Report Pattaya's Cannabis Shops Face Uncertain Future Amid Policy Shift

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Thai Newsroom

 

The bustling cannabis market in Pattaya is facing turbulence following a recent announcement by Thailand's Public Health Ministry. The new directive intends to restrict cannabis use to medical purposes only, a shift that has many shop owners in the seaside city concerned about their future.

 

The atmosphere in Pattaya and the Chonburi area remained mixed last evening as reporters from TV Channel 7 observed. Several cannabis shops continued to serve tourists, while others closed temporarily, waiting for more information from the government.

 

Mr. Pranchai Chaiyamontri, secretary-general of the Pattaya Chonburi Medical Cannabis and Economy Entrepreneurs Club, expressed the collective worries of over a hundred business owners. The main anxieties lie in the ambiguities surrounding the new regulations and the potential impact on their investments and operations.

 

"Cannabis shop operators have significantly contributed to Pattaya's economy over the past three years," said Pranchai. "Some tourists come specifically for legal cannabis access."

 

Pranchai urges the government to expedite the development of the Cannabis Act, aiming to establish a clear legal framework that goes beyond ministerial regulations. He emphasised the importance of protecting entrepreneurs' rights and freedoms, especially given that the club's members operate with valid licences.

 

In addition, Pranchai suggested the introduction of compensation measures and guidelines to support marijuana entrepreneurs, proposing the creation of dedicated cannabis sales zones in tourist areas. He stressed the importance of considering patients who rely on cannabis for medical treatments.

 

“Cannabis businesses shouldn't be viewed as grey operations,” Pranchai remarked. “These are legal and transparent investments. It's crucial to consider not only their financial security but also the public's rights to access herbal treatments.”

 

As the situation develops, the future of Pattaya's cannabis businesses remains uncertain, leaving shop owners and tourists alike in a state of anticipation.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-06-25

 

 

[jacko45k]

Have to focus on under the table vapes now?

[baansgr]

You gotta admit, this is a good thing, how the government allowed it in the first place is unbelievable. You only have to walk, or if you dare to drive around the streets of Pattaya/Jomtien to see the amount of spaced out ganga cadets and the destruction of quality of life they have caused to residents and tourists. Top marks for this legislation 👍 

[Geoffggi]

What I find difficult to understand is there has been very little problems from people using cannabis than people causing problems from alcohol abuse so why is there so much concern

[quake]

Total incompetence of government in the first place.

Just implement something with no controls.

What a disaster.

Idiots on the job. 

[baansgr]

59 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

What I find difficult to understand is there has been very little problems from people using cannabis than people causing problems from alcohol abuse so why is there so much concern

There has been many problems with ganga cadets, about 20 people have been caught smuggling cannabis in the past few months, how many have been caught smuggling drink???. 

[Geoffggi]

1 minute ago, baansgr said:

There has been many problems with ganga cadets, about 20 people have been caught smuggling cannabis in the past few months, how many have been caught smuggling drink???. 

 

What a strange comment, smuggling is a totally diffrtrnt subject, how many people are caught smuggling other items like watches, gold, precious stones & cigaretts etc.

[KireB]

I read somewhere that there are more than 1500 dispensaries in Phuket alone.

[StandardIssue]

Good, might finally get rid of the dank stank in my condo and in and around the beaches where I walk. Ferkin' tired of self centered high flyers lighting up wherever and whenever they want to stinking up the place.

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The bustling cannabis market in Pattaya is facing turbulence following a recent announcement by Thailand's Public Health Ministry. The new directive intends to restrict cannabis use to medical purposes only, a shift that has many shop owners in the seaside city concerned about their future.

nice OP photo... And they wonder why the millionaires don't come

[jacko45k]

2 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

What I find difficult to understand is there has been very little problems from people using cannabis than people causing problems from alcohol abuse so why is there so much concern

Whole other topic...... and bad association of cannabis leading people onto  harder  drugs. Also look how much money is made wrt alcohol and its associated businesses... cannabis doesn't do shxt, it's kids stuff. 

[klauskunkel]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The main anxieties lie in the ambiguities surrounding the new regulations

Ambiguities..., the only constant in Thai politics.

[blaze master]

1 hour ago, Geoffggi said:

 

What a strange comment, smuggling is a totally diffrtrnt subject, how many people are caught smuggling other items like watches, gold, precious stones & cigaretts etc.

 

A Thai friend of mine told me once that for 500k you can get a blind eye turned to an entire shipping container. 

[kingstonkid]

2 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

What I find difficult to understand is there has been very little problems from people using cannabis than people causing problems from alcohol abuse so why is there so much concern

 

Like a lot of things in this country it is not so much the problem as it is the appeasement of the voters and the looking like they are doing something.

 

Ever since Anutin opened the gates they have been trying to get legislation passed to solve potential issues.  Unfortunatley they have in their normal Thai waynot been able to do it.  Nor does it appear with the turmoil presently that they are going to get it done this year.

