in the back to get the dose of Kratom to add to the mix.

 

When ideally people should aim at increasing their level of 'awareness', in order to better their life. The opposite is happening to the cohort of younger people.

 

Not like this country is a the top of the list of civilized countries.

 

So for those who will use alcohol as a comparison point, let me add that I can have only one beer every evening, but a smoker cannot have one cigarette a day. Tobacco is a highly addictive drug.

 

So a large percentage of Thai people can see this, but the culture is all about 'shhhhh'. 

But a poll, oh, finally some privacy in expressing an opinion...

 

What are the effects of Kratom?
At low doses, kratom produces stimulant effects with users reporting
increased alertness, physical energy, and talkativeness. At high doses,
users experience sedative effects. Kratom consumption can lead to
addiction.
Several cases of psychosis resulting from use of kratom have been
reported, where individuals addicted to kratom exhibited psychotic
symptoms, including hallucinations, delusion, and confusion.

[bob smith]

another NIDA poll....

 

🤣

 

bob.

[DTL2014]

No one was asked in our district. These figures look doubtful - i suppose it depends who you ask. I wouldnt mind betting that if these same people were asked about Taksin's return would say - he has served his time.He hasnt . And if you make marijuana illegal - i'm afraid Taksin will have to leave again or face jail . Anyone following politics for the last 20 years will know how Taksin operates .He cosy's up to the police and makes sure they get their noses in the trough .This is the real reason for the about turn on marijuana.He does this to funnel money up so he can buy votes at each election then populist policies with the surplus cash to make out he is returning the cash to the people.He is a con man. Only con men run away like he did ...if he thinks he is above the law - look at the hoo ha over appointing his ex lawyer to cabinet post. Clearly he is pulling the strings again ....Sretta needs to assert his authority and keep Taksin out of sight and out of mind.Him retiring you should have been a condition of his return.He has broken those conditions..

[DTL2014]

actually i kind of agree with you  Andre,regarding Kratom....some burmese workers have experienced black outs from continued use of kratom .Its addictiveness comes from attaching to opioid receptors in the brain (like heroin) even though its an alkaloid, its behaves like an opioid.Definitely not for long term use then.

[RobU]

This article is pure plagiarism copying directly from an article in another English language publication but, as usual omitting other important facts

https://thepattayanews.com/2024/05/19/nida-poll-majority-of-thais-support-reclassifying-cannabis-as-narcotic-public-backs-medical-use-over-recreational/

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

You really do not understand the way that polls work do you?  1310 individuals or 131000 or 1310000 will aLl give you the same percent +or -

First.

What is the geographic distribution. If all provinces were fairly considered, 1,320 polled if distributed equally amounts to about 17 persons that would become smaller if then broken down by age groups within a province. For criminalization that affects millions of Thais, the NIDA polling base appears ridiculous.

Second.

Every statistical sampling (note no mention that such was used in this case) has a standard error.

The standard error of the coefficient is used  to measure the precision of the estimate of the coefficient. The smaller the standard error, the more precise the estimate.

I have never seen a NIDA survey mention the degree of error in its polling results. Thus, it's cited results are not a scientific poll and might reflect a high degree of error.

[khunpeer]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

 

A recent National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) poll reveals that most Thais support plans to reclassify marijuana as an illegal drug, though opinions on its benefits vary.

 

Conducted from May 14 to May 15, the NIDA poll surveyed 1,310 individuals aged 15 and over from various backgrounds. The results were somewhat mixed on how respondents view cannabis.

 

Over half, 53.74%, acknowledge marijuana as an illicit narcotic but believe it has medical benefits. Another 33.59% see it as a narcotic with no benefits at all, while 11.60% do not consider it illegal, and 1.07% were unsure.

 

When asked about the government's intention to reclassify marijuana as illegal, 60.38% completely agreed, and 15.27% moderately agreed. Conversely, 14.50% strongly disagreed, 8.93% moderately disagreed, and 0.92% were uncertain or uninterested.

 

 

 

On the broader cannabis policy, 74.58% believed it is aimed at medical purposes and treating illnesses. Meanwhile, 19.39% argued the government should not back any cannabis-related policies. About 10.53% felt the policy encourages legal cannabis product development, and 7.40% viewed it as a means to boost incomes. A smaller portion, 3.21%, saw it promoting recreational use, and 0.99% were unsure or indifferent.

