Deputy PM Anutin opposes PM Srettha’s cannabis reclassification

[snoop1130]

 

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul, declared his opposition to Prime Minister (PM) Srettha Thavisin‘s policy to reclassify cannabis as a Narcotics Category 5 drug.

 

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) agreed last week to reclassify cannabis, which has been permitted for health-related purposes for over two years. This new policy is expected to be implemented next year.

 

However, many cannabis supporters, including members of the Bhumjaithai Party, opposed the reclassification plan. Two cannabis activists even began a hunger strike in protest last week. Accordingly, further meetings on the reclassification will be held for relevant authorities to vote and voice their opinions on the matter.

 

In a recent parliamentary meeting, Anutin and members of the Bhumjaithai Party under his leadership voted to approve the draft budget bill, including the digital wallet scheme proposed by the Pheu Thai Party. Journalists asked Anutin whether he expected the same support for his cannabis policy.

 

Anutin explained that the coalition government parties should support each other but the cannabis case is a matter for the ministry level, not the government as a whole. As the Interior Minister, he would also participate in the meeting and vote on the reclassification plan.

 

 

PM Srettha and the Pheu Thai Party campaigned on a policy to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic during the election, and this was one of their major policies, just as cannabis legalisation was a major policy for the Bhumjaithai Party.

 

Deputy PM opposition

 

Anutin emphasised that he would definitely vote against the reclassification, as he believed relevant authorities should consider more information before making a decision. He pointed out that he revealed his direction to the PM.

 

When asked about PM Srettha’s reaction, Anutin responded that the PM listened to him and urged him to speak about his reasons for opposing the reclassification and other relevant information during the meeting. However, the meeting has not yet been scheduled.

 

News reporters also asked Anutin whether he would discuss the issue with the current Public Health Minister, Somsak Thepsuthin, before the meeting. Anutin said he would not, as they had different opinions and discussion could lead to conflict.

 

Anutin stated that coalition government parties can have different opinions but should not conflict with each other.

 

He concluded by saying that he would only agree to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic if there was proof that it harmed Thai society, had no health benefits, and could not treat any patients.

 

By Petch Petpailin

Photo via Facebook/ พรรคภูมิใจไทย

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-07-18

 

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

 

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[JoePai]

Am impressed by his (obviously) impressive military career 

[Pouatchee]

i thought all was well in the coalition 2 days ago... thank you anutin... no one should be jailed for weed. i dont like anutin, but he is doing the right thing.

[webfact]

Bhumjaithai party will vote against re-criminalising cannabis and hemp

 

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today that he will vote against the re-criminalisation of cannabis and hemp at the forthcoming meeting of the Narcotics Control Board, after the two plants were removed from the Category 5 drug list two years ago, during the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

 

Anutin, leader of the Bhumjaithai party, said he has informed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin that he could not vote in support of criminalisation of cannabis and hemp because some board members, who voted in favour of decriminalisation, are still in the board, on which the majority of members now want to re-criminalise the plants by putting them back on Category 5 drug list.

 

Asked whether he had discussed the issue with Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin of the Pheu Thai party, he said there is no need, because the two parties have divergent positions regarding cannabis and hemp.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-07-19

 

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

 

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[ThaiFelix]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

He concluded by saying that he would only agree to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic if there was proof that it harmed Thai society, had no health benefits, and could not treat any patients.

I dont think you could get more logical for that.                

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul, declared his opposition to Prime Minister (PM) Srettha Thavisin‘s policy to reclassify cannabis as a Narcotics Category 5 drug.

Of course he does... 

[ChrisY1]

He obviously has some serious cannabis businesses....he's been harping on far too strongly and for too long, to just simply be against the forthcoming ruling...

[paul1804]

Of course the deputy will vote against it, its his cash cow and what drives Thai people more than $$$$$ - nothing!!

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

He obviously has some serious cannabis businesses....he's been harping on far too strongly and for too long, to just simply be against the forthcoming ruling...

I have been told that it is his brother (or BIL?). He is rumoured to have one of the largest cannabis farms in Thailand.

I can not find any proof or this though.

[Pouatchee]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Anutin, leader of the Bhumjaithai party, said he has informed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin that he could not vote in support of criminalisation of cannabis and hemp because some board members, who voted in favour of decriminalisation, are still in the board, on which the majority of members now want to re-criminalise the plants by putting them back on Category 5 drug list.

