Report Cannabis Clash: Thai Health Minister Falls Ill as Protesters Demand Reform

[webfact]

Pictures courtesy of Naewna

BANGKOK—Public Health Minister Somsak Thesuthin falls ill as pro-cannabis activists present demands at the ministry. His absence prompts questions about the controversial cannabis legislation debate in Thailand.

 

As pro-cannabis protesters gathered at the Public Health Ministry, Health Minister Somsak Thesuthin fell ill and was unable to meet them. Instead, his secretary-general, Mr. Thanakrit Chitareerat, received the group's letter.

 

The Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network outlined key proposals, urging the government to stop moves to recriminalise cannabis, maintain its status as a "herbal plant," and establish a joint committee for comprehensive regulation.

 

The network’s letter pushed for cannabis to remain accessible to avoid monopolisation by big businesses. They proposed regulatory announcements to ensure fair rules for farmers, consumers, and traders.

 

 

The call for a joint committee underscored the need for balanced promotion and safety measures without negatively impacting the public.

 

Mr. Prasertchai Noonual, the network’s secretary-general, accused Somsak of attempting to monopolise the cannabis industry through recriminalisation efforts.

 

He vowed ongoing resistance, stating that activists would continue to protest until cannabis legislation is enacted. The network set up a "flower market" at the ministry, demonstrating cannabis preparation and showcasing herbal products, aiming to highlight the plant's potential benefits.

 

The protest included plans for a no-confidence debate against Somsak, as well as a symbolic ceremony to protect the herb. The activists' determination highlights the growing tension surrounding cannabis policies in Thailand.

 

As the debate continues, pressure mounts on the Thai government to consider these proposals, pushing for legislation that balances regulation with opportunity in the burgeoning cannabis industry.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-07-08

 

 

[Expat Tom]

All of this over a weed that has been used for 1000 's of years? If it is a crime then who is the victim?

Too many busy bodies willing to tell people how to live their lives. I smoked pot year ago. I don't smoke pot now, however, if I want to burn a joint in the privacy of my own home  then that should be my choice.

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

and establish a joint committee for comprehensive regulation.

Seems appropriate.

[Pouatchee]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Health Minister Somsak Thesuthin fell ill and was unable to meet them.

 

he probably needs a good toke to set him right

 

10 hours ago, webfact said:

The call for a joint committee

 

i been saying that since forever... they need to roll a joint and share it with a committee to see the benefits of this herb

[wombat]

The irony is that what ails him can be cured with weed.

[Gandtee]

12 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Seems appropriate.

It's just a smoke screen.

 

[CanadaSam]

IMO half the fun is in the rolling of the J and smoking it.

 

What's with all these "gummies" and other products shaped like little animals?

 

Why???  Trying to attract the little kids?

[Toby1947]

And they were chanting, 

Q. What do we want ?

A.  Urm aarh urm durm urm aarh

Q. When do we want it ?

A. What ?

Brain dead halfwits

🤣😅🤣

[black tabby12345]

Health minister fell ill, seeing a rally against him?

Excessive greed makes people sick.

Well demonstrating that old saying.

[mikeymike100]

1 hour ago, Expat Tom said:

All of this over a weed that has been used for 1000 's of years? If it is a crime then who is the victim?

Too many busy bodies willing to tell people how to live their lives. I smoked pot year ago. I don't smoke pot now, however, if I want to burn a joint in the privacy of my own home  then that should be my choice.

Whatever you do in the privacy of your own home should be your choice, providing its legal?

[Thingamabob]

Somsak clearly sensing that time is running out for Thaksin. Time to lie low.

[Baba Naba]

I concur with most here. HOW can they make condemn anything that they have never tried? I think the whole committe needs to sit down, eat a 2.5mg gummie and discuss the matter! 

[grubman]

2 hours ago, Toby1947 said:

And they were chanting, 

Q. What do we want ?

A.  Urm aarh urm durm urm aarh

Q. When do we want it ?

A. What ?

Brain dead halfwits

🤣😅🤣

so you are saying that all people that use cannabis are Brain Dead Halfwits, 

 

You would be very surprised how many people that consume cannabis are full functioning members of the workforce and community, and you would have no idea that they are consuming Cannabis. i am sure some are in very high profile jobs and leaders.

 

Same goes for Alcohol, but no one are saying anything about that.  

