Pai's Big Bust: 7 Tourists Nabbed for Public Cannabis Use

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

In a decisive move to curb disruptive behavior, Pai Police have arrested seven foreign tourists for causing a public nuisance, including smoking cannabis in public. These arrests were made on February 24 as part of a campaign to maintain order in the popular tourist destination.

 

The operation was spearheaded by Police Colonel Samret Samsitong, Superintendent of Pai Police Station, alongside Lt. Col. Nopphakhun Atthamathamkun and Lt. Col. Kriangkrai Saensali. In collaboration with Pai District Public Health, officers set up a special operations center on Pai's bustling walking street.

 

Patrols advised tourists against illegal actions like public cannabis use and issued fines on-the-spot. The crackdown led to the arrest of tourists from several countries: one from the UK, two from the Netherlands, one from the US, two from Spain, and one from Israel, according to a police spokesperson.

 

“We are committed to maintaining public order and ensuring that all tourists follow the law. Smoking cannabis in public places is prohibited, and offenders will be penalised,” said the spokesperson.

 

 

The laid-back town of Pai is currently confronting challenges brought on by increased tourism and the impacts of cannabis decriminalization. Local residents and business owners have expressed concerns over disturbances linked to cannabis use.

 

Responding to such issues, police have ramped up patrols in popular tourist areas, focusing on both educating visitors about local laws and enforcing penalties.

 

Pai Police urged all tourists to respect Thai laws and local customs, with a stern warning that public nuisance offenses will not be tolerated. They confirmed that further operations are planned to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.

 

Reactions on social media have been mixed. While some commend the police for preserving public order, others call for clearer regulations on cannabis use, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-25

 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

1 minute ago, snoop1130 said:

The crackdown led to the arrest of tourists from several countries: one from the UK, two from the Netherlands, one from the US, two from Spain, and one from Israel, according to a police spokesperson

 

   Some poster must have been panicking a bit , lucky for them that an Israeli also got arrested 

[MalcolmB]

They have ruined it for everyone.

We all know what lead to this crackdown. 
The locals had had enough of them.

[Nick Carter icp]

1 minute ago, MalcolmB said:

They have ruined it for everyone.

We all know what lead to this crackdown. 
The locals had had enough of them.

 

   Yesterday you were complaining about disrespectful people smoking marijuana in public .

   Today you are complaining about people not being able to smoke marijuana  in public .

   Seems like you just want to attack Israelis /Jews

 

[Bkk Brian]

3 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

They have ruined it for everyone.

We all know what lead to this crackdown. 
The locals had had enough of them.

Here we go, this is not a bash Israel topic Malcolm. Besides there are 84 licensed cannabis shops on Pai, far too many

 

 

Cops deny Pai locals have issues with Israeli tourists

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2966610/cops-deny-pai-locals-have-issues-with-israeli-tourists
 

[Social Media]

Off topic post removed @MalcolmB you've already had one Jew/Israeli trolling topic locked today. If you carry on the same rhetoric you will have some further time out to read the rules.

 

15. You will not discriminate or post slurs, degrading or overly negative comments on the basis of race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, nationality, disability, medical history, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, paternity, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other irrelevant factor.

[connda]

7 down - 2536 to go. Know the definition of "insanity?" 
Insanity: Attempting to end outdoor, public consumption of cannabis in Pai.

But good luck trying.    I expect this all to change when Gen-X, Millennials, and Gen-Z finally fully grasp the levers of power. Then you'll be able to enjoy a spiff at a bar along with your Johnny Walker Blue Label neat.  Until then?
"Foreigners bad."

Let's not even discuss the Thai cannabis users or those who sold the cannabis to the farangs in the first place.

[MalcolmB]

11 minutes ago, connda said:

Let's not even discuss the Thai cannabis users or those who sold the cannabis to the farangs in the first place.

They are allowed to sell it.

You are not allowed to smoke it in public.

I have seen over one hundred people smoke it in public, always farangs, never Thais.

[GammaGlobulin]

Seems to me that Big-Time changes are in the air.

Good!

 

Hope they are forced to view Reefer Madness, while in detention.