 

i have read and re-read this over and over and i still dont understand it... why does some members who voted to declassifying it still being on the board make it so he cant vote? HE being sreta, i guess... not clear reporting at all

 

 

[mancub]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Two cannabis activists even began a hunger strike in protest last week.

Wait until they get the Munchies big time ! 

[Korat Kiwi]

A possible conflict of interest?  No never... Not that he would tell if there was/is. 

[nahkit]

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

I have been told that it is his brother (or BIL?). He is rumoured to have one of the largest cannabis farms in Thailand.

I can not find any proof or this though.

I think it's the daughter of Newin Chidchob that you are talking about.

 

"In April, Newin Chidchob, a close associate of Anutin’s, organised a “Cannabis Expo,” also in Buriram, where he proclaimed that marijuana could be Thailand’s cure for poverty and disease. Newin is a patron of BJT and CEO of Buriram United Football Club. He is not a politician, but is widely known as the puppet-master behind many MPs in Buriram. Shortly thereafter, Newin’s daughter Chidchanok Chidchob registered with the Ministry of Health to create Buriram Community Enterprise (BCE), Thailand’s first cannabis supplier. "

 

Courtesy of Fulcrum https://fulcrum.sg/thailands-marijuana-politics-down-from-a-high/

 

Worth reading the whole article in my opinion.

 

 

[Ben Zioner]

40 minutes ago, nahkit said:

"In April, Newin Chidchob, a close associate of Anutin’s, organised a “Cannabis Expo,” also in Buriram, where he proclaimed that marijuana could be Thailand’s cure for poverty and disease. Newin is a patron of BJT and CEO of Buriram United Football Club. He is not a politician, but is widely known as the puppet-master behind many MPs in Buriram. Shortly thereafter, Newin’s daughter Chidchanok Chidchob registered with the Ministry of Health to create Buriram Community Enterprise (BCE), Thailand’s first cannabis supplier. "

Could lead to a third series" "Narcos Buriram".

 

Pretty disgusting IMHO.

[DonniePeverley]

If  Anutin Charnvirakul stood on a platform of right wing politics, and denounced Srettha Thavisin for his mass open door immigration/tourism policy, he would win alot of votes in Thailand. 

 

He's done the rhetoric before, during covid. Many local thai's i remember agreed with him. Whilst Thais were masking up and being careful, you had foreigners coming out acting like big shots not abiding by the rules/laws and showing respect as visitors in the country. He got much support for being one of the only guys to dare speak up. 

 

This time next year Thais will be furious when tourism levels reach record breaking figures, rents shoot up, and there is a takeover by the Indian/Russina/Chinese communities. We've seen protests in France, Spain, Japan against mass tourism. 

 

Srettha is from a background in Real estate, and that's where most of his policies (in my opinion) seem to be benefitting. He is doing very little (or unable to) to diversify Thai's economy the way Vietnam or Malaysia have done to great success. Instead it's more a less a push to cheap mass tourism (but on Steroids). 

 

It's if Anutin is wise enough to realise the open goal he has. 

 

[Luuk Chaai]

urged him to speak about his reasons ( $$$$$ x 10 )

However, the meeting has not yet been scheduled. ( Payment not made yet )

 

... concluded by  ...  agree to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic if there was proof that more $ can be made somewhere else

 

[stoner]

who controls the senate again ? 

[daveAustin]

21 hours ago, paul1804 said:

Of course the deputy will vote against it, its his cash cow and what drives Thai people more than $$$$$ - nothing!!

Well it was his party’s policy after all! Regardless of monies lost or made, he would be spineless and a complete numpty to agree to reclassify now. While Pita should be running things, Anutin, despite is dislike of foreigners, is probably the next best thing for Thailand. This Sretta character (even under is overlord) is a damp squib waste of space and keeps going against the majority. 

[lordgrinz]

Basically, this country isn't ready for cannabis law changes. Until  it has a functioning police force, considerably less corruption, better educational system, and less poverty, it's just too soon. Last thing Thailand needs is to inject more drugs into it's society.

[Crimbath]

On 7/19/2024 at 10:26 AM, mancub said:

Wait until they get the Munchies big time ! 

Send them some Doritos. 

[Photoguy21]

Is this really a surprise? I think not.

[paul1804]

13 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Well it was his party’s policy after all! Regardless of monies lost or made, he would be spineless and a complete numpty to agree to reclassify now. While Pita should be running things, Anutin, despite is dislike of foreigners, is probably the next best thing for Thailand. This Sretta character (even under is overlord) is a damp squib waste of space and keeps going against the majority. 

You really feel Anutin is the next best thing ??????