 

Hence the PTP needs a win or something that they can say see we did this for you when the election happens later this year.

 

The other reason for the clamp again is face saving.  Before the Marijuana laws were removed you never heard of anyone trying to smuggle large quatities into the UK or other countries.  Unfortunatley at almost 1 a week we are reading about the people that got caught.

 

Both are bad looks.  in the eyes of the electorate.

 

 

[blaze master]

1 hour ago, StandardIssue said:

Ferkin' tired of self centered high flyers lighting up wherever and whenever they want to stinking up the place.

 

I can somewhat agree with this. People should have consideration of others. I might love the smell but it doesn't mean everyone does. 

[bkk6060]

I would rather smell weed, then listen to the increasing number of idiots listening to loud music or movies on their phones in what should be a quiet environment. 

Add, the people walking around the malls screaming into their phones on video calls to their mommies.

[EVENKEEL]

The train has left the station. There is absolutely no stopping it. All the talk is going on while trying to figure out the best money making scheme.

 

The only difference for me is now I don't have to idle away at the bar till the nice lady delivers me a bag of brick. Now I get to choose from the jars. But not much different before the legalization.

[henryford1958]

3 hours ago, baansgr said:

You gotta admit, this is a good thing, how the government allowed it in the first place is unbelievable. You only have to walk, or if you dare to drive around the streets of Pattaya/Jomtien to see the amount of spaced out ganga cadets and the destruction of quality of life they have caused to residents and tourists. Top marks for this legislation 👍 

 

IF it happens. Like many things in Thailand it will be fudged where money is involved. Even the article says there might be "cannabis sales zones" where the nut jobs can stll get stoned.

[baansgr]

2 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

 

What a strange comment, smuggling is a totally diffrtrnt subject, how many people are caught smuggling other items like watches, gold, precious stones & cigaretts etc.

You don't get 20 years for taking a few ciggies through the border, grow up wil you

[baansgr]

20 minutes ago, henryford1958 said:

 

IF it happens. Like many things in Thailand it will be fudged where money is involved. Even the article says there might be "cannabis sales zones" where the nut jobs can stll get stoned.

I'd go along with that, as long as they are confined to certain areas until they depart...it sounds like a good idea

[dinsdale]

54 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Whole other topic...... and bad association of cannabis leading people onto  harder  drugs. Also look how much money is made wrt alcohol and its associated businesses... cannabis doesn't do shxt, it's kids stuff. 

It's a 10's of billions baht industry annually.

[Geoffggi]

3 minutes ago, baansgr said:

You don't get 20 years for taking a few ciggies through the border, grow up wil you

 

Smuggling is smuggling it's only the price or value of the commodity that makes the difference, plus we are not talking about a few ciggies brought through customs it is the container loads that are smuggled into the country from places like China etc. I rather think it is you who needs to growup & see the real world for what it is. - Do have a nice day

[newbee2022]

3 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

What I find difficult to understand is there has been very little problems from people using cannabis than people causing problems from alcohol abuse so why is there so much concern

Sorry, this is about cannabis. Stay on topic

[Geoffggi]

1 minute ago, newbee2022 said:

Sorry, this is about cannabis. Stay on topic

 

Silly person it is concerning cannabis in relation to a more problematic issue of alcohol abuse

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

Whole other topic...... and bad association of cannabis leading people onto  harder  drugs. Also look how much money is made wrt alcohol and its associated businesses... cannabis doesn't do shxt, it's kids stuff. 

Where is something about alcohol mentioned? 

And you don't know anything about cannabis. I suppose you're a user. So how many of your brain cells are already destroyed? 

[newbee2022]

2 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

 

Silly person it is concerning cannabis in relation to a more problematic issue of alcohol abuse

It's about cannabis if you're able to read. Apparently not

[Geoffggi]

9 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

It's about cannabis if you're able to read. Apparently not

 

I do appologise if comprehending my post is beyond you, obviously I can read & write, plus able to move on, you appear to be stuck repeating yourself which is rather boring 

[Galong]

2 hours ago, baansgr said:

There has been many problems with ganga cadets, about 20 people have been caught smuggling cannabis in the past few months, how many have been caught smuggling drink???. 

Surely you're not patting yourself on the back for this remark.   FYI, one of the most dangerous drugs, according to the Merck (medical) manual, is alcohol. It's legal. It doesn't need to be smuggled. 

[Galong]

The Thai government's push to recriminalize cannabis under the pretext of protecting youth is a masterclass in moral panic policymaking. While real threats to young people, such as abysmal job prospects, rampant road fatalities, alcohol abuse, and cigarette addiction, go largely unaddressed (except for repeated unsuccessful campaigns), cannabis is scapegoated with vague statistics and anecdotal fearmongering.

Claims of edibles "accidentally" reaching children ignore the basic fact that these are sold in age-restricted shops, so perhaps the issue lies with negligent parenting, not plant-based gummies.

If policymakers want to gut an industry supporting thousands of jobs and attracting tourism, they’d better bring peer-reviewed science, not bedtime stories.