 

[DonniePeverley]

They need to send a clearer message in Phuket too. 

 

But this was desperately needed in Pai - as most of the people there are staying long term. 

[Social Media]

Reminder of the topic:

 

Pai's Big Bust: 7 Tourists Nabbed for Public Cannabis Use

The crackdown led to the arrest of tourists from several countries: one from the UK, two from the Netherlands, one from the US, two from Spain, and one from Israel, according to a police spokesperson.

[Yagoda]

8 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Seems to me that Big-Time changes are in the air.

Good!

 

Hope they are forced to view Reefer Madness, while in detention.

 

Great movie

[ChaiyaTH]

25 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

They are allowed to sell it.

You are not allowed to smoke it in public.

I have seen over one hundred people smoke it in public, always farangs, never Thais.

No sht sherlock, perhaps because they are tourists with only a ho(s)tel room where you can't smoke inside? Same as that they basically not want you to smoke inside the shops most times? So what are people then supposed to do? Yawn...

[pomchop]

Me and a zillion others were smoking pot in pai long before it was ever legal....but most of us were semi discrete about it.  Never had any problem at all.

[impulse]

In fairness, if there are 84 shops selling it in the wide open light of day, I can understand why some of the visitors may think it's okay to smoke it, just like all the guys smoking cigarettes in public.

 

I think they're shooting themselves in the foot, tourist numbers (and reputation) wise.  And I don't even smoke or drink.  It smacks of the randomness of the Thai popo.  Who wants to vacation where you may get arrested virtually randomly?   Like when they arrested those bridge playing desperados in Pattaya. 

 

OTOH, it's a good story to tell the folks back home.

 

[connda]

1 hour ago, MalcolmB said:

I have seen over one hundred people smoke it in public, always farangs, never Thais.

Don't live in a Thai community with a ratio of 1 farang to 99 Thais.  I do. Trust me - it's smoked in pubic.

[daveAustin]

2 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

They are allowed to sell it.

You are not allowed to smoke it in public.

I have seen over one hundred people smoke it in public, always farangs, never Thais.

How many Thais do you know?

 

Having been to Pai recently, it is basically a free-for-all with people smoking happily in bars and along the street. Police presence is in evidence and relaxed and they know exactly what is going on. This stuff now is all because of the bad press of a few tourists, so the police have to be seen to be doing something serious.

 

If the locals are annoyed by it all, then don't wish for tourism en masse and hand the money back! The kind of 'locals' that rub shoulders with these tourists are ALL making good coin. The real locals are around and about in the hills and have practically nothing to do with them unless they so wish.

 

At times, Thailand is still like a little child grappling with growing pains. Court millions into your country with free visas (many from suspect regions), then you should expect the odd issue and deal with them appropriately... but start down the crackdown route and you just confuse the F out of everyone and have them scurrying for more balanced places like Japan. 

[MalcolmB]

15 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

If the locals are annoyed by it all, then don't wish for tourism en masse and hand the money back!

They are just putting signs out the front of their businesses asking to keep the ones out that are causing them problems. 
Better solution than handing money back. No need to ruin it for the good tourists

[Tropicalevo]

6 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Smoking cannabis in public places is prohibited, and offenders will be penalised,” said the spokesperson.

 

Unfortunately, the sellers of the product tell the tourists that cannabis is totally legal.

No one advises them otherwise.

How about some big signs at entry at the airports and ports like they had years ago stating the fact that it is the death penalty for bringing in drugs and so on.

[Patong2021]

5 hours ago, connda said:

7 down - 2536 to go. Know the definition of "insanity?" 
Insanity: Attempting to end outdoor, public consumption of cannabis in Pai.

But good luck trying.    I expect this all to change when Gen-X, Millennials, and Gen-Z finally fully grasp the levers of power. Then you'll be able to enjoy a spiff at a bar along with your Johnny Walker Blue Label neat.  Until then?
"Foreigners bad."

Let's not even discuss the Thai cannabis users or those who sold the cannabis to the farangs in the first place.

 

The issue of smoking cannabis in public space is that it is a heavy, sticky smoke. I really resent  running or cycling along and running  into a cloud of cannabis exhaust. It's no different than diesel fumes. You want to smoke, good for you, go do it where you don't bother other people. Smoke as much as you want.

The issue isn't with the smokers who are considerate with others, it's that specific foreign group who smoke wherever and whenever they please. They all look the same  and they all behave the same. In Hua Hin, it is 50+ year old solitary white males who look like they live at the Sally Ann dorm and give off an aura of perpetual  failure. 

 

Ever since  cannabis  was legalized, I have yet to encounter a Thai smoking cannabis in public, let alone being a nuisance. Of course there are  Thai cannabis users, but they are not the ones smoking in the crowded areas in the tourist areas

 

 

BTW, Gen X are now at retirement age. 

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

These arrests were made on February 24 as part of a campaign to maintain order in the popular tourist destination.

Over-crowded tourist area

[rwill]

After smoking they wanted a piece of pai.  Mr. Donuts was already sold out.

[Gottfrid]

15 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Here we go, this is not a bash Israel topic Malcolm. Besides there are 84 licensed cannabis shops on Pai, far too many

 

 

Cops deny Pai locals have issues with Israeli tourists

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2966610/cops-deny-pai-locals-have-issues-with-israeli-tourists
 

Where did he say Israeli in the post you quoted?

He say, people like this ruin things for us all. The Thai people get a bad attitude against foreigner in general. Immigration and police will make more crackdowns and check-ups.

Visa procedures might get more difficult.

[Taboo2]

15 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

They are allowed to sell it.

You are not allowed to smoke it in public.

I have seen over one hundred people smoke it in public, always farangs, never Thais.

The cops in Patts are relaxed and lenient because the folks here are not as obnoxious as the spoiled, entitled Pai newbies, who think they are back home and can insult locals and act like pricks.  

 

I smoke everyday in public, in front of cops in LK, WS and TT,,,,no one cares.  

 

Glad to see the cops in Pai reminding those morons who is in charge.

[Harrisfan]

Let them have fun. Back home they sit in rooms playing Playstation

[petedk]

16 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

They are allowed to sell it.

You are not allowed to smoke it in public.

I have seen over one hundred people smoke it in public, always farangs, never Thais.

 

Come here then. There are often several Thais sitting outside a restaurant near here openly smoking cannabis. Sometimes the smell is so strong we have to close the windows.

[petedk]

10 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

The issue of smoking cannabis in public space is that it is a heavy, sticky smoke. I really resent  running or cycling along and running  into a cloud of cannabis exhaust. It's no different than diesel fumes. You want to smoke, good for you, go do it where you don't bother other people. Smoke as much as you want.

The issue isn't with the smokers who are considerate with others, it's that specific foreign group who smoke wherever and whenever they please. They all look the same  and they all behave the same. In Hua Hin, it is 50+ year old solitary white males who look like they live at the Sally Ann dorm and give off an aura of perpetual  failure. 

 

Ever since  cannabis  was legalized, I have yet to encounter a Thai smoking cannabis in public, let alone being a nuisance. Of course there are  Thai cannabis users, but they are not the ones smoking in the crowded areas in the tourist areas

 

 

BTW, Gen X are now at retirement age. 

 

We must live in entirely different areas.

 

I rarely see foreigners smoking cannabis in my area, but almost daily I see groups of Thai openly smoking cannabis.

[MalcolmB]

56 minutes ago, Taboo2 said:

obnoxious as the spoiled, entitled Pai newbies, who think they are back home and can insult locals and act like pricks

That is exactly the problem. 
And they ruining it for all of us.

[black tabby12345]

Looks like the real issue is their long standing  Unruly Behavior.

 

And smoking weed in public , was Just an Excuse to bust them.

 

TAT's cannabis law explanation site.

 

10 Things Tourists need to know about cannabis in Thailand

 

I don't smoke any weed, but checked it out, for curiosity.

[Social Media]

@MalcolmB enough of this off topic trolling with your obsession for bashing Israelis. This topic is not about them. Any more of the same and it will be more than posts removed. No more leeway today.