 

 

[Purdey]

People still want to believe that Thailand is a democracy and should do "what we do in (my home) country". Every country is not the same. For instance, in the UK you are trusted to cross the road anywhere you want (except on motorways obviously). In some other "democratic" countries you are strictly forbidden from crossing the road wherever you want. Where's the freedom?

[Mad Mustang]

What a surprise. Thai politics 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[SOTIRIOS]

...Speaks Volumes About This Government's 'Competence' & 'Accountability'...(?)

[Yagoda]

How convenient for him

[nahkit]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

Health Minister Somsak Thesuthin fell ill and was unable to meet them.

Did he get a sick note from the same doctors that Thaksin used?

[Freddy42OZ]

5 hours ago, Toby1947 said:

And they were chanting, 

Q. What do we want ?

A.  Urm aarh urm durm urm aarh

Q. When do we want it ?

A. What ?

Brain dead halfwits

🤣😅🤣

 

 

Do you drink alcohol?  
Have you ever been drunk? 

Of course you do and of course you have. 

Getting stoned on a bit of weed is very similar to being slightly drunk, without the desire to start fights or be an annoying old fart.

[dinsdale]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Mr. Prasertchai Noonual, the network’s secretary-general, accused Somsak of attempting to monopolise the cannabis industry through recriminalisation efforts.

Spot on I reckon.

[kiwikeith]

7 hours ago, CanadaSam said:

IMO half the fun is in the rolling of the J and smoking it.

 

What's with all these "gummies" and other products shaped like little animals?

 

Why???  Trying to attract the little kids?

I think it was a protest by greedy shop owners who want to sell uncontrolled THC weed to anyone 

[GeorgeCross]

1 hour ago, Freddy42OZ said:

Getting stoned on a bit of weed is very similar to being slightly drunk, without the desire to start fights or be an annoying old fart.

 

yeah, its the nice buzzy bit before the nastiness starts

 

and with no hangover of course. 

 

[watchcat]

9 hours ago, nahkit said:

Did he get a sick note from the same doctors that Thaksin used?

 

You mean like money in an evelope, yes probably.

[Luuk Chaai]

 Health Minister Somsak Thesuthin fell ill and was unable to meet them

 

boss,,  can I borrow your props ?

 

[blaze master]

58 minutes ago, Luuk Chaai said:

 Health Minister Somsak Thesuthin fell ill and was unable to meet them

 

boss,,  can I borrow your props ?

 

 

 

All he needs is a pair of water wings.

[shocky2012]

12 hours ago, Freddy42OZ said:

 

 

Do you drink alcohol?  
Have you ever been drunk? 

Of course you do and of course you have. 

Getting stoned on a bit of weed is very similar to being slightly drunk, without the desire to start fights or be an annoying old fart.

 

And them hangovers! 

 

[daveAustin]

18 hours ago, Expat Tom said:

Too many busy bodies willing to tell people how to live their lives. I smoked pot year ago. I don't smoke pot now, however, if I want to burn a joint in the privacy of my own home  then that should be my choice.

And that’s exactly what it is, control by fuddy-duddy a-holes, plus big business missing out. All drugs should be legalised. They are out there, underground, as it is. Get it all out in the open, ensure quality and tax it. Then watch the greedy tobacco & alcohol magnates squirm as they lose out, along with big pharma when public health goes up. 

[kiwikeith]

11 hours ago, kiwikeith said:

I think it was a protest by greedy shop owners who want to sell uncontrolled THC weed to anyone 

There seems to be a poster that red thumbs everything he reads 

[captain_shane]

15 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

There seems to be a poster that red thumbs everything he reads 

Yeah, it's the greedy shop owner somjai making 15k baht a month. Not the corporations who want to monopolize the industry. You got it all figured out big guy!

[Davedub]

On 7/8/2025 at 8:31 AM, mikeymike100 said:

Whatever you do in the privacy of your own home should be your choice, providing its legal?

The point is that cannabis 'crimes' have no victim - so in fact calling them crimes is ridiculous. Whatever people choose to do in their own homes, whether considered a 'crime' or not, should depend on whether or not it causes harm to others. This was his (very good) point.

 

I question the right of any authority to tell any mentally healthy, well informed individual what they can and cannot eat / drink / smoke in the privacy of their own home. This is far beyond the remit of any government and action needs to be taken to prevent this sort of gross over-reach. It's simply none of their business.