 

This poll comes in light of Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's recent remarks on the cannabis debate. He expressed support for regulated use, aligning with the government's existing policy allowing cannabis for medical, economic, and research purposes.

 

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin echoed a more cautious approach in a France 24 interview, suggesting reclassification due to perceived harmful effects on Thai society, despite any economic benefits.

 

The differing opinions reflect the complexity of the cannabis issue in Thailand, as the nation grapples with balancing public health and economic opportunities.

 

TOP picture: Pedestrian walk under sign Cannabis shop in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin said Wednesday, May 8, 2024 that he wants cannabis to be officially classified as a narcotic drug, a rollback from the complete decriminalization of the plant two years ago. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

-- 2024-05-20

 

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it all depends who you ask, how the questions are formulated etc... 

also the lack of proper info shows well...

reefer-madness again?

[dinsdale]

11 minutes ago, RobU said:

This article is pure plagiarism copying directly from an article in another English language publication but, as usual omitting other important facts

https://thepattayanews.com/2024/05/19/nida-poll-majority-of-thais-support-reclassifying-cannabis-as-narcotic-public-backs-medical-use-over-recreational/

This is what happens now. No attributions and direct or almost direct lifts with some AI changes. As you say plagarism or intellectual theft.

[sammieuk1]

So do the police and army more money to be made for the up and coming Joe's 🤔

[newbee2022]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

 

A recent National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) poll reveals that most Thais support plans to reclassify marijuana as an illegal drug, though opinions on its benefits vary.

 

Conducted from May 14 to May 15, the NIDA poll surveyed 1,310 individuals aged 15 and over from various backgrounds. The results were somewhat mixed on how respondents view cannabis.

 

Over half, 53.74%, acknowledge marijuana as an illicit narcotic but believe it has medical benefits. Another 33.59% see it as a narcotic with no benefits at all, while 11.60% do not consider it illegal, and 1.07% were unsure.

 

When asked about the government's intention to reclassify marijuana as illegal, 60.38% completely agreed, and 15.27% moderately agreed. Conversely, 14.50% strongly disagreed, 8.93% moderately disagreed, and 0.92% were uncertain or uninterested.

 

 

 

On the broader cannabis policy, 74.58% believed it is aimed at medical purposes and treating illnesses. Meanwhile, 19.39% argued the government should not back any cannabis-related policies. About 10.53% felt the policy encourages legal cannabis product development, and 7.40% viewed it as a means to boost incomes. A smaller portion, 3.21%, saw it promoting recreational use, and 0.99% were unsure or indifferent.

 

This poll comes in light of Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's recent remarks on the cannabis debate. He expressed support for regulated use, aligning with the government's existing policy allowing cannabis for medical, economic, and research purposes.

 

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin echoed a more cautious approach in a France 24 interview, suggesting reclassification due to perceived harmful effects on Thai society, despite any economic benefits.

 

The differing opinions reflect the complexity of the cannabis issue in Thailand, as the nation grapples with balancing public health and economic opportunities.

 

TOP picture: Pedestrian walk under sign Cannabis shop in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin said Wednesday, May 8, 2024 that he wants cannabis to be officially classified as a narcotic drug, a rollback from the complete decriminalization of the plant two years ago. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

-- 2024-05-20

 

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It shows that Thais in this question have more brain than stupid farangs! QED. Congrats to all Thai people ❤️❤️❤️

[Yagoda]

The opinion of the Thai public doesnt count where big money is involved.

[steven100]

5 hours ago, Jingthing said:

How about the people that don't like it, just don't use it? Like tobacco and alchohol.

Sorted.

 

you miss the point ....   

It's the use of this that leads to social issues and problems.  How to mess up a country more than it is already ...

 

 

 

[Bday Prang]

6 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

You really do not understand the way that polls work do you?  1310 individuals or 131000 or 1310000 will aLl give you the same percent +or -

And what if they asked 13 individuals ?   same percentage again ?   "(+ or -)"    If anybody does not understand how polls work.  you are the last person they should be asking

[Bday Prang]

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

It shows that Thais in this question have more brain than stupid farangs! QED. Congrats to all Thai people ❤️❤️❤️

You appear to be one of the last reefer madness prohibitionists still trolling on nearly every cannabis thread, all the others have either seen sense or given up. Pity you can